Nephele

Speaking of female empowerment shows... Who can forget Roz Doyle of Frasier who, when invited to one of Frasier

Ah, Xena. I remember watching that show over ten years ago. In fact, I was such a Xena fangirl, I was even a member of the old Universal Studios Xena Message Board (which had no moderators and which frequently resembled a Wild West free-for-all). I posted an ode to Xena (in 1996) on that board, which I'll post here to bring back a few memories for any other Xenites (that's what folks on the board called themselves) who might be lurking here. Oh I want to be like Xena When I grow up someday; But Mother sighs and rolls her eyes At "Hey, boys...Wanna play?" Oh I want to dress in leather And bring a whip to school; But Father yells and firmly tells Me NOT to think that's "kewl". So I brought my home-made chakram, My schoolmates to impress; But when I'd shown the way it's thrown It made a little... mess? We had a casualty (or two); They screamed: "You've gone too far!" I said, "Wait! No! Thanks to the show I now know CPR!" They sent me to the Principal (He's Ares in disguise); His face turned red when I just said: "I'll not be YOUR next prize!" They called my Mom, who kvetched at me, "What's with these gods and stuff?? Ambrosia isn't kosher! Oy vey! We've had enough!" They sent me to an analyst For helpful therapy; The shrink's advice sure wasn't nice: "Unplug that damn TV!" So they took away my Xena As I wiped a tearful eye... (I'm making plans for Dr. Franz, 'Cause Xena wouldn't cry.) I still want to be like Xena -- Lucy Lawless, hear my plea; Did grown-ups screw up your life, too? Were you once a kid like me? -- Nephele

Nephele arrives with the party decorations, cake, and ancient noisemakers -- a pack of Spartan hounds to charge through the triclinium baying and barking in announcement of the presentation of the main meal,

Exciting news! I noticed yesterday that M. Porcius Cato had put up the university link to this project. http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=6700&hl= The Altair Multimedia folk did some similar work that can be found in the book Ancient Rome on Five Denarii a Day, including temple interiors. I hope the Rome Reborn folk eventually do interiors of ancient Roman temples -- and private homes, too! Does anyone know if that's in the plans? (I see the article mentions private homes, but will that include interiors?) -- Nephele

I think the series writers merely may have been employing a bit of deliberate irony in titling that episode with a date that was insignificant in comparison to the audience-anticipated significance of the Ides of March. There

Salve, Caroline! Thanks for that review, and welcome to UNRV! -- Nephele

Thanks, MPC, for that overview of CO2 and its relationship to temperature increases. Michael Shermer's article for Scientific American, while admittedly a call for environmental activism, was really more of an explanation as to why this former environmental skeptic -- in fact, this outspoken proponent of rational thought -- had come to change his mind on the subject. And so I'm particularly interested in reading (and I know now that I shall) how the authors cited by Michael Shermer might have addressed the argument and their critics, and how they may have answered for themselves as to whether or not they are confusing correlation and causation. -- Nephele

I find it interesting that Dr. Michael Shermer, founder of The Skeptics Society and publisher and editor-in-chief of Skeptic magazine, has done a 180 degree flip on the issue of global warming. Formerly a staunch environmental skeptic, last summer Dr. Shermer wrote an article for Scientific American magazine, titled The Flipping Point, stating what has led him to change his position on global warming and now acknowledge that we do have a problem and that "It is time to flip from skepticism to activism." Dr. Shermer cites the following books that eventually brought him to "the flipping point": "Archaeologist Brian Fagan's The Long Summer (Basic, 2004) explicates how civilization is the gift of a temporary period of mild climate. "Geographer Jared Diamond's Collapse (Penguin Group, 2005) demonstrates how natural and human-caused environmental catastrophes led to the collapse of civilizations. "Journalist Elizabeth Kolbert's Field Notes from a Catastrophe (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2006) is a page-turning account of her journeys around the world with environmental scientists who are documenting species extinction and climate change unmistakably linked to human action. "Biologist Tim Flannery's The Weather Makers (Atlantic Monthly Press, 2006) reveals how he went from being a skeptical environmentalist to a believing activist as incontrovertible data linking the increase of carbon dioxide to global warming accumulated in the past decade." I haven't read any of the above books, myself. Am curious as to whether anyone here has done so, and what were your thoughts on these? -- Nephele

You're welcome, C. And, welcome to UNRV! -- Nephele

Pretty wacky stuff, all right. You know, MPC, if you like it that much you can buy a 1st edition copy for around 20 bucks. Check it out. -- Nephele

cluelessnewbie, since you didn't indicate whether you are male or female, I gave you a masculine name. If you're female, I'll happily re-do your name to give you a sex-change. Your nomen genticulum of Arranius has been found in numerous ancient Latin inscriptions, but little is known about the name, other than it may be derived from Aruns, the name of the brother of the last king of Rome, who died in battle. Your praenomen of Aulus is abbreviated as "A." Your cognomen of Galeo (meaning "helmet") indicates a military history in your background. Your full Roman name is... A. Arranius Galeo (rnroaliszaagja -zj +ue) -- Nephele

That's pretty bad, considering that the Colosseum hadn't been built yet. What other mistakes does the book have? -- Nephele

From a libertarian viewpoint, my favorite Tacitus quote is often paraphrased as: "The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws." From Book 3 of The Annals: "Mankind in the earliest age lived for a time without a single vicious impulse, without shame or guilt, and, consequently, without punishment and restraints. Rewards were not needed when everything right was pursued on its own merits; and as men desired nothing against morality, they were debarred from nothing by fear. When however they began to throw off equality, and ambition and violence usurped the place of self-control and modesty, despotisms grew up and became perpetual among many nations. Some from the beginning, or when tired of kings, preferred codes of laws. These were at first simple, while men

Me too Nephele, I miss it. You watched Crank Yankers too, Pan? I loved that show because the people they pranked were just hilarious. If I was a goddess (The Goddess Nephele) I wouldn't let any of the other gods in the pantheon ever destroy any mortals. Because human beings are so amusing. AND, they make great pets! -- Nephele

"You are a murderer! You are a hater!! You are a life-destroyer!!! WE WILL HAVE YOUR TAXES AUDITED!!!" omg, omg, help me, please, I'm dyyyying! Hahahahahahaha!

Thanks for the suggestions, Nephele. (BTW, it's not for my 6-year-old; I'm happily childfree ATM.) Can you ask Caroline when the BBC adaptation will show in the US? I'm waiting for it with baited breath. Hi, MPC. Caroline doesn't know when it will show in the U.S., or even when the DVD will be out. The series was summarily postponed due to an act of political correctness by the media. (In the series, children are being kidnapped by pirates, and because of the kidnapped child Madeleine McCann, the Beeb was afraid that McCann family members and friends would be upset if they should happen to see that episode on their teevee.) I've got the first two episodes on DVD, but I can't get them to play on my DVD player or computer, unfortunately. Still trying to work it out. In the meantime, you can watch a trailer for the series here. Brits will no doubt recognize veteran actor Simon Callow in the role of Pliny the Elder. Heh, I'm childfree, too. But my man and I have been adopted by my neighbors' kids, so we're often on the lookout for cool stuff for them, too. -- Nephele

OMG, tears are coming out of my eyes, I'm laughing so hard! Check out this one, too: Stop Throwing Things Into My Pool "STOP CALLING ME BARBARA, YOU @#&$#!!!!" I luuurve prank phone calls. In fact, Crank Yankers (with Sarah Silverman) was one of my favorite teevee shows. But... Who is this guy? As a wind-up artist, he's a genius. EDIT: Oh, it's the Jerky Boys. I should've known. lol -- Nephele

D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths was my childhood introduction to classical mythology. The publisher today says that the book is intended for ages 9-12, but when I was a kid it seemed that we all were reading books on that level at a younger age. I don't imagine your 6-year-old having a problem with it. The book is lavishly illustrated, too. And, of course, you know I'm going to mention my friend Caroline Lawrence's wonderful series, The Roman Mysteries, as a fiction recommendation. Again, the publisher's suggested reading level is ages 9-14, but G. Paullinus Maximus on this board is reading the books to his 5-year-old daughter and says she's enjoying them. Caroline Lawrence is a classicist and former Latin teacher, and the mystery plots of her books are peppered with so many factual and fascinating tidbits of history and social life that readers virtually experience life in Rome of 79-81 C.E. Each book contains a glossary of terms used, and young children are likely to pick up a bit of a Latin vocabulary ("Euge!") in addition to finding out what mulsum and garum were. There's also a brief chapter at the end of each book explaining some aspect of ancient Rome that was the theme of that particular story -- law courts, chariot racing, the inaugural games of the Flavian Amphitheater, etc. -- often with primary sources cited. And, historic figures such as Pliny the Elder, Pliny the Younger, Vespasian, and others make appearances in the books (a very young Suetonius shares a few things in common with the series' young protagonist), further familiarizing young readers with history. -- Nephele

In honor of the return of Gaius Octavius, I'm posting this link to the Advertising Slogan Generator. If you need to advertise anything -- even the return of our beloved G.O. -- this is the generator for YOU! I typed in "Gaius Octavius", with the following results: For a Hard-Earned Thirst, Gaius Octavius. But I'd Rather Have a Bowl of Gaius Octavius. Go On, Get Your Gaius Octavius Out. But, wait! There's MORE! You can advertise ANYTHING with the handy dandy little Advertising Slogan Generator. Yes, you can even create a public demand for, say, badger breasts... Because I'm Worth Badger Breasts. Don't Get Mad, Get Badger Breasts. It Makes Your Badger Breasts Smack. Or, perhaps you've got an old product to sell that needs a new face with advertising... Maybe She's Born With It, Maybe It's Cocaine. Daddy or Cocaine? Cocaine - It Does a Body Good. Try the Advertising Slogan Generator with YOUR product/invention/unsuspecting victim and see if the Advertising Slogan Generator can make YOU a satisfied customer! -- Nephele

Welcome to UNRV, Maty! And many thanks for accepting my invitation for you to join this discussion! In addition to this topic, you might also want to check out this one, too, as I referenced your book there. Looking forward to your insights and comments on other topics here! -- Nephele

I didn't know that was on YouTube! Awesome! Now you see why I like the Tiger Lillies. On the stage, there are also cast members acting out the stories of the naughty children, and what happens to them. The story of Harriet who plays with matches and burns up is very creatively down, with her dress appearing to turn into flames on stage. There are lots of creepy puppets used in the performance as well, and Peter eventually comes up from the floorboards of the house (you see his fantistically long fingernails first). The falsetto singing of Martyn Jacques of the Tiger Lillies really adds to the surrealism of the entire performance. -- Nephele

Der Struwwelpeter has been turned into a touring musical titled Shockheaded Peter, and it has a cult following, sort of like Rocky Horror Picture Show. I've seen Shockheaded Peter more than once, myself, as an off-Broadway production. The band that provided the music for this self-described "junk opera" when it played in New York is The Tiger Lillies. If you're into the humorously macabre, you don't want to miss this show, if it you get the opportunity to see it. -- Nephele

I think many kinds of nuts were considered to be aphrodisiacs, due to the ancient theories that the shape of the food gave an indication of what part of the human body it might affect. Nuts = testicles, as we all know. Galen, in fact, recommended pine nuts for the purpose. I just got home from the beach (talk about a great environment for stirring the libido) and funny you should bring up this subject because my current reading for the beach is Dr. Philip Matyszak's wonderful new book: Ancient Rome on Five Denarii a Day. I'm up to the section titled "Out and About", and have just read the bit about wedding parties. Dr. Matyszak mentions how nuts were "thrown about like confetti on these occasions". His book includes numerous primary sources, and here's a sample of a bawdy wedding song which he provided to illustrate the symbolism of nuts among the ancient Romans: You there, slave boy Once your master's favourite in bed Though you have lost his love Pass round the nuts to the other lads. Great book. Even though it's my designated beach reading, I'm so engrossed in it that it goes with me everywhere. I'll need a new beach book by next weekend, at this rate. -- Nephele

I tend to play with my food. Childish, I know, but nevertheless amusing. My cereal of choice is shredded wheat. Because, you know, the pieces look like tiny bales of hay. And so I can be Horsezilla -- a giant, mutant, equine terror out of a cheesy Japanese monster flick -- chomping down the bales of hay that the puny humans have offered me in hopes that I don't decide to CRUSH Tokyo under my thunderous hooves. -- Nephele (Tossing my mane in contempt of the puny humans. Snort.)

While on the subject of physical requirements for induction into the Roman army (and I apologize for asking if this question has already been answered elsewhere), Caldrail, do you (or anyone else here) know anything about the Roman army rejecting left-handed recruits? I read that the reason for not enlisting left-handed men had to do with army formation. That a right-handed soldier would be holding his shield on his left arm and thus would be half-covering the man on his left, as well as being similarly protected by the man on his right in the line of formation. The problem with a left-handed man would be that he would be using his left hand for his sword and his right hand for his shield, and that would throw off the formation. Has anyone here heard or read of this? -- Nephele