The Augusta

Maladict - as always, you are a gentleman, sir! I can't believe this bust is giving you so much trouble - I thought it would be quite easy. Hehe - and if you all knew how hilarious the comparison is with Karl Malden...... I think my sculpted gentleman will be jumping out of his urn to be compared to such a rough person Right - another clue: he fell from grace following a conspiracy.

C.J. Caesar? Nope! As it's late I'll give you a big clue (then I have to log out and go to bed!) : Where Cato was ascetic, this one is aesthetic.

Hehe - NOPE!!! This man is the very antithesis of Cato in every respect imaginable!

OK - it's an easy one. But bear with me - Maladict will know from bitter experience how useless I am at uploading things without giving it away! I hope I've got it right this time. But in any case, you shouldn't have too much of a problem identifying this guy.

I think this a Severan lass. I would have plumped for Julia Domna, but something doesn't seem quite right about her Is it Julia Maesa?

Gaius - I'm lost here! Have you said that Lost Warrior was NOT right with vertigo? There are several differential diagnoses for the symptoms you posted, though. 1) Postural hypotension 2) Meniere's Disease 3) Vasovagal attacks But I'd go with the first, if I had to plump for one. But please ignore me if Lost Warrior was correct with her vertigo - and we will await her turn.

Hehe - Caligula could have his own god-slot on satellite TV. 'I tell you, brothers and sisters, when that great man with the beard appeared to me on top of the mountain and spoke to me, I knew - brothers and sisters - I knew! Do not run and hide from the lightening bolts, brothers and sisters - for if you sin they will smite you. The lord demands sacrifices if we are to save our souls.' [subtitles on screen: Call 0800 532 70 70 70 to make donations. All major credit cards accepted.]

Regarding the question of the title Imperator - if it's any help, the Fasti do not record the use of the name by Caesar in his consulships of 48 and 46-44. Interestingly, they do record this title with regard to Octavian/Augustus from 33BC onwards. So, regardless of coinage, the fact that the Fasti makes this distinction would incline me to think that Caesar's use of 'Imperator' was not a part of his official nomenclature, as it was with Octavian/Augustus.

I think GO is right and the Lady would be Valeria Messalina. With that hairstyle!!!! Never!! Let's do some digging on the clue about the Met. Gods - I've even been to the Met (twice!) and I've missed this! Is it Domitilla?

Neph - your lady is Flavian - I can tell by her hairstyle - but I'll need a bit longer to root her out. Watch this space - unless we have an expert of the Flavian period in the game... As for you, G-Man - that was a sneaky statue of our Nerva! His features are committed to my memory, and that particular portrait totally threw me. Well done! I like this game...

Ah - thanks for this Sonic. You have certainly done a better job at 'selling' the Vikings than the author on the website cited by Asclepiades - although to be fair, I do think that was a somewhat light-hearted piece. However, I have to say, you almost lost me again by citing the Isle of Man as some kind of shining of example of anything It remains to this day a very backward place with more than a touch of the Royston Vesey about it. To be honest with you, linguistics don't really cut it with me either - I am sure Doc will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think our language owes far more to Anglo-Saxon/Germanic/Latin than it does to Norse - but I stand to be corrected. But I grant you the last two, which are far more persuasive. What is also telling, is that, as you say, the Viking leadership was overcome but many of the ordinary folk stayed here quite happily and were assimilated into early England (well, the North, at least). I have to say that the town where I was born owed its name to the Vikings - Dukinfield in Cheshire, which was named Dokenfeld by the Vikings - or so the local history has it, and being a born and bred, dyed-in-the-wool Northern lass myself, I guess I'm a descendant of their culture in some way or another. So let me ask you another question: Of all the cultures that have shaped England (and I'm being specific to England here), which would you say has been the most important and lasting? One might say that if the Vikings introduced superior naval power (as Pertinax said - and I can see no reason to disagree with this), that may be their most crucial contribution, as we are an island, and I suppose even to this day our Navy remains our 'Senior Service'. This is turning into a fascinating discussion for me. Keep the answers coming, guys.

Totally forgettable. But then, I've never been a Rampling fan. She did attempt to give the character some gravitas, but it merely blended in with the rest of this horrendous mess. To be honest, even O'Toole doesn't save this film from disaster. It is quite simply appalling in every way - and I have given it two full goes, but still can't find a good word.... Don't waste your time, Nephele - I say that as a friend.

Good point, MPC. After all, graffiti can be scrubbed off!

It is indeed a sad state of affairs. Although I must confess to having a small chunk of marble from my Gus's mausoleum, I did actually find it strewn on the ground under tufts of grass and other rubbish. But the thought of scribbling graffiti over these monuments is anathema to me, even though - and let's be honest - the Romans themselves often engraved their little gems on their public buildings, historical or otherwise. Vandals have always existed; there will always be those in society who behave in an anarchic and disrespectful fashion. If they have little respect for themselves and their families, how can we expect them to care for treasures such as the Colosseum?

Quite, Pertinax! Gaius - there is no need to shout! (Great to have you back, though!)

Salve, Lady A! Here is a serious answer, next comes a childish answer and finally a sport answer Thanks for these, Asclepiades. Well - in the serious answer you cite, I have gleaned that they may or may not have contributed to parliamentary democracy in Iceland, and they gave a remote part of the British Isles a language that seemed to be totally useless to the rest of the country! On the other hand, we seem to have civilised them more than they civilised us (the author refers to their taking back European and English customs to Scandinavia). I did enjoy his reference to them contributing to a united nation albeit in a negative way (by forcing disparate kingdoms and tribes to band together to drive them out!). Any technological advances? I suppose their sea-faring may have played a part - and we all know they were good with wood. But of those who stayed and settled amongst us all, did they assimilate Anglo-Saxon customs, or was it vice-versa? I'm not so sure. Hehe - I've yet to be convinced. But I will read up on them a bit more. And by the way - even I know what the Blood Eagle was. Eeewww! I think that one may be a myth...

He looks a bit Scipionic. Aemilianus? If not, I'd plump for Marius in a poorly lit museum. He seems a bit thin in the face for Marius, though. Anyone else with a guess?

Strange isn't it? I too am absolutely fascinated by the Mafia. I've always sort of 'liked' them in a self-disgusted sort of way. Do you think it's a Roman thing? All that staunch family loyalty and reciprocity of favours? And the first two Godfather movies are among my all-time faves! I think I may be almost word-perfect on the first one, G-Man! There are some fabulous lines in that movie.

I am re-reading that old tome, Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd during my journey to and from work at the moment, and as I ploughed through the other day and came to the 9th century chapter concerning itself with the Battle of Edington etc. it reminded me very much that apart from my irrational antipathy for the Ancient Egyptians (whose culture has always scared me - don't ask me why), the other major culture of early history that sets my teeth on edge is the Vikings. Now, although I can see exactly how the Egyptians contributed to civilisation, I am at a loss when I consider the Viking input into our dear little Britain. I do confess to knowing very little about their history on our shores, so I would appreciate it if any experts on the old Norse invaders could enlighten me as to just what they achieved for us? I have always shied away from further study of them, although some of the old sagas are quite interesting. So, what contribution did they make to the history of Britain, and are there any lasting effects of the invasion still benefiting us today? Have they deserved their historical rehabilitation over the last century or so, or were they truly just marauding pirates?

Can't think of a 70s one off the top of my head, but I do love that line of The Smiths' (80s) 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now': What she'd ask of me at the end of the day Caligula would have blushed....

You see, Ursus - I find this as funny as a cattle prod through the breast. I really do miss the mark with some of this modern humour.

It's fascinating to know what we all find funny! For me, as like many on here, I'm a big Python fan, but when it comes to stand-up, you have to go a long way to beat Les Dawson. I'm a Northern lass, and Les is as funny now as he ever was. I am also a fan of The Big Yin (Billy Connolly), who has an infectious style and merely observes human nature - one of the funniest things around. I have to say, quite a few modern American comedians miss the mark with me, although I do like Russell Peters (yeah - I know he's Canadian), and I was always a bit of a fan of old Bob Newhart (?sp). For me, it's more the actual writers of the material than the deliverers - hence my love of the Python clan. And I could worship at the shrine of Neil Simon until hell freezes over.

I can say without doubt that whenever I have a depressing day and tune in to Forum, I head for any new post by Nephele, as I know she can carry away another's misery as easily as Atlas carried the world. No wonder this year has seemed so short - for time flies when in hearty company. Felicitations to you, Mistress of the Revels - the Augusta now decrees celebrations to take place in virtual temples everywhere, with only the very best incense and victims. I declare a new Saeculum in Nephele's honour. Let the games begin!

Oh, well done, Sarah, old bean! (How's that for a bit of Britishspeak for you?)

Sounds exactly the sort of breakfast I would linger over. Welcome Faustus - as Ursus said, you will have no difficulty fitting in here with us all.