Urbs Aedificator

"Gracious Lady", Alexander began, "I am indeed pleased to be here, and thank you heartily for the invitation." Alexander thought to himself for a moment, ' I've been away so long on my trip amongst the Scythians, that I'm not even sure what year it is here in Rome' 'Foolish old fellow'. "Dear lady, I do not know well the customs of the illustrious Romans, but back home it is considered proper when invited to a party, to bring a gift". " So here I have an original manual of the philosopher Epictetus, I acquired as I passed through Nicopolis on my way here". "May it give you and your loved one years of enjoyment". "Now I will partake of the fine Roman wine I have heard about". "And by the way, not meaning to be indiscreet, but why does that Thracian gladiator have that sharp object stuck in his buttocks cheek?"...

Thanks Vercingetorix. I didn't mean to imply Caesar IV is a BAD game, it's just so darn buggy. I'm running a GeForce 9500+ which according to the developers and tech people is fine and dandy. But there are so many graphic anomolies that show up during play, and unexplainable crashes to desktop, that I've just given up in fustration. Give GoftRE a try. It's completely different than what one might be used to aka Caesar series of city building games. But it's loads of fun, and can be quite challenging at times. Good luck to you in Gaul against that upstart Caesar. Cheers. Alex

My thanks to you both. It's funny, I'm sad about my dad, but it's the realization that I'll never have our wonderful conversations again that is hard to accept. Ludovicus, that's a really interesting idea about a website as a memorial...I would never have thought of that. Thanks. I was pondering trying to find a sculptor that works in marble to make a bust in the classical style. I love the idea of a muneris, but people might think I'm 'cracked'. A muneris seems fitting... Alex

I am fortunate to own all three of the new Ancient City Building games: 1) Glory Of The Roman Empire 2) CivCity Rome 3) Caesar IV I am a big fan of the ancient city building genre from the beginning. Here is my take on them so far. Suprisingly, I find Glory Of the Roman Empire the best of the lot, but barely edging out the next competitor. With all due respect Divi Filius it is not a shallow game. On the surface it may appear so, but if you stick with the game, the many subtleties will appear. While not as in depth as the other two contenders it is hands down just more fun to play. It is rendered in a fully 3D game engine(the other two not) One can for example zoom into street level and watch quite close up actually, a citizen go into an altar and pray. This game has plenty of 'eye candy' and visually is stunning. That said, it is not without its detractions. It IS weak in the trade and tax generating areas(which were linchpins in Roman society). It does not have a game editor, and to me THIS is the great weakness of the game. It is mentioned that one can only build a village, and this is just planely not true. If one has the inclination one can try their hand at rebuilding Rome from the ground up into a HUGE city. There is a freebuild option if one finishes the lengthly campaign. In summation, we who play these game are very used to Caesar III type games and how they function. This games premise is different(as is CivCity Romes) and just requires a change of viewing them to get full enjoyment out of them. CivCity Rome comes in a very, very close second. I find the rendering of the graphics very good, but different from what one is used to, say like in Caesar IV. The colors and structures actually to me appear to be probably what Roman buildings did look like...not new and shiny like a Hollywood movie, but dingy and somewhat dirty. The research and trade and taxtion are fairly convoluted to make it quite a challenge even for veteren city builders. But for some reason I cannot put my finger on, it just doesn't feel as fun as previous city builders. Thats not to say its not a good game, it is, its actually a great game. worthy of anyones hard drive. Now Caesar IV was the game that I was really looking forward to, and it was the one that let me down the most. In a nutshell, it is so full of bugs and patches that do nothing, that the game is rendered almost unplayable. I far outpace the recommended system requirements yet it appears that the designers used a new game engine that appears to work on a very limited # of systems and vid cards. They should have stuck with the Children Of The Nile game engine...thay would have had a classic on their hands... Remember no simulation can come close to emulating something as complex as buliding and running an ancient city, but in the very least they should be fun, and give a good sense of being a Roman in your city of choice. The first two games do this well, doing so in two different but interesting ways. Cheers. Alex

Alexander of Troy the Philosopher stopped for a moment to scratch his paunch. Here on the road from the port of Ostia to the Great City was the hustle and bustle of the mass of humanity. Slaves, freedmen, commoner and aristocrat all it seemed on a hurried mission. Standing in the middle of the road, being jostled now and again, Alexander continued to scratch his paunch in an absent minded way. He was grasping his walking staff in one hand, and puzzling over a party invitation in the other. For a philosopher, and a Greek one at that, he was rather flummoxed at a party invitation from a matron in the Great City, one whom he did not know. Hmmm. He continued his walk along the way wondering why he was summoned to this party. He, a relatively unknown philosopher from the now insignificant city of Troy had of late returned from the Black Sea northern coast where he had been given an opportunity to try out his prowess as a 'Builder of Cities'. What a disaster that escapade had been, he was lucky to have escaped with his skin still attached to his body...never trust a Scythian! As he approached the Great City now, it was almost full on dark, yet even at this late hour the city was magnificent! He hired a local guide to show him to the address of the party. As he approached the domicile he heard much merry making. He paid off his guide and stood looking towards the party. He cut an odd figure. Clothed only in a roughly woven tunic of Greek style, walking staff and travel bag hanging over one shoulder, he had occasion to ponder these Romans as they were beginning to straddle the world like a Colossus. They were indeed an interesting and different people, and his only real quibble with them was that back in his homeland everything to be bought in the Agora was marked with 'Made In Rome' on the bottom of it. As he stood outside of the Domus, he was privvy to: a soldier(he believed a Centurian) being thrown out the second floor window to his demise. Great gods of reason, was that the roar of a panther?! And what were all these ruddy hounds doing running around the front door? Viewing the front door he noticed two hired 'strong arm' men. Hmmm, the matron expecting trouble? What was he getting into?! Inside the sound of revelry was intensifying as there was many sounds of splashing water(the impluvium he thought?), dancing music, laughter, some cursing, and the distinct smell of ozone, and the feel of sparks in the air. He had once overheard in a forum that Romans were pragmatists, and men of action...not much pragmatism here, but lots of 'doing' though. He a Greek who was more at ease thinking and pondering figured, well, I usually ascribe to the credo: A full mind, and an empty stomach, but tonight it looks like it's going to be a full stomach and and empty mind. He entered the domicile and was met with a household servant with a warm wet cloth to refresh himself from his travels. He left his staff and bag with this fellow and thanked him. The slave frowned at the compliment as he turned and left. Alexander thought, uh, I have to remember not to thank the slaves, everyone will think I'm some kind of odd Greek. Well, when in Rome... He actively sought out the Domina of the houshold, and had a hard time navigating through the vomitus, the bodies in the impluvium, the odd figures lurking here and there behind the pillars, and the nubile dancing girls. Oh, he thought, I hope I'm not going to regret this evening. The offer he had from a client to teach in Leptis Magna seemed so tempting right now...

Not sure what part of the forum this question belongs in, but I'll try here. I'm not use to soliciting advice on forums, and one's that I am new on. Also I do not usually discuss family matters on forums, but I feel the caliber of the individuals here are pretty outstanding as far as I am able to discern so far. Here is the question, with some background first. Several days ago, my father at the age of 83 passed away. He was my mentor, especially as he introduced me to the wonders of the Roman world, and it is from him that I gained my passion for Rome and what she stood for. Many evenings we sat and discussed anything and everything about Rome. I was fortunate to have had a father who was rather knowledgable about Rome, and who never missed an opportunity to talk with his son. My question is, I wish to in some way commemorate my father in a Roman fashion, but I am completely unaware of, in different ages of Rome, and by different classes of Romans, how they honored those that had recently passed on. I wish to ask how you, my fellow forum citizens would honor someone in a Roman fashion? This question may sound odd, and maybe even a bit 'hocky', but I am quite sincere. I cant think of a better way to honor my dad than with something that would ring true as a Roman. I'm of limited means, so I cant do anything greatly extravagant, but I have lots of energy and time to devote to his memory. Your honored opinions would be greatly appreciated. Alex

M.P. Cato, thanks for the response. Poor choice of words on my part when I mentioned 'stoic'. Although I thought I read that Cato was exposed to the writing of a Greek stoic(name escapes me) and was influenced by said philosopher. Could be wrong. I was aware of his outstanding education of his son, but was unaware of an experimental school for other children. Did it flourish? Still, it is a shame his influence on Romans of the day was not more pronounced or long lasting. In many ways his attemps at championing the cause of the Plebs, reminds me of Tiberius Gracchus' attempts, who I am reading right now in Plutarchs 'Lives'. Cheers. Alex

Ave. Just finished reading Plutarch's life of Cato the Elder, and find myself rethinking my admiration of the life of Cato. While he seems on so many occasions to exemplify a 'true' Roman of the day, is quite stoic on his outlook and conduct of his life, there are some nagging issues that seem to distract from his elevation to the status of an icon to be looked up to. His niggardly treatment of his older slaves in particular is troublesome for one who is purported to have been so noteworthy. In this aspect, I understand I'm viewing things from a 21st century perspective, and that in general Romans of that day viewed slaves in a much different light, but to cast them aside when they were 'worn out' appears to show a lack of compassion. His draconian edicts when he was Censor, although likely a reflection of his stoic ideals, shows a lack of understanding of his fellow citizens. I find I admire many of his attributes that Plutarch points out. Cato appeared to be a man of conviction, who lived his life as he felt a Roman of the day should. I also find though that he was in my eyes, a man who lacked any great vision. So any thoughts? Just thought we could discuss this fascinating man. Cheers. Alex

Boy, as a Canadian I almost feel offended that no one has mentioned our hearty Canadian Lagers, Ales, etc. Some(but not exclusively) of my favorites: 1) Moosehead(love the name), very smooth with some heartyness. 2) Molson Export Ale, what a bite!, almost reminds me of that Scottish(?) Ale Mac Ewans(spelling?) 3) Schooner(from the Maritimes) 4) Lakehead Lager 5) And my all time favorite, that is no longer brewed, Barley Sandwich(true name). The name says it all. Don't get the impression I tip my glass too much, I'd just as soon recline with a good Roman vino... Cheers Alex

Miguel, it's funny, but I seem to go through phases, when it comes to my studies of the Ancient Romans. I've researched the Roman military ad naseum(if that's possible ), I've gone through my Pre Republic, Republic, Early, Middle, and Late Roman Empire phases, but during all that time, for some obscure reason I never cast my eyes towards Roman Africa. As my name hints at, I'm going through a city building/planning phase, and although the founding of Colonia took place all over the Empire, I virtually knew nothing of the cities on Rome's African underbelly. So here I stand. So far though books and internet reference sites on this subject initially seem scarce. Right now if I had the money, and the time I would travel to Leptis Magna,Hadrumetum,Carthago,Utica,Thamugas,Lambaesis,Hippo Regius,Volubilis, et al and take in these sites and try to get a feel as to what they were like, why they were sited where they were, and what benefits each city site conferred on the citizens. Cheers. Alex

Thanks, The Augusta.

The only good thing about global warming, is that grapes will able to be grown again in the UK to make great Roman wine. Should be able to grow more Roman wheat too, to make some ancient beer...not that there's anything wrong with the beer from the UK that is. Alex

Ave! I was hoping to find a source of small Roman replica temples and altars. I am also interested in small votive models that Romans would have used when worshipping/honoring their ancestors at home. I live in Canada, and truthfully have been unable to locate anything. Any and all info/help would be appreciated. Thanks. Alex

Was Cicero a great statesman? Hard to say. One has to approach the question from two views. Firstly, the view from that of a Roman of his day. If the Roman of the day was monied, and was politically connected, I venture that he was viewed as an annoyance, although at times useful. If the Roman of the day was a Pleb., I also venture he was viewed as a champion, especially if one were fortunate enough to hear his 'honeyed' speeches in person. Secondly, the view from today, compared to the modern statesmen. I feel Cicero would fit right in with most of today's 'statesmen'. I feel that many statesmen or so called statesmen nowadays just don't measure up to many Roman Republic politicians. Certainly the modern ones don't exhibit the skill or eloquence of speech that Cicero did. In his speeches Cicero unfailingly self promotes himself, and I feel, that he felt this was necessary to further his political career. Not coming from the monied aristocracy this was a necessary tactic. I feel this is one reason why Cicero leaves such a 'bad taste' in readers mouths so to speak. His use of sophistry should not be compared to the 'sophistry' used by modern politicians. In conclusion, from a 21st century perspective he is likely over-rated as a statesman. But to me Cicero's skill at rhetoric will always be viewed as his strength. Maybe this is how we should remember him. Alex

All periods of Rome were interesting, but to me the Late Republic was so pivotal as to what was to follow. Also to live in a time when one could in person listen to the oratory of Cicero well, that's just the icing on the cake, so to speak. Alex

When I was old enough to read, and comprehend what I was reading, my father had me read the unabridged 'Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire'. I was hooked. I have been fortunate ever since over the last thirty years to sit many evenings with my father and discuss Rome and her people, and the 'dream that was Rome'. Ave Pater Mia! Alex

P.C. Scipio, my sentiments exactly...' no higher calling'... Myself, failing the necessary business intellect to be a governor, I would likely be a philosopher in Roman Alexandria, or possibly a smaller settlement on the coast of Africa Proconsularis. Away from the hustle and bustle of Rome... Alex.

Thanks for the replies. M.P. Cato, why the interest in Utica in particular? The Augusta, Septimius Severus came from the city on the North African coast, I have somewhat arbitrarily decided to start my research from, Leptis Magna, no? I feel in many ways that Leptis Magna( and other N. African cities) were in such a remote area of the Republic/Empire that they would have been able to flourish without too heavy a hand from Rome, and less vexed by barbarian incursions until near the end of the Western Empire. Fascinating none the less. Cheers. Alex

Ave Civitas! This being my first post, I wish you all a hearty hello. Recently my interest in things Roman have led me to start to do research in the area of Roman Africa, to me, a much ignored area. Are there members here in the forum who are also interested in Roman Africa, and particularily the cities therein. If anyone is interested in sharing their knowledge, and possibily good internet sites, I would look forward to the discussion. Thanks Alex