guy

A related post from a long, long time ago. (The initial link to the article is dead, however): http://www.cannabis-med.org/index.php?tpl=journal&id=192&lng=en&fid=2002:2&red=journallist http://www.cannabis-med.org/data/pdf/2002-02-3.pdf guy also known as gaius

As a religious skeptic, I don't reflexively defend any faith. That said, I don't have a need to defend the Pagans, either. What I do criticize is the simplistic dichotomy of the enlightened and tolerant Pagans vs. intolerant and benighted Christians. Thank you, again, for the inspiration to question some long-held ideas and dogma. guy also known as gaius

I've changed my views about that romantic myth about "intolerant Christians suppressing those peace-loving, tolerant, and enlightened Pagans." From the thoughtful article below by Alan Cameron: http://sites.utexas.edu/pasp/tag/alan-cameron/ Alan Cameron and his book The Last of the Pagans of Rome were mentioned in this four year old post: guy also known gaius

I think this quote from the Harper article cited above is important: I agree strongly with Harper's initial point "it is important to keep an open mind." Then, his argument becomes based more on speculation that actual evidence. This is an important bit of clinical evidence from Galen that the Antonine plague was, in fact, caused by smallpox: These 'black pustules" from the above quote could be describing hemorrhagic smallpox picture below: From the picture above, one can easily see the hemorrhagic vesicles and bullae that Galen might have called "black pustules." So, case closed, right? Not so fast. This hemorrhagic form of smallpox is extremely rare (around 5%) and is certainly not the typical presentation of smallpox. This is the more typical presentation (> 90% of the cases): From the pictures above, one can see the typical presentation of smallpox: innumerable pustular vesicles and bullae. These lesions do crust and scab over, There are not, however, the "black pustules" that Galen described. To be continued ....

Thank you for reading my post. I certainly recommend Harper's book. I appreciate his enthusiasm and study ... but neither are proof alone. (If both enthusiasm and study were sufficient, I would believe in Ancient Aliens.) For those who have not read his book, here is Harper's argument for smallpox being a source of plague in the ancient Rome: http://www.kyleharper.net/uncategorized/smallpox-resources-and-thoughts/ Here is some of the many arguments against the smallpox theory: https://classicalstudies.org/annual-meeting/149/abstract/galen-adna-and-plague If I find the time, I will later share my reasons for at least my skepticism..

I always believed that the infection that destroyed the indigenous populations in the Western Hemisphere was smallpox. Similarly, I thought that smallpox was the most likely culprit for Galen's Antonine Plague and as well as probably many of the other plagues of Ancient Rome. This article makes me reconsider this notion. https://www.archaeology.org/issues/298-1805/trenches/6524-trenches-mexico-colonization-salmonella This bacterium, relatively uncommon today, causes an extremely virulent paratyphoid fever. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paratyphoid_fever Excavated structure at the northern edge of the Grand Plaza at Teposcolula-Yucundaa. Architectural investigations of the Grand Plaza resulted in the unexpected discovery of a large epidemic cemetery associated with the 1545-1550 cocoliztli epidemic. The cemetery was found to contain numerous mass burials, attesting to the catastrophic nature of the epidemic. Photo: Christina Warinner/Teposcolula-Yucundaa Archaeological Project guy also known as gaius

http://www.newser.com/story/258235/in-egyptian-temple-a-new-bust-of-marcus-aurelius.html Details are sparse, but it is an interesting find. guy also known as gaius

Well put. I think we are guilty of failing to realize how much of the environment throughout the Roman Empire has changed. Right now I'm reading "The Fate of Rome: Climate, Disease, and the End of an Empire" by Kyle Harper. I found this quote interesting: "On Ptolemy's testimony, it rained in Roman Alexandria every month of the year but August. Today there is about one day of rain from May to September, inclusive." This would explain how today's Egyptian desert was once the breadbasket of the Roman Empire. guy also known as gaius

Originally, I thought this was a fabricated and fake story. That said, the Colosseum is in Rome (relatively close to the Vatican). As you know as well as anyone, the history of Christianity (as opposed to the other faiths you mention) is intimately bound to Ancient Rome. So, if you believe religious persecution exists (that even I, a religious skeptic, do), then it is fair for that faith to attempt to bring attention to their plight, no matter how empty that gesture may seem to us.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/colosseum-to-be-lit-red-for-persecuted-christians-42868

Somehow I missed this interesting find from November 2017: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/29/caesars-invasion-of-britain-began-from-pegwell-bay-in-kent-say-archaeologists (Picture caption: Thanet had never been considered a possible landing site because it was separated from the mainland until the Middle Ages.) http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/julius-caesar-invasion-britain-uk-site-evidence-first-discovered-kent-a8081056.html

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) was an English writer, best known for "A Dictionary of the English language" written in 1755. He was also an essayist, biographer, and literary critic. He was also a very odd-looking gentleman with strange tics and mannerisms. (Modern researchers believe he had Tourette syndrome.) He was deaf in one ear and blind in one eye. He also suffered from childhood scrofula, a localized tuberculosis infection of the cervical lymph nodes, resulting in facial scarring and neck swelling. First, here is his complementary quote on ancient Rome recorded by his biographer James Boswell: Johnson was a complex man who was also able to say this about ancient Rome: I found these two quotes so diametrically opposed but despite their contradictory nature, so true. Similarly, Samuel Johnson himself was a complex person with many contradictions. (Interestingly, many people incorrectly assume that Samuel Johnson and Edward Gibbon, author of The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, were friends. Although near contemporaries and traveling in similar social circles, these two men had a very complex and sometimes unfriendly relationship.)

Viggen: Good luck and thank you for your work. Stay healthy. guy also known as gaius P.S.: I hope Peter reaches out to us for suggestions to fill the great void as a result of Viggen's departure from the leadership.

Do you have a link to the article?

I thought this was an interesting video of the year by year territorial expansion and collapse of Ancient Rome from the earliest city state to the late Byzantine empire. guy also known as gaius

Maybe it was the just wrath of God (although I believe Alaric was an Arian Christian).

Here's a nice video for us non-coin collectors about the coins of Constantine:

After reading the interview with the well-respected and excellent author Adrian Goldsworthy about his book Antony and Cleopatra, I still feel that Antony may have been unfairly and inaccurately depicted by history. There may have been more of an element of enlightenment to Antony than his critics, including Augustus, would admit. http://www.unrv.com/book-review/interview-adrian-goldsworthy.php

guy also known as gaius

This is a great article on the alternative history scenario in which Mark Antony defeated Octavian at Actium. I had linked the article before, but I think the GIF adds something: http://web.stanford.edu/group/dispersed_author/docs/NotbyANose_Ober.pdf

Despite my many reservations about this "upgrade," at least I can now upload GIFS:

In the course section "Girls Growing Up," this picture of an ancient Roman doll from the second century AD was presented. This is the only information I could find about the image: Italy, Rome, Via Trionfale, Wooden doll from sarcophagus of Crepereia Tryphena Italy, Rome, Archaeological Museum, Roman civilization, 2nd century a.d. I am fascinated about the hair style and the movable joints of this "Ancient Roman Barbie." Here's an interesting video about the hair styles of that time. guy also known as gaius

Another interesting article from the course about the way Gallo-Roman physicians in Gaul treated their patients: http://www.medicographia.com/2012/11/how-did-gallo-roman-physicians-treat-their-patients/ Four medicinal plants used by Gallo-Roman physicians. Clockwise from top: Hypericum perforatum (Saint John’s wort) – © Steven Foster; Hyoscyamus niger (henbane) – © Steve Klics/Corbis; berries of Lycium barbarum – © Steven Foster; Papaver somniferum (opium poppy) and seed pod – © Joe Petersburger/National Geographic Society/ Corbis guy also known as gaius

Here's a nice article of ancient Roman cosmetics: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1475792/Make-up-another-thing-the-Romans-did-for-us.html guy also known as gaius

Here's an interesting image from week two of the course of an ancient makeup compact: Mark Robinson, environmental archaeologist at Oxford University Museum of Natural History, found a scallop shell with makeup in a sewer of Herculaneum. http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-in-this-undated-photo-provided-20160907-004-photo.html http://www.philstar.com/food-and-leisure/2014/11/15/1392066/latrines-sewers-show-varied-ancient-roman-diet guy also known as gaius