Maladict

It is, isn't it? Can anyone tell me when Pliny's letters were rediscovered in the West? If they were ever lost in the first place, of course.

Of course technical ingenuity was lost, it happens all the time. Just look at the capitals on the Temple of Saturn in the Forum, they couldn't even make good reproductions in the third century! It's no different today: Could we make a functioning 15th century cannon? Probably not. A 19th century clipper that could race Cutty Sark? Not likely. etc etc. Let a generation or two pass and this kind of knowledge is lost. It doesn't necessarily mean backwardness. I think that Odoacer and Theodoric showed that the Goths were perfectly capable of running Rome, restoring the monuments (among which the acqueducts) and generally preserving the Roman way of life as it had been during the fifth century. Probably the acqueducts were not a priority during the endless Gothic wars of the sixth century, and when they had passed the tiny surviving population perhaps did not even warrant their reconstruction. A population of 30,000 in a riverside city can probably make do with a couple of wells, which would have been constructed during the wars anyway. Additionally, Rome also has a few natural springs within its walls. I believe the Aqua Virgo was restored in the eight century at the latest, no doubt coinciding with a rising population. When they were needed again, the acqueducts were restored.

But that's still 200 years after the Romans left, isn't it?

I guess you're right, but I can't help but think of the other emperors that would qualify as well: Augustus, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius etc. Then there are Pliny's letters, "These people must not be hunted out. But if they are brought before you and the charge against them is proved true, they must be punished.". No persecution, but it's not tolerance either. Apparently, Trajan features in the 13th century 'Golden Legend', St. Gregory, remembering Trajan's deeds, asks God to spare his soul. God agrees but curiously punishes Gregory in return. According to another version he is resurrected to be baptized and die as a Christian (can't find a source though). So being a virtuous pagan wasn't enough and they went through a lot of trouble to make him one of their own (resurrection is a pretty big deal). From the Golden Legend:

The second inscription basically states that Camillus Jacobinus, prefect of the public works of the city, tore down houses on the left side of the Pantheon by order of Pope Pius IX in 1854.

First: "In this hotel 'del Sole', previously [called] Montone, was lodged Ludovico Ariosto in March and April 1513", followed by a quotation from his works. Third: Quote from Appian's Civil War: "they placed it [Caesar's bier] again in the forum where stands the ancient palace of the kings of Rome. There they collected together pieces of wood and benches, of which there were many in the forum, and anything else they could find of that sort, for a funeral pile, throwing on it the adornments of the procession, some of which were very costly. Some of them cast their own crowns upon it and many military gifts. Then they set fire to it, and the entire people remained by the funeral pile throughout the night. There an altar was first erected, but now there stands the temple of Caesar himself, as he was deemed worthy of divine honours".

Reading Dante, I was surprised to find Trajan in Paradise. Then I remembered having seen other references to the emperor in sculpture and writings by (medieval) Christian artists, all seemingly praising his achievements. So what was it that made Trajan a model emperor for Christians? He may not have persecuted them, but he was hardly supportive of their cause. to the mods: In spite of your reshuffling, I still don't know where to put this. Feel free to move it.

Why not make it a poll?

Here's a picture of the tomb: http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/04/04...t.ap/index.html ...and the coffin: http://www.dailyfrappe.com/index.php?optio...5&Itemid=57

I see. I won't waste my time on a discussion then

Reading this thread I'm confused. It seems some people are talking 5th-6th century, which should probably be included in Late Antiquity (Britain excepted). Others seem to include the High Medieval period. Even if we're talking 7th to 10th century, I'm probably going to side with caldrail. The period has, like Late Antiquity though probably worse, suffered from a decided bias or lack of interest for centuries. In fact, art and architecture thrived during the 8th and 9th centuries, inspired, it would seem, by Rome itself. It really wasn't all that bad. The 7th century still seems rahter bleak, but it's more likely the result of poor data than anything else. Indeed, what's so bad about thatched huts (huts is probably not the right word here)? People were living in similar buildings just a century ago.

Tell us how you really feel I heartily agree, though.

I was of the impression that he was sent to one of the many nearby mountains during his rite de passage. I guess it would snow there, shouldn't be impossible atleast. It does, Mt Taygetus can be covered in snow for most of the year.

Fair enough, and I wasn't proposing a change btw. Categorizing history is always a messy thing, and I think the current setup is fine as it is.

PM me the link, I'll put it up for you.

He should have claimed it all for Venice I never understand why people would want their life's work destroyed. If your theories don't hold up to your perfectionism fine, but at least leave your data sets for posterity. Such a waste...

If Roman history up to 1453 is included in the Imperium Romanorum subfolder, shouldn't it be possible to discuss the history of other nations up to the fifteenth century in the Peregrini forum?

Well done, or did you cheat? (I did)

Paging Northern Neil.....

The premiere is in two weeks according to imdb.

Just saw a trailer in the cinema last night. It looks utterly retarded! I'm afraid it will put even Arthur and Troy to shame. And I don't even get what it's about, I mean does he (Augustulus) go on a journey to England or something? Or does Excalibur end up on Capri? Either way, wtf? Maybe it was just impossible to understand since the trailer was entirely composed of split-second images, but it doesn't bode well. I heard from various people that the book was not that bad, I'm beginning to doubt them.

Interesting article, but.... 'Greek amphitheatre'

Allright, I'll take your word for it. But the tough part is getting a chance to post a pic in the first place.

Well done. Over to you....

No.