Primus Pilus

Well, if your girl is under the age of 25, then it won't matter whether the young man of her affections asks her. Because the choice of a husband would still be up to the girl's father. And should the father pass, she would still be theoretically at the behest of the next patriarch of the family. It may be a brother, an uncle, a cousin, or what have you, but she still would not necessarily be free to make her own decision. Of course, that doesn't mean there weren't exceptions, only that this was the standard methodology. I'll have to find my reference, but I was pretty sure that I'd read somewhere that, by this time in Roman history, a Roman woman would have obtained sui iuris by the age of 25. I could be wrong, though. -- Nephele I thought that Augustus' law regarding this had to do with divorce and/or death of a husband, rather than an unmarried woman, but you may very well be right. Either way though, it's something for Denia to keep in mind while she puts together her story.

Well, if your girl is under the age of 25, then it won't matter whether the young man of her affections asks her. Because the choice of a husband would still be up to the girl's father. And should the father pass, she would still be theoretically at the behest of the next patriarch of the family. It may be a brother, an uncle, a cousin, or what have you, but she still would not necessarily be free to make her own decision. Of course, that doesn't mean there weren't exceptions, only that this was the standard methodology.

There was no social or legal requirement for any young aristocrat to serve as a tribunus militum in this time period. Most would find it strange for a man with an opportunity to serve as a tribune to refuse the position in order to join the rank and file though. You would definitely have to show that he is a young man of intense conviction, but perhaps also a bit foolish, in order to give up such an opportunity. In order to achieve such recognition, a family would have to be quite prominent. (6 tribunes in each legion with about 30 legions.. depending on exact date = only 180 tribunes). As an alternative, your character might accept a direct commission as a centurion rather than a tribune. Clearly the opportunities for a centurion to face direct combat was far greater than that of a senior officer. By the by, a tribune did have administrative functions to serve but the definition of an officers role can be somewhat cloudy based on terminology (ie tribuni militii, tribunus laticlavius, tribuni angusticlavii, legatus, etc.). There is no reason to believe that they were not also viable combat officers. Perhaps some were given more responsibility and authority by the legatus than others... based on individual aptitude.

Oh yes, especially because those who don't make it have to be put into the volcano (cheap plastic volcano thing provided in the game). You make the little people SCREAM as you put them into the volcano? That's like sacrificing them to the Hawaiian volcano goddess, Pele. Game bonus! -- Nephele It's a historical cross-genre cornucopia! When one has been imbibing a bit heavily on the vino, the set up stage (dealing the deck of cards that determines the flow of the game) can be a bit confusing. Considering that we only really play when we have been doing just that, I can't be certain that we've ever played the game just right. (I jest of course, but yes, sometimes it takes a moment of intense focus for the instructions to make sense)

It's ok to be provocative. It's more likely to end up in the arena than tartarus, but yes, we'll move it if necessary. As for the subject at hand, while I do not believe in creationism, it's also important to recognize that "evolution" is still an evolving theory as it relates to the beginning and early stages of life on earth. While there is relative scientific consensus that life has definitely evolved and adapted and has been manipulated by environmental influences over great spans of time, it doesn't answer for everything in the definitive. While most people, even the most ardent of religious scholars, will acknowledge species evolution (understanding that there are some differences of opinion as to how much, when, which forms of life, etc) the origin of life is currently unprovable. (ie the development of the first simple proteins, etc.) While those of the non religious ilk reject creationism as a matter of course, evolution in it's entirety should not be accepted completely as the only possible scientific alternative.

Oh yes, especially because those who don't make it have to be put into the volcano (cheap plastic volcano thing provided in the game).

My wife and I occasionally play this fun and relatively simple board game. The idea of the game is to get as many people as you can into the city before Vesuvius erupts, then you have to get as many out as you can before the lava flow overtakes the entire city (yes it was pyroclastic flow rather than lava, but it's a board game for goodness sake ) Boardgamegeek.com for lots of player reviews and such. Amazon

Found these upcoming games by complete accident while stumbling around on Amazon. Europa Universalis: Rome The popular historical strategy games that were previously set in the colonial period and in medieval Europe focuses it's attention on Rome... The Publisher: Paradox Interactive More Info at Gamespot Amazon --------------------- Imperium Romanum Seems to be a sequel to the city building game "Glory of the Roman Empire". I don't think it met with much success, but never having played it, I truly have no clue. http://www.imperium-game.com/en/ More info at Gamespot Amazon

I don't want to turn the focus of this thread entirely on Iggulden, because he's certainly come up a few times around here. Suffice to say that while he clearly has many fans, there are also many, like me, who can't or refuse to see past the historical facts (or lack thereof). One may call it closed-minded, but if I am going to read fiction, I don't want it to dispute history. As an alternative, Harris' Imperium on Cicero is a fiction of perhaps Rome's most well documented person in Cicero (thanks to Cicero himself, of course). While the details are fiction, he stays true to the underlying record. I enjoy reading fantasy, because it is has no basis in reality. For me there is nothing to dispute because it is entirely up to the author to present his world as believable or not. My personal favorite is George R.R. Martin. I also found Brian Ruckley's recent "Winterbirth" to be quite promising for a first time novelist. By the by, I am currently reading "World Without End" by Ken Follet. The sequel to the brilliant "Pillars of the Earth" is wonderfully written, but I am finding it to be just a little too much of the same basic idea, only with different characters. Despite Follet's skill at weaving a tale, I am struggling to get through it. Also recently finished "Sulla the Fortunate" by G.P. Baker. I had never read it and wanted to as a comparison to "The Last Republican" by Keaveney. While less "dry" than some straight histories, I found it to be anecdotal and terribly dated at best.

Like Maladict, I agree that the presence of the cross as a symbol of Christian martyrdom is entirely misplaced. The structure has no real religious connotation: Pagan, Christian or otherwise, so the idea is definately misleading. There were certainly Christians killed in the Colosseum, but the sources who mention the persecutions don't mention this structure by name. Rome (and the empire) was home to a multitude of arenas that could've served any such purpose. Of course, on this we will probably never be able to say with any certainty on either side of the argument, or the actual numbers vs. those of Christian lore. The Colosseum was also used as a Christian cemetery after the 5th or 6th centuries. I believe many were buried in the arena sands while others were entombed in the various chambers below. I have no idea how many, if any, remain.

Agreed, without the circumstances of the Marian/Sullan conflict, Mithridates likely would've been far less a threat than he was. I just didn't want to see him dismissed entirely.

Think of the Roman legacy to Britain and many things spring to mind - straight roads, under-floor heating, aqueducts and public baths. But they were also pioneers in the health arena - particularly in the area of eye care, with remedies for various eye conditions such as short-sightedness and conjunctivitis. Perhaps most surprisingly of all is that the Romans - and others from ancient times, including the Chinese, Indians and Greeks - were also able also to carry out cataract operations. The Romans were almost certainly the first to do this in Britain... BBC

I do hope it's more like recess than calculus though

The problem I have with works such as Iggulden's is not just that it's work of fantasy, it's that he uses such well known historical figures and events in that fantasy. Sure, had he made up several characters and set them in the backdrop of the later Republic it wouldn't have had such mass appeal, but then he wouldn't have been guilty of butchering historical reality (at least not as badly). And by the by... to me, calling the Flavian Amphitheatre the Colosseum isn't nearly so much a stretch as some other things. While it wasn't necessarily called that so early (though the possibility exists since Nero's Colossus was standing there and who can be certain when the people started using the term), it did come to be known as that eventually. To me, it would be almost like using the term sword instead of gladius in a book like yours. Gladius is correct of course and provides more fitting atmosphere, but everyone on earth knows what a sword is.

We watched "Eastern Promises" last night. It's a Russian "mafia" movie set in London and stars Viggo Mortenson. It was an interesting film, but ended rather abruptly. Just as it started to get quite good, it ended without resolving several open plotlines. If you like mob movies, it was ok. If you like Viggo Mortenson, there is a scene where he gets into a knife fight with two guys in a bathhouse... while completely naked.

It's just Latin for praise to god. Both words pre-date Christianity but that doesn't mean the phrase itself has an underlying pagan tone. While others here are more versed in Roman religion than I, its tone feels Christian/monotheist and doesn't seem likely to me to be adopted directly from a pagan ritual. I suppose one would have to review a good deal of text and tablets to know for sure though.

Hard to argue that. I've enjoyed everything I've seen with him in it. The Machinist (while it may not have broad popular appeal) is particularly reflective of Bale's talent.

I'm not sure how much time he spent lecturing once he focused his attention on full time writing... beginning in the late 60's. Regardless, an idea might be to contact the Virgil Society or the Classical Association. I believe Grant was a member of both. They might not know, but they may be able to provide some leads.

This leads me to ask what is your definition of danger? Mithridates slaughtered tens of thousands of Roman citizens in Asia Minor, swept armies across the Bosporus into Thracia and Greece, and despite being soundly thrashed by Sulla, still managed to hold on to his own kingdom for another 2 decades (while remaining a nominal threat to Rome's eastern interests). It's no less dangerous than anyone else, really. The invasions of Hannibal, Antiochus, etc. ended no better for the host nation. I don't by any stretch intend to compare Mithridates (and therefore Archelaus) to Hannibal, but dismissing the threat of Mithridates dismisses the effort necessary by Rome to remove him (the campaign of Sulla cut short by civil war, the extensive campaign of Lucullus, and the mop-up by Pompeius). It was the successful result of these campaigns that cemented Rome's power throughout the Mediterranean. I'm sure Rome would've found an excuse to spread it's influence east without Mithridates, but the record shows that the threat of his existence (and the pirates that he supported) prompted Rome's eastern march. Left unchecked, who knows what Mithridates may have done. As far as Parthia goes... again I agree that in retrospect the threat wasn't as great as it may have seemed. However, I do think it's important to note Rome's actual view at the time. The behavior of Rome suggests both the perceived threat and of course the potential for obtaining great wealth through conquest. While the campaigns of Crassus and Antonius were of their own making, rather than invasions by the Parthians, neither ended well. Augustus respected Parthian power enough to use diplomacy rather than force to secure the return of Crassus' lost standards. A generation later, Corbulo's victories in Armenia still never ended the struggle for political dominance in that region. A century after Corbulo, and despite his victories, Trajan's conquests were ultimately untenable. Another century later, Severus' campaigns accomplished little more. (though his victory clearly ended Parthian power and helped usher in Persian dominance) While I agree that Parthia never presented a lasting threat as a persistent invader, their was a danger.

A definite congratulations is in order. I wonder if perhaps you might turn this stepping stone into more grandiose endeavors? In any case, give us some background as to how this came about... if you don't mind of course.

Finally got around to watching the third installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy. While entertaining, I can really only add that I'm glad it was the last one. Everything felt much too forced to me.

Archaeologists believe they could be closer to discovering the site of the palace belonging to the first King of a united Scotland. The academics at Glasgow University have been studying documents and previous archaeological finds to narrow down the location in Perthshire. They will return in August to Forteviot in the hope of uncovering evidence of Kenneth MacAlpine's wooden castle. MacAlpine died at the Palace of Forteviot in 858... BBC

The discovery of an ancient Roman cave has unearthed a debate about its historical purpose and delved into a deeper question for scholars: Can archaeology prove mythology? The cave was found when a camera was lowered through a hole in Rome's Palatine Hill during restorations of the palace of the Emperor Augustus, who ruled from the late first century B.C. until his death in A.D. 14. The Palatine Hill was a seat of power in ancient Rome; today it is home to the fragile remains of palaces and temples... USA Today

Turkish archaeologists unearthed a 2000-year-old lighthouse at the ancient Roman port of Patara, near southern town of Kas, Antalya, discovering probably the oldest such structure that managed to remain intact. The 12-meter-high lighthouse was built under the reign of Emperor Nero who ruled from 54 to 68, Professor Havva Iskan Isik, head of the excavation team reported... The New Anatolian