Primus Pilus

Japanese quality superiority over American is now only a legend. It may have been true at one point, and may still be true with some older models. GM once produced several times as many cars worldwide as Toyota... and hence there were proportionately more repair issues. Now that the two companies have nearly equal market shares and production numbers, compare the recall numbers of new Toyotas and the JD Power customer satisfaction numbers.

That was the intention all along. Are you sure you can't add events? [edit] The user group for Equestrians and above was accidentally left out so you weren't able to access it. Its now been fixed.

They can't and they can't compete with fractional overseas wages and nonexistent benefits, hence the problems. Here in Michigan, an enormous union state where the auto industry is king (though the king is dying), GM and Ford in particular are being hammered by the longevity of its former employees (and the fact that most American's don't give a hoot about supporting American companies). The current membership of the UAW just voted down an extension of benefits to retirees in order to preserve their own prime benefits and avoid additional out of pocket costs for health premiums. The anger among the old timers, many of whom formed the union and worked to give the current crop the benefits they have only to feel as if they've been stabbed in the back, is understandably at a peak.

Death of Cato...as described in Plutarch's 'Life of Cato' Begins after convincing his son and servants to let him have his sword...

Roman Officer: Do you know the penalty for a slave that strikes a Roman citizen? [people in the crowd raise hands enthusiastically] Roman Officer: Ok, you. You had your hand up first. Man in crowd: Death by torture! Roman Officer: No. You. Man in crowd: Crucifiction! Roman Officer: No. You. Man in crowd: They shove a living snake up your ass! Roman Officer: Ah, no... but that's very creative.

I find it strangely reminiscent of that movie 'The Village'. Maybe that M. Night guy had seen a few Krampus events.

The beer discussion deserved its own thread so I moved it here... Ancient Beer

Congrats Spurius... How about a place name? Do you have lineage to Europe that you can trace. Perhaps name her for your ancestral home or a nearby landmark in its Latin name of course (river, mountain, city, etc.)?

I'm afraid I missed that part of the show. I was under the impression that Pullo was a citizen, whatever the circumstances of his parentage may have been.

Julian Marriage Laws of Augustus. Section 123 (scroll down) deals with adultery.

Polybius mentions that legionaries received a corn allowance that was deducted from their pay, though this is in relation to 2nd century BC legions. Polybius Histories Book 6

It depends on the era you are talking about. In its earliest forms, the legionarys were always landowning citizens and the lower classes were generally excluded from service. (though there are events in history that required Rome to dip into the head count long before the reforms of Marius. Marius just made military eligibility for all classes the standard.) In the early and high imperial periods (1st through early 3rd century AD), citizenship was still a prerequisite, but the idea of citizenship was far less exclusionary. In AD 212, the emperor Caracalla granted universal citizenship to all freeborn residents of the empire. By the 4th century, the legions were becoming highly 'barbarized' by a mass influx of Germanic provincials, and the requirements for various social positioning of the legionary was watered down by necessity for new recruits. To answer the original question, yes a person of slave parentage could become a legionary, but there were many circumstances that needed to be considered.

Indeed, though I'm more inclined to believe that it was his social positioning as an Italian novus homo (and his undying awareness of this personal flaw) that made his politics such a roller coaster ride rather than a desire for fame (though this was certainly a part as well). Always aiming to please and be accepted he supported most any measure that was generally considered the most popular of the moment (among the aristocracy that is), and set himself up as the savior of Rome to infiltrate the ranks of the elite. Though I am also quite convinced of his love of the Republic. I highly recommend as an introduction Cicero: The Life and Times of Rome's Greatest Politician. Everitt is decidedly pro-optimate and anti-Caesarian but its a wonderful read just the same.

Everything was ordered and shipped or about to be shipped. Some of you folks overseas may be waiting a couple of weeks, but I hope everything arrives in good order.

Indeed, it was the Germano-Celtic condition in western europe that truly shaped the empire. It was the Germanics who were a constant source of border strife and danger until finally over running the west through their own assimilation into the empire and military conquest. The east outlasted the Persians and the Parthians combined and only 'fell' when faced with both Arab and Christian invasions.

You may have noticed a small change moving the feedback and the announcement section to the top of the forum. No you haven't lost your minds.

Indeed, my point exactly. They had attempts to retake their own former territories and of course there was the ongoing Armenia situation, but they were never a threat to raid the heart of the Roman Empire as the Romans had done to them (albeit without lasting success)

Of course, while Rome was repulsed by the Parthians in several campaigns, the Parthians were never terribly likely to mount a massive invasion of Roman territory. Rome invaded deep within Parthian borders on several occassions and Parthia was never able (or willing to risk?) such an expedition.

The statements regarding Ariovistus 'friendship' with Rome are a bit misleading. He was offered the favor of Rome during Caesar's consulship in 59 BC, in order to prevent further Suebi incursions into Gallic territory. At the time, the Romans were ill prepared to deal with the threat directly. Provided he desisted from further conflict on the Gallic side of the Rhine, he would maintain Roman favor. This arrangement fell apart when Ariovistus viewed Gallic territory outside of Caesar's sphere of control as open territory ripe for conquest. Caesar acted on behalf of his Gallic allies (and of course his own ambition) to prevent this. Negotiations to prevent further incursion fell apart and when Caesar moved against Ariovistus in a sign of strength he was actually ambushed.

If it were available now it would probably be a wonderful compliment to the Barrington Atlas that we are relying heavily on to develop our wallmap update. The 'Smith Geography' may appear a bit expensive but if it is even half as good as Smith's Dictionary of Antiquities, it will probably be an invaluable investment.

LOL, unfortunately we are limited in our countries direction by the questions asked by the system (and the answers we give). I wish it was a bit more open ended, but then if it was that big of a project it probably never would've been developed at all.

If I recall correctly I believe it was after Caesar returned to Rome and before going to Hispania.

Cato corrected himself earlier on that... that it was Agrippa's brother and not Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa who served under Cato in Africa. (If we can believe Nicolaus of Damascus.) The only reference I am aware of...

My posting of a Marian bust was meant in jest. A counter to the idea that Romans were neanderthals if you will. The notion suggested in this threads opening post... that the discipline and training of the Roman legion was in fact a non factor and perhaps even historical myth in Rome's western world dominance, is in complete contrast to every known historical consensus opinion. If you would like to refute these widely accepted truths, please do so, but do it in a manner that does not defy human genetics. Were Romans stronger than other ancient peoples? I wouldn't have a clue, but dietary habits, human remains and DNA findings may support this idea. Perhaps olympic or gladiator game results may provide some insight (though the Olympics of course were a much different affair at the time and the average 'barbarian' was not a welcome participant). This is the type of thing one should use to support his argument, rather than to simply announce that Romans may have been Neanderthals. If you wish to challenge known history, you must be prepared to do so, rather than expect your theory to be disproven.