GhostOfClayton

Apparently, there was a sod of a lot of snow in the Rh?ne Alps as well, last week. Do you want to know where where I was! Go on . . . I'll give you a clue . . . it begins with R.A. Back in the UK now, though. Grey, damp, miserable . . . . but enough about me.

Found it!

Yes.

No, not that one. A much bigger topic, a little like the 'Identify the ancient ruined city' topic (or whatever it was called).

Welcome, coltrane68. Can I recomend this series of lectures as an excellent place to start? It covers the Empre from just before the start to the fall of the west. The sound is a little dodgy on the first couple, but stick with it, and you will be rewarded. Similarly, there's a podcast by the same (excellent) lecturer called "History 110 Roman Republic" available on iTunes as a podcast. I haven't listened to that one, so can't give a recomendation. Lucky you living so close to Hadrian's Wall, by the way.

As their Legionary HQ was at Lindum Colonia, they're a legion very dear to my heart.

There's something very similar going on on another thread. Can't say that I can track it down, though. Anyone else know?

We should ship this thread over to 'Rome Wasn't Built in a Day' thread. Which should in turn be merged with 'Vale Pet'.

Another interpretation is that maritime navigation skills increased gradually from 100AD onwards.

Ah yes . . . that reminded me of another brilliant moment last week. For those who didn't read the above article, or see the programme, the builders painted a giant red graffito on the roof: "THE ROMAN'S [stet] HAD WHEELBARROWS" This found its way into the local paper, where it was read by the excitable Prof Evans, prompting him to hurry down to the site. They were in trouble, not for the graffito, but for not writing it in Latin. Also, the Geordie plumber sitting on the end of the eves with one leg each side of a giant phallus. Brilliant television!

Thanks Guys - there's obviously lots to take on board. I'm going to use this opportunity to ask a cheeky favour. It'd be great for me, proffessionally, if I actually knew how to pronounce all the Latin names of the forts along Hadrian's Wall (properly). Comments on the following would be welcome. Arbeia: My guess is 'Ar' - 'BAYer' (to rhyme with 'sayer' as in 'soothsayer'). Stress on the 'bay' Segedunum: Say - Gay - DOON - oom Condercum: Con - DER - coom Vindobala: Window - BAR - la Onnum: On - oom Cilernum: Key - LEARN - oom (I've also heard it start with a first syllable rhyming with 'eye') Vircovicium: Work - oh - WE - see - oom Aesica: I - SEEK - a (I've heard this one pronounded EE - sick

Can't help, but it's a bloomin' good topic. I look forward to the replies!

You'll be pleased to know that Mumford & Sons, walked away with British Album Of The Year for "Sigh No More" at the Brit Awards (our equivalent to the Grammys, I suppose).

The origin is key. If Caldrail is right (and he makes a good case), the 'chief/rank' derives from the 'spear'. But then, Centurions didn't carry pili (spears).

If the combined intelligence, experience and knowlege of all UNRV contributors can't crack the truth of this one, we should hang our heads in shame. So, the translation of 'Pilus' as 'file' . . . does this have a military origin with 'Pilum'? Is 'Pilus' ever used in a non-military context? Let's be having your opinions.

OK - I downloaded this App, and am happy to share the findings with you all. I downloaded the app to an iPod touch. It took a small amount of setting up before seemingly 'Loading' indefinitely. Having eventually given up and re-launched the app, it then worked well, allowing me to set up UNRV in my list of boards. (there was also a directory of forums, but UNRV didn't seem to figure in the list anywhere). Upon accessing the forum, the app merely seemed to give access to the web page, viewed as it would be in Safari or similar browser. Sadly, this is not really suitable for a small screen such as a smartphone. Also, despite my having enterted my screen name and password, it didn't automatically log me in. In short, I'm not sure what this app offers over merely storing the website URL in your faourites and accessing via a browser. Shame, as it would be wonderful to have a truly mobile version of UNRV.

. . . and I think it's more usually "Primus Pilus" rather than "Pilus Primus". . . . and whatever you do, don't translate it as "First Spear" (common misconception!)

An excellent excuse to bump this thread with this link. I was inspired to look it up by Friday night's 'QI' which had a 'discussion' of ancient jokes (no Roman jokes, though). It was a repeat, by the way.

Well done, Umidia. We await your ruin . . . I mean your photo of a ruin, obviously.

You mean had existed. It finally disappeared with the latest incarnation of the 50p. Bring it back - that's what I say!

I deleted it literally 5 minutes (if that) before reading this post! Hope you caught it alright on Demand 5.

Hmm . . if I translate your last post correctly into English, Viggen, does that mean that I can now look at UNRV Forum on my iPod Touch?

I will be in Colchester for a few days in June. What Roman stuff should I be aiming to see whilst I'm down there?

With referecne to this thread, myself and Mrs OfClayton never managed our Kentish visit in 2010. So, we're all the more determined to do something similar in 2011. To that end, we've booked a week on the Isle of Wight (to see Brading Roman Villa and Newport Roman Villa), and a week near Chichester (to see Fishbourne Palace.) What other Roman stuff should I be aimng to see whilst I'm down there?

Happy Birthday!