Primus Pilus

Because we are at the point of the cycle where temperatures are increasing. Long before humanity grew into the scourge of greenpeace, the earth went through cycles of ice age and warming. We have been in a warming period for some time after the colder period of the middle ages. One perspective

Next thing we know, Dan Brown will be telling us that Natalia and Irina Strozzi also are intimately familiar with the whereabouts of Jesus' descendants.

As for the question at hand... I understand completely the evidence that Cato is putting forth. It's compelling and well presented. I'm rather on the middle ground on this concept as I can easily understand both sides of the argument. The Roman Republic may seem oligarchic in nature because the magistracies of the cursus honorum were limited to members of the Senate. Whether or not 30 separate families held the majority of these offices has less relevance than the idea that only those men who had been adlected into the senate had the opportunity to be elected for these magistracies. The criteria for inclusion into this body may in its essence be an oligarchic tradition, but inclusion was not ultimately limited to only a few families. Evidence of new man adlection is attested throughout Roman history though attaining the consulship was still obviously a difficult and uncommon task. With that in mind, it is rather fair to say that at any given time in the Roman Republic, the magistracies of the cursus honorum (Aedile through Consul) were limited to selection from only 300 men (or 600 in various periods, etc.). Obviously this is a severely limited percentage of the population as a whole and has the trappings of oligarchy. However, while the Senate itself may have been based on oligarchic principals, the government of Rome as a Republic was not limited to this single body of authority. The Tribune of the Plebes, whether we consider the office to be a magistracy or not, as representatives of the people's assemblies cannot be ignored as an integral part of the entire system. In a true oligarchy, no such representation with (at times) such extreme power, would've been available. The office of the tribune was not simply an appeasement of the Plebes, but was a true "check and balance" legislative office against the deliberation of the Senate. Additionally, the right of the people to elect the magistracies of the cursus honorum, even if the choices and opportunities for these offices were limited, cannot be discarded. Therefore, in my opinion, the Senate as a body can be largely associated with the definition for an oligarchy (though I readily and willingly concede there are exceptions which don't quite meet the criteria), while the diversity of the Republican system as an entire entity cannot be categorized as simply.

Bithynians. I found the show entertaining even as it drifts farther away from historicity and becomes more closely associated with a soap operish drama. I did not care for the assassin/slave hired by Servilia to do away with Atia. It's not the concept, but rather the character that I did not like. I can't imagine a women of Servilia's station allowing a slave to speak to her with such insolence... and to demand a kiss... ridiculous. I think rather that having the dog systematically tortured for not finishing the task he had already been paid to do, or something to that effect would've been more appropriate, in my opinion. I am also disturbed by the notion that Roman citizens (Vorenus' family) are held as slaves in a legionary baggage train. The writers should've at least had Vorenus' sister-in-law attempt to plead with the slavers for her freedom, and have them ignore her as a liar. Anyway, those complaints aside... I was thrilled to see at least one version of the Philippics being read in the Senate house. Alas for the poor fool who was charged with reading it. I rather enjoyed the reaction of the Senators filing out of as Cicero's venom became more evident.

Archaeologists say they have unearthed Lupercale

A macabre 1,700-year-old mass grave of people and horses, discovered in Normandy, poses perplexing new questions about the Roman conquest of France. Was there a small part of ancient Gaul which refused, Asterix-like, to surrender for 300 years? The grave site, from the 3rd century, which was discovered by French state archaeologists at Evreux, appears to contain ritual arrangements of human and horse remains. In one, a human skull is clasped between two horse's skulls, like the two halves of a giant shell... The Independent

An ancient boat discovered in a riverbed north of Dublin may be the first Viking longship found in the country, Environment and Heritage Minister Dick Roche said. The wreck in the River Boyne, close to the northeastern port of Drogheda, was described by Roche as potentially an "enormously exciting discovery"... Yahoo News

It may be important for "family" to be defined within the context of this discussion, simply for clarity. Does a single family include the entire clan gens, or is it limited to each branch as defined by agnomen.

I also found the introduction of Timon's (Atia's Jewish mercenary) brother to be a bit puzzling. He had always been a rather interesting, yet quite secondary character, but he appears to be getting his own sub plot line. I just can't help but think that all of these subtleties add up to plans for more than 2 seasons.

The trailers I've seen are quite intriguing. I don't mind the "fantasy" feel of it at all and am quite looking forward to it as an action piece with some historical flavor.

LOL, indeed. He is a bit off, but the sentiment is captured quite well I think. He has several quality works related to the ancient world, despite the artistic license.

Thanks for that, my wife and I were perplexed.

I removed the previous version and unfortunately had to chop the current version down at least so Cincinnatus was visible. It's a Tiepolo from 1730. The Dictatorship Offered to Cincinnatus I nearly chose this instead... Death of the Consul Brutus (the first Consul of Rome, not the later Brutus of Caesar's assassination fame).

Just in case anyone is wondering (since my new avatar is so difficult to make out), it's Cincinnatus plowing his field and accepting the dictatorship from the Senate.

Work on Rome's Palatine Hill has turned up a trove of discoveries, including what might be the underground grotto where ancient Romans believed a wolf nursed the city's legendary founders Romulus and Remus. Archaeologists gathered Tuesday at a conference to save crumbling monuments on the Palatine discussed findings of studies on the luxurious imperial homes threatened by collapse and poor maintenance that have forced the closure of much of the hill to the public... Yahoo News

My opinion of Cicero changes routinely based upon the situation he was involved in. (ie brilliant against Verres, pro-active yet unlawful against Cataline, etc.) Here's a relatively lengthy discussion I started a while back... Cicero, Great Statesman or Over-rated. As I said in the original first post, it was only meant to be an open discussion and was not necessarily reflective of my respect for Cicero. In spite of the self-glorification preserved in his numerous works and letters, he is still a man to be respected and admired for his principals.

Someone help me... despite listening several times, I cannot make-out what Atia says when she whispers into Cleopatra's ear. Anyone?

The Smith Dictionary provides a starting point. Stipendium Standard pay depends entirely upon the time period. Roughly speaking... From Augustus through Domitian monthly pay in Denarii for a standard miles was 225. From Domitian through Severus it was 300 Severus raised it perhaps as high as 600 per month and his son Caracalla raised it again not even 10 years later... perhaps as much as much as half again (900 per month). Reports of auxiliary pay varies greatly and opinions change frequently. 1/2 of legionary standard has long been a general guideline, but evidence indicates greatly varying scales ranged from 1/6 of standard to equal stipends. Pay scales have been researched extensively and some of the papers listed below are readily available if you have JSTOR access. Others may be available elsewhere. "Pay Grades and Ranks below the Centurionate" by Breeze "Pay of the Auxilia" by MA Speidel "Roman army pay-scales" by MA Speidel, "Roman soldier's pay" by M Speidel "Roman Military Pay from Caesar to Diocletian" by Alston "Pay and Superannuation in the Roman Army" by Brunt "The Pay of the Roman Army, Suetonius, Dio..." by Watson "The Pay of the Roman Army: The Auxiliary Forces" by Watson

His initial force was largely raised from Caesar's retired veterans in Italy. Later, a couple of Antony's legions did defect to Octavian as well.

A little strong, but understandable, given the circumstances. All that talent at WR, and no one to throw the damn ball to them. Just a damn shame. No wonder Barry Sanders retired early. Just in case my lack of smilies didn't convey my thoughts... that post was meant to be in jest. I'll try to make up for it. Anyway, here's me at the Lion's games: :bag: :drunk: Look for me on TV next time the Lion's play... er well, I guess next Thanksgiving. I'll be the guy laughing my ass off at my own stupidity for giving Bill Ford yet another lump of cash to renew my season tickets... just to watch crap fester before my eyes. OK, enough of my whining. :nopity: Manning's thumb seems a good built in excuse for yet another clutch debacle.... Bears 27 Colts 20

The Republic was better because it has the word "Pub" in it. Hard to beat that. All joking aside, I will assume that this is for a school assignment/paper of some sort. I'm sure several people would be willing to share their thoughts, but it would much more engaging if you were to offer some of your own views and reasons first.

Considering the source... the Historia Augusta, I doubt the accuracy when compared to other sources. From the Life of Severus: 16 Cassius Dio, a contemporary of both Severus and Caracalla, makes no mention of a Judaean revolt or triumph. Even Severus did not celebrate a traditional triumph for his Parthian campaign, but rather celebrated the 10 year anniversary of his accession in 202 followed by the Secular games in 204. I agree completely with Stern that no triumph for Caracalla took place.

Perhaps not, but this was an interesting exercise nonetheless.

Unlikely, the Romans would've willingly admitted to killing everyone inside or selling them into slavery. An excellent article on the viability of Josephus and the Masada story.

Because the Lex Villia only established minimum ages for magistracies and confirmed a bi-annual separation between eligibility for minor magistracies. Neither Livy or Cicero (in relating various references on the post Sullan version of the law) claim that the law impacted Consular election (other than minimum age). Develin in "Patterns in Office-Holding, 366-49 B.C." and Astin in "The Lex Annalis Before Sulla" also do not mention a 10 year Consular gap in relation to that law. From Livy book XL, XLIV: Strange , the UNRV site mentions the 10 years gap in the Lex Vilia....................... "Lex Villia Annalis (180 BC) - first law to set minimum ages for curule magistrates, Aediles 36, Praetors 39, Consuls 42 and forced a period of two years between each magistracy. Required a ten year interval between two successive tenures of consulship. Rejected by C. Servilius in 202 BC and Marius in 107 BC." Here - http://www.unrv.com/government/index-of-roman-laws.php Completely my error... now corrected.