sonic

Doesn't surprise me. Over recent years I've got used to finding that 'facts' are actually opinions from earlier authors.

"Somehow he manages to fit it all in. And by “it” I mean real commentary about and analysis of key episodes of Roman history." Yep, that's Maty. I hate him with a passion he can only imagine!

Oh dear ... chances are it will annoy rather than entertain.

I hope you're right. One of the greatest -perceived - failings of archaeology is the slow turnout of written reports. But maybe that's just the bias I remember from my time in a University History department.

There are a couple of problems here. One is that the find is dated to the 'end of the fifth century'. The area of Noricum/Pannonia was probably 'ruled' by Odovacer at this time, so it will be interesting to see what specific finds indicate a 'Roman' officer, rather than either a mercenary or someone equipped with looted gear. Second, if the grave goods include material with a 'Byzantine feel', does this mean that the man was a 'Byzantine' officer? So many questions and so long to wait for the publication of the findings.

Obviously (!), I agree with Barca and Bryaxis. It isn't simply a matter of getting a bow and firing it: training, methodology, type of bow, type of arrow, whether the target was armoured or unarmoured, shielded or unshielded, trained or untrained, etc. etc. The 'volume' method which appears to have been used by the Sasanids required little training and relied on sheer numbers of arrows fired to cause casualties. In contrast, the Huns relied more on superior skill to select and hit individual targets - hence their reputation: a few specialist archers could cause large numbers of casualties amongst unarmoured and untrained troops.

What rank did the boy's father have?

Thankfully, no! Alexander has no great appeal at the moment - and I've already signed for two more books anyway. I think it's safe to say that there may not be enough info on Publius Bassus for a full book ... But maybe in the future?

OK, but what if an author you trusted and had written books you liked came up with a new biography on Alexander?

No Alexander and no Nero?? But what else is there??

According to Sidonius (Ep. 1.7.5), in 468 Arvandus, the Praetorian Prefect of Gaul, sent a letter to Euric telling him not to make peace with the emperor Anthemius, and stating that Gaul should be divided between the Visigoths and Burgundians. He was found guilty of treason and was sentenced to death. His friends petitioned the emperor and his sentence was commuted to exile (Cass. Chron. s.a. 469: Paul. Diac. Hist. Rom. 15.2).

Bu if I said 'please' it wouldn't have been a hint but a request! OK, "Pretty Please"?

Me? Hint? Never!! I say outright that I want things!! PS Have you got the hint yet??

I wouldn't mind 'Legions in Crisis'. Not too expensive either!

Hi Tom You might find the following site helpful: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/luke/ueda-sarson/NDbalistariiDafnenses.html

I think that's quite a good list. I would question whether the invasion of "December 31, 406 AD" was "A huge mixed force of Alans, Vandals, and Sueves", but apart from that it's quite good. It's actually difficult to think of additions off the top of my head. 'Indifference' is probably the wrong word: 'arrogance' would be more apt. The Romans couldn't believe that their Empire would end, any more than the British before WW2. Further, they couldn't 'levy it for free'. The social conditions had changed drastically between the Republican and the Late Imperial times.

Large parts of England think that Westminster is a waste of taxpayers money, as it's filled with upper-class twits who all look and sound the same and have no idea about how the vast majority of the country lives. This can be summed up by an advert I once saw advertising a new shop for a company "Oop Norf" (their spelling). In Birmingham. To all non-British readers, Birmingham is in the Midlands and is nowhere near the 'Norf'.

Don't worry about the 'misinformation'. Most ancient historians tend to avoid the phrase 'city' for exactly that reason: it also leaves them less open to dispute by other historians with a different view.

Does Elliott give any evidence for the claim about Corbridge?

The question is, did this affect the whole of Dumnonia in the south west, or just the elite? Or just the poor?

Oh dear, another ancient fragment that can be used politically in the modern day, despite whether it's real or 'fake'. Having read a little about the voluminous ancient output that was excised from the bible, it wouldn't surprise me if this were a real snippet from an excised text.

From the little I can remember (my studies specifically on late Roman Britain were a long time ago!) the south-western extremities of England were never really settled by 'Romans' and so were not heavily influenced by Romans and probably failed to adopt any Roman traditions. I think it possible that in the last 20 years or so archaeology has found evidence to modify this view, but if so I am unaware of it. Any takers?

The more you know about Classical Civilization, the more you realize that we had a long way to go to catch up!

I take it there was no information on the identity of the buyer? It would be good if by law items like this had to be assessed and recorded by experts prior to being sold on the open market. At least that way the information they contain would be available to posterity.

It's about time. We all need to open our eyes more and see what's on our doorstep, rather than concentrating on 'exotic' wonders.