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I think it is either forgotten or, if the historian is interested in climate, it is placed at the forefront of any conclusions reached. It is then often dismissed as 'over the top' by some historians (sometimes probably with good reason). The difficulty lies in identifying how long any climatic change lasted and over how wide an area prior to estimating the effects it could have had. (For example, it is the experience of Charles Dickens' childhood, with several winters of snow, that played a part in his concept of Christmas in, for (obvious example) 'A Christmas Carol'. This has allegedly affected the way anglophones in the 'West' have seen Christmas, hence all Christmas films and cards etc. tend to have snow. But was this a widespread phenomenon?) It's the same with population and disease, especially in Late Antiquity. The population has first to be estimated, then the effects of the pandemic/endemic is estimated, and then it is put forward as a major reason for the Fall of the West. How accurate is this?

I find it odd that many of the recent posts have been about political events in the modern world. Has the site finally finished answering all of the questions that members interested in Rome or the ancient world ever had?

Interesting stuff. Maybe at some point in the future I'll have to see about this period!

It's one of my main complaints in my reviews. Trouble is, not many people want to buy the books, and the publishers want to at least break even, so the price is very high to ensure that the few books bought by libraries and specialist academics cover costs. This is true of the cost of the kindle version. There may also be a tax reason, but I'm not sure. I'm with a small publisher so my books are slightly less pricey!!

Are you saying I'm predictable?

hey, i didnt know a book title with BC in it, could spark your interest! You need to re-read my 'About me' page!

The "Seleukid Empire of Antiochus" and "Universal Salvation in Late Antiquity" look interesting.

Not sure that giving a thread a title in which a member is referenced in a 'negative' manner is appropriate?

Ask the local tourist information? Or get hold of a place-name book, if you can. Then link ancient places to modern names. I went a few years ago with the other half. She landed me in a place called Pozzuoli. I'd never heard of it. I got hold of a local English guide and suddenly the place came alive. I was in Puteoli, down the road was Cumae, we were near to Pompeii (we flew past Vesuvius on the way in to Naples airport!) All of a sudden the area came alive. The best holiday I've ever had, largely because I didn't know what to expect.

I have a large say in the design of the cover. All of the previous covers have been based on my ideas. For this one, however, I submitted my idea and the design artist came up with a different idea. After long and concentrated thought I've decided to go with a variant of the designer's idea. Have you seen a cover design on the net, or is this a general question?

Hi all It is my great pleasure to announce the imminent-ish arrival of my latest offering. The publication date is set for 30 September 2015. Available soon in all good bookshops! Oh, and at Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Patricians-Emperors-Rulers-Western-Empire/dp/1848844123/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1424458626&sr=8-5&keywords=patricians+and+emperors http://www.amazon.com/Patricians-Emperors-Rulers-Western-Empire/dp/1848844123/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424458863&sr=8-1&keywords=patricians+and+emperors+hughes Interesting that the title is slightly wrong!

It isn't a big problem. The difficulty with reading reviews - especially those on Amazon - is that it is too easy to accept the reviews at face value and panic. If all of the reviews say the same thing, then there's a problem. If it's just one review, it's a fad of the reviewer. I know this from personal experience, as my own books have had 'odd' reviews. Ask yourself this: how many books have you sold? And how many of these complaints have you had? My own take on the reviewing process can be found at http://www.ianhughesma.com/2011/08/26/the-problem-with-reviews/ I've come to the conclusion that all you can do is write the book that you would want to read. If a reviewer doesn't like the way you've done it, they've got the right to go away and write their own book. Chances are that they won't! Don't worry, after a while the criticisms begin to bite less deeply and you can focus on writing rather than worrying!

I'm not sure I understand. What invasion?

Year of the six emperors??

For the first time in ages, nothing for me!

Choose one and write a 2,500-word essay!

Happy New Year Everybody!

Scorpions - China White https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBvfbAUBEd8

I aim to please .... Pity I'm usually such a poor shot!

I had problems with TW and 'Steam'. Is this still linked or have the old problems been solved?

Nice one mate. Now if you could just do some of the later stuff ...

I watched an interview with Alex Salmond, the First minister of Scotland and leader of the Independence campaign. He seemed to avoid all of the major questions being put, especially about the economy, which is slightly worrying.

Many Thanks. All help is gratefully received!!

Ah. Mentioned by name, eh? I have to start writing a review of 'Post-Roman Transitions: Christian and Barbarian Identities in the Early Medieval West' when I get chance. This looks at how identities changed after the Fall of the West. However, with reference to the specific post above, superficially this would make a lot of sense and explain many things that would otherwise be confusing. This needs a lot of thought! I might even have to brush off my German for this one!!

A good example. Coins dating the building of the Temple to twenty years after Herod's death give a 'secure' date proving that Herod may not have been involved in the actual building - although the building may have followed his design. However, in the case of Pompeii it is assumed that the coin was lost as soon as it was minted. This strikes me as odd. (Unless I'm missing something with my superficial reading!)