guy

The Senate of Republican Rome must have been a rowdy and sometimes violent place. (For proof, just ask the brothers Gracchi.) Here's a clip from the HBO series Rome: I don't think things have improved in the Italian Senate today: In the first clip, if I understand things correctly, the right wing politician named La Russa has just yelled "vaffanculo" (similar to a more explicit version of "go screw yourself") to another conservative politician Fini in the Italian Senate in Rome, Italy. This was met with screams of "fascista." Meanwhile, the president of the Senate is pleading for La Russa to have "un attegiamento rispettoso" or "respectful attitude." The second recent clip has the temporary President of the Senate offering amendments for vote. She's saying, "Chi

And the quakes keep coming (There is a good video clip in the link): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18247659 Fortunately, the tremors are occuring in mostly agricultural areas. I can only wonder the potential horrific damage done by a similar quake in Rome. I imagine that the Ancient Roman ruins were not originally made earthquake proof. guy also known as gaius

You might be right, but let's ask the OP of this thread. Hey, wait a minute, that's me. And I say, "Let's include any information, no matter how tangential, that enhances our understanding of Ancient Rome." Being no Grecophile apologist, I still recognize the contributions and influences of the Ancient Greeks on Ancient Rome. So, I feel it's better to maintain a dynamic and thought-provoking forum rather than a rigid and narrow one that would not interest anyone. Finally, your remarks about Theodosius are so far off the mark that they deserve a separate post later. guy also known as gaius

I certainly agree with that statement. I think another person who could be the basis of a great movie is the Greek / Theban general who destroyed Spartan hegemony: http://en.wikipedia....iki/Epaminondas Plutarch had been the source for a lot of Shakespeare's work. Unfortunately, Plutarch's chapter about Epaminondas in Parallel Lives (along with his Roman counterpart, Scipio Africanus) was lost. He has the making of an HBO special, along with his Theban Sacred Band: http://suite101.com/...-defeat-a139520 Back to the subject of Galla Placidia, I would nominate the enchanting Alyssa Milano to play her role: http://search.aol.co...ent95_searchbox Ms. Milano exudes both the inner fortitude of a Roman empress, but the quiet dignity of a devoted daughter, wife, and mother. guy also known as gaius

I have a special interest about the earthquake since my relatives live about 30 miles away from the epicenter. I haven't talked to them, yet, but I'm sure they are doing well. http://www.huffingto..._n_1530531.html The human toll is tragic, of course. A woman who was 106 died during the quake when her house's roof collapsed on her. Imagine surviving the destruction of the Nazis and World War II, only to be killed in your own house by an earthquake. The destruction of property was immense, also: http://www.bonappeti...earthquake.html Millions of dollars of real Parmesan cheese was lost. There are not many Roman ruins in that area, fortunately. The area is more famous for its Renaissance and Italian reunification history. Trivia: The earthquake was near the modern city of Modena. This is the Ancient Roman city of Mutina, near the battle between Marc Antony and the Republic forces of Pansa, Hirtuis and Octavian: http://en.wikipedia....attle_of_Mutina This was also the area where the rebel Spartacus defeated an army of the Roman Republic under the governor of Cisalpine Gaul, Gaius Cassius Longinus. After the victory, however, Spartacus did not continue his trek over the Alps and possible escape. He and his followers returned south with tragic results. guy also known as gaius

The English Glorious Revolution of 1688 was the important energizing philosophy of the American Revolution. Michael Barone wrote an excellent book on the subject:

I don't want to get into the politics here. I am surprised, however, that several people I talked to from Scotland didn't know what "The Forty-Five" referred to. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacobite_rising_of_1745 Is this a term that only a few "history geeks" know? Or, is it akin to an American's not knowing the significance of "1776"? For full disclosure: My mother's family didn't leave Italy for America until after 1906. My Dad's family, however, were "invited to leave" Scotland in the early 1750s. Although I assume that they were somehow involved in the politics of the day, they may have been just cattle thieves. Thanks, ahead of time, guy also known as gaius

I don't know whether the articles above mention it, but honey was also important in Ancient Rome for medicinal purposes, including wound care and intestinal disorders. It's use was mentioned by the Ancient Roman Celsus (from Wikipedia):

I find this potential spoof/remake of Caligula offensive. It should be sent directly to Tartarus. Offensive, I tell you. Even Caligula would be ashamed and disgusted by this. I know I am. : Caution: This is for adults only...and I'm not sure it's even suitable for adults.

Respectfully, this may be true today, but in Ancient Rome coinage served as one of the most important sources of propaganda, as well as reinforcing previously held concepts and beliefs. Ancient Rome was a mostly illiterate society. There were, of course, no electronic means for propagation of government messages and propaganda. I believe this author has failed to appreciate the limited sources of information available to the average Ancient Roman. Today, we are inundated with news and opinion about the world around us from various sources: TV, radio, computers, smart phones, newsprint, etc. Also, our need for coinage has diminished with the electronic transfer of funds. The average Roman, who was illiterate, would be dependent on direct interactions with others (at baths, shops, or military barracks) for news about the outside world. This face to face interaction would possibly be his only interaction with the world outside his family or village. Coinage would be,therefore, a very simple but effective source of news: the latest conquests, the birth of a new child or marriage in the Imperial family, the newest Emperor, etc. The newsreader would be one of the few other means of public notification: Here's a coin that depicts the new Augustan control of Egypt: http://coins.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=3015&lotNo=23281 guy also known as gaius

I don't know whether this has been linked to before: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayK1P5R9l6s&feature=related guy also known as gaius

Garry: I think most of us here really appreciate anything that stimulates interest and study in Ancient Roman history...and your poster does exactly that. Thank you. I also appreciate your willingness to allow constructive criticism of your work. The study of history, like any science, should be open to assessment and review. Trust me, I've made more than a few controversial posts that didn't always win universal approval. Thank you, again. guy also known as gaius

What a great reference work! My initial problem is the placement of the subtitles " Emperors of the West and Emperors of the East." You may want to better clarify the subdivisions. I won't make the demarcation until AFTER Theodosius I. I also have other minor questions such as placement of timelines as "old republican families no longer relevant" or "Traditional Roman legislative assemblies dissolved." I have a few other small questions. I appreciate your time and effort, however. Well done! Maybe the higher ups at UNRV can work with you into turining this into a profitable venture. guy also known as gaius

Thank you for the reply. I'm looking.... More on Diana Lucifera:

Most of us on this forum don't collect coins. Many of us, however, appreciate the insights and understanding that studying numismatics can bring to our appreciation of Ancient Roman culture and history. This coin presented by Matt at cointalk.com is an excellent example of a coin that sheds light on a little known (for me, at least) deity of Roman mythology--Diana Lucifera, the bearer of light: Lucilla (164 - 183 A.D.) AR Denarius O: LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F, Draped bust right. R: DIANA LVCIFERA, Diana standing left holding torch with both hands. Rome 17.5mm 3.4g RIC 762 RSC 14 Scarce I don't know if this background information is correct, however: http://grammatici.narod.ru/kalendae/may26.htm Another coin with her image: Some other helpful information: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=diana lvcifera Any other information would be appreciated. guy also known as gaius

Here's another example of how modern technology (in this case, Google) was used to find an Ancient Roman village near Parma (and about eight miles from my cousin's farm): http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050912/full/news050912-6.html Analysis of a Google map led to the discovery of a Roman villa like this one in Parma, Italy guy also known as gaius

Soon to be released:

Interesting post, Joe. Here are some images of a coin from similar dies: Augustus

Wikipedia defines damnatio memoriae: Caracalla subjected his murdered brother Geta to damnatio memoriae. Geta, however, did not undergo damnatio memoriae by official Senate decree. I heard a Roman expert state that only two Emperors had their memories formally damned by the Senate: Domitian and Aemilian. I've seen a long list of emperors whose memories were formally damned, however: http://ancienthistor...erorsErased.htm

This April, Show Time's gripping series "The Borgias" returns. It's a great series with fantastic Renaissance scenary and historical background. I recommend highly: http://www.sho.com/site/borgias/video.sho?bclid=1336127529001 guy also known as gaius

As most Romanophiles know, Julia Domna was the Syrian wife of the emperor Septimius Severus. Here is a portrait of the Severus family, including the ill-fated sons Caracalla and Geta. Julia Domna's coins are quickly identified by their unique hairstyle. There are several statues of her, some even thought to have a moveable hairpiece. This would be consistent with a hairstyle that required various types of wigs. This is, at least, the traditional viewpoint I had always accepted as dogma. No longer. Recently, however, I found some interesting work by Janet Stephens, who is known as a "Hairdressing Archeologist." This interview gives insight into her background as a hairdresser. She brings an interesting perspective on hairstyles in Ancient Rome. She contends that this hairstyle could have been done with the empress' hair and not a wig. (Note: Here are some important definitions to know to more fully understand the video: A chignon is a roll or knot of hair worn at the back of the head or especially at the nape of the neck. A bodkin a long pinshaped instrument used by women to fasten up the hair.) It is assumed that Julia Domna and other aristocratic women had access to at least one or possibly a team of skilled slave hairstylists, called ornatrices, to create their intricate hairstyles. The detachable wigs on statues of Julia Domna may have been used to update the statues. It is possible, therefore, that these intricate hairstyles were created using only the empress's natural hair, and not wigs as previously believed. I found this interesting quote from an article by Elizabeth Bartman "Hair and the Artifice of Roman Female Adornment": (PDF) Hair and the Artifice of Roman Female Adornment (researchgate.net) Now, I have to consider this different perspective.

I am not sure your coin is a radiate (spikey crown) seated image. (The DIVVS AVGUSTVS side seems to be a radiate bust, however.) Here's a very similar coin: DIVUS AUGUSTUS. Struck under Caligula, 37-41 AD. Dupondius (16.80gm). Radiate head of Divus Augustus left / Caligula(?), laureate and togate, seated left on curule chair, holding branch in right hand. RIC I 56(Gaius); BMCRE 88 (Caligula); Cohen 87. Good VF, glossy olive green and brown patina (Image from Wildwinds.com) I guess it comes down to two things: Whether the seated image is, in fact, Caligula and whether the seated image on your example is a radiate head. Your post is very thought provoking. guy also known as gaius

I agree the show isn't perfect in its depiction of the courtroom scenes of late 1700s. (For example, from the criticisms I've read, English judges have never had gavels