Germanicus

I am 30, and it's great that after 5 posts we can all agree that Crecy and Poitiers were the earliest battle that established longbow dominance.

PP - where is it that we read of Nero using christians as burning torches to light his garden ?

I don't believe in an afterlife as such, but obviously all the atoms that make me up will become a part of the earth after I die, so in some dark form, I will endure. That last line is from a movie or something - but can't remember which one.

Hi PM, yes, I've read Colleens series - that's probably where I picked up my negative feeling for the guy. Caesar is certainly the star of that series and it dissappointed me to see how esily PM was swayed by the boni to go against him.

I have to agree with everything you've said PM, he was a brilliant organiser. I guess it's really a question of timing isn't it ? Like that "What if" string about Caesar never exsisting. I can't put him on the same level as Sulla and Marius though......I just can't see it. Can you recommend any non-fiction worth reading about him ?

Are the medalions adorning his breastplate not awards for valour ?

Please fill me in on the tactical brilliance of this apparently under rated general. I know about the pirates swept from the middle sea, I know when he had the troop numbers and financial backing he could get the job done. But I'd like to know about some brilliant tactics used by the man that won the day for him when nothing else would. Didn't Quintus Sertorius run rings around him in Spain ?

Yes....um....sorry pompeius magnus. Maybe I'll start a new string - asking just what pompeius magnus did that made him "magnus" and you can fill me in. I'm actually curious to know how accurate his portraits are, odd looking guy.

I might also interview pompeius magnus, and find out how he felt about being a second rate general.

I don't get you here Sparticus - was the Topic an April fools Joke ?

I love Roman history because it informs us as to who we are as people....now. We are the same species and looking at Roman depravity helps one cope or even understand some of the things that still go on today. I like it also because of the great Portrait Sculpture they produced, enableing one to look at the face of a person who died way back then, and wonder about their life experiences. I feel no guilt and no disgust for the Romans. They lived according to their value system at the time just as we do now. In 2000 years there's every chance a more enlightened society will look back at us and say "Imagine....those freaks in the 21st century actually ate other living animals...what barbarians"

I would interview Caesar also, and after giving him information on how he is viewed now, l would ask him what he thinks.

I think it's produced by the same group that did Gladiator

I saw a preview the other day for something called "The Kingdom of Heaven" - about the crusdades. I'm sure it will have the usual accuracy problems, but the battle scenes did look fantastic, and it does have Jeremy Irons in it. Anyone heard of or seen it ?

I know what you mean here Ursus, I can imagine how empowering that thought must have been for someone like Caesar or even Sulla. Society telling you to excell.

- Ursus, I'm glad you can see this only on a theoretical level. I guess it depends on what social spectrum you come from today, but I certainly would not want to be judged as Romans were. We still are to a certain degree as many posts indicate, but wealth = worth ? I think that view is becoming more prevalent at present, and money has always and will always open ,more doors than no money, but in the long term I don't think that can possibly work. I've read some of the posts over on the "Power Corrupts" string today, and the majority of posters seem to think that ultimately, it does. Perhaps I'm too much of an an idealist, but I could never come at thinking that Politicians and the wealthy contribute more to society than a social worker or teacher on 25K a year.

Alesia and Aquae Sextiae also

I really like the portrait sculptures I've seen of Vespasian too, part of that "for the people" thing. He always looks pretty rugged, like a flea bitten old warrior.

yeah sorry bout that Sparticus - sitting on my b- Roman Wargamer - can you confirm for me ?

Hi Spartacus - was that the Battle of Crecy you refer to with British longbow power ending the dominance of French heavy cavalry ?

Hi Marcus Regulus - it's definatley a friendly vote, but aint it funny how heated these same factional disputes still get after so long ? Populares Vs Optimates, Left Vs Right, democracy Vs Monarchy etc etc. Hi Primus Pilus - is it safe to say that if you had been a plebian, say a merchant or slave trader, you'd have sided with the populares ?

I chose Germanicus, because he was extreemly popular with the people........not really like me, but maybe one day (Of course I'm talking the original Germanicus, not his psychotic son)

Did somebody step on a duck ?

So you are saying Augustus Caesar was not "Popular" with the masses ? Sure he played both sides like a master. But he was only the heir of the most famous popularis of all time after all. At least the Caesareans actually succeeded in something other than just holding up much needed reforms with small minded delaying tactics in the senate !(which didn't work in the long run anyway). I suppose you believe in the devine right of kings too ? Now I'm tagging you back in the ring Clodius !

I'm kind of against these kind of comments in a string like this It boils my blood and makes me want to launch a scathing counterstrike, but I can't as this is not the string for it. oh well, I guess Marcus Regulus got in first with his two cents.