Melvadius

Probably in hiding from the RSPCA/ ASPCA or equivalent if they tried this

The problem with 'false' alarms is that sometimes they aren't and if the alarm status goes from 'prepare to leave' to 'immediate evacuation', irrespective of the weather, just in case out you have to go. Good job I carry suncream and full waterproofs these days - all eventualities catered for

Agreed that personalities can play a significant factor which is why I made the point about 'cannier' Roman leaders getting the chance to take command. Although we have some information about what factors may have influenced Hannibal's actions during the Punic Wars there are large tracts of information we can only guess about or for experts to make reasoned assumptions about. What we can never really know is the extent to which subordinates may have influenced their 'leaders' actions during ancient warfare. I'm not saying that it 'did' happen but slipping a less than talented commander a laxative immediately before a battle may have allowed someone else the chance to 'shine' or at least undo any potentially catastrophic mistakes deriving from the iniital battle plan while their 'leader' was otherwise engaged....

Just to re-itterate one major point for consideration the Roman army in the period was not the more fully rounded and developed armies of the early and later Principate. It was at heart an army raised by levy amongst the Roman citizens and their Italic allies for a single campaign under the command of the Consuls of the year while Hannbal had been able to raise a large number of more or less experienced mercenaries. Many of Hannibal's troops had faught with him in his earleir campaigns in Spain so he had a good idea of both their and their leaders capabilities. In comparison it was only as the campaign went on that the Roman units gained a greater degree of cohesion and experience and also allowed cannier leaders a chance to to take over and guide the Roman troops into a campaign of manouvers rather than battles within Italy and direct military pressure on Carthage and her allies which led to ultimate victory.

Lucius Verus it is curtesy of the Bardo Collection Over to Maldict.

Just hit Central London and we had the joy of an aborted Fire Alarm coincide with it. Mind you despite the weird ululations and suspicious smell of burning coming from a nearby cupboard I didn't notice anyone rushing to put their coats on and leave - have us go out in that - yeugh! BTW 1: The same symptoms occured during a false alarm early last month and I was assured then it was neither dangerous nor related to the alarm going off. BTW 2: I have been assured by building services that it WILL be sorted out this time - time will tell - if we don't burn up or get drowned first

This individual does have strong connections with Marcus Aurelius but is not him

This appears to be advertised as an ABC rather than BBC production. I don't remember seeing it advertised as being on any of the 'old' UK terrestial channel's or the newer 'Freeview' channels but may have slipped out on pay satellite without my noticing.

Good question and one which is mentoned on this page from the BBC website discussing the Pyrrhic War reports that: Notes on the site referring to the above include: Dionysius Halicarnassensis was a Greek historian and teacher of rhetoric during the reign of Augustus. His most important work was Roman Antiquities, a history of Rome from its mythical foundation to the end of the First Punic War. Howard Hayes Scullard (1903 - 1983) was Reader in Ancient History at King's College, London. His works are still required reading on just about every university course on Roman history. I suppose I am in some sympathy with Scullard's views here, especially if you take the view that the Roman's were trying to counter something they had little or no experience with. In those circumstances most large groups of military men are liable to try almost anything once - and if it doesn't actively harm them possibly twice. However don't forget they can only be used in very specific circumstances against elephants on first contact - anyone else is liable to stand well back and pepper them with arrows or bore spears until they stop moving and enjoy the roast pork afterwards

If you feel that you wish to use 'correct' terms for the period then I would personally go with the consulship etc options above but put in an author's note/ glossary somewhwere eplaining what it is in terms of AD.

There are several possible uses for such an object but it really depends on what evidence for mounting, if any, has been found on the back of the 'Medusa'. If anything survives it should be fairly obvious if the head was intended for attachment to a leather belt or something more solid like a wooden box. I.E. it may have a metal 'loop' if it was intended for use with leather against a riveted spike if it was used on a box. Unfortunately the Evening Standard has not included a photograph of the back and the Museum of London website currently doesn't have any information about this object. Personally I wouldn't like to second guess the conservators if they suggested a mount for a box as they will have been in the best position to make an informed guess.

The Appleby Archaeology Group visited Vindolanda back in Nov 2007 and reported on their site the current theory of the day:

I am certain that the plans of the previously know round houses appear in several of the reports and publications from Vindolanda. As a 'Friend of Vindolanda' I have sent an email enquiry to them and asked if they could let us know what their Press Release should have said, rather than what has been reported. If they do not respond directly to UNRV I will pass on any response I get from them.

500 lengths of that pool in your picture probably only works out to about 1-2,000 metres - that doesn't seem very much - are you sure you need sponsoring and not a bigger pool to swim in? More seriously when is the swim and where are you going to do it? I don't know about doing it naked, as some of your sponsors seem to wish, but if it's Tooting Bec Lido with its 90m outdoor pool you really will have my admiration and deserve every penny you get sponsored for. I can probably find a few coppers to toss your way - especially if you do manage all 500 lengths.

In an article linked to the new BBC series of 'History Cold Case' the BBC are carrying a report on the outcome of research following the discovery in 2004 of a group of seventeen bodies at the bottom of a well in Norwich: History Cold Case: The Bodies in a Well will be on BBC Two at 2100 BST on Thursday 23 June 2011 and afterwards in the UK on BBC iPlayer.

Around the 17 June 2011 several on-line news services including the BBC started reporting on the discovery of what have been described as 'refuge' huts. Now call me an old cynic if you like but as far as I can see from what has so far been reported this is not a 'new' report. The presence of circular huts probably dating from the time of Septimus Severus had long been known about as this report from the Herald Scotland dating from August 1997 makes abundently clear. I suppose that it is just possible that the Vindolanda Trust as their excavation season runs from March to September they may have run into more of these structures and decided to report on them but if so they are not currently advertising the fact on their website.

Stylistically a good guess but no.

Not you as well? Seems like she has been standing advertising on everyone's street corner recently - looks like my guess elsewhere of Sierra Leone as the source may not be far off. I hope you used a suitably anonymised email account or next thing you know she will probably be writing back complaining that the bank have an account with you not the other way about.

Definately one of those films where the music is as much a part of the process, and taking a starring role in it , as what is happening on the screen. When you consider that in this film you are competing with Orson Welles at his peak that is a great achievement. Zither to go anyone?

Thank you - here's one I took a few years back for you to identify:

The Press, Yorkshire's local newspaper, is carrying an article here about a series of Roman Baths being found on the site of new Council offices in 'Station Rise' which is close to the city walls. N.B. For anyone able to get there the excavations are apparently going to be open to the public this weekend with hourly guided tours between 10 am and 4pm on Saturday and between 11 am and 3 pm on Sunday (25-26 June 2011)

If you have access to a decent classics library then, although apparently mainly developing Religious related themes, some of the books listed under the first section 'Realities of Travel in the Ancient Mediterranean' at this site may be of use to your research. Although I haven't read it if it is anything like the other 'sourcebooks' I ahev come acroos then Meijer, Fik, and Onno van Nijf, eds. (1992) Trade, Transport and Society in the Ancient World: A Sourcebook. New York: Routledge will list numerous relevant passages from ancient sources.

Taking note of Dr H

After all Sotherby's do have a reputation to maintain. If they say it's Faustina the Younger who am I to argue?

I must admit that until I saw Medusa's picture I always thought they were quite small objects - not something that would sit on top of a pillar at a museum Seriously thanks for posting the link Medusa but like Klingan I will withdraw from speculating further.