cornelius_sulla

I chose cornelius_sulla because he was a complicated character, just like me, and no one else had taken it. Why did you choose your UNRV moniker? Do you identify with your namesake? Is it an old nickname? I reckon 'Rugged Indoorsman" is bloody funny.

No, Marcus Porcius, I did not notice that grammatical implication. Thankyou for the heads up on this - I am always keen to learn more about these kinds of things and was not aware of my fault.

I posted this topic with some trepidation; but I'm glad I did. I just can't get this kind of discussion with my friends here in Aotearoa, (bless them) all we talk about is Rugby; this topic has previously seen the conversation end with fists flying. Reading these replies has given me new perspective.

I don't mean to knock people who are going to uni to do their thing, mate. It's just not for me. Big ups to you for getting in there and doing it; I wish you well in your studies.

I ask because I recently read the series "Masters of Rome" by Colleen McCullough in which she portrays this particular Q.Lutatius Catulus as being adopted into the Lutatii from the Julii, and because I'm interested in the famous families and their intricate relations. Sorry, I can' t explain 'what does adopted out by the Julii mean?' any more than that, and feel out of place trying to explain anything to a person with your understanding of Rome and its histories. Unless of course you're being facetious which is a distinct possibility, I guess. Lady Nephele seemed to get it, though. Cheers, Neph.

Was the Quintus Lutatius Catulus who was in charge of legions against the Cimbri with Gaius Marius adopted out by the Julii?

I speak no latin other than bits and pieces I have learnt from reading about Rome. I seem to have picked up quite a few profanities. It would be great to learn, but there is nowhere that I can coverse with people every day (unless I go to university, but bugger that).

Does the Caesoninus denote that this Calpurnian was adopted? Or is it a nickname? If adopted, from which family?

I agree. Sertorius would be my next choice for a movie; a war hero who wins the corona graminea, a military genius, gos up against Pompeius Magnus and wipes the floor with him, a weird talismanic relationship with a young female deer.... even the betrayal that ends his life would be entertaining, especially if Pompeius were to execute his betrayers after the fact.

I agree with Flavia. I've got 'Magistrates..' ordered from our national library. You're a pearl, Lady Neph.

I'd have been one of the denizens of the Subura (but not a slave), who'd have had all you hoity types clutching your purses and secreting valuables into the sinus of your toga if you passed me in a dark alley (or even a well lit one). Need someone assasinated? I'd be your man. I'd have been a member of the capite censi that all you senators and first class Romans would be at pains to keep placated with bread and circuses. I would loaf and graft as would be my gods given rights as a free born Roman scumbag.

He was from Picenum, which was settled by Gauls. He certainly looked more like a Gaul than a Roman. Was Pompeius Magnus of Gaulish descent?

A movie on Lucius Cornelius Sulla would be my pick. I doubt that viewers would be very symptathetic, though; the man was ruthless. He wouldn't even qualify as an antihero. Antichrist, maybe. You could call it "No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy".

I've just finished reading the Colleen McCullough 'Masters of Rome' series from start to finish. I thought they were great, particularly the third book, 'Fortune's Favourites'. She has quite an interesting take on Lucius Cornelius Sulla. If you are going to read them, LEAVE YOUR ROMAN HISTORY GEEK IN HIS/HER BOX, I reckon, and enjoy an eloquent evocation of the events at the end of the Republic and the beginning of the Principate without quibbling about the details.

Nice. Yes, the topic is provocative and is provocative on purpose. As to the points being unprovable, consider this. DNA can prove a man or a woman's guilt if they are accused of a crime. Mitochondrial DNA is proof of our connection to a common Austrolopithecine ancestor, whom the boffins have dubbed 'Lucy', I think (don't quote me on the monkey's moniker) This negates the need to believe in evolution, because at present, DNA evidence in inarguable. Whereas you could argue til the cows come home about Adam, Eve, Noah, animals two by two etc and still not be able to produce one iota of proof other than the Bible and it's associated literature. By the way, thanks for the reply M.Demetrius. I was sure this topic was headed for Tartarus, (well, it still might be.)

I would concur with Julius Ratus and Domitianus3 that the Romans were their own worst enemies. Internecine warfare between vainglorious Roman generals caused more harm to Republic and Empire than Carthage, Germania and Gaul put together. The Romans could always defeated all of those enemies and in the end was a shell of itself that was not so much conquered as put out of it's misery.

I would live in the ruins of Alba Longa in a rude hut as a cynic philosopher.

Have anyone seen Cloverfield yet? I'm not 100% sure on the title, from the trailers it's looking like another Godzilla rip-off. Yes, I watched Cloverfield on the big screen with a couple of mates. It's a lot better than Godzilla (the lead actor looks like he actually wants the role, the monster is convincing) but that's not saying much. The mysterious marketing campaign was the best thing about the movie. OK if you like monster films, I guess.

I go evolution every time. Gods just don't do it for me. I would be interested to what the great minds of UNRV think about this topic.

So now the Superbowl is over and done with, what is the Pro Bowl? How many "Bowls" are there? Didn't Vince McMahon of WWF fame start his own league? How does that stack up against the NFL?