Primus Pilus

An update on Italy's unprecedented stand against museums, collectors, and an international smuggling ring In Italy's ongoing pursuit of stolen artifacts--reported here last February with "The Trial in Rome" and followed up in the July/August issue of ARCHAEOLOGY with "Raiding the Tomb Raiders,"--American museums are giving back works of art, court cases are plodding along, and at least one private collection has come under scrutiny. As 2006 comes to an end, Italy appears to be on the path to victory, though not without at least one setback, and Greece is following their example.. Archaeology.org

A series of medieval frescoes painstakingly restored over nearly a decade was unveiled to the public in Rome Tuesday. Visitors, including Italian Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli, were on hand to take a first glimpse at the 13th-century frescoes in the Santi Quattro Coronati monastery, which sits atop a hill in Rome... CBC

I suppose any such choice would largely depend upon one's station at the time. Assuming that I were a backbench senator simply for the sake of argument, I would've likely leaned to the moderate side of the optimates, since that's where I tend to place myself in general context of our discussions here.

Just over a day left to enter. Don't be shy people.

When creating a poll make sure you fill in all choices even though they may seem to be the same thing... Poll Title, Poll Question and the Choices.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Actually, I told my six year old son that Santa was probably too fat to fit his butt down our chimney. I was promptly informed that I would definitely be getting a lump of coal this year. He also asked that I not say that anymore... just so I don't ruin it for him and his brother. Either way I think I am doomed this year. I will attempt to bribe the jolly fellow with some short bread cookies, but I remained concerned. I hope farting elves will help my cause! (And though off topic, I'd like to add my all time favorite JibJab... This Land.)

and unless it's much more exciting than it used to be, the "nativitity scene" is a mere nativity scene (not that I wouldn't care to see nativititties on courthouse lawns all over the nation). Oh I do hope there are two nativitities.

Only if you're actually a christian I suppose. For me, its an exercise in capitalist consumerism. Though the holiday is hardly reverting to its pagan roots but rather becoming rather non religious, the idea that everyone is now afraid to say Merry Christmas for fear of offending some over sensitive schmuck is rather amusing.

As I recall, no one referred to them for many centuries before Petrarch. I believe Cicero's Orations was still an educational staple throughout the medieval period. As for the rest of his works, I too am not sure.

Huh? If it wasn

His secretary Tiro kept copies and published them. Additionally, the later church considered Cicero to be a "righteous pagan" and preserved his work for posterity.

Several reasons for his less prominent role. First he was relegated to the minor third position because most importantly, he didn't participate in the victory over the Republicans. Additionally his relegation to this minor role and to the province of Africa was also because of suspected treasonous interaction with Sextus Pompey. By this point he truly was a minor player who was kept "in the loop" likely because of his social prominence as the leading living consular patrician and the associated influence that follows this position (and he was Pontifex Maximus). Lepidus didn't originally go to war over his lost importance probably because he feared the senior triumvirs. He wasn't completely expelled by Antonius and Octavian, because both probably felt that he could be used to their advantage. It's interesting that Octavian finally let Lepidus take his assigned province of Africa in part because Octavian didn't trust him and (the Antonian legions assigned to him) and didn't want him to close by. Frankly he holds such a minor role in the memory of history, because his involvement pales in comparison to the struggles of Octavian, Brutus, Cassius and Antonius. His role lacked the dramatics of the other players in the eyes of contemporaries. As for his final defeat and expulsion from the Triumvirate... he didn't let it happen. His attempt to take Sicily from Octavian backfired. His own army defected as a result of Octavian's political shrewdness, and without it, he was powerless. His move against Octavian's position in Sicily was bold and decisive (one of the few such examples of decisiveness shown in the sources). Unfortunately for him, he simply didn't have the loyalty of his legions necessary to carry it out.

There have been some private discussions taking place over what should constitute reviews submitted/published by UNRV.com. As a result, Cato, our very own bastion of moderation ( ), offered up this excellent basic guideline to help nurture budding reviewers. Please do feel free to offer modifications, additional suggestions, etc. How to Review a Book Reviewing a book is a lot like setting up a blind date. Like helping others find true love--a tricky business even for yourself--helping others to find a good book requires knowledge about your victims intended matches, forthrightness about any reservations you have, and encouragement wherever it is justified. In your reviews, here are some questions that you really ought to address so that you're most likely to make a good match. 1. Introduce the book to its natural audience. * What is the basic topic of the book? * Who would be interested in this topic? * What are the credentials of the author? * How does the author's approach to his topic differ from those of others who have covered the same topic? * Is there anything special about the background of the work (e.g., publication date, awards, influence cited by other authors)? 2. Provide a snapshot of the book. * What is the theme of the work and its supporting points? * What is the tone/style of the work? (Including quotations is highly encouraged!) 3. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the book. * What was your overall impression of the book? Instructive, entertaining, maddening? * Do you agree with the author's thesis? If so, what other books make similar points? If not, what other books would you recommend? * Does the author provide sufficient information for the reader to reach an objective judgment about the thesis? If not, what more is needed? * Were there important topics neglected by the author? * What new directions are suggested by the book? Are there natural sequels to be read next? 4. Provide your bottom line recommendation. * Given your main points from above, is this book really worth reading?

Precisely, if you want to smoke in the confines of your home or a private bar go ahead. Bars are not reserved for private people, of course age, but any adult can go there making it public. A bar is NOT a public place unless it is owned by a government entity or by a collective community group. A private owner is a private owner. If you walk into my home it does not become a public place simply because of your presence. The same is true of any privately held establishment. An owner of any privately held business should maintain the right to manage it as he sees fit, provided he follows the law, avoids discriminatory practices, etc. Clearly they are subject to any number of safety/building codes, licensing, etc., but they should still maintain the right to the operation of their business. Any non smoker can enter that establishment any time they please (within business hours), but it is their choice whether or not they stay due to the selection of drinks, the clientell, the food, the atmosphere or what have you. Any smoker may also freely enter or leave under the same circumstances, but it is up to the bar owner to determine the best method for his business to prosper. You damn well are telling people where they can or cannot exercise their rights. This is not about smoking but rather it is much more about free enterprise and the rights of property owners. Smoking is a nasty habit that many hate, and therefore the rights of the property owner get clouded under the veil of doing what may be good for public health, but this is simply a step in a wrong direction for a free society.

At least its a thought out exercise in comparative event history, rather than the typical attack on the current state of affairs or prediction of impending doom. I give him credit for being more objective than the standard comparisons. Though obviously in such a short piece, much of the examples provided are simplifications in the extreme.

Click "My Controls". (If the link doesn't work its on the upper left of the page under the site banner and menu links. Once inside, click "board settings" which is under options on the left side menu bar. From there you can change your time zone display and such.

It was largely residential subura prior to the fire of AD 64. Nero's Domus Aurea was built in the general vicinity after the fire and an artificial lake was created with gardens and such. After Nero's death, some of the Domus was removed and the lake was filled in to make room for the amphitheatre.

Forgive me, I should not have made it seem as if the event is completely ignored. There are the obligatory ceremonies and recognition of veterans along with political speeches and news outlet promotion, but the average joe on the street is generally oblivious. Although I suppose such ignorance of history (even relatively recent history) is all too common. The shame is, as Virgil rightly points out, the world is soon going to be without the actual participants of these events (regardless of which side, nation and theatre of the war), and I shudder to think how forgotten it will become without them.

Coinage is one easy and readily accessible way to familiarize oneself with many inscriptions. One list of examples: David Sear: Common inscriptions

This post simply in remembrance of Pearl Harbor Day (December 7, 1941). An event too often forgotten/ignored in American lore. A day of infamy

Please do take pictures and share with the rest of us less fortunate folks.

That is provided directly by Plutarch at least. Though I'd agree it has all the trappings of dramatic effect along with the molten gold being poured down his throat concept. (as reported by Cassius Dio... though it was a couple of generations after Appian provided the same example of death for Manius Aquillius at the hands of Mithridates. And of course, such a story is a recurring one in history).

Just for the record... there's no need to enter for individual prizes. Just a simple entry into the overall drawing is required. (unless of course you are actually saying you would refuse everything but one potential prize.)

Vatican archaeologists have unearthed a sarcophagus believed to contain the remains of the Apostle Paul that had been buried beneath Rome's second largest basilica. The sarcophagus, which dates back to at least A.D. 390, has been the subject of an extended excavation that began in 2002 and was completed last month, the project's head said this week.... USAToday

I am largely in agreement with Cato, though I would add the caveat that while Sulla may have been obligated to march on Rome, I don't think of us believe he actually did so out of a sense of duty to Republicanism. I am quite sure that this was predicated mostly by personal ambition regardless of lawful implications. Had Sulla stopped short of his victorious onslaught on political opponents and the Roman constitution history would judge his march on Rome quite differently.