Primus Pilus

Entry by Julius Ratus Mercenary_Cavalry_in_the_Caesarian_Pompeian_Civil_War.doc Ratus___MercenaryCavalry.pdf

Entry by JBS JBS___Conflict_roman_society.doc

Entry by Divi Filius Divi_Filius___Vindex__Nero_and_Galba.doc DF___Vindex__Nero_and_Galba.pdf

Entry by Decimus Caesar Decimus_Caesar_Death_and_Burial.doc Decimus_Caesar___Death_and_Burial.pdf

Entry by Caldrail Caldrail___Protection.doc Caldrail___Protection.pdf

Entry by Antiochus of Seleucia Roman_Siegecraft_RE_Masada.doc

Runner Up Entry by Aurelius. aurelius_roman_army.doc aurelius_roman_army_text.pdf

Runner Up Winner by Publius Nonius Severus PNS___Evolution_of_the_Tribune.pdf The_Evolution_of_the_Tribune_of_the_Plebs_in_the_Roman_Republic.doc

Winning entry by the Augusta. Augusta___Laying_New_Foundations.doc Augusta___Laying_New_Foundations.pdf

With thanks to our judges and our entrants, we are pleased to announce that our deliberation has finally come to an end. Prize winners have been selected and notified (or are about to be). We received a respectable total of 12 entries with varying subject matter, academic approach and presentation. From studies in the Roman army and government to overviews of societal functions and historical events, the essays ran the entire gamut of our entry criteria. Judging was difficult and we were pleased with the overall quality. Some entries may be evident of an advanced education and others show the enthusiasm of some of our younger forum members. While there are only 3 prizes to be presented, I would like to make it clear how satisfied I am personally with this concept and would like to thank those who participated and encourage them to continue to hone their skills for future contests. (I believe this will be a semi regular feature here--perhaps quarterly.) I wish we could do more. Without further ado... We had a unanimous first place winner and our two runners up held off a couple of close competitors. Ultimately, The Augusta's work "Laying New Foundations" proved to be both an academically sound thesis and a compelling read. 1st prize (choice of $75 amazon.com [or co.uk] gift card or voins gift card) - The Augusta, "Laying New Foundations". Runners Up (choice of $25 amazon.com [or co.uk] gift card or voins gift card) - Aurelius - "A Critical Inquiry into the Strengths and Limitations of the Imperial Roman Army" and Publius Nonius Severus - "The Evolution of the Tribune of the Plebs in the Roman Republic: A Path to Equality, A Road to Ruin". I will be posting an individual thread for each entry in the academia forum for members to read and comment... (I have posted both .doc and .pdf versions of the entries, but I seem to have misplaced a couple of pdf's. If anyone wants to make a .pdf version of the those that are missing, I'd be much obliged.)

One could say the Republic (I assume the use of the word Senate was a veiled implication of oligarchy?) fell because of the action of some of the Senate's members... most notably Caesar and the false sense of security that his opponents had in Pompey... but it hardly fell because of the existence of the Senate itself. In fact, without the Senate, its inconceivable to me how Rome could've become the great power of the western world. Even if it had, it was the Senate and the notion of the Republic that is Rome's greatest legacy, imo.

This sort of thing has been hashed and rehashed enough times here that it's fairly clear where most of us stand. With that said, it was ultimately Caesar that crushed the process of Republicanism. Yes, there was a semblance of Republicanism that survived prior to the introduction of the principate, but for all intensive purposes it was Caesar that brought the institution to its knees. The Gracchi, Sulla, Marius, Cinna, etc. may have set precedents, but I don't believe that should dismiss the ultimate culpability of Caesar.

Welcome to the Academia Forum. Unlike a previous incarnation of a subforum with the same name, this Academia forum is available for discussion of special items on UNRV.com. This can and will include discussion of source materials, the written history section of this site, various member contributions, or anything that may be considered having a certain academic connection. With our first historical essay contest drawing to a close, this seemed an appropriate place to house the entries.

Of many profound lines, I'm particular to... "Even if somebody is mean to us... We just go to bed and... Snore Snore Snore Snore." Although, nothing matches since it was not intended to be funny but was honest to goodness translation absurdity.

It's called copyright violation.

It was also the inspiration for me to gag.

And the US run ends this Sunday. Hopefully that's an encouraging sign for you folks across the pond.

Good point AD, we sometimes seem to forget that the Antonian legacy lived on and was an integral part of imperial politics well after his actual defeat.

WTF? Yatta!

Not at all. Indeed not even a mention of Pompeius or the demise of Lepidus. The closest point of reference might have been Antony's demand to have Carthage transferred to his control.

We can't be entirely sure of his motivation but Cassius Dio makes it seem relatively clear that this was entirely political and not intended to protect his family. Circumstantial prudence did at least have the secondary effect of protecting his family. Interestingly enough, young Helvius Pertinax (the son of the emperor) seemingly became friends with Geta and was done in by Caracalla when he seized lone control after the death of Sept. Severus. Roman History, Book 74, 7] HA, Life of Caracalla

The Historia Augusta claimed that he actually paid 30,000. Herodian claimed that the funds simply weren't available at all. Cassius Dio ignores any mention of the actual payment and suggests that it was the opposition of the people that (and hence the rebellions of Niger and Severus) that was the undoing of Julianus. I am inclined to believe that at least some payment was made, or the praetorians never would've supported him in the face of open public hostility.

Not that I'm aware, all we seem to have is Suetonius' recollection/reporting of Antony's accusations and not the actual source material itself. Since Antony's record doesn't survive we have no idea which document, letter or verbal source that Suetonius got it from. True or not, considering it's lack of "press", the implication would be that the average Roman didn't care all that much. I'm inclined to think that most folks thought it to be a rather uneventful piece of political taunting, but I'm absolutely sure that it delighted Antony to no end.

What could be resounding confirmation? Octavian bearing Caesar's child?? That's the point. It's a rumor. It may be true, it may not, there is little for us to use as confirmation or denial. It may be a result of the political machinations of Antony or it may be truthful reporting. What I mean is that Suetonius hardly provides any detail other than the term "unnatural relations" (he actually uses the word stupro which is indicative of sexual intercourse in case anyone is not completely sure what is implied by unnatural relations), but there is no confirmation other than Antony's accusations. Obviously we are quite familiar with the enmity between Antony and Octavian. While the "Queen of Bithynia" story was widely known in contemporary circles, this particular story seems to have attracted much less attention. Surely Augustan propaganda could have helped nix any lasting record, but attempts to mute such things can often have a complete reverse effect. It seems probable, considering all the rumors, that the young Octavian may have been involved in some scandalous liaisons, but the who, what, why, etc is rather difficult to pinpoint. The Calpurnia argument isn't really applicable. It would not be scandalous for a man to sleep with his wife, so why would Suetonius go out of his way to suggest it. Perhaps had he said that Caesar did not or would not sleep with his wife, I'd be inclined to agree with the comparison.

I assume you are meaning the following sort of thing. Hardly resounding confirmation though... From Suetonius Life of Augustus, 68: