Germanicus

There's only so much they can do Scanderbeg, they've given Corbys legal team two queens councils to help with the appeal, but there's every chance under Indonesian law of them actually extending the sentance further if the appeal is not successful. On top of that, some loser has mailed what could potentially be Anthrax to the Indonesian Ambassador this morning in protest, it's all over the Indonesian news and it is not going to help her appeal at all. If it proves to be Anthrax (It's only been identified as an unknown bio agent so far)it will be the first terrorist attack on our soil

Good one Fatboy ! I thought when we got into the later periods with all those "nobodys" dying or getting killed after a matter of months in office the dinner party would take off.

Sorry PM, but I think the only diplomatic solution that could have been reached would have involved compromise from Pompeys faction. Caesar had already offered to lay aside his imperium and army if Pompey did the same, Pompey refused, the Cato band in the senate backed his decision, and forced Caesars hand. It looked to Caesar like - March on Rome, or be sent into exile by his enemies. And yes Felix, I know Caesar killed a hell of a lot of Gauls and sold an equal amount into slavery, in all somewhere in the order of 1 million people killed or displaced, but I think most other conquering Roman generals would have done this in his place to an enemy. I am not saying it's a great thing, just that the Romans in general seemed not to consider non-citizens as being of any importance other than a source of finance, Caesar was certainly not alone in this.

But nothings illigal if you create retrospective legislation after the event that legalises it........right ? I don't need an answer on this one PP Just trying a little JC brand creative thinking.

Sorry mate, but the Clone army was Cloned from Jango, and Jango asked the makers for a clone for himself to raise as his son - Boba, he was definately a clone as seen in "Attack of the Clones". Sorry for the spoil Jimbo !

The Oxford English dictionary describes a Tyrant as an "Oppressive or cruel ruler". I don't see Caesar as either of these, he was known for his clemency and his passion for making enemies converts to his cause. In my opinion, majority never ruled in the Roman republic. In fact, whenever it tried to, it's representatives were cruelly (ala tyranny) cut down by the ruling minorities hirelings - nor was it a Democracy as we would now describe one. That is if you believe that by Caesars time there were any true, majority elected Tribunes in office, most by that stage were bribed into office by wealthy senators to use as their tools.

Saw it yesterday and loved it. I still like the earlier movies more, but it all ties nicely together. Some thoughts re the movie are: 1- It's funny to think that Boba Fett was surrounded by clones of himself when talking to Vader on the Star destroyer in Empire strikes back. 2- I always thought Yoda appeared so old just for that reason, but in reality he looked a lot younger prior to his brush with Palpatine. 3-Han Solo was an Imperial officer, I would have liked to have seen him save Chewies life, tying that thread up nicely. 4-Obi Wans line before dying (kind of) in Star wars "If you strike me down I will become more powerful that you can possibly imagine" makes even more sense now. Anyway, thats my 2 cents on a great movie !

Been doing some more reading, and believe the following about GPM:- -He named himself "The Great" -Sulla allowed the cognomen as a thanks for aid, but also slightly sarcasticly as PP suggests. -He was certainly a good general in many respects, but was eclipsed by Caesar -Hardly any of the powers of the future Emporers were not enjoyed first by Pompey, essentially, Consul without a colleague, rule over all the middle sea to a distance of 50 miles inland, overruling provincial governors, governing his provinces through legates, etc etc. -His sensitive nature to public and aristocratic opinion caused many of his withdrawals from public life and his ultimate, tragic downfall. Just thought I'd throw in another 2 cents

I often wonder if Europe is literally littered with battle remains yet to be discovered, I would be out looking for the exact location of the Arusio(spelling) disaster now..... if only I didn't live in Australia, not much in the way of ancient Roman sites or artifacts to be found down here.

Sorry - ViRgil

Thanks Vigil, I read your review....and enjoyed it !

In my opinion Brutus was a tax farmer, and took advantage of others misfortunes for his own profit to a degree perhaps rivalled only by Crassus. He was trying to preserve the "Republic" at all costs because new reforms introduced by Caesar, were aimed at putting an end to some of these abuses, be you personal friend of the man or otherwise. The idea that Brutus is some sort of martyr to the cause defending his upright beliefs to his own detriment is laughable. Oh, sorry, he did defend his beliefs, in money, personal wealth, jealeousy of Caesar and his affair with Brutus own mother (something the whole of the Senate was well aware of), the aristocracy, and most of all his belief in everything that Cato, Cicero and co whispered in his ear to both his own, and the thousands that died in the ensueing civil wars detriment.

I found the film pretty boring on the whole - it went for two long, and I agree, Longbow, that Liam Neesons character was one of the best, and the film could perhaps have been improved if he hadn't died off so quick. Battle scenes were good, but the jerky/strobe like effect whenever in close action was distracting. I don't know much about the real story or characters involved, so can't comment on accuracy.

Thanks for posting it PP !

Hi guys, I just emailed the sheet to PP, as I'm a bit of a dunse and couldn't work out how to post it. In it's raw form it's not particularly clear, but you'll get the idea - feel free to refine it. PP - are you able to post it on my behalf ? Thanks

I was curious - but am not sure that anyone else will be as it's kind of trivial and random, as to how many future Emperors could have potentialy attended a dinner party together, as they were all alive at the same point in time, so I worked it out for the early empire up until Macrinius. I did a graph of this in Excel, and it shows that there are certain points in time, as in the case of Nerva, when the number of men living who will one day become Emperor, reaches 12. That 's one hell of a dinner party ! True, Domitian would have only been 2 years old at the time of the dinner party, which would have to have taken place during the final year of Caligulas rule but hey I though it was freaky. While it shows what anyone with all the relevant dates can work out, it also showed that on average, Emperors in the early period got to see 4, 5 and even more Emperors rise and fall, before they got a go themselves. Nerva for example, was 7 years old when Tiberius bit the dust, and then got to personaly witness the reigns of :- Gaius, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian, Titus and Domitian, before getting a go himself, that's 10 Emperors to watch and learn what to do and what not to do from. It's an interesting point that early "bad" Emperors such as Gaius and Nero, only got to witness 3 each, and neither really got to see how Augustus handled himself, Gaius being only aged 1 when he died. The same can be said of Commodus, only having his father and Verus (admittedly good Emperors) as examples. Domitian on the other hand had no excuse, witnessing 7, many good like his father and brother., so maybe the data is as I said in the first place, random and trivial. I also noted the mode of death in each case, which showed what I guess we already know - that a peacefull death in the early Empire was exclusively for the long serving, so called "good" Emperors, with the exception of Claudius. All the rest were relegated to suicide or death by murder. I know if I went further into the Empire after the beginning of the decline, with all those 1 and 2 year rulers the dinner party attendance could be huge, but I was going cross eyed by the time I got to Macrinius. Feel free to comment/dismiss at will

Damn !!!!!!! That was the best headline !!!!!!!!

This was on BBC NEWS Lion Mutilates 42 Midgets in Cambodian Ring-Fight An African Lion much like this is responsible for the death of 28 Cambodian Midgets Spectators cheered as entire Cambodian Midget Fighting League squared off against African Lion Tickets had been sold-out three weeks before the much anticipated fight, which took place in the city of K

Well said Augur, well said. I get you

Thats one of the main reasons Caesar was not a despot in the same vein at Stalin or Hitler. He was noted for his extraordinary clemency shown to those who opposed him. Indeed, had he been the ruthless villian he is often painted to be, he would perhaps not have been assasinated. No, they didn't. They cared only about maintaining the power of the senatorial oligarchy, Brutus's deed was in a way very Roman though, wanting to relive the glory of his King slaying ancestor, he just made the mistake of not targeting a cruel king/tyrant.

It was Plutarch

yeah...Chewy rocks

I've seen the figure 25 million for the 167ad epidemic, but I'm sure that's Empire wide.

This would have made you an excellent Roman then too Zeke, family name and fame was everything. Their drive for wealth was simply a quest for power and notoriety for their family - dignitas as has been mentioned. They were ancestor worshippers after all. I wouldn't get too offended by this Augur. Easy for me to say not being American, but I can see how Zeke, and anyone familiar with the way US companies do business in other countries, could arrive at this conclusion. A gross generalisation I agree, knowing some great americans personaly. Zeke, it's kind of like saying all those of middle eastern descent are terrorists, it just aint true.

Yes, and the ruling class hated him for that very same reason