guy

Interesting article and video: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/06/oldest-evidence-marijuana-use-discovered-2500-year-old-cemetery-peaks-western-china guy also known as gaius

I agree with the idea of giving a book that deals with science in Ancient Rome The problem with that idea, however, is the fact that most scientists (especially physicians) of Ancient Rome were of Greek descent and wrote in Greek (and not in Latin). One book that I own (but have not read, yet) is "The Genesis of Science: The Story of Greek Imagination." Although the book does deal with mostly scientists from ancient Greece, it does include information about Greeks living in the Ancient Roman Empire. Another possible book would be one about Eratosthenes who made a fairly accurate estimate about the size of the earth in 240 BCE. I have no book recommendation for that topic, however. Good luck, guy also known as gaius

Battle of Blenheim (1704). The defeat of the French by the England / Scotland (Duke of Marlborough) and the Austrians (Prince Eugene of Savoy) changed the course of modern European history. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Blenheim This battle essentially ended France's delusions of European hegemony. The English victory solidified the young constitutional monarchy under Queen Anne.

Another interesting video on the Roman-Romano-Egyptian-Indian trade route: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archives_de_Nicanor

A somewhat silly, but also informative episode about food in ancient Rome from the series "Supersizers": Supersizers Go Ancient Rome - YouTube

Interesting. Did you use a substitute for garum, the ancient fermented fish sauce? I have read that a Vietnamese fish sauce is similar as well as the Italian Colatura di alici (anchovy sauce). (Neither sound too appetizing, however.) https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/aug/26/garum-sauce-colatura-di-alici-italy-fish guy also known as gaius

I have nothing to add on the subject other than to say that the BBC series "I, Claudius" cemented the Livia conspiracy into the minds of modern students since it was first released in 1976. (The novel was printed in 1934.) I recommend the television series highly if for no other reason than to give a framework for the complicated lines of succession. Perhaps Adrian Goldworthy's book "Augustus: First Emperor of Rome" would shed some light on this subject. I have the book at home but I'm looking for the time to read it. guy also known as gaius

Article on find: https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2019/02/28/1800-year-old-roman-penis-carvings-discovered-near-hadrians-wall-some-things-never-change/ Entire transcript of video: Some things never change. guy also known as gaiuis

I cannot comment on this period of Roman history as my knowledge of these events is fuzzy at best. You certainly know a lot more on this subject than I. That said, all politics (especially in ancient cultures) were personal, based on patronage, blood relations, and extended family (through marriage and adoption). This helps explain the ever-shifting alliances in the late Roman Republic. For example, Caesar's aunt was married to Gaius Marius. Also, Caesar's marriage to the daughter of Marius' ally Cinna did not help to ingratiate himself with Sulla. Caesar's relationship with Marius would obviously impact negatively on Sulla's later view of Casear. The Gracchi brothers were near-contemporaries with Marius. Marius was 24 when Tiberius Gracchus died and 36 when Gaius Gracchus died. So, the question remains: Did Marius have any relationship with the Gracchi brothers, either personally or through patronage and family? Marius' admiration for Scipio Aemilianus complicates the politics even more. The Gracchi brothers were the grandchildren of Scipio Africanus. (Here, the history gets confusing for me.) Scipio Aemilianus was the adopted grandson of Scipio Africanus as well as the brother-in-law of the Gracchi brothers. Scipio Aemilanus' death is suspicious. Did he die of natural causes or was he murdered (as rumored) by his mother-in-law and wife for political reasons in order to defend the Gracchi brothers' reforms? Way too complicated for my simple mind. Just like modern times, all politics are personal. guy also known as gaius

Welcome and please contribute. We always enjoy new posts. They don't have to be profound or insightful. Random musings are always appreciated. 😎

Thank you for reading my post. I always was skeptical about Roman trade with India and beyond, but the evidence is too strong to ignore. Even if there wasn't the extensive and routine trade described by Professor McLaughlin, there was at least intermittent trade and commerce.

First the background (from Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Great Dr Katherine Hall, of the Dunedin School of Medicine in New Zealand has another suggestion: Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS). https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/8303195/alexander-the-great-was-alive-while-body-was-prepared-for-burial-after-rare-disease-left-him-paralysed/#comments Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune condition that targets the body's own nervous system. The exact cause is unknown, but it is often believed to be a result of the body's response to a recent infection. GBS leads to a progressive paralysis that usually starts in the extremities. Over time, this paralysis can move upward to affect the chest muscles involved in breathing. Without proper care, including the use of a respirator to aid breathing, GBS can be fatal.

Maybe a little too much hype and too high expectations, but interesting, nevertheless. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6615657/Burial-site-Cleopatra-Mark-Antony-uncovered-soon.html guy also known as gaius

A recent video on the subject by Professor McLaughlin:

Pliny the Elder complained about the drain of specie (coin money) to India: I recently read "The Roman Empire and the Indian Ocean" by Raoul McLaughlin and was impressed by the extensive interactions between Romans and the residents of the Indian region. The book mentions that Roman merchant ships traveled into the Bay of Bengal and along trade routes leading to Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and even the Han Empire of ancient China. According to the Greek geographer Strabo (64 BC - 24 AD), the number of ships sailing from Egypt to India yearly increased from less than 20 to at least 120 after the Romans gained control of Egypt and her ports. I was surprised by the presence of Roman coin hoards in India and the size of the Kottayam hoard discovered in southern India. Professor Raoul McLaughlin states there was a 25% tax (known as the tetarte) on imports. These imports included spices (especially pepper, cinnamon, ginger), ivory, incense, and gems (such as pearls and rubies) imported from India. These would enter the Empire through Alexandria. When they left Alexandria for Rome and other Mediterranean cities, these items would be taxed again. The tax revenues helped fund Rome's prosperity, including the Roman military and civilian programs. Professor McLaughlin states that this tax revenue from India and the East may have funded 25-30% of the entire Roman budget. I am unsure about the extent of funding these taxes provided, but I am convinced that the trade between these two regions is far greater than I ever imagined. Below is an interesting Indian perspective on ancient Roman-India interactions and the numismatic evidence. Professor McLaughlin's book may be controversial, but it is certainly thought-provoking. I look forward to reading McLaughlin's book "The Roman Empire and the Silk Routes: The Ancient World Economy and the Empires of Parthia, Central Asia, and Han China." It is always good to have our previous notions about ancient Rome challenged.

More discoveries from Pompeii https://phys.org/news/2018-12-harnessed-horse-unearthed-ancient-stable.html

Thank you for reading my post (from many, many years ago 😎). Yes, you are correct to have concerns about forgeries. That said, there are many honest sellers in the market. When buying a coin from them, one could be fairly certain that the coin is authentic. There would be no need to get the coin certified by a service such as NGC Ancients. Here is an excellent site with both excellent numismatic information and authenticate coins for sell: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/ One of the coins shown in my post above is in a plastic holder. It was certified by NGC Ancients. The decision whether to get ancient coins certified by NGC is one of the controversies of coin collecting. Personally, I am not a coin collector. Despite looking at ancient coins for more than a quarter century, I am not always good at determining authenticity. Also, buying coins online can be fraught with danger. If I were to buy a coin online, especially from an unknown online seller, I would be comforted by a certification of authenticity from NGC. A final word of advice, remember that ancient coins are frequently less expensive than a novice would imagine. Please check comparable prices on the market before buying any coin. The site above (Forvm Ancient Coins) has many excellent coins offered for sell by coin dealers who are held to a high standard of numismatic ethics. They are possibly little more expensive, but overall, they offer reasonable prices for ancient coins. A good site to do coin research or enjoy coin discussion is below: https://www.cointalk.com/forums/ancients/ If you have any questions, you can send me a message. Good luck. guy also known as gaius

Garrett: Looks like an interesting website. I'll have to explore it further. guy also known as gaius

Caldrail: Thank you very much for your reading my post and sharing your family perspective. Here is a portion of Wilfred Owen's last letter written to his mother just days before his death on November 4, 1918: http://advancingpoetry.blogspot.com/2013/10/his-last-letter.html

One hundred years ago this month, British poet Wilfred Owen died (November 4, 1918) on the war front in France. Wilfred Owen was one of the leading poets of the First World War. (1893–1918) Owen's poetry was inspired by the horrors of the First World War. He was troubled by the dreary life in the trenches with its incessant and deafening shelling, horrifying gas attacks, and the ever-present specter of death. His poem, "Dulce et Decorum est," was an ironic interpretation of the famous line from the Roman poet Horace's "Odes" (III.2.13): "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori" [It is sweet and proper to die for one's country.]. DULCE ET DECORUM EST by Wilfred Owen Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs And towards our distant rest began to trudge. Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind; Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots Of gas-shells dropping softly behind. Gas! GAS! Quick, boys!—An ecstasy of fumbling Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time, But someone still was yelling out and stumbling And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime.— Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light, As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. In all my dreams before my helpless sight He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning. If in some smothering dreams you too could pace Behind the wagon that we flung him in, And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin, If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, Bitter as the cud Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,— My friend, you would not tell with such high zest To children ardent for some desperate glory, The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori. According to Wikipedia: One hundred years ago this month, British poet Wilfred Owen died ... but the power of his poetry continues to touch us deeply today. guy also known as gaius

Part II: https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/6893/NGC-Ancients/

Thank you for the excellent article. It's been a while since I've thought about medicine as it relates to the military. Here's a fine video on the nature and surgical treatment of military wounds. I'm not certain the theory on wound management is correct, however. If I remember correctly, opium derivatives, alcohol, and cannabis were available for some analgesia. I'm not sure that pain relief would be adequate for most invasive procedures, however. (Although Mandrake is frequently mentioned by ancient sources, its side-effects -- including confusion, agitation, nausea, etc. -- may have made its use less frequent than previously thought.) https://books.google.com/books?id=8hIoN3Q_zOkC&pg=PA5&lpg=PA5&dq=Side-effects+of+Mandrake&source=bl&ots=E4oBf4DrYR&sig=WIVOY_uF3O9boNEdrY7NAroGZIU&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjahs-0kd_dAhUIUa0KHRB1DbU4KBDoATADegQIBhAB#v=onepage&q=Side-effects of Mandrake&f=false guy also known as gaius