Primus Pilus

The story would seem to suggest that Pompey's disregard of the Jewish deity played a role in his own ultimate demise. If this is what is being suggested than I'll go on record as saying that I think the story is completely ridiculous. If that's not the point, then clearly I am missing whatever the point may be.

I got the impression that Erastes consigned himself to his fate by announcing to Vorenus that his children were dead. It appeared to me that he willingly offered his neck, once he understood that his guards were dead, and that his situation was hopeless. I could very well be wrong here, but if he had he not been ready to accept his fate, he likely would have offered some possible alternative explanation to an obviously angry Vorenus. No, I don't think the children will turn up alive, but I do agree that he is going to be obsessed with rectifying his curse. He should be a distinctly darker character going forward. Oddly enough Pullo may perhaps play the counter-balancing voice of reason. By the by, who was the woman they found rummaging through Vorenus' home... just a servant I suppose, but I thought for a moment that she looked like Niobe's sister? As for Vorenus' destination with the head, I just got the feeling that the stairs offered an excellent visual effect for a man mostly overcome with a sort of emotional madness... The Tarpeian rock makes sense though. (It's just such a shame that we will only see 2 seasons.)

Moved Posts Notice... I moved several posts that were specifically discussing the details of episode 1 to the Passover thread that Pertinax eluded to earlier. Just trying to avoid spoiling things for our friends overseas (and those of without HBO). Please do continue to discuss the series in a generic fashion here though...

Despite my general belief that Manning is wildly overrated, I believe he may finally earn his reputation and beat the Patriots. I'm going to go out on a limb and pick the Saints to beat the Bears in Soldier Field. Either way, I don't think the NFC has much of a shot. (It's killing me to think that the lowly Saints may actually get to the Superbowl. One might think that such an event would actually give a Detroit Lions fan hope that anything is possible, but rather it is further damning evidence of the ultimate ineptitude of the franchise. :sadwalk: )

Something I realized that did not occur to me while actually watching the show. The thug who threatened Antonius (and ultimately lost his life) seems to have been the very same "Quintus" Pompey from season 1. After doing a bit of investigation (reading the episode synopsis on HBO's site), it appears that this is very much the case. In various discussions of season 1, we were never able to determine who this was supposed to represent. Several of us (myself included) seemed to think he was intended to represent a conglomeration of various Caesarian opponents, or perhaps just the two sons of Pompey. We know that Quintus cannot be Gnaeus Pompeius Minor, since he was killed just after Munda in 45 BC. Since Sextus survived to play a pivotal role in the development of the Republic's ultimate demise, clearly this Quintus cannot be (or should not be) a representation of Sextus. This unfortunate fictionalization of events leads me to wonder how and when season 2 will actually end. Despite the inaccuracy, at least it leaves me guessing. Considering the absence of Lepidus so far (and I presume a continuing absence as the season develops), I suppose I should not be surprised if the conflict involving Sextus Pompeius is not a factor in the show.

We know there is no evidence whatsoever that Octavius ever took the name Octavianus upon his adoption by Caesar, as custom would dictate. Regardless, it became a popular method to differentiate between the two Caesars, so it is what it is, I suppose.

Severus also needed to legitimize his reign by connecting himself to the Antonines. It was a stroke of genius to name himself the brother of Commodus and force a popular deification through on a cowed Senate. Commodus was loved by the people and perhaps more importantly, the legions. With the loyalty of Clodius Albinus still in doubt in Britain, and the rivalry of Pescennius Niger in Syria, what easier way was there to boost one's own popularity and secure the loyalty of the army than by exacting vengeance against the killers of "his brother", the legitimate and popular emperor. Concurrently, these same actions made it widely known throughout the empire that Severus was not going to leave himself open to the the dangers that Pertinax did, who despite attempts at reconciling the various factions, ultimately met the same fate as his predecessor.

Absolutely, denarius is the root of Dinar, Dinara, etc. Additionally, the British L.s.d. designation (the L represents the pound sign which we yanks do not have on our keyboards) is an abbreviation of the original Latin: libra, solidus, and denarius

Yes, the accuracy was a bit lacking, but clearly we can understand the need to consolidate the events. I think the overall feeling of the period was well represented, the smugness of Antonius, the early political calculations of Octavian, and the consternation of the assassins. However, I was terribly disappointed in Cicero's praise of Brutus and cowardice towards Antonius literally within moments of one another, but again I understand the decision to show a relative overview of the character. I just hope the character becomes a bit more in line with the anti-Antonian Cicero later. The venom of Calpurnia countered by the stoic cold of Servilia was a scene I very much enjoyed. The sub plot involving Vorenus and Pullo was brilliant and completely unexpected. McKidd is quite an actor, and I believe he will be a major screen star some day.

It was the jewel of Pompeii

A RARE solid silver Roman bracelet unearthed in a farmer's field has been declared treasure trove. The snake-shaped ornament could be the only one of its kind in the world, making it priceless, it was revealed at a Stockport coroner's hearing... Manchester Evening News

Propaganda can take many forms... it can be complete truth, bogus lie, embellishment, or any combination thereof. The face of Vespasian on a coin with such legends as "JUDAEA CAPTA" is propaganda intended to inform the masses of conquest and subjugation as a direct result of Flavian leadership, while doing so with general factual data. It's intent is to support an agenda (in the above example, glorification of both the Roman legions and the Flavians), but the definition of the word does not have to include dishonesty.

"His image was stamped on every coin, and thus reached the most remote corners of his domain - for there is hardly a Roman site, however rude, where archaeologists do not find coins." The single easiest method of "reporting" the exploits of the leading Roman families to the masses throughout the empire. Everyone did not necessarily read the histories and other books, not everyone necessarily understood the implications and grandeur of architectural design, and perhaps even statues and other artworks, but most assuredly coins permeated every corner of the empire and beyond. Every transaction was graced with the face of the emperor past or present, and/or his family and their various deeds (true, not true, or embellished). The message was fairly clear... would you bite the hand that feeds you? (Though oft times, somebody was most willing to do just that).

That's what I've read, but were they in evidence before then? Greaves had been used in various periods/campaigns before. The manica, however, while long being utilized in gladiatorial (Murmillo) combat, seems to have been first introduced during the Dacian campaigns. As far as I am aware, there is no evidence of its military use prior to being depicted on Trajan's Column in Rome and the Tropaeum Traiani at Adamclisi. There have been claims that certain segmented armor finds at Newstead (in Caledonia) might be manica, but even if so, this post-dates the Dacian campaigns by some 40 to 80 years.

The manica (forearm) and ocrea (greaves) became fairly common in the Dacian campaigns due to the Dacian Falx.

[PP's note: not so much an archaeology story as a bit of an awareness piece on the Chester's site, but some of you in the local area may be interested in attending some upcoming February events] Excavations over the last three years have revealed some surprising finds at the amphitheatre. Groundbreaking research has revealed that Chester

Yes, the Romans Latinized most everything, as could be expected. All cultures do it with naming, just look at English as an example (proper individual names, cities, places, etc.). Caractacus is often associated with Caradoc. Vercingetorix is actually quite close to it's original Celtic form... The prefix Uer is essentially "super", cingeto: "warrior" and rix: "king". The William Smith Dictionary offers an explanation for Ariovistus in this entry. This is obviously dated, and not being a linguist I cannot comment on it's accuracy, but others here may be able to offer some insight.

Unfortunately, there aren't many choices because even the ancient source material is scantly preserved. Trajan's Parthian War by F A Lepper (Oxford Press, 1948) would qualify if you can find it. WorldCat library list of other titles relating to Trajan.

It's hard to imagine that anything terribly abnormal occurred in the centuriate without it being referenced later either as a precedent or as a cause for strife by later writers. Might it simply be that the Senate and the people agreed that Marcellus was the man for the job and therefore he was elected without overwhelming historical/political fanfare. A possibility I suppose, but it seems that's all we are left with is speculation and possibilities.

This may be helpful to you C... From the Periochae of Livy book 47 Also from book 48 Clearly there are details missing, but perhaps it's no so unimaginable to think that the problems in Hispania truly were considered a crisis. Maybe something to start with anyway.

Hmm, I'm afraid I must dispute you slightly on this Pertinax. I believe you might be citing "Everything you ever wanted to know about Frankincense" by the esteemed Andrew Dalby rather than his work on skin sores, "Dangerous Lesions". (which appropriately includes an entire chapter dedicated to the "private" regions of the human body) With the close relationship of the subject matter at hand, I can see the ease at which one can slip into such a simple yet honest mistake.

I thought it was only the silly French knnnnnnnnnnigits who waved their private parts at our aunties? Is this simply not further evidence of the advancement of the original Roman culture? The French certainly learned from their Frankish conquerors, who in turn were introduced to this by the tribes of the Danubian border region. Interestingly enough, in Scandanavia the custom spread rapidly due to a pre-existing ritual involving the goddess Freyr. It was so popular that the Norse decided to name Friday after the ritual. Unfortunately, it passed from the lore of Scandinavian custom as the Vikings rose to prominence. Old futhork runes found in Iceland indicate that frost bite and chafing (apparantly from rowing, though the runes are partially illegible) seemed to have discontinued the classic Roman greeting.

Yes!, this custom is still practiced here in Brookfordshiresexingham amongst the inhabitants of the Germanic and Italic communities. Though, legend would suggest that the tradition never gained much support in neighboring Dacia, as the native population was naked most regularly anyway. It would seem that differentiating between the standard greeting and the routine of daily life caused mass confusion and played a pivotal role in opening the door to later invasions under Atilla the Nun and the armies of the Christ.

No, its Dolph Lundgren Hitler, who wrote "How Frankincense Made Me a little Crazy". It was written while sitting in an over perfumed outhouse in the Jewish section of Berlin in 1925. In the original German it was simply "Mein Weihrauch". The alteration in the English title was due largely to Winston Churchill who said, ""Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, This was their finest book."

Polybius mentions his deeds in Hispania almost as an afterthought, but unfortunately the lead up to these events is the book that happens to be terribly fragmented (book 35 off the top of my head if I remember right).