Primus Pilus

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History and Philosophy of the Site Salvete! Welcome to the United Nations of Roma Victrix (Victorious Rome)! UNRV had its humble beginnings with the simple intention of being an ancillary resource guide for an online roleplaying game called Roma Victor. Since then, UNRV has greatly expanded beyond its original mandate to become the internet's premier Romanophile site. The site itself is now fully independent of its modest origin and is its own special entity with the intention of providing both an introductory history of the Roman world and as a gathering place for people of like minds and similar interests. In a manner befitting to Rome, it continues to grow and expand, evolving in depth and breadth. At UNRV, Romanophiles from around the world discuss what the little village on the Tiber means to them. Every topic germane to the Roman world is discussed by our enthusiastic membership: from politics and history, to religion and humanities, to the march of the Legions. The legacy of Rome from the legendary Founding to the sack of Constantinople, from the Forum to far-flung provinces, is contained herein. Our members come from diverse backgrounds with equally broad interests. Some are curious passers-by with a specific question to be addressed. Many are well-read layman who have maintained an abiding interest in their favorite era of history. A few are even respected scholars and authors in their field of study. All are valued provided they adhere to basic standards of conduct. The UNRV administration and membership as a whole bids you welcome and encourages you to become an active participant of the community.

Sorry about that GJC... I just reset your password for the original account. I PM'd your GJC account with the info...

I'm sticking with team Sweden Go Wings!

Emperor Batman's defeat of the invasion of the barbaric Penguini tribe was a key moment in world history. Truly.

The key to the senate's importance was that it initially was made up of the aristocracy of the Roman world. Whether or not we can be certain that the fall of the kingdom and the evolution into Republic happened the way we currently understand it or not doesn't even come into play. Regardless of the circumstances, the Senate was the one consistency in government from the city's earliest days... a place where the richest and most powerful met to deliberate and debate on governing issues. It's not that is was made up entirely of magistrates and ex-magistrates, but that it provided the pool of people for those all-important governing roles. Some sources on the Senate can be found here: http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8719 In particular try Dionysus, Livy and perhaps Cassius Dio as starting points.

The key is that AD 69 is the actual year in question and not 68. There were only 2 in 68, Nero and Galba. 193 is different because as you suggest and despite the depleted role of the Senate in the legislative process, the Senate only legitimized the reigns of Pertinax, Julianus and Severus.

Welcome to the UNRVblogosphere Aurelia... we're very glad to have you. Now don't mind me when I go off on some sort of anti-government rant

By no means to I mean to discredit, disparage or discourage you... but it's very important to note that wikipedia is a dangerous source to use, because: 1) it is generic in nature and should be considered introductory 2) it is often guilty of blatant plagiarism 3) the information is not necessarily genuine and can indeed be manipulated by any number of people, informed or not That aside, again, I don't mean to discourage your passion. Feel free to list those sources that you are using in addition to wikipedia. It's a quick way to assimilate yourself here. In any case, welcome to the forum

Piso was accused of poisoning Germanicus, but there really wasn't any evidence for it. Of course, with a lack of forensic science in the ancient world, evidence in any criminal case was open to many forms of manipulation. However, this case in particular reeks of appeasing the public and finding a scapegoat.

I think they left out some vital information... Marcus Aurelius had already established a presence on the Danube long before the relative permanence of 168-9. The invasion of the Marcomanni and the Quadi in 169 prompted the personal attention of the emperor. While he may or may not have been an effective commander, during his presence the Romans effectively advanced into Germanic territory while holding off further incursions across the Danube. Perhaps without his presence the Romans may have performed better, or perhaps not. It's really quite impossible to ascertain. From what little we can read into it, he seemed at least to have been relatively willing to delegate authority to legates and allow them to lead the fight. His presence may have been a shining example of his disdain for the political machinations in Rome as it was a desire to see the Germanic war through to a settled conclusion. Regardless, after Marcus Aurelius, it was nearly a century before the Germanic tribes posed a serious invasion threat again. The emperor's death at 59 years old and the policy changes of Commodus make it extremely difficult to estimate what ultimately may have happened, but situation was actually quite settled at the time of his death.

Yes, as a blue-eyed blonde, I second that. Uh oh... maybe we really are evil

The butler did it.

As a member of the blond-haired, blue-eyed white male population of the world, I apologize to everyone for everything that this insipid brotherhood of pure diabolic evil has done to you. Now, please feel free to bend over backwards and cram any remaining part of your head, that hasn't already found a home deep within the dark recesses of your own ass, clear up that very same orifice, so as to make it easier to screw right off and deal with the diabolic blue-eyed devils that live amongst you I mean that in a most sincere and heart-felt manner

Precisely why I personally tend to read novels that lack realistic authenticity. Meaning, if I'm going to read a novel, I'll generally go with the fantasy or sci-fi genres. In these cases the world is the author's creative interpretation, and my pre-set view becomes irrelevant. It allows me to delve into a story without being distracted (as much) by my own disposition. (Doesn't mean that I always read sci-fi fantasy when delving into fiction, I like Robert Harris for example, but generally speaking...)

I was an Asteroids and Joust kind of guy. Yep, had Asteroids too. Joust? I must have missed that one. That was the one where you flew around on an ostrich like bird landing on platforms, collecting eggs and fighting other "ostrich" riders...

Thanks. I'll check it out. Where do I find this thread (what forum)? No thread I'm afraid, but you can find the "orations" online: Against Verres 1 Against Verres 2 (note I posted two different sites because the host for oration 2 does not provide an English translation of oration 1)

You must really like penis to draw one that big.

I was an Asteroids and Joust kind of guy.

I dug around a bit too... nothing even available via Google Books. So yes, the best bet is probably a physical library.

University of Michigan (You have classics but not history, Michigan offers one of the country's most significant ancient history programs): http://www.lsa.umich.edu/history/ http://www.lsa.umich.edu/ipgrh/

I didn't realize that Carthaginians had the Bowflex. Hannibal wasn't just a warrior, apparently he was a workout warrior as well.

Indeed, hyperbole is fun in such circumstances. However, it doesn't mean that Gore isn't a complete asshat. And yes, that's my true analytical, evidence laden take on it.

Have fun... but more importantly take lots of pictures so we can share