Primus Pilus

Perhaps the most telling quote from the article is saved for the very end.

I can only comment on my own passage... My assertion is based largely on Cicero's comments in various letters. It's rather veiled, and my intention was simply to show that his inclusion would've been desirable. Caesar did offer Cicero a position as a legate in his upcoming Gallic campaign (Plutarch says Cicero asked for it and Cicero says that Caesar asked him) but its unclear whether this was an attempt to protect Cicero from Clodius or an indication of inclusion into the larger alliance. Later 19th century historians such as Frank Frost Abbott, Edward Spencer Beesly, J.B. Greenough & G.L. Kittredge are quite supportive of the notion that Cicero was asked to join. At any rate, in reading my own extract there, I am going to make a minor edit to reflect the possibility, rather than the fact. My slight alteration reads as follows...

He was rumored to have been the receiver rather than giver, which carried a different conotation. There was nothing necessarily wrong with it from the general Roman perspective, but the social elite were expected to be on the more dominant side of the equation.

Viggen and I were discussing this privately, but she clearly held a defiant attitude towards her captor that helped preserve some sense of independence. Her poise and confidance is fairly remarkable given the circumstances and I hope thats a good sign that she is easily able to integrate with her family and society.

Well, its a novel so they tend not to get much attention in the historical part of the site. However, I was very impressed with Harris' Pompeii and am awaiting the impending arrival of an 'Imperium' review copy. The first triumvirate is a bit of a misnomer. Clearly there were 3 power players, but it was also a factional coalition with many members beyond the three. It was never labelled a triumvirate nor held any official governing status, but the term was coined as such in light of the actual triumviri of Octavianus, Antonius and Lepidus. Cicero could've joined the alliance and possibly even been a moderating influence if his politics were in more general agreement.

Really? I don't think we meant for that to happen, but I'm not really sure. [edit] I've added the option to start a second gallery. If Viggen didn't intend this to be an option I'm sure he will promptly crucify me and remove any extra privileges.

Frankly Silentium, your written English is far better than most native speakers. I wouldn't be concerned if I were you.

It's something that Moonlapse will have to fix once he comes up for air.

I've been following this with great interest since news of her escape broke. Vig if you find an English translation of the interview please post it as well.

Is it? Not to throw this conversation into a huge tangent, but it's called the Theory of Gravity, not the Law of Gravity. The nature of gravity is still being investigated by organizations such as NASA, Stanford, and UCSB, just to name a few. Like all concepts not yet called natural laws, there is still room for error, elaboration, and reconsideration. But you are suggesting that the theory of gravity is as unprovable as religion. We're talking apples and oranges in my opinion. Very interesting. You're suggesting that Brown's theories can be wrong because the gospels may have inaccurately portrayed the historical Jesus. In that case, if the gospels are wrong, and we don't have access to what may be true or false, wouldn't it stand to reason that any theory could possibly be correct? Further, if they got the historical Jesus wrong, then it would beg one to ask what else they got wrong. That's a very dangerous argument you made. No, I'm suggesting that his theory is dependent upon the accuracy of other theories. Essentially, he's taken an unproven theory and twisted it into his own unproven theory. And umm, what's dangerous about it? Will satan crush me like a grape? That's an interesting theory. Its not a theory, its a joke. (PS, my comment about being crushed like a grape by satan is also a joke... in fact my participation in this thread should be largely regarded as someone who finds it funny how much attention 'The DaVinci Code' has received. With that in mind, take every comment I make with a proverbial grain of salt.)

My earlier flip comment aside, and to add to what Ursus just said... Dan Brown has also been a bit, shall we say, antagonistic in his approach. His interviews (and the perpetuation of his book's theory by his enormous fanbase) have suggested that he has uncovered a real conspiracy and that his book is almost an investigative piece of research, rather than simply a novel of fiction. The church has had little choice but to respond to him or appear to be hiding something from the confused masses, I suppose.

On second thought, after attempting to prepare a lengthy document for my original theory in this thread, the evidence for an independent rivalry as a cause of the 'Fall of the Republic' just isn't supportable. There, of course, is plenty of evidence to support many factional political rivalries, including between Cato, Scipio and other players of the era, but the Cato/Scipio rivalry doesn't even seem to have any lasting effect on later Catones, Scipiones, Cornelii or Porcii.

Gravity is quite proven. The fact that we aren't all floating aimlessly around is a pretty good indication. Dan Brown's novel is operating under several unprovable assumptions. His theory requires the historical Jesus story to be absolutely true as told in the gospels, requires the unsubstantiated stories regarding the Knights Templar to be true, etc., then twists these stories to relay his own theory. There is opposition to the book in the church because they fear the growing power of satan incarnate in the form of Dan Brown as he seeks to destroy mankind in a ball of all consuming fire.

Antoninus Pius is oft over-looked for his contributions. His reign was relatively peaceful (part his doing, part reliant upon circumstances beyond one's control), it was administratively effective and stable, financially sound and provided a continuation of the status quo in Marcus Aurelius (though his selection was thanks to Hadrian, Antoninus Pius did nothing to alter this and groomed MA admirably for the task.)

Thanks for posting FC, wonderfully done!

I can't offer any more than the papers are, but the Times says it was the Greco-Roman amphitheatre (indicating there is only 1 in downtown Amman). Times

Not to distract from the conversation at hand, but quoting is simply a matter of using proper brackets. It should look like this... [quote]Damn! I can never quite figure out how to do the quotes! I always end up getting the bubble around my own words not that of someone else,i'll figure it out ....evevntually. [/quote]

Should be interesting I hope the winners are happy with their selections, and that everyone else isn't too disappointed. Hopefully, we can arrange more of these.

Of all the cities I visited in the 14th and 15th centuries...

I just meant that I thought the girls were a bit young for me. LOL

Like Pertinax, I too am puzzled as too why Cinicinnatus would be associated in such a way. Perhaps it was simply a way to bring a famous name into the script to the delight of Romanophiles (or chagrin). As for the city in Ohio... "In 1778 Losantiville was founded. This was later known as Cincinnati and received its name from General St. Clair, who, while in command of Ft. Washington, changed the name to Cincinnati in honor of the Society of Cincinnati, of which he was a member." Society of Cincinnati History Story of Cincinnatus Livy 3.19

Nothing wrong with youth mind you, but I would be a bit more comfortable if it was targetted to a bit older demographic.

Ok, so one of our moderators votes for the Miami Dolphins. Oh come on America. I for one am deeply disappointed at the lack of participation. 5 days and 10 hours to game time. America, take back your game! Let's do this take your pick! I just get the impression that Romanophiles aren't quite as interested in sports (at least among we Yanks).

Yes unfortunately, and I hope my article is quite clear that everything is a fairly wild guesstimate, population figures are based loosely on the Res Gestae of Augustus (which Plutarch quoted) and scientific world population data. It's very intriguing. Unfortunately, I doubt we'll ever be very clear unless some lost documentation is found that gives more detail.

FEEL FREE TO ADD TO THIS LIST. New posts will be incorporated into existing posts and deleted for purposes of clarity and organization. HISTORY & BIOGRAPHY Ammianus Marcellinus Roman History (Res Gestae) From 353 to the reign of Valens c. 378. The first 14 books taking up where Suetonius and Tacitus left off (from Nerva in AD 96 through 352) are lost. Appian: The Foreign Wars and the Civil Wars (Bellum Civile) Appian The Roman History Early Roman history is fragmented but the Punic Wars through the wars of the late Republic is extensively covered. (alternatives) Appian's Civil Wars, Appian's Foreign Wars Aurelius Victor Epitome de Caesaribus (Epitome of the Emperors) A summary of the emperors from Augustus to Julian Caesar Gallic Wars, Civil Wars, Alexandrian War, African War, 'Spanish' War (Bellum Gallicum, Bellum Civile, Bellum Hispanicum, Bellum Alexandricum) (alternative) Caesar's commentaries Cassius Dio, Roman History Books 1 - 80 Founding of Rome through Severus Alexander (about AD 222) Book 22 - 35 (The Grachii through Marius, Cinna, Sulla, etc.) is very fragmentary as is book 70 and 71 on Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius Cicero Letters (arranged by themes courtesy of theilian) Various works at:Perseus (Some from the above link and more from Perseus) Selected Letters (Fordham) Complete Letters (Perseus); (PDF download: vol. 1, vol. 3, vol. 4 Treatise (includes De Officis, Nature of Gods, Old Age, Friendship, Republic, Laws among others) Speeches - 14 Philippics (Gutenberg), 1st speech against Verres (Bartleby), 2nd verres, Pro Cluentio, Pro Milone, Pro Archia, Pro Roscio Amerio (all UAH), Catilinarian Orations, Pro Murena, Pro Caelio, Additional Downloads via Gutenberg Cornelius Nepos: Lives of Eminent Leaders (including Hannibal and M. Porcius Cato) Diodorus Siculus: The Library of History Dionysus of Halicarnassus: Roman Antiquities A history of early Rome through the war with Pyrrhus. The founding through the mid 4th century BC is extensively covered in books 1 through 11. Books 12 through 20, roughly through the war with Pyrrhus, are badly fragmented. Exsuperantius, Julius Roman History a very short history from around the 4th century regarding the era of Marius and Sulla... seemingly based largely on the work of Sallust Festus Brevarium of the Accomplishments of the Roman People Gauis The Institutes - Translated by Edward Poste, Translated by Samuel P. Scott Gellius Attic Nights Herodian Roman History From the death of Marcus Aurelius to Gordian III. (alternative) Roman History also Book 5 only Historia Augusta Various Authors, Biographies in a Suetonius like fashion from Hadrian through Numerian AD 117 - 285 Beware the sometimes dubious nature of this source. Florus Epitome of Roman History. For the most part it is an account of Rome's many wars from the beginning until the reign of Augustus. It is based mostly on Livy's more extensive work, but it is also valuable because it includes some of Livy's lost books. (alternative) Epitome Josephus Antiquities of the Jews and War of the Jews Licinianus, Granius Roman History a very fragmented history covering a few pages of a largely lost work. The preserved work covers the period between 163 and 78 BC Livy: History of Rome Books 1 - 45 Founding of Rome through the Third Macedonian War Books 46 - 142 are lost but the Periochae (a summary version) still exists. (alternatives) Livy's History Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, at Gutenberg From the Founding of the City Nicolaus of Damascus Life of Augustus Plutarch Parallel Lives, The Moralia (alternatives) Plutarch's Lives, (download) Gutenberg Project, Lives Polybius The Histories Books 1 - 39 covers the Punic Wars extensively Procopius Works related to the reign of Justinian Persian War, Vandalic War, Court of Justinian Sallust War with Jugurtha, Conspiracy of Catiline (alternatives) Catiline Conspiracy, Jugurtha War, Histories (fragments) Suetonius Lives of the Caesars Caesar, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian, Titus, Domitian On Grammarians, On Rhetoricians Tacitus The Annals and the History covers AD 14 - 66 and 69, 70. or Tacitus' Annals. Life of Agricola (AD 40 -93) The Germania Vegetius De Re Militari (The Military Institutions of the Romans) Covers the structure, training, strategies, tactics and procedures of the late Roman army. Velleius Paterculus The Roman History Covers early history from the fall of Troy through the death of Livia in AD 29. The civil war era of Caesar is heavily focused. POETRY, PHILOSOPHY AND MISCELLANY Apuleius The Golden Ass Cato the Elder De Agricultura (on farming) As the title suggests... but includes other societal elements Catullus Catullus Poems Celsus De Medicina On Medicine Cicero, Q. Tullius Commentariolum Petitionis (aka De petitione consulatus) Handbook on Electioneering or On running for the Consulship Columella, L Iunius De Re Rustica (on Agriculture) Fronto, Marcus Cornelius The correspondence of Marcus Cornelius Fronto Frontinus The Aqueducts of Rome Galen On the Natural Faculties, book I, II & III Horace Selected Odes Juvenal Satire Satires Lucan Pharsalia (poem regarding Caesar's civil war with Pompey) Lucretius Carus Lucretius' On the Nature of Things philosophical poetry. Notitia Dignitatum (alternatives) Notitia Dignitatum. A detailed list of imperial administrative positions circa 400-420 AD. Martial (Marcus Valerius Martialis) Epigrams Ovid Metamorphoses Pausanius Description (Travel Guide) of Greece Petronius Satyricon Pliny the Elder Natural History an enormous work covering a vast number of 'natural' subjects. An old translation dating from the early 17th century. (alternative) Perseus Pliny the Younger Selected Letters, Regarding Vesuvius. Pliny t.y's letters (Latin) Ptolemy Geography Maps and text material. Online resource via Lacus Curtius is a translation in progress. Quintilian Institutio Oratoria Seneca Essays and Epistles, Seneca Tragedies Strabo Geography Synesius of Cyrene Speeches, Essays, Hymns Twelve Tables S. P. Scott translation, Johnson, Coleman-Norton & Bourne translation, M. H. Crawford translation Varro (M. Terentius Varro) De Re Rustica (on Agriculture) Vergil or Virgil (P. Vergilius Maro) Aeneid Vitruvius On Architecture