GhostOfClayton

Didn't the Holy Roman Emperors still refer to themselves as 'Roman Emperor'?

An (only slightly) fictionalised work covering a big slice of that period is, of course, 'I Claudius'.

Howdy, Optimus Princeps.

Interesting topic. All of your theories hold water, and Brough sprang to my mind also.

Interesting topic. All of your theories hold water, and Brough sprang to my mind also.

A fascinating experiment, Curer. I only have a couple of comments. Firstly, I think it would have been fairly common practice to have a slave massage the oil in. We need you to try rubbing the oil into your skin before scraping to see how much residue is left. Secondly, I would persist in finding something metallic, curved, and about the right size. Different sized strigils were used on different body areas, so size would seem to matter. Lastly, post-scrape, we need you to hop into a hot bath, then a cold one. This may have the effect of getting rid of the last oil vestiges. Please let us know how you get on. The other thing is that I'm pretty certain that the whole acne/oily skin connection is a myth. Acne is caused by (typically) adolescent hormonal imbalances/excesses, and so all these facial rubs will do little more than attempt to clean out your blocked pores offering temporary relief. So I wouldn't use that as any kind of success criterium.

While UNRV was off the air, ITV2 aired a new sitcom called Plebs. I wrote a little piece about it for you all back then, and awaited the return of UNRV. Sadly, it was only a 6-episode series (which is normal for UK half-hour sitcoms), with the first two being broadcast back-to-back (which is less usual). As a result, it finished before I could tell you all about it, and I have since misplaced/deleted/eaten the piece I wrote. So why am I telling you this now? I

Unlike MB's previous BBC 2 outings, this didn't have any big surprises for me, speaking as someone who's main interest in the Roman period lay in the early principate. However, it was casting a light on something we here seem to broadly agree with, but is a new way of looking at Caligula for the majority. MB is as good as she ever is; the locations are many and varied, and the history well researched and balanced in presentation. That said, we've come to expect this from that team, and I'd love to see them change up a gear and really sock something outstanding to us. I reckon they have the talent, but not the budget.

Agreed, Caldrail. Not only fascinating, but a wonderful insight into the kind of detailed archaeological detective work that goes on. To establish the geographical origin of the linen based on microscopic differences in the weave, resulting from whether the weaver was holding the top or bottom of the gizmo was a beautiful bit of sleuthing.

This is a top notch documentary. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Guy. Makes me worry what will become of BBC Scotland when that country withdraws from the UK - they've produced some very good television over the years. I just wish the Scottish Archaeology professor presenting the programme wouldn't walk along the top of the very fragile relic that is Hadrian's Wall. He wouldn't be very happy if I stomped up and down on the Stone of Scone (though, historically, that's been a very English thing to do - what do they expect if they name their most symbolic and precious historical artefacts after a bun!)

Apparently William the Bastard [may have] done this twice at the Battle of Hastings with a huge degree of success. The first was an accident, but having seen it isolate and slaughter a manageable number of English, he tried it a second time. The result was a new ruling class in England that are still here to this day.

I think Christianity didn't approve of gladiators.

Got them (after much copying/pasting). I probably haven't got the in depth analysis that you provided, CN, but I found them engaging and learnt a few interesting 'nuggets'. They're in the style of some corporate videos nowadays, aimed to make them less dry/dull, but seemingly incongruous with their content. (Bring back Cleese, Corbett and Barker). Works for me, but is the appropriate/targeted audience limited? (Bring back Horrible Histories).

I can't see anything. Is it just the iPhone app hiding them?

Some interesting info from the right period here. http://adventuresinhistoryland.wordpress.com/tag/size-of-roman-legion/ Hunter Davies came across "muleteers on the Legions' books" when researching his book 'A Walk Along The Wall', suggesting they weren't slaves.

Try BBC Radio 4 Extra. Sounds right up your street.

The River Humber (along with all major British rivers) has a Latin name - the Abus Fluvius. But to which ancient source can we attribute this knowledge. Ptolomy's Geography maybe? Anyone know?

Good phrase, Caldrail. You could use that for Frank, Cinzia.

I, for one, see no reason that you shouldn't just go ahead and make him a citizen, possibly by way of citizenship being granted in return for service to the empire, probably as a result of a bit of cash changing hands. The prevailing opinion seems to be that this sort of thing was likely, even if we few on these pages can't come up with concrete documented precedent. In short, historical accuracy is important in fiction, but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

For information, the foxes with torches tied to their tails event was a major part of Lindsay Davis' latest novel, The Ides of April.

If you look at books like Pride & prejudice, you see balls being timed to coincide wit the full moon. This wasn't some strange polytheistic ritual, but a practical measure to help people going home in the dark, by offering a little extra light courtesy of the moon's albedo. Surely the Romans did the same. They were clever chaps and chapesses.

I can't see how Caracalla's policy could be practically repealed, so it continued by default. The privileges enjoyed by citizens must have changed and been watered down as a consequence. I don't feel qualified to comment on Frank, but money bought influence in Ancient Rome just as much as it does today.

Warning to anyone wanting to book this exhibition. I've just tried to book for the end of July, and the whole of July is now fully booked. Ouch!

Yes. It won't be quite the same without him.

You mean because of all the drugs and the throwing herself at anything in a toga, right? And that she probably considered herself more Greek than African?