Primus Pilus

Sorry, I can't be much help either, I don't have any of those books.

Hello pompeius magnus and welcome to UNRV. Yes, I don't think there is any question that the adoption of Christianity played a role in Rome's ultimate demise. However, I think it was more a symptom of internal socio-political strife than a direct cause of the fall. It highlights the upheaval in Rome's social system, where the old traditions and customs were making way for the new, where old identities and roles were thereby confused and muddled. Other factors played a much larger role, in my opinion. Migration of the Germanic tribes, economic troubles, failed leadership, military decline and other factors were all indivdually major concerns. All lumped together in one huge cluster of problems, along with the rise of Christianity, the demise of Rome was inevitable.

Legionaries active during the time period of the film were still mostly recruited from Italy, but it was changing rapidly. It is likely that most would have spoken Latin. Specifically in Judaea there were 3 known cohorts of Auxilia. There were two cohorts of auxiliaries in Jerusalem and a third cohort guarded the capital Caesarea. Two cohorts of infantry and one squadron of cavalry served throughout the province. The Cavalry cohort was Ala I Sebastenorum that consisted of Samaritans and probably spoke a local dialect and perhaps Greek. We also know of the existence of a Cohors I Sebastenorum, which was also a Samaritan unit with similar language possibilities. Other known units that funcitoned in Judaea are the Cohors Prima Italica Civium Romanorum, the Cohors Secunda Italica Civium Romanorum and the Italian Cohors Prima Augusta. These are obviously Italian units and Latin would've been the primary language. Of regular legionary units, Judaea at the time was considered under the command of the Legate in Syria. The known Legions operating in the region at the time of Christ were: III Gallica - Recruits from cisalpine and transalpine Gaul and likely Latin speakers. VI Ferrata - Recruits from cisalpine and transalpine Gaul and likely Latin speakers. X Fretensis - Recruits from Italy and Latin speakers. XII Fulminata - Also orignally Gallic or Italian recruits and likely speakers of Latin. However all Legions were supplemented at times by recruits of various regions. It is possible that any of these main contingents would've have been supplemented by local citizens in the east. So yes, there were probably some Greek speakers, but the main body of troops would've have been from a latin origin and the tradition of language would've required new recruits to speak that which was common of the main body. However, in Judaea, communicating with the locals would've been easier in Greek, but there is no reason to believe that the Legions would care what was easy for the locals. An argument can be made for either side, I suppose. Inscription evidence, letters and so forth are mainly in Latin. But only so much survives, and inscriptions and letters don't necessarily indicate what the spoken language was. Hope that helps, but I think from a legionary standpoint you are on the wrong side of the argument. Still though, there is really no right or wrong in it. As I've suggested from this brief synopsis, either argument can be made and there is no reason not to pursue further evidence.

What do you mean you need parts? Like excerpts? Have you tried the local library?

Actually for the sake of further discussion, feel free to talk about any Roman who you think ranks among the best of the best.

Interesting Garry. Welcome to the forum btw. I'm certainly no expert on geology... but your theory states that pre-existing geologic or natural formations influenced the building of Stonehenge and other circular monoliths? Are you saying that the existance of particular ground suited to 'magic rocks' was known to the neolithic peoples, or simply that they had knowledge of which stones to combine to create the effect. Perhaps, I'm completely mis-reading. Forgive my ignorance.

The golden age most often refers to the reign of Augustus. A time when republican ideals still flourished within the community, and the arts and literature were abundant. Aside from the Varrus disaster, the Roman world was relatively peaceful and the economy was booming. Those questions sound like essay test questions.

Indeed, but Constantine lived 3 and half centuries after the Fall of the Republic.

One musn't leave out the achievements of Pompey both politically and militarily. His expansions in the east were of considerable value and made the 'Republican' resistance of Caesar possible. Cicero, or course, is many times overlooked for lack of military glory. Cicero though is regarded as one of history's greated politicians, oraters and lawyers. He was a champion of Republican idealism, and should never be far from the top of all-time most important people in the ancient world. There are many, so as Viggen asked, please give your motivation and we can better address the question.

Oh my, a speech from Mary Todd Lincoln? She must be nearly 150 years old. Hope she holds up Seriously though, sounds like fun. Don't let any secesh ruin it for ya.

Pervelle iuvo, utut grammaticus debilitas.. Essentially... I wish to help, but grammar is my weakness. Which is obvious from that very weak sentence. I am limited to reading inscriptions and understanding basic Latin text, but writing and speaking is a completely different matter.

Thanks for the clarification Karv, and welcome...

Speaking of which... The first chapter Punic Wars and Expansion has been added along with the First Punic War. Hopefully the whole thing will be posted soon, but I sometimes take diversions. Either way, it won't be long.

If ancient Calabria was the home of this tribe. It wouldn't have been absorbed completely until the end of the first Punic War. If they were considered of a different stock than either Latin or Greek, my guess is there would be a larger historical record for them. Mind you, this part of Italy was highly hellenized by the times the Romans had control, so separating the Itali from Greek colonists may not have been important to the Romans.

Well its hazy at best. The Itali were either of Celtic or Eastern stock and migrated south into Italy. Or they were the original Latins of mixed Greek and Celtic stock. Or they were separate from the Latins and were absorbed quickly into the Latin culture.

Put me on the spot eh? I just answered RomanLegion in this thread... Welcome to UNRV History

The difference in weathering on the 2 pieces makes it quite spectacular in my opinion. While it obviously is part of the same original sculpture, it really almost looks like 2 independently created objects.

Yes, welcome Gaius Julius. Fire away with questions or any topic of discussion. The more people posting and talking, the more productive the entire forum becomes.

Its remembered as Caesar because thats how movies have portrayed it for years. The title Caesar specifically referred to the heir to the Augustus. Its certainly quite possible that crowds could chant hail Caesar, etc., but the official title of the emperor was Augustus. Caesar also has remained quite popular due to the historical ramifications of the word. The Russian title C'zar and German Kaiser are both derivatives of the name Caesar. He certainly left quite an impression.

No this site is about Rome. There may be an ancient Greece site in the future, but as explained in another thread, it is a long way off.

Augustus is Octavian. The term 'Augustus' was a title or honor granted by the Senate. All Emperors carried the title, but we refer to Octavian as Augustus because he was the first. He was Caesar's great nephew and apparantly Caesar saw great promise in him. He favored his sister and her family more than his distant relatives, the Antonius (Marc Antony) family. Sulla was ruthless, but his many reforms helped stabilize a very weak system at the time. Although he did give up power officially, Sulla was never truly retired. His men were still elected and held all the important magistracies and certainly took guidance from him. It wasn't until his death when power shifted back to the Senate, but not before. As for Antonius, yes he wanted to be Caesar's heir. Hell who didn't, lol. He even made such claims before the will was actually read. Some have claimed that Antonius was a willing participant in Caesar's assassination so he could reap the rewards of being the heir. Antonius was an excellent orator, nothing quite like Caesar or Cicero, but a good one nonetheless. He had some success on the battlefield as well, but was later no match for Agrippa, Octavian's chief Legate.

Yes all the Legions had names... Legion List. The list isn't completed as far as details, but all the legions are there. Yes, you had to be a citizen to join the Legions, but auxiliary status was a far more lenient thing. Based on need, nearly anyone could become a member of the auxilia, though it wasn't really something that you went and signed up for. Generally entire tribes or military units from varying 'barbaric' territories joined became auxilia as a group, not individuals. And yes again, citizenship lost it exclusiveness a little by little as time went on. Partly because of social stability concerns but also because of the need to recruit for the legions. In 212 AD, Caracalla advanced the slowly growing inclusion policy to give all males (not slaves and the like) living within the Empire's border full citizenship regardless of previous status.

Good timing, the next chapter of the Roman History section is on the Punic Wars. Er, well the next several chapters, that is. Feel free to discuss though, of course.

About all I'm capable of doing is providing some historical background, good luck with your game though. As with any Roman era game, I look forward to seeing it

There were a great deal of enemies, each with different military structures. Just be a little more specific and we can try to help