Nephele

Hahahaha! Can't blame the hound if he's a bit frisky. He's just come back from a stag party with Actaeon. -- Nephele

Nephele boisterously returns to the party, blowing on a hunting horn and leading the 50 hounds of Actaeon. The hounds are baying, yapping, yelping, and jumping on the guests. One hound rears up on his hind legs, placing both forelegs on the shoulders of Primus Pilus, gazing inquisitively into Primus's apprehensive eyes, and then sloppily licking his face. Primus backs away, falling backwards over another hound who was crouching behind him. There is a resounding splash as Primus and hound land in the impluvium. The rest of the hounds scavenge for hors d'oeuvres dropped by quickly retreating guests (and a few snap the hors d'oeuvres from the hands of guests who aren't quick enough to drop them). Oh dear... Pamphagus! BAD boy! Andrew Dalby's fingers are NOT Vienna sausages! -- Nephele

Having consulted a few different translations of Ovid's Metamorphoses and having selected two, I offer this alphabetical list of Actaeon's hounds with their name-meanings: Aello f.: Cyclone (MS), Whirlwind (FJM), Agre f.: Trapper (MS), Hunter (FJM), Agriodus m.: White Fang (MS), White-tooth (FJM), Alce f.: Valiant (MS), Might (FJM), Asbolos m.: Soot (MS & FJM) Canache f.: Gnasher (MS & FJM) Cyprius m.: Cyprian (MS & FJM) Dorceus m.: Gazelle (MS & FJM) Dromas m.: Runner (MS & FJM) Harpalos m: Eager (MS), Grasper (FJM), Harpyia f.: Seizer (MS & FJM) Hylactor m.: Barker (MS & FJM) Hylaeus m.: Woody (MS), Sylvan (FJM), Ichnobates m.: Tracker (MS), Trail-follower (FJM), Labros m.: Fury (MS & FJM) Lachne f.: Shaggy (MS), Shag (FJM), Lacon m.: Spartan (MS & FJM) Ladon m.: Ladon, name of a river in Arcadia (MS), Catcher (FJM), Laelaps m.: Hurricane (MS & FJM) Leucon m.: Whitey (MS), White (FJM), Lycisce f.: Wolf (MS & FJM) Melampus f.: Blackfoot (MS), Black-foot (FJM), Melanchaetes m.: Blackfur (MS), Black-hair (FJM), Melaneus m.: Blackie (MS), Black (FJM), Nape f.: Dale (MS), Glen (FJM), Nebrophonos m.: Fawn Slayer (MS), Fawn-killer (FJM), Oresitrophos m.: Mountain Pup (MS), Mountaineer (FJM), Oribasos m.: Mountain Ranger (MS), Mountain-ranger (FJM), Pamphagos/Pamphagus m.: Devourer (MS), Voracious (FJM), Poemenis f.: Shep (MS), Shepherd (FJM), Pterelas m.: Wing (MS), Winged (FJM), Sticte f.: Spot (MS & FJM) Theridamas m.: Beast Slayer (MS), Beast-killer (FJM), Theron m.: Hunter (MS & FJM) Thoos m.: Swifty (MS), Swift (FJM), Tigris m./f.: Tiger (MS), Tigress (FJM), MS = Michael Simpson. The Metamphoses of Ovid (Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 2001) 49-50. FJM = Frank Justus Miller, Metamorphoses: Books I-VIII (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1916) 138-141. -- Nephele

It depends how you look at it. Exposing a child was certain to kill it except for the practice of taking these children left abandoned. A ready source of slaves for one thing, or imagine the joy as a traveller returns home to find his loyal wife has given birth to a child in his absence.... Oh, I absolutely agree with you that exposing a child was certain to kill it unless someone happened along to retrieve the child. Although, more often than not, a child thus "saved" could wind up worse than dead. It was not uncommon for certain unconscionable people to deliberately mutilate and cripple such children, in order to make them more pathetic beggars for winning the sympathy of those who would toss them a few coppers (to be taken by their slavemaster). While I can't imagine many mothers doing this to their own infants (although I don't doubt that there were some who did, just as we find "dumpster babies" today), men who exposed their wives' infants (either on suspicion that the child wasn't theirs or simply because the child was an unwanted daughter) could always assuage their guilt in the belief that they weren't really killing an infant, but instead were leaving it to "the gods" to decide its fate. The reason why I decided that "infanticide" was too strong a word for what Claudius did, was because Claudius didn't exactly leave the child to "the gods" to decide its fate. He very deliberately left the child on the doorstep of his former wife, knowing that Urgulanilla would take the child safely in. Actually, I now think that Claudius had done Urgulanilla a kindness. Rather than expose the child because it was deemed a bastard birth, or continue to raise the child as his own so as to "show" everyone that he believed the child was truly his and that he hadn't been cuckolded, Claudius instead found a way to return the child to its rightful mother (who had possibly been grieving for the loss of her child after Claudius divorced her and took the child, as was customary). In comparison, I pity poor Scribonia, divorced by Augustus on the very day that she gave birth to their legitimate daughter, and then having had her infant daughter taken away from her to be raised by a stepmother. -- Nephele

As promised, here is a choice of two divine names for the Magistra, anagrammed from her first/middle/last names: Ambrozhea Altarshine or Ariahnah Stormblaeze Ambrozhea - alternate spelling of "Ambrosia", the name of one of the Hyades, nymphs who were placed among the stars (Hyginus, Poetic Astronomy 2.21). Ariahnah - alternate spelling of "Ariana", meaning "silver" and derived from the name of Arianrhod, Welsh goddess of the moon. So, Magistra, are you a starry Greek goddess with a shining altar (Ambrozhea Altarshine) or a tempestuous Welsh moon goddess (Ariahnah Stormblaeze)? -- Nephele

Ah, you've been missing a treat! Pertinax has posted some of NN's creations in the Gallery, in his "UK UNRV" folder. And NN has pics of his miniature village, "HOMVNCVLVM" posted in the Gallery, as well. In addition to entertaining us with pics of his amazing miniatures of ancient Roman buildings, NN has also done this board a unique service by advising others (both board members and casual visitors, too, I believe) on how to overcome difficulties in their own attempts to construct Roman miniatures. Here's one such link. If I'm not being too presumptuous ...I've made a motion for NN to receive his title of "Artifex Architecturae" (Master Craftsman of Architecture). Looks like my motion has been seconded by a few members (Andrew Dalby, DocofLove, and The Augusta). Heheh. -- Nephele

I shall give it my utmost attention! (Although right now I'm about to head off on a book-shopping expedition in NYC, to check out some old independent bookstores that haven't yet been swallowed up by Borders Books and B&N.) I'm still circulating my petition to bestow the title of "Artifex Achitecturae" upon Northern Neil (Andrew Dalby gave it his thumbs-up for its alliteration.) And, while haggling over gemstone prices with the lovely Natasha (I'm a good haggler!), I managed to secure an especially eye-catching jewel for you, dear Augusta. You deserve the gemstone known as taos, described by Pliny as "a stone with colours like those of a peacock", as its letters can be found within your own name, thus making it an anagrammatically correct jewel for you. (For good vibes!) *Nephele pins the scintillating taos, in gold setting, in The Augusta's hair.* -- Nephele

Nephele has been visting the forum jeweler, Natasha, to bargain for some fine gemstones to set in a silver diadem for the Magistra to wear. The gemstones carefully chosen for the Magistra, of course, had to have anagrammatical significance (for good vibes). So Nephele selected three types of gems named by Pliny in his Natural History, whose names can be found among the letters of the Magistra's name. First gem for the Magistra (because Nephele knows she likes the color purple) is the anteros, a lovely variety of amethyst. Second gem selected for the Magistra is the star-like asteria. Third gem is the atiz

Machinatrix, female version of the one who contrives plans for laying siege to enemy cities. I'm not much for physical fighting, but I can be deadly calculating. -- Nephele

Nephele worriedly gazes into her goblet. "Did he just say bear drinking?"

The phallus, in the form of an amuletic symbol in ancient Rome, was often used to bring good fortune to its wearer. As for what form

*Nephele falls off chair*

Looking forward to those pics! And, in the meantime, you deserve a jewel-name, anagrammed from your actual name. I hereby dub you "Shantel Van Kameo" (anagram of takvaoseleamhnn). Sorry I couldn't get "intaglio" out of your name, but cameos are kind of close. So we have, Augusta! Hail Shantel Van Kameo! -- Nephele

I've been raising my glass to the Doc all last night in the Imaginary Party, but I'm game for partying anywhere else. Hey Doc! What are your academic colors? I shall weave for you a virtual stola and palla of the finest silk, to complement the crown of laurel that I placed on your head yesterday. Congratulations, PhD person! -- Nephele

Nephele hurries to the seaside villa of the noble Ursus, to decorate it before he arrives for his natal day celebration. Enlisting the help of Docoflove (who's still buzzed over passing her dissertation defense and agreeable to ANYthing), Nephele and Doc wind sweet-scented garlands around the columns in Ursus' peristylium. Nephele then sends Doc to fetch Ursus' present -- a bigger-than-life bronze bear to grace the garden of Ursus' peristylium. Doc struggles and strains against the ropes as she slooowly and laboriously hauls the half-ton bronze bear on its rollers into the peristylium (with Nephele helpfully encouraging her on: "Go, Doc! Go, Doc!"). Ah, Ursus will be so pleased! Although... the bronze bear does seem to be taking up most of the space in Ursus' peristylium now. And Doc appears to have passed out. Oh dear... Birthday hails to you, Ursus! May you have a cool day! -- Nephele

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/19374 "...one of the lessons not only of [William Easterly's] book but of modern history is that the best way for a country to escape poverty is not so much through aid as through increasing its trade and investment. Aid isn't the preferred path to development." -- Nephele

Great review, Pan! And the basis for my book selection for my public library, as we appear to be woefully lacking in this subject area.

Hahahaha! I knew you'd pass! Am partying over in the Imaginary Party thread even as we speak. -- Nephele

Nephele creeps up behind Doc... Is Nephele going to push Doc into the impluvium again? Nah. Nephele wants to hear how Doc's oral defense went! EDIT: Nephele just sneaked a peek at Doc's blog. SHE PASSED! SHE PASSED! SHE PASSED! YAYYYYY! WHOOP! WHOOP! WHOOP! *foot stomping* *wild dancing* Nephele places a crown of laurel leaves upon Doc's lovely brow. YOU DID IT!!! -- Nephele

Natasha, I think you've stumbled across the BEST board of its kind on the 'net. Welcome to UNRV! You'll not only find (and be encouraged to contribute to) a treasure trove of information here, you'll also encounter some very friendly folks here. Btw, I'd love to see pictures of some of that Roman jewelry you collect! As for your Roman identity... You are a lady belonging to the Valentia gens, your gens name meaning "strength". Your cognomen of "Sophena" is derived from the Greek word meaning "wisdom". You therefore personify Roman Strength when paired with Greek Wisdom: Valentia Sophena (takvaoseleamhnn -km +ip) Your boyfriend is a member of the Tremellia gens, a plebian gens "first mentioned towards the end of the second Punic war", which produced at least a couple of Tribunes. His agnomen of "Pressus", meaning "pressure", was given to him by his fellow soldiers, in recognition of his strong, warrior's grip. He possesses one of the rarer praenomina -- Aruns (abbreviated as "Ar."), an Etruscan name handed down from Rome's Regal Period. His full Roman name is... Ar. Tremellius Pressus (splerlartsliemesusr -l +u) -- Nephele

You'll ace it. -- Nephele

Aw, I'm not that good. But thanks. Where is Gaius Paulinus Maximus? I'm expecting him to get this one, as it's right up his alley. HEY! GPM! Wake up! -- Nephele I'm awake.....just! Is it Ostia? Yes! Ancient Ostia's main street, the Decumanus Maximus, to be precise. You get the next turn, GPM! -- Nephele

It must be pretty isolated... "Just hours after it was shown to The Sunday Telegraph, thieves tried to prise the 10 sq m scene from the ground, damaging the mosaic." Some people just suck. -- Nephele

I believe prehistoric man called it "zug-zug". I saw it in a movie. -- Nephele

Aw, I'm not that good. But thanks. Where is Gaius Paulinus Maximus? I'm expecting him to get this one, as it's right up his alley. HEY! GPM! Wake up! -- Nephele