sonic

Does this mean you're older than me now?? Happy birthday mate.

This depends on how well you can search the net. I have slowly (over several years) found links to books etc. that are out of copyright but which are available on the web, although many of these are either difficult to use or are based on the 19th-century axiom that anybody interested in Ancient Greece or Rome could read Latin. As you say, where these aren't available on the net they are ridiculously expensive, but that is why publishers such as LUP or Boydell are now beginning to make them more widely available or commissioning new books/translations. Unfortunately due to the small number of people willing to pay money for these books some - but not all - are still pretty expensive. I agree that Jstor and the like do price their services so high and/ or limit information to institutions rather than individuals to the point where it is still a minority who have access to them - unless you are linked to a University. However, if books are still in copyright why should the publisher make them available on the internet for free? Publishers are there to make money: to see them in any other way is - sadly - simply wishful thinking. Having said that, I agree that some of these publishers appear to be milking those interested for every penny that they can, and that feels unfair - especially when the information is still in copyright but the books are simply not available either new or secondhand.

Thanks for the comment: it's much appreciated!

I agree that 5th century leaders such as Honorius were disgraceful, but there were also competent leaders such as Constantius and Majorian who tried to restore order, but ultimately failed. Note the hedge in my statement: "early fifth century." When Theodosius dies (AD 395), I feel that the Western Empire still had a great potential for lasting success and stability. If Rome had a Stilicho (died 408) as emperor, instead of the worthless Honorius.... By the time of Aetius (died 454), however, Rome may have already been in a terminal death spiral and nothing could have saved her. I will defer to Ian on this, however. guy also known as gaius Gee thanks Guy: no pressure then! I think there may be some major differences between the periods under discussion. As has been pointed out, in the third century a series of competent emperors - however short lived - managed to slowly piece the Empire back together again, both physically and mentally. After the 'Third Century Crisis' the majority of the Empire was happy enough - or scared of the emperor enough! - to continue to be 'productive citizens', paying taxes, supplying recruits for the army, and refraining from rebellion in any of its forms - although usurpations and cicil war did continue, especially during the 'reign' of Constantine and his sons. In addition, the barbarian invasions of the third century, although devastating, did not fundamentally damage the Empire's social and economic base as no permanent settlements were made, except on the Empire's terms. Furthermore, although the Empire had been riven by civil wars, the majority of the casualties were to be found in the army, which was often led in person by the emperor to face both internal and external enemies. Despite the constant usurpations, the Empire remained essentially united, with many of the differences between East and West being ignored. At the end of the century there was a feeling of renewal and confidence in the empire. The fifth century is almost completely different. After the division of the empire between Valentinian and Valens the separation between East and West became an ever-growing division. This was not helped by the accession of two incompetent but relatively long-lived minors in 395 (Arcadius died in 408, Honorius in 423) and the succession of Theodosius II, who was not much of an improvement, in the East (408-450). The empire was not ruled 'jointly': instead, the two rival political courts generally dealt with each other in a hostile fashion - especially during the leadership of Stilicho in the West. Moreover, after Theodosius I's campaigns against the West, in effect the West was left to sort out its own problems without help from the East, again thanks largely to the policies of Stilicho in the West and his opponents in the East. Contrast this with events after the Battle of Adrianople in 378. In addition, the barbarian 'invasions' of the West - especially the Goths in 401, and the Vandals, Alans and Sueves in 406 - resulted in large territories being lost for the purposes of taxation and army recruitment. When combined with the elite's withdrawal from military and political responsibility - especially in the paying of taxes and the supplying of recruits - the net result was the loss of the Western army and the growth of the 'Barbarian Kingdoms'. It is difficult to defeat an enemy in the long term when you are unwilling to take casualties in defeating him, relying instead on blockade and siege. Because they did not suffer from devastating casualties in war, the barbarian kingdoms were usually willing to re-open conflicts after only a short period of rest and renewal. The growth of the barbarian kingdoms was helped by the desire of large segments of the population in Britain, Gaul and Spain to secede from a Roman rule which appeared to demand much in taxes but offered little in the way of protection from barbarian intruders, whether from outside or inside the Empire. Aetius was to spend a large part of his campaigning career putting down never-ending Bacaudic rebellions, a problem that was not on the same scale in the third century. I hope this answers some of the questions! Right, back to work - what was Valens doing in 370 .... ?

It's available for pre-order at several outlets. However, despite the fact that some may be advertising it as for sale instantly, this is a bit difficult as it is only last Friday that I sent in the corrections that needed to be made to the cover! If they are unhappy at telling the truth, I would expect the sellers to make some excuse to cover the 'delay' in sending the book out, such as it being 'out of stock', or 'delayed due to delivery problems'.

Well, it's only another 3-4 weeks at the most. Maybe time to 'delay' the final revision?? So what exactly is the novel about?

This sort of excuse just doesn't wash with us Kindle users! Maybe the superglue has stuck their fingers where they can't reach the keys to load the book on to Kindle? Hah nice come back!! What do you say to that then Ghost???

Hi Cinzia No, it's not fiction. It's a biography of Aetius, following on from my books on Belisarius and Stilicho. It's an attempt to outline the events of his life, including his wars with the Goths, the loss of Africa to the Vandals, and the epic conflict at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains with Attila the Hun. Obviously, given the poor quality of the sources, there are quite a few gaps, but I have found a few pieces of information when writing and researching the book that surprised me! For more information, have a look at my website. Ian

This sort of excuse just doesn't wash with us Kindle users! Maybe the superglue has stuck their fingers where they can't reach the keys to load the book on to Kindle?

They've used superglue and are waiting for the solvent from ebay!!

Hi all. Just to let anybody with an interest in

Happy Christmas from Yorkshire.

So am I!

I want the Roma Victrix Beaker @UNRV http://bit.ly/romavictrix

Where's my wallet ....

Well, that's another four or five books on my wishlist! Now where's that lottery ticket: you know, the winning one ...

Just received it and watched the first two episodes. Still funny after all these years - especially the first episode, which has a large amount in Latin!

I don't know how to do it either!

Just to let everybody who may be interested know, 'Aetius: Attila's Nemesis' is now available for pre-order at many good book shops, and some rubbish ones. For example, here. Unfortunately, it's due out in February so will not be available as a Christmas present. I was late announcing the arrival of 'Stilicho', so I thought that this time I would be early and so not get shouted at!

I would definitely be interested in these two books - for obvious reasons! Anybody else who's interested, I'll fight you for them!!

That's the first time I've cried laughing in ages!

An off-licence is a shop licensed to sell intoxicating beers and spirits etc. They tend to sell nothing else except for a few chocolates and sweets, in case parents take their kids into the shop when buying alcohol. Unlike supermarkets and general off-licences, who sell only big-name brands plus a few minor labels, specialist off-licences import lesser-known beers from the continent.

I meant in specialist off-licences. German and Austrian beer is superb.

Oh, please, please let them export it to England!