Primus Pilus

There is a way to 'sort' what you see based on the length of time since the last post. The forum remembers you're settings. For instance, let's say that you set the 'History' forum to see all topics since 'the beginning' you will always have multiple pages to go through. I believe the default structure is 'show topics with new posts in the last 30 days'. If an old topic is moved to a new forum (where you haven't changed the settings) it would seem to disappear, when in fact you just need to reset it to look farther back in time. I hope that makes sense

I had to say the roads.. without them the others wouldn't have spread throughout the western world.

The hand was the prominent signum.

The theory was rolling lines that stayed together. When Roman legions got separated into small units of non uniformed combatants, they were in deep trouble. In the front of the line, complete uniformity would never be complete, but when there was trouble, the men in the rear pushed to the front to try to keep things together. Nothing ever worked quite as simply as this, but it gives the basic impression I hope.

Marius Reforms the Legions Republican Legion Organization Imperial Legion Organization

Maybe if you can find the actual lines from the script we can translate it?

In the imperial legion (regardless of whether or not they used the Manipulus or strict cohort system), 1 century = 1 centurion = 1 signifer. The Manipulus was really a short lived system that seems to have been a transitional carry over from the Republican Legion to the strict Imperial cohort concept. It was completely out of favor by the mid 1st century AD. Essentially, regardless of any formation or divisional structure, the rule can be used... 1 century = 1 centurion = 1 signifer. In the manipulus system the 2 centuries used a senior/junior system in which the two signifers would have slightly different adornment, both in cosutme and in the actual signum itself (ie a Hand vs. a Spear Point) but there were still 2 signifers.

Keep in mind its very difficult to differentiate between the entire Danubian campaigns as far as legionary attestments go... with that in mind Legions involved including those already mentioned).. II Italica III Italica I Adiutrix II Adiutrix (supplemented by the African Legio III Augusta due to extreme losses) X Gemina (against the Quadi) XIV Gemina Possible vexillations (subunits or detachments) involved... XXII Primigenia (stationed on the Rhine at Mainz) XXX Ulpia Victrix I Minervia I Italica XV Apollinaris Interestingly, Legio VIII Augusta from Germania Superior (well known for various building projects) is not attested as having been involved. Against nearby Sarmatians at about the same time... V Macedonia XIII Gemina

I also discovered that I allowed 'guests' to post while I was making various settings adjustments. I believe that has been remedied so that posters must take the time to register. Not only does this allow for proper tracking, but it keeps regular users from forgetting to sign in. (making their posts anonymous and also affecting their post count) In addition, it seems to me that registering before asking a question at least shows that a single time visitor has enough respect for our time to take the time to fill out the very modest registration details.

Has anyone mentioned Masada? Another masterful Roman engineering achievement in which enormous ramps built to the Jewish hold out at the top of the mountain... ending with the anti-climactic suicide of the Jews inside.

I just want to confirm that nobody can post in the graveyard forum. Clodius snuck one in and I realized I hadn't set it up right, but I think I changed it correctly?

Christianity doesn't necessarily teach intolerance with other religions... the various Churches have (or at least have in the past). Big difference to keep in mind. Also US law is based mostly on English common law, even though the government formation has its roots in the Roman Republic. English common law was certainly affected by the Roman occupiers, but it has a great deal of tradition derived from Anglo-Saxon and later Norse customs. Those people took only slight influences from the Romans, and developed their own systems based on tribal customs. Without the Roman and Greeks, people would still have 'law'.

Thanks, I've finished writing 'Claudius' but I don't think we've posted the entire thing yet.

Agreed, in balancing his 'options' he considered his personal diginity (and perhaps life) as outweighing that of the Roman 'state.' Anti-Roman in sentiment, surely, but regardless of the societal code that existed in the ancient world, its difficult to say that choosing his own life over potential death and at least complete ruin is not 'justifiable'.

I believe that's from Tacitus: The Annals. More specifically book XV

I also would but, alas there is no such organization already existing here in Michigan. I'm afraid I don't have the time, patience or leadership credentials to get it started on my own.

Excellent work PM. I read this book as well (though several years ago) and have used it as a resource several times in my own writings on this site. Your review has reminded me how in-depth the book is and that I need to get back into it as a complete work rather than just skimming through when I need to find some reference material.

I'm 34 All kidding aside. A primus pilus was a senior centurion and served essentially as a field commander. I've never even heard references (though I admittedly am not as much a military expert as some) of Emperors or their henchmen making political appointments of that position. Legates, yes, centurions yes, but I've never heard of a Primus Pilus not working through the ranks on his own merit. Such a position would require years of service and I'd be surprised if they were ever much less than the mid 30's. If someone joins the legion at approximately 18 and has 20 years of service, he could be 38 upon retirement. However, career officers could very likely serve much longer terms.

People often equate Nero's 'persecutions' to Christians being eaten by lions, etc. in the Colloseum, but it wasn't even built until years after his death. Doesn't mean it may not have happened, just that it didn't happen in Rome's greatest arena.

Spartacus' posts left as a reminder... I hate to clutter our forum with them, but I like to leave an evidence trail

The 'official' and permanent split follows the death of Theodosius the Great in AD 396 but the empire was effectively split (and ruled by co-emperors) long before that. Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus 'split' the empire as co-emperors in the 160's AD, but this was not necessarily a split of east and west. There was long a practice of sons of emperors 'Caesars' ruling on part of the empire while the father was elsewhere, but it seems to have taken on a more official capacity in the late 3rd century. By AD 283, the Emperor Carus died, leaving one son (Carinus) to rule in the West and a second son (Numerian) to rule in the east. From that point on through to Constantine (including the reign of Diocletion) there are a multitude of co-emperors and 'Caesar's' (or heirs) ruling east and west separately. Constantine re-united the empire for a short time but effective government required his own heirs to rule other parts.

I feel bad about this topic considering I jumped the gun, based on media reports.

Ack, the media is recanting...

Thus ends the life of the Pope, and yet that prestigious office, carried foward from Kings of Rome, will march on.

Spartacus was banned for about 12 hours to send a message. We appreciate his enthusiasm for starting topics... we despise some of the insulting and inflammatory tone. That's that.