Primus Pilus

A series of surprising discoveries has been made at the foot of Egypt's famous Temple of Amun at Karnak, archaeologists say. The new finds include ancient ceremonial baths, a pharaoh's private entry ramp, and the remains of a massive wall built some 3,000 years ago to reinforce what was then the bank of the Nile River. A host of other artifacts, including hundreds of bronze coins, has also been found. Together the discoveries are causing experts to reconsider the history of the largest religious complex from ancient Egyptian times... National Geographic

I'm surprised that I don't see a single non-literary artist. I believe Beethoven and Bach made Hart's list, though I might include Mozart over Beethoven. Also no Michelangelo. Maybe art isn't everyone's proverbial cup of tea, but who on earth isn't aware of these people?

Sure thing...

I wonder if there is any evidence of this substance being used outside of attaching fixtures to helmets. It would seem almost impossible to think that it wasn't applied to many practical possibilities. Considering the trouble that modern scientists are having in recreating it, perhaps only the legions had the means and the method to make it's manufacture feasible.

As a counter though, look at the example of Lucius Aemilius Paulus. After a decisive victory over Macedonia and the butchering of opposition leaders, he sacked and plundered Epirus to excess, in addition to the taking of some 150,000 slaves. When he returned to Rome in 167 the Senate rewarded him with the agnomen Macedonicus and a triumph. Additionally he was named Censor in 164. The major reason for his plundering of Epirus was to appease his legionaries who were angry about their spoils in Macedonia.

Excellent list Ursus... this needs to be added to the history section of the site.

Sorry I'm a bit late on this one... http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=6181

Indeed, congrats on the end of your semester and welcome back (at least temporarily)

It might be a bit creepy now... considering she's been dead for 25 years... but I would've gone for a walk in the grass with Violet.

I don't know what it is, but Donna Reed was smoking hot.

The discrepancy is largely because of the date of his magistracies. None of Caesar's political opponents ever suggested that Caesar was legally not eligible for the offices that he held, but if he had been born in 100 BC, he would have been 2 years two young for each of the major offices. He was Quaestor in 68. Had he been born in 100 he would've been 32. This one is not a problem because the minimum age was 30 according to the Sullan constitution. Praetor 62. Here is where the issue begins. Again, according to the Sullan Lex Vibia, a person had to be a minimum of 39 to be eligible for the office (therefore turning 40 during his term). If Caesar were born in 100, he would've been 38 in 62. Were he born in 102, he was the exact right age. Consul 59. A candidate for Consul had to be 42 (therefore turning 43 during his term). If Caesar were born in 100, he would've been 41 in 59. Again, were he born in 102, he was the exact right age. Considering the political rivalries of the era, it's highly unlikely that his opponents wouldn't have mentioned these discrepancies. A record of such a disagreement does not exist in the historical record and despite ideological differences, none of his opponents protested his legal right to campaign due to age. Both Plutarch and Suetonius say that Caesar died during his 56th year, and we know that he died in 44. Clearly this would indicate that he was born in 100, but this obviously does not match his legal path along the cursus honorum. I recall seeing suggestions that special dispensation was awarded to Caesar because he had won the corona civica at Mytilene in 80 BC, but that seems rather dubious.

Interestingly the condemned in these cases seem to have been largely non-entities. There are no "names" among them. There are none of the great Sullan opportunists like Catilina or Crassus (though Catilina seems to have been charged). Even the most prominent of the cases, Rabirius for the murder of Saturninus ended in the equivalent of an acquittal. Who were the convicted... prominent collegia thugs, equites, back bench senators? None of the typical narratives (Plutarch, Appian, Sallust, Cassius Dio) seem to indicate any names or details. Does Cicero?

Fixed that... thank you.

I would be in Judaea roughly around the turn of the millennium. I'd like to see if the birth of the world's largest cult was based at all on actual events.

"The survey begins with a discussion of the nature of the sources used in Hellenistic studies. Primary and secondary sources exist, especially for the life of Alexander, but sometimes there is a question of their objectivity and accuracy. The literary word must be checked against other sources. These material sources include inscriptions on stone and marble, papyri and coins. The sources are uneven, and new discoveries help rewrite the history of the era. Students of Ptolemaic Egypt are however relatively blessed given the surviving amount of papyri from that era and area."... The Hellenistic World by F.W. Walbank and... "Michael Grant, one of the seminal giants of classical studies, provides a thorough examination of the Hellenistic world in From Alexander to Cleopatra. While 25 years old since its original printing, the tome still serves as a comprehensive and readable survey. It is similar to Walbank

Scuta

RI, this thread has many English links... Ancient Source Links

Also Paperbackswap is great. You just pay shipping. Masters of Rome

Nothing to be concerned over M, I just wanted to bring it up... just in case. It may very well have the roads, but I just can't recall. Your suggestion of a library search prior to any potential purchase is quite valid in this case.

Cassius Dio is actually a decent source regarding some of the more sordid details. He is also well known for the flamboyant speeches of generals. There are many samples, but the battle of Pharsalus provides some detail... From Book 41.60 (The entire battle takes place between ch. 52 - 63) "And all this took place, as I said, not in one spot, but in many places at once, scattered all about, so that with some contending at a distance and others fighting at close quarters, this body smiting its opponents and that group being struck, one detachment fleeing and another pursuing, many infantry battles and many cavalry battles as well were to be seen. 5 Meanwhile many incredible things were taking place. One man after routing another would himself be turned to flight, and another who had avoided an opponent would in turn attack him. One soldier who had struck another would be wounded himself, and a second, who had fallen, would kill the enemy who stood over him. Many died without being wounded, and many when half dead kept on slaying. Some were glad and sang paeans, while the others were distressed and uttered lamentations, so that all places were filled with shouts and groans. The majority were thrown into confusion by this fact, for what was said was unintelligible to them, because of the confusion of nations and languages, and alarmed them greatly, and those who could understand one panother suffered a calamity many times worse; for in addition to their own misfortunes they could hear and at the same time see those of their neighbours." Another... The Battle of Philippi, from Book 47.44 "For a long time there was pushing of shield against shield and thrusting with the sword, as they were at first cautiously looking for a chance to wound others without being wounded themselves, since they were as eager to save themselves as to slay their antagonists; but later, when their ardour increased and their rage was inflamed, they rushed together recklessly and paid no more attention to their own safety, but in their eagerness to destroy their adversaries would even throw away their own lives. Some cast away their shields and seizing hold of the foes facing them choked them by means of their helmets while they struck them in the back, or else tore away their armour and smote them on the breast. Others seized hold of the swords of their opponents, who were thus as good as unarmed, and then ran their own into their bodies; and some exposed a part of their own bodies to be wounded and thus gained a freer use of the rest. Some clutched their opponents in an embrace that prevented either one from striking and perished through the commingling of their swords and bodies. Some died of a single blow, others of many, and they neither were conscious of their wounds, since death forestalled their suffering, nor lamented their end, since they never reached the point of grieving. One who killed another thought in the excessive joy of the moment that he could never die; and whoever fell lost consciousness and had no knowledge of his state."

As I recall, the Barrington doesn't list road names, but then again Moonlapse has had mine for nigh on 2 years now. In any case, our wallmap lists some 25ish of the major routes. I don't have one here in front of me at the moment though.

As for Silanus, there isn't much primary source material. Check his entry in the William Smith Dictionary. He is Silanus #4, the source material is provided at the end of the entry.

Welcome to forum Marcus, I'm glad you like the map. As for your questions... I can't seem to recall the reasoning behind the absence of the border in Moesia. I believe it is because we aren't entirely sure where the exact border was, but Moonlapse (the designer) may have a better recollection. You'll notice the same absence of a border between Germania Superior/Inferior as well. Epirus was indeed part of Macedonia at the time period reflected. Again, I can't recall exactly why we included the border, but I'm hoping Moonlapse will chime in. It may have had something to do with research by Michael Grant in "A Guide to the Ancient World". If you'll notice on the legend there is an identifier with fading green lines running in this direction \ that do indeed reflect temporary conquests. You'll notice this represented in the conquest of Germania Magna prior to the Teuotoburg disaster. I'm not quite sure why we chose to do the east in purple line running in this direction /, but it may be something we can bring in sync on a future reprint.

The edicts are from between 6 and 4 BC actually. Some detail if you have JSTOR access

Personally, I don't think it's got anything to do with borders, except for the one that shows the existence of the state of Israel. The UN, the UK, the US or whomever can draw as many lines in the sand as they like, but reverting those lines to the map of 1967 won't make people live in harmony. We as outsiders might see this as a fairly equitable solution to assuage the grievances of the Palestinian side and create a sense of finality, but I'm quite sure that the Israelis would fear "pre-1948" as the next rallying cry. Edit: Of course, I don't mean to suggest that the attempt shouldn't be made, I just don't have a great deal of optimism in this regard.