Artimi

Hannibal and Scipio have always been of interest to me. I thought I could watch this re-enactment of the battle of Zama. Nope,, I couldnt stand to see the elephants killed (yes I know this was only a movie). I would not have been a good Roman or Carthaginian soldier. Just a thought, after watching some of the BBC snippets at youtube. If Scipio would have taken on Hannibal in Italy, would that have been considered a defensive move? He would be defending the Roman entity as such. The Roman tactic or strategy (sorry, my military knowledge is not up to snuff) up to this point was one of defense. But taking on Hannibal in Africa was a decidedly aggressive move, one of attack. Attack rather than defense was considered more 'the Roman Way'. This was Rome causing Hannibal to react.

thank you Crispina. Love the site.

FV Your last analysis is the reason enough to study history and try to read the originals. I have only tried 2 times to read translations of the originals and find the language often difficult to wrap my mind around the ideas. Now is maybe the time to try for umpteenth time learn Latin again. Sylla Your writing and FV,s have such different flavours, I wonder what this reflection of? I sense more emotion in yours, which maybe just a bias on my part. thank you both and keep writing!

A question which goes back to the discussion of 'mercernary' what and who they were. For some reason, I have the impression that the Carthaginian population was not large and that they would would have to use 'mercenaries', 'soldiers of fortune' from other populations whether they be conquered peoples or not. Unlike Rome, Carthage did not have a history of a citizen army. Please comment(or maybe I should say help??). Unfortunately I have not done any reading on this subject alone, just gathered stray bits from other histories and stories.

Caldrail, Sylla. Your series of posts is an wonderful example of why UNRV is so interesting. I would love to be able to write and analyze like both or either one of you. But since I cant. I read. Thank you

the Fahrenheit scale has character and eccentricity

I have book marked the 'new' on line bookstore and the articles here at UNRV. I will take your advise about reading these articles before deciding about purchasing the books. thanks FV Online book stores are lots of fun except when shipping, taxes and duty starts to pile up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KduxC-rafTE not the best version but it will do.

[ And 224 pages to cover 500 years of history ? That can't be anything but very superficial. Might be a good introduction to the subject for someone who has never read anything about it before. But that is not the case with you, Artimi. I'm amazed at the prices of those books : nearly 50 $ for a 200 page paperback ? Second hand it might be a reasonable buy. I hardly ever buy new books. I go to the public library and I can find pretty much anything I want there. And it's free (well, 5 Euro a year membership fee). I do occasionally pick up a second hand book for 1 or 2 Euro when I run into something interesting. If it turns out not to be good, I don't have to feel like I've wasted my money. Unless it is a reference work, you're not likely to want to read the same book twice anyway and if you do, well you can always lend it again. And with all the good info and books on-line nowadays I feel it is less and less of a handicap that I hardly have a book about ancient history at home. Formosus I can see we have very different reading habits:) I have tried libraries, but library fines add up when you dont take the book back on time. A lot of non - fiction I read slowly and end up reading a few at a time. I felt this book was not a straight forward history book, but a study of Rome from a particular perspective. btw what does having written many history books have to do with quality of books? and yes books here are expensive unless you catch the sales. Reading on line for any length of time is very difficult and reading books is so enjoyable.

Has any one read any CG Starr's books? and if so what do you think? The book I noticed at Chaptures looks interesting and little different. http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Roman-...r+G.+Starr%2527

thank you.. Yesterday I spent listening to the InkSpots. Having the cd makes it all more enjoyable listening...

I googled Red Jasper.. Listened to some music.. Waterfalls and Through Dawn. matched my mood tonight.. or enhance the depression??

Have you noticed? there is no time for a leisurely listhen? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glqNk7S0DE4

How could I possibly forget this tribute to the man himself ? Yes, in his younger days he was known as either 'God' or 'Slow Hand'. 'God' for the guys. No, unlike all those other musical sistas, the Pointers' really are sistas. Originally there were even four of them. But after Anita left, June, Cute and Bug carried on as a trio. ( Those names are made up, in case you wondered, all the rest is the godgiven truth.) F rmosus thank you,, I had forgotten how much I like the Pointer sisters..

another way. 1.sprinkle cornstarch on the spot let and put a damp paper towel over it. let dry and then vacuum. 2. sprinkle with baking soda and let dry.. and vacuum. if its really bad.. sprinkle both.. and you can use cornstarch and baking soda just to regularly freshen carpets and soft furniture. you just vacuum it after about 15 minutes at least. but you will also have to occassionally get your vacuum cleaned because these are both powdery. and these are animal friendly cornstarch cleans and and baking soda does too and and baking soda can deordorize too. also there is an air freshner called AirSponge(in canada at least). you can get the spray and also a container with a sponge. it is recogonized as animal (both cats and their human pets) friendly the Asthma society of Canada. it works too. (and cats can have asthma too, it sounds like they are coughing up their lungs).

Javier Sierra's books The Lady in Blue: a Novel The Secret Supper. I have read both books and am puzzled, not by the stories but by the writing and construction of the stories. I didnt want to keep reading them, but had to know the ending, even though the ending was always implied. Has any one else read them? Are they puzzling because of the translation from Spanish?

Ursus.. I havent read the reveiws here.. I should and then I wouldnt accidentally recommend duplicates.

Have you read: Last Pagan: Julian the Apostate and the Death of the Ancient World by Adrian Murdoch Ancient Roman Gardens by Linda Farrar. These 2 I have and am sort of reading both over time. A book I would like to read one day By roman Hands: Inscriptions & Graffitti for Students of Latin by Matthew Hartnett

Thank you all. I written down all the books and authors. The one by Pat Southern was in stock and affordable right now. I will see how my interest goes with this one, before I look into purchasing others. The book by Alaric Watson looks interesting, if only because of the writer's first name. But even the paperback version is expensive. This one goes on my wish list that no one sees.........lol

Has anyone read the fictional account of Zenobia, ( I gather it is a trilogy): The Rebel Queen by Judith Weingarten. Or the non fictional account: Palymyra and its Empire: Zenobia's Revoilt againts Rome by Richard Stoneman? And / or could anyone recommend other non-fiction books about Zenobia?

I really really really will stop now.

from the far distant past.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riFR_UxRwaQ okay I will stop here.

I love this book. when I like a book this much, I dont go see the movie. it never agrees with the pictures and voices in my mind. I have 3 of Sutcliffe's books now.

Reading this topic has been similar to deja vue. I have often thought customs(beliefs, rituals??) within the Christian church have been borrowed and modified to fit someone's agenda. . Ceasar Novus This is one of best comparison's I have ever read. Crucifixation was a common form of punishment for Roman miscreants. What is exceptional about Christ's punishment is not the crucifixtion, but the idea that he rose from the dead on the 3rd day. This made Christ unique. This typical Roman solution was subverted. Spartacus did not rise from the dead, therefore his case is not unique.