Crispina

Not sure where this movie topic belongs, but it definitely had Romans in it! I came in for a break from yard work and flipped on the TV. SciFi channel was on with a movie called "Cyclops". One character exclaims: "....but the last Cyclops was killed by Augustus years ago!". Hmmmm. There were Cyclops during Augustus's reign? And Anthony Edwards as Tiberius? Oh, brother. The movie was horrible, the actors too. I couldn't pull myself away until I saw the gladiator Centurion Romulus fight the Cyclops in the arena. The centurion was killed - head eaten off. He was the main character I thought. The set and the costumes (not sure if they were authentic) looked great,tho. Don't know how it ended as I went back out to finish the mowing. I was just curious if anyone else has seen this movie, or perhaps it's already been discussed here.

And are the stories reoccurring in these 21 titles? ~I have never heard of those books. What aspect of Claudius do they cover? I haven't read any of the Davis novels, but from the titles it appears to be a new story with each one? The first five seem to revolve around a certain metal! Example: "The Silver Pigs", "Shadows in Bronze", "Venus in Copper", "The Iron Hand of Mars", "Poseidon's Gold". Two sound particularly interesting: "Three Hands in the Fountain" and "A Body in the Bath house" ! I, Claudius by Robert Graves - Emperor Claudius's life as told by himself. I assumed it was non-fiction, until I found out otherwise on this forum. Most of the facts are real, it's just in the telling that it becomes embellished. Well, the Masterpiece Theater production was base on it - that was my introduction years ago. The sequel, "Claudius, The God" I haven't read yet but pretty sure the story resumes after he becomes emperor(?).

Does the series get repetitive after a while? I understand there are a lot of books in the series. I have a list with 20 titles in this series, 21 if you include "Falco - The Official Companion(2010)". Seems there was a book written (or published) every year beginning with 1989 until 2010, with the exception of the years 2006 and 2008 unless I missed finding those titles. Right now I'm re-reading "I, Claudius" and then want to begin "Claudius, The God" which I have never read but have had an old copy on the shelf for years.

great! I keep them now on top of the post so they are all in one place and easy to spot and select... ...added Apicius Cookery and Dining in Imperial Rome APICIUS.pdf Thank you! You are welcome Crispina; added Caesar, Julius "De Bello Gallico" and Other Commentaries Caesar.pdf Wouldn't it be wonderful to attempt to re-create these recipes one by one, just like the heroine in "Julie and Julia"?- she cooking her way through Julia Child's French cookbook. What an adventure - even more of an adventure finding Apicius's ingredients!

great! I keep them now on top of the post so they are all in one place and easy to spot and select... ...added Apicius Cookery and Dining in Imperial Rome Thank you!

It's so interesting, I wish I could see this building. Thanks for posting, I love coming here and reading these threads. Excuse me for being OT, but what the h-- is this?! http://www.ansa.it/web/notizie/photogaller...1818761070.html

Yes please add me too! I, Crispina, say YES.

Did you purchase the book or find it available at a library? I printed out the list of Davis' books and had planned to seek them out in the order published, but haven't gotten the chance. Hopefully, the library can find some for me. I bought it over in Germany, but I only read it since I got back. Have you read any of the series? No, not yet.

Did you purchase the book or find it available at a library? I printed out the list of Davis' books and had planned to seek them out in the order published, but haven't gotten the chance. Hopefully, the library can find some for me.

I forgot to mention, "The Roman Empresses" by Robert Graves. My very first non-fiction(?) book about Rome. Right now I'm on the third chapter of "Eagle in The Snow". Hey - no blood, guts, short sword thrusts or decapitations so far! Just when I was getting used to all that after finishing Scarrow's Under the Eagle series. Not to mention it is 400AD now.

I have a paperback of" I, Claudius" that I purchased at a Goodwill years ago. All this time I've been whining for something to read and had it all along.

I ordered a paperback of Eagle of the Snow last night online because of this thread. I was having a difficult time deciding which book(s) to read next (until Scarrow comes out with another with my heroes, Macro and Cato). May still go to the library and see if they can find some Lindsey Davis books for me, as I know they don't have them on their shelves. Of course Centurion Macro, you know I loved Eagle of the Ninth. It was my first introduction to Roman historical fiction.

Nephele, I have a confession. After saying I wouldn't watch the series....I DID. All I wanted to say tonight is (without any spoilers this time I promise!) - OMG. The finale kept me on the edge of my seat! A couple of times I even exclaimed "OH NO!" right out loud. I can only imagine what the next season will be like. Oh, and by the way. You did know that the actor who plays Spartacus was diagnosed with Lymphoma? He's currently under treatment. My Mom has this same type of Lymphoma, she has had chemo on and off over the past 5yrs. but the last time it didn't do much so she had to undergo radiation. NOT FUN. But the lump on the back on her tongue is gone, unfortunately so are most of her salivary glands. Her taste has finally returned after a year and a half. Otherwise she feels fine and her blood work is good again. We just have to keep an eye on any lymph nodes that swell.

I somehow missed this thread. I will definitely start looking for these books to start reading the series. Thanks Nephele.

The video gave me chills. Wish it would have been longer! Thanks for posting this.

I never saw a collection of rings before, thanks for the clip. This is an interesting topic.

"The Later Roman Empire" by Averil Cameron, the only book I could find at my library that looked interesting while I wait on John Hagan's "Year of the Passover". So far, it's a good read (TLRE) but at times I find my eyes growing very heavy and I wake up at the end of a paragraph and don't even remember what I read.

Live not one's life as though one had a thousand years, but live each day as the last. ~ Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Have a happy one.

Which book is that, Crispina? Davis' Saturnalia? I've never read that series you're currently reading. (You cracked me up with: "I have become Brain Explodes".) -- Nephele I'm going to try "Year of the Passover" by John Hagan, one that you listed. Will probably have to wait until next month's pay to buy it, not sure if it would be in the library yet or not. Guess I should check there first.

Library was closed yesterday so went to KMart and bought the first book in the series, began reading last night. Right off the bat, there's a rape. Ugh. But I'm curious how the authors will write this story. Unlike the Under The Eagle series where there are many many written historical records to fall back on, there are only Clovis points and artifacts and archaeology. In an online review, someone mentioned a Jane Auel? Apparently she has written a similar book series. So far, I've made it to Chapter 5; now if I'm able to keep all the names of the characters straight - Runs in Light, Smiles in Sunshine, Dances in Rain, Jumps in Air, Sits on Ground, (ok I made the last three up) I have become Brain Explodes. Whew. And as long as I'm concentrating, the story is finally forming and promises to be interesting. I've decided to read this book ONLY until I find something else worthwhile, one of the books Nephele posted in another thread.

Lucky you. I'm envious. Another great place to ask questions and pick up tips from fellow travelers is on the Fodors travel forum here: http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/ They have a Europe forum, among others, to discuss trips,ect. Very informative group of people. I usually hang out at the Lounge since I don't have money to travel much - but I still enjoy reading the many trip reports posted.

Welcome to UNRV, Okamido. -- Nephele I may try Year of the Passover.

Library was closed yesterday so went to KMart and bought the first book in the series, began reading last night. Right off the bat, there's a rape. Ugh. But I'm curious how the authors will write this story. Unlike the Under The Eagle series where there are many many written historical records to fall back on, there are only Clovis points and artifacts and archaeology. In an online review, someone mentioned a Jane Auel? Apparently she has written a similar book series. So far, I've made it to Chapter 5; now if I'm able to keep all the names of the characters straight - Runs in Light, Smiles in Sunshine, Dances in Rain, Jumps in Air, Sits on Ground, (ok I made the last three up) I have become Brain Explodes. Whew. And as long as I'm concentrating, the story is finally forming and promises to be interesting.

True, however I (and many others probably) would not like the books if they became all about Cato. With the books set in Britain they were both doing the same amount of work together, and now it seems they are going their different ways. We can already see that Cato will probably become an equestrian and marry Julia, but what will become of Macro? He has no political sense and he is only a soldier. So while Cato advances through the ranks, it is obvious that Macro will stay where he is, and possibly go down a promotion from Prefect if he rejoins the legions after staying with the auxiliaries for so long. For example, Gladiator was placed solely on Cato. They had Cato to get the reinforcements, and Cato to rescue the grain ships while Macro was a prisoner. I know they did that to show that Cato is independent, I think that future books will be like this, where Macro gets a second place to Cato. And although Macro is happy with it, I would rather that didn't happen. Macro and Cato need to be on equal footing, and not one towering over the other. I hope future books will keep the two characters together - I like Macro very much also, but it would make for interesting story lines if Cato DID continue to achieve higher rank and because of all the possible conflicts and scenarios that could cause in regard to the friendship. Do you know if there is another book in the works? Honestly, I seriously thought that it was the end for Macro and Julia when they were finally cornered while fleeing. I was sure Macro was going to follow through with Julia's wishes right then and there.

I've seen John Hannah in the short-lived British drama series New Street Law, and he was quite good in that. Spartacus: Blood and Sand is pretty shocking, but I do think the scripts are well written. As with Deadwood, I find the characters (even the bastards) multi-dimensional and compelling. -- Nephele Thanks for the editing!