guy

Here's a trailer of an upcoming movie that deals with the pivotal Greek naval victory against the Persians at the Battle of Salamis. The movie will be in the same style of the original movie 300.: After the complete destruction of the Spartan forces at Thermopylae (portrayed in the movie 300), the Persians under Xerxes looked to overrun the entire Greek mainland. Salamis was the lopsided naval victory of the Athenian general Themistocles and the Greeks against Xerxes of Persia. This defeat crippled the Persian navy and stunned the Persians. Salamis was soon followed by another military defeat of the Persians at Platea, ending Xerxes' campaign against Greece : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Salamis The movie seems to have a focus on the female commander Artemesia who fought for Xerxes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemisia_I_of_Caria An interesting anecdote from the battle: guy also known as gaius

It comes from Plato's Timaeus. Onasander: Thank you for the clarification. Unfortunately for the doltish me, much of philosophy is sheer jibberish. My point was, however, that Plato created this artificial tripartite construct to attempt to describe simply some very complicated concepts. I'm not sure where the concept of the tripartite soul originated, whether it was Plato's Republic or Timeus or elsewhere. I am certain, however, that my simple mind will never grasp these concepts. It seems to me, however, that Galen forced this tripartite construct on his attempt to describe the complicated workings of the human body. This erroneous construct then became unchallenged dogma, impeding the pursuit of medical knowledge for more than a millenium. https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/11636/illinoisclassica11976TRACY.pdf guy also known as gaius

Interesting point. I had never thought of the Trinity being a result of the much earlier Greek concept of the tripartite division for explanation of natural phenomena and philosphical concepts. This Aristotelian tripartite division of the soul influenced Western thinking for thousands of years. I had written previously that this tripartite division probably later influenced the Greco-Roman physician Galen's notion of the human body systems: Galen proposed three body systems: 1.Brain and nerves for sensation and thought 2.Heart and arteries for life energy 3.Liver and veins for nutrition and growth These three body systems needed to be in balance with four humours. guy also known as gaius

As an interesting aside, someone presented this video and asked about the accuracy: http://www.openculture.com/2012/03/rome_reborn_-_a_digital_model_of_ancient_rome.html My reply was as follows: Portrayal of Rome from the HBO series "Rome:" guy also known as gaius

This post dealt with recoloring of Caligula from residual paint particles: http://www.unrv.com/forum/topic/16060-caligula-statue-how-accurate/ guy also known as gaius

I see that the Great courses company has released a new course entitled "Latin 101: Learning a Classical Language" by Professor Hans-Friedrich Mueller. http://www.thegreatcourses.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=2201&ai=91175&cm_mmc=email-_-DecNCAncAct20131115-_-body-_-bottom1373&cm_mmca1=91175&cmp=email Looks interesting. Two suggestions, however: 1. I usually wait till the reviews come in. Fortunately, I have been rarely disappointed by the courses offered by this company. 2. Always wait till the course goes on sale (which occurs several times a year). Looks very interesting. guy also known as gaius

As someone who doesn't collect coins, I have frequently admired the ability of experts in Ancient numismatists to decipher the sometimes scant evidence to better understand Ancient Roman culture and history. I've been studying this coin of Eugenius (ruled AD 392-394): (click on image to see enlaged) DN.EVGENIVS.P.F.AVG. Laureate head right. R/: VIRTVS.ROMANVRVM. Roma seated left, holding Victory on globe and long sceptre.TRPS in ex. RIC 106d. Eugenius was elevated to the purple by the Frankish general Arbogast during the reign of the Emperor Theodosius. The traditional story was that Eugenius was very sympathetic to the Pagans and he really was only a nominal Christian. He certainly had the support of the predominately Pagan Roman Senate (despite possibly strangely not being confirmed by that pro-Pagan Senate). According to popular history, Eugenius promoted some of the Pagan policies and supported Pagan temples, both of which had fallen out of favor because of recent intolerant Christian emperors. He and his general Arbogast, however, lost the pivotal and bloody battle of Frigidus against the militantly Christian Emperor Theodosius. Both the usurper and his general soon lost their lives: Eugenius was captured and killed, while Arbogast committed suicide. Eugenius was the last emperor to support polytheism. Many historians cling to the idea that this was the last stand of the noble and enlightened Pagans against the intolerant and culturally ignorant Christians. Numismatists have supported this rendition of history, too. They point out that Eugenius wears a beard on his coin (rare among Christian emperors). This, they contend, is indicative of Eugenius' being a philosopher and, thus, more tolerant of Pagans. But wait. This widely accepted story might be incorrect. Alan Cameron in his book The Last Pagans of Rome reminds us that Eugenics was a teacher of rhetoric, not philosophy. Cameron mentions incidentally that Christ, the apostles, and the saints are also shown in the style of philosophers with a beard. Cameron writes : After plowing through this dense and scholarly tome by Alan Cameron, I may have now changed my opinion about the relationship among the fourth century Christian and Pagan communities. Cameron may have successfully dismantled the romantic mythology of Pagans being the last bastion of enlightened ancient culture fending classical civilization against the darkness and ignorance of Christianity. Here are two good reviews of the book: http://www.unrv.com/book-review/last-pagans-rome.php http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/417316.article Eugenius' power grab might need to be assessed with this alternative (and thoroughly researched and convincingly argued) background in mind. Eugenius might not have been the last great "hero of the Pagans" once imagined by Pagan romantics and apologists. This is one case where the numismatists may have drawn the incorrect conclusions from the evidence. guy also known as gaius

For those who are unable to see the video, go to Youtube and insert "Reinventing the fastest forgotten archery." The Danish archer Lars Andersen is shown with his impressive research. The archer has incredible speed, but he is shooting rather lightweight arrows. I doubt they would penetrate standard armour and they probably won't usually penetrate chainmail, either (despite the video's claims). See 3:30 of video. guy also known as gaius

I rarely venue into this neighborhood of UNRV. My military knowledge is limited. I would, however, like some insightful opinions on this subject. At another site, this video created quite a controversy: The argument seems to go that Ancient archers potentially could have been a more potent force than now recognized. I don't know about this. It seems to me that one thousand pila simultaneously launched by experienced Roman legionnaires would be more devastating than several thousand pesky arrows. The major exception, I feel, would have been the treacherous Hunnic horsemen with their unique skills with the composite bow. A supporting fact for the potential of archers in the Ancient world would be the devastation caused at Carrhae from the Parthian archers, destroying Crassus and his legions. I would counter that there were many other variables involved in that fight, more than just archers versus ground troops. Opinions? guy also known as gaius

The premise of this discussion may be wrong. After plowing through some of the dense and scholarly tome by Alan Cameron, "The Last Pagans of Rome," I may have now changed my opinion of the relationship among the fourth century Christian and Pagan communities. Here are two good reviews of the book: http://www.unrv.com/book-review/last-pagans-rome.php According to our own Maty's review: The other great review: http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/417316.article Eugenius' power grab might need to be assessed with this alternative (and thoroughly researched and convincingly argued) background in mind. Eugenius might not have been the last great "hero of the Pagans" once imagined. guy also known as gaius

Well done! (Goed gedaan!) Caesars Palace in Las Vegas is as close as I come to Ancient Rome these days (although the Getty Villa near Los Angeles is nice). Maybe one day we can have a UNRV reunion there : guy also known as gaius

Good point. Great post. Thank you. guy also known as gaius

I agree. This is one of the best courses they offer. It's sort of the "advanced course" for Ancient Greek and Roman history. It presents the complex relationship between these two worlds. I especially liked the lesson on "Disease, Medical Care, and Physicians." The course's lecturer, Professor Garland, does an excellent job presenting Ancient Roman medical practices and theory. (Much of the research and original work on this topic can be found in Audrey Cruse's Roman Medicine.) guy also known as gaius

Well, off to Las Vegas tomorrow. I was going to see Jeff Beck and Brian Wilson. I admire Jeff Beck, but I just didn't want to hear his noodling Beach Boy songs. So, I decided to see Steve Vai, someone who still entertains and amazes his fans:

I recommend looking at the offerings From The Great Course Company. They have a highly recommended course on Classical archaeology. These courses frequently go on sale (70%), so wait till they are on sale, however. http://www.thegreatcourses.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=3340 They have an even higher rated, but more generalized course on the world's greatest structures. This course is supposed to be a great course on architecture. http://www.thegreatcourses.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=1153 I haven't seen either course, but they are both highly rated. Remember, wait till these course are on sale, however. guy also known as gaius

The list of Emperors declared damnatio memoriae by the senate is quite extensive: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_condemned_Roman_emperors That said, the fact that Eugenius was not condemned is significant. It might reflect some residual underlying support in the Roman Senate for the man (or at least the Pagan beliefs he seemed to have tolerated and even promoted). As mentioned, Theodosius was a rigid Christian doctrinaire and a ruthless authoritarian. There is no reason to believe he won't have had the Senate condemn Eugenius if he could. Thank you, again, guy also known as gaius

Thank you for your thoughtful response! I would be surprised if Eugenius had not have been confirmed (or at least received a strong approbation) by the Roman Senate, even if the confirmation were more symbolic than meaningful. Unfortunately, our sources for this period are either very murky or biased. A group of powerful Senators viewed Eugenius at least more tolerant of the Ancient Pagan religion, if not secretly supportive, than the Emperor Theodosius was. Thanks, again, guy also known as gaius

Right now I'm doing research on Flavius Eugenius (died AD 394). He was elevated to the purple by the Frankish general Arbogast. Although a nominal Christian, Eugenius was very sympathetic to the Pagans. In fact, he had support of most the senate, which was still predominately Pagan. Eugenius promoted some of the Pagan policies and supported Pagan temples. He and his general Arbogast lost, however, the forgotten but very important battle of Frigidus against the militantly Christian Theodosius. Both Eugenius and his general quickly lost their lives. He was the last emperor to support polytheism. Question: The Emperor Eugenius has been called a usurper. Did he ever get confirmed by the Senate? If he received support for the Senate, wasn't he then a legitimate emperor (and not a usurper)? Thank you for reading my post, guy also known as gaius

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I hadn't thought of that, but could be. Any thoughts where this site of Romanesque art is? guy also known as gaius P.S. I see you have Amsterdam listed as your home. Are you Dutch? Ik hou van Amsterdam.

Musa : From Concubine to Black Widow Queen Here's a fascinating coin I saw in a recent Heritage auction: http://coins.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=3026&lotNo=23254&lotIdNo=33083 On the reverse of the coin is Musa, the concubine given to King Phraates IV by Augustus as part of the peace treaty with the Parthians. Terms of the peace included the return of the Roman legionary standards lost to the Parthians by Crassus at Carrhae (in 53 BCE) and by Marc Antony's General Saxa (in 40 BCE). The concubine Musa was soon elevated to Phraates' queen. By 2 BCE she poisoned her husband the king and elevated their son Phraataces to succeed his father. Musa possibly married her son (according to Josephus), but she would have most probably exerted great influence over the Parthian court. The coin suggests that they she co-ruled with her son. In AD 4, however, Musa and her son were deposed and she fled to Syria. guy also known as gaius

If I could recommend an early (pre-Buckingham Nicks) Fleetwood Mac tune. This song should never be played while under the influence of a hallucinogen: guy also known as gaius

Another relief sculpture from the same location: guy also known as gaius

Aurius: Thank you for your impressions of this relief sculpture. I couldn't tell the enemies by their weapons. (They look like the standard gladius.) The short hair of the enemy would make me lean against Celts or even Dacian. guy also known as gaius.