Nephele

I'm sure others here will answer your other questions, but I'll tackle your question on how Vestal Virgins were selected. There was no formal election process involved -- when there was a vacancy for a Vestal, the Pontifex Maximus would choose from among Roman girls between the ages of six and ten years. Originally the girls were chosen from patrician families, but later on (most likely by 483 BCE) plebeian girls could be chosen. Other requirements were that the girl had to have both parents still living and happily married, with no scandal in the family, and that she herself had to be physically perfect and intelligent. -- Nephele

It's too bad Pliny didn't cover the size of horses used for various purposes in his time, along with what he did write about the horse in his Naturalis Historia. Apparently, and according to Pliny, the Romans had breeds of horses of varying sizes, as we have today. Pliny mentions two distinct breeds from Spain: the thieldones, and a smaller breed called the asturcones. It would be interesting to know whether the Romans might have preferred a specific breed of horse for their cavalry. 21st Century Roman, I've private messaged you with some information regarding the use of the signature feature on this board, as you were asking about this in one of your previous postings in this topic. -- Nephele

Yah, slappin' 'em in the head with a cheesy DVD will make a change from a sock full of pennies. -- Nephele

I was holding back. -- Nephele

Hi Neph, I may be wrong but didn't the cognomen "Niger" also indicate that who ever carried this nickname was also looked upon as the 'black' sheep of the family i.e. a bad lad, a bit of a rogue etc? Hahaha! You're remembering that "Hidden Roman Name" I blanagrammed for you over a year ago -- "A. Flavius Niger"! You've got a good memory! I admit I was being a bit of a tease with you at the time, explaining your cognomen by calling you the "black sheep" of the Flavii. (I can picture you as a bit of a rogue. ) But, actually, it's more likely that "Niger" referred to the physical characteristic of hair color or complexion, in the same way that the cognomina "Rufus" (red, ruddy) and "Albus" (white, fair) did. Thanks, GPM! -- Nephele

I seem to have missed that entire discussion last year, most likely because I wasn't able to watch the series at the time, being in the U.S. as I am. Thanks for that link! I see you, nevertheless, stuck with the entire series, night by night, GPM. And I noticed that a few folks commented that the bits with Nero were done well. Sean Pertwee was cast in the role of Caesar? Now, that I'm having difficulty picturing. I think I'll give it a go, nonetheless. Eh, it's cheap enough, being on sale at HMV. -- Nephele

"Schmata" is Yiddish for "a cheap piece of cloth; tawdry dress; rag" etc. The irony of it is that what I was wearing (which was so cattily criticized by my clearly vampire-phobic, more-than-somewhat racist, and not-a-little-bit ignorant loudmouth antagonist) was a rather expensive, richly-woven, ankle-length, 100-percent alpaca-wool poncho. Which I had purchased last October and blogged about in Shopping Advice from Strangers. -- Nephele

Good observation, spittle. Yes, I believe so. In modern Western society, surnames used as first names are often taken from the mother's side of the family, to perpetuate the mother's maiden name (which she loses upon marriage). An example of this from popular comic book fiction can be found in Superman's name -- his adoptive Earth parents having named him "Clark Kent," with "Clark" having been the maiden name of his adoptive mother (Martha Clark). Even though Roman women didn't change their names after marriage, their children would traditionally bear the name of the father. The cognomen "Drusus" came from Livia's side of the family, so it was perpetuated, after Livia's marriage, in her descendants as both cognomen and signum (the name by which an individual was generally called). -- Nephele

I think G.O. is referring to a similarity between your experience and mine, an unpleasant encounter with a crazy woman I had which I blogged about a few days ago. And the full moon isn't for another two weeks yet. -- Nephele

Birthday hails to you, Master Architect of the fantastic Roman miniatures! -- Nephele

Thanks, PP! Yes, I do plan to make a series of this, and research the cognomina of other noble families of Rome. As for a family possibly having dropped a cognomen/agnomen due to embarrassment... There are instances of families no longer using certain praenomina (usually by Senatorial decree) due to the infamy of an ancestor bearing that praenomen. But the Romans generally took the apparently pejorative nature of some of their cognomina in their stride. Not even the meaning of "Brutus" ("dimwit") seemed to faze Marcus Junius Brutus. So, I'm not aware of any Romans changing their cognomina for that reason, but I'll research this, as it's a good question! -- Nephele

Right you are, PP. It was at the end of the Republic and heading into the period of the Principate that the old Roman naming conventions were changing (for women as well as for men), with the changes particularly seen in the imperial family. Some cognomina (such as Drusus and Nero of the Claudii) were being used as praenomina. In fact, an old cognomen of the Cornelii -- Cossus -- also found its way into use as a praenomen, as I mentioned in my posting earlier today, Surnames of the Cornelii. -- Nephele

For the next few days (don't know how long), HMV has a special sale going on DVDs (with free delivery in the U.K.). I just got the announcement in my e-mail. Here's a link to a "dramatised documentary" on ancient Rome that sounds interesting. It stars Sean Pertwee (of Cadfael). Ancient Rome: Rise & Fall of an Empire "An epic recreation of an era ruled by the world's first superpower, ANCIENT ROME: THE RISE AND FALL OF AN EMPIRE is a major new six part, dramatised documentary. Detailing defining moments of Roman history, the series looks at the Jewish uprising, Julius Caesar's victory, among other things and culminates with the downfall of the Empire, itself." The DVDs are produced for the U.K. market, so if you're in the U.S. (or any other country using the NTSC television system), you'll need a multi-region player for these. -- Nephele

"Vampire schmata"? You speaka da Yiddish, G.O.? (Which, as everybody knows, is merely a dialect of NewYorkese). -- Nephele

Without a doubt the Cornelia gens contributed the greatest number of magistrates to the Roman Republic, perhaps making the connected families of the Cornelii the most influential gens of the Republic. The different families (both patrician and plebeian) of the Cornelii were distinguished by their hereditary cognomina -- with some families further distinguishing themselves with the addition of agnomina (nicknames and titles of honor). ...to the full article Surnames of the Cornelii

Being born of a Jewish mother automatically makes one a Jew, but there have also always been converts to Judaism throughout history. -- Nephele

Last time I checked, I didn't seem to have any Khazars in the family tree. But perhaps this will help. The conversion story you're thinking of, G.O., was related by the great Jewish poet Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi in the 12th century, in his work titled Kuzari. The story goes that the king of the Khazars had a dream that god was not pleased with the way he was conducting his life. And so, to find out how he should live, he called for leaders of various belief systems (not just Judaism and Christianity, but also Islam and Greek philosophy) to give their accounting of "the truth" before the king. The only one who impressed and ultimately convinced the king, was the Jewish rabbi speaking of the Jewish tenets of faith, and thus Judaism won out. -- Nephele

Thanks for the PM, Darth Maria. Here's your hidden Roman identity: You are a member of the Martia Gens, which is an infrequently found spelling of the Marcia Gens, a gens which claims to be descended from the fourth king of Rome. Your cognomen is "Voluptas" -- a clearly feminine nickname meaning "pleasure, delight, enjoyment," given to you to by your peers either in compliment or in envy. Your full Roman name is: Martia Voluptas ompsatviraahut -h +l Welcome to UNRV! -- Nephele

Giuliani is a freedom-hating, peevish little fascist. Besides the fact that he was the biggest glory-hound of 9/11, as mayor of New York City, Giuliani was hell-bent on "protecting" New Yorkers against everything from fireworks to ferrets. To get just an inkling of what this man would be like in the White House, listen to the way Giuliani, forgetting that he is a public servant, talks to a tax-paying citizen, in (which is hilarious, too). It's not about ferrets, Rudy. It's about FREEDOM. -- Nephele

Darth Maria, male or female? -- Nephele

I'm voting for him as well. It's disappointing that the candidates I liked most (Paul, Kucinich, Gravel) were pretty much dead at the starting gates, though. I really don't like any of the other Republicans, and I think only a few of the other Democrats would be tolerable. I don't like imperialism as a policy, and the only candidates who publically repudiate it are called "kooks" or "unelectable". What an impasse we have brought ourselves to, America. I'd like to cast a vote for Ron Paul, but I'm not a registered Republican (I'm not registered for any political party), and in New York State (unlike in some other states that allow open primaries) you can only vote in the primaries for a candidate for your own political party. So, that leaves me out, unless someday I should decide to join a political party. Which is highly unlikely. Klingan, check out Project Vote Smart -- Nephele

I haven't tried adding anything to the Calendar yet, but when checking it out I noticed there's a choice of "Add New Single Event" as opposed to "Add New Recurring Event." Shouldn't these dates be entered under "Recurring Event" so that they come up on the Calendar each year? Am I mistaken in presuming that "Single Event" will come up on the Calendar only for the year (2008) in which that event was entered, and then you'll have to add it in again next year and the year after? But "Recurring Event" you'll only have to add in the one time? -- Nephele

For a pro-Augustus viewpoint (you'll also want to read differing points of view), you may enjoy this latest contribution by UNRV community member WotWotius to UNRV's collection of outstanding essays. Click on link below: Why was Augustus so successful in creating the Roman Empire? Octavia, are you able to use the board's Search feature with the program you're using to read this board? A search on Augustus should be able to turn up a number of old threads in which he has been discussed, that you may want to participate in. -- Nephele

Here you go, Rugged. Compiled from Broughton's Magistrates of the Roman Republic: 110 CONSULS Marcus Minucius Rufus Spurius Postumius Albinus 110 TRIBUNES OF THE PLEBS Lucius Annius Publius Licinius Lucullus 110 PROMAGISTRATES ? Quintus Fabius Labeo ? Manius Sergius Marcus Livius Drusus (consul in 112) ? Servius Sulpicius Galba (consul in 108) 110 LEGATES, LIEUTENANTS Quintus Minucius Rufus Aulus Postumius Albinus (consul in 99) ? Gaius Porcius Cato (consul in 114) ? Lucius Opimius ? Gaius Sulpicius Galba 109 CONSULS Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus Marcus Iunius Silanus 109 CENSORS Marcus Aemilius Scaurus (consul in 115) Marcus Livius Drusus (consul in 112) 109 PRAETORS ? Gaius Atilius Serranus (consul in 106) ? Quintus Lutatius Catulus (consul in 102) ? Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio Quintus Servilius Caepio (consul in 106) 109 TRIBUNES OF THE PLEBS Gaius Mamilius Limetanus 109 QUAESTORS ? Lucius Licinius Crassus (consul in 95) ? Quintus Mucius Scaevola Pontifex (consul in 95) ? Gaius Servilius Glaucia 109 PROMAGISTRATES Marcus Minucius Rufus (consul in 110) 109 LEGATES, LIEUTENANTS Gaius Marius (consul in 107, 104-100, 86) Publius Rutilius Rufus (consul in 105) Quintus Minucius Rufus 109 PREFECTS ? Titus Turpilius Silanus 109 SPECIAL COMMISSION Marcus Aemilius Scaurus (consul in 115) 109 PRIESTS Gaius Sulpicius Galba 108 CONSULS Servius Sulpicius Galba (Lucius or Quintus ?) HOrtensius 108 CONSUL SUFFECTUS Marcus Aurelius Scaurus 108 CENSORS Quintus Fabius Maximus Eburnus (consul in 116) Gaius Licinius Getha (consul in 116) 108 PRAETORS Gnaeus Mallius Maximus (consul in 105) 108 PROMAGISTRATES Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus (consul in 109) Marcus Inius Silanus (consul in 109) Marcus Minucius Rufus (consul in 110) Quintus Servilius Caepio (consul in 106) 108 LEGATES, LIEUTENANTS Gaius Marius (consul in 107, 104-100, 86) Publius Rutilius Rufus (consul in 105) Quintius Minucius Rufus 108 PREFECTS Gaius Annius -- Nephele

Events for the months of November and December. NOVEMBER 3 39 - Birth of Lucan, Roman poet (d. 65) 361 - Death Constantius II, Roman Emperor (b. 317) NOVEMBER 6 355 - Roman Emperor Constantius II promotes his cousin Julian to the rank of Caesar, entrusting him with the government of the Prefecture of the Gauls. NOVEMBER 8 35 - Birth of Nerva, Roman Emperor (d. 98) NOVEMBER 11 308 - The Congress of Carnuntum: Attempting to keep peace within the Roman Empire, the leaders of the Tetrarchy declare Maxentius and Licinius to be Augusti, while rival contender Constantine I is declared Caesar of Britain and Gaul. NOVEMBER 16 42 BCE - Birth of Tiberius, Roman emperor (d. 37) NOVEMBER 17 284 - Diocletian is proclaimed emperor by his soldiers. 9 - Birth of Vespasian, Roman Emperor (d. 79) 375 - Death of Valentinian I, Roman Emperor (b. 321) NOVEMBER 20 284 - Diocletian is chosen as Roman Emperor. 270 - Birth of Maximinus, Roman Emperor (d. 313) NOVEMBER 26 43 BCE - The Second Triumvirate alliance of Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus ("Octavian", later "Caesar Augustus"), Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, and Mark Antony is formed. NOVEMBER 27 8 BCE - Death of Horace, Roman poet (b. 65 BCE) DECEMBER 5 63 BCE - Cicero reads the last of his Catiline Orations. DECEMBER 7 43 BCE - Death of Cicero, Roman politician and author (b. 106 BCE) DECEMBER 8 65 BCE - Birth of Horace, Roman poet (d. 8 BCE) DECEMBER 15 37 - Birth of Nero, Roman Emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty (d. 68) DECEMBER 18 218 BCE - Second Punic War: Battle of the Trebia - Hannibal's Carthaginian forces defeat those of the Roman Republic. DECEMBER 19 324 - Licinius abdicates his position as Roman Emperor. DECEMBER 20 69 - Vespasian, a former general under Nero, enters Rome to claim the title of emperor. DECEMBER 21 69 - Year of the four emperors: Following Galba, Otho and Vitellius, Vespasian becomes the fourth Emperor of Rome within a year. DECEMBER 24 3 BCE - Birth of Galba, Roman Emperor (d. 69) DECEMBER 25 274 - Roman Emperor Aurelian dedicates a temple to Sol Invictus on the supposed day of the winter solstice and day of rebirth of the Sun. DECEMBER 30 39 - Birth of Titus, Roman emperor (d. 81) DECEMBER 31 192 - Death of Commodus, Roman Emperor (b. 161) -- Nephele