Aurelia

Cool! I remember visiting both houses when I was in Herculaneum in 2008. @ Crispina I'm not sure if I understood you correctly but the glass covering the wooden partition is just there to protect the ancient wood and is not an original feature.

In Brazil, we use the expression mau olhado for evil eye. One of the must common "amulets" for protection against the evil eye (and also as a symbol for good luck) is the "figa" in Portuguese ("fica" in Italian), as already described by Lodovicus. Apparently it has been used as such since Etruscan times. Interestingly, in many cultures it is regarded as a very rude gesture. So apologies if this offends anyone.

I've been there but unfortunately before the museum was revamped. Would be curious to see what it's like now.

Excellent review, Ursus! As you say, Rachel Weisz is a talented actress and can be forgiven for featuring in silly movies like "The Mummy". For instance, she gives a stunning performance in The Constant Gardener (one of my favourite movies!) for which she received an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

Wishing you all the best, Crispina!

Hip Hip hurrah! :-)

Other than mainstream rock and metal (and occasionally pop, especially from the 80s), I'm into classical music, Jazz, Folk, Salsa, African and Brazilian music. This band is from Bahia, in the Northeast of Brazil. The song itself is great (have it in my iPod) but I guess the lead singer would qualify as odd.

*** I wanna do bad things with you **** Love the series! And the soundtrack...wow...

Prof. Mayor, In your latest book, "The First Fossil Hunters", you draw a parallel between ancient mythological creatures and actual fossil findings. Are you aware of any such creatures that cannot be traced back to a particular prehistoric animal thereby leading to the assumption that it might be just a figment of someone's imagination? If so, which would be, in your opinion, the most interesting ones?

Could this be in Tunisia again? Or perhaps Algeria?

Your fruity language cracks me up! Anyway, happy to hear you found a better deal.

Don't worry Mr. Ghost, I'll come up with a nice cake for your birthday too. :-)

FYI, Julius Caesar's Greatest Battle is available in its entirety on You Tube. I watched it this evening and quite enjoyed it. Irrespective of whether or not Caesar and Vergingetorix ever met in person before engaging in battle, I found the approach used in the programme to present and explain the motivations and perspectives of each side quite interesting. Dr. Faulkner, in particular, added a very theatrical performance which I found entertaining to say the least. Tom Holland and other scholars also make an appearance.

I'm guessing somewhere around the Mediterranean rim.

Happy birthday!! Cheers!

Learning Portuguese? Cool! If you need help, let me know!

This is an interesting issue involving semantics but with geopolitical connotations. I was born and bred in Brazil and from personal experience, I must say I agree to a certain extent with the first poster (Eduardo). Brazilians tend to view themselves as different from other Latin Americans - this doesn't mean they regard themselves as superior but rather as a distinct cultural and linguistic entity. Even though the term "Hispanic" was originally attributed to the inhabitants of ancient Hispania (comprising modern Spain and Portugal), it has come to mean something else over the years. I checked my (Brazilian) Portuguese dictionary just to be sure and it does indeed state that "Hispanic" is more commonly associated with Spanish or a Spanish-speaking person. On the other hand, unlike our friend Eduardo, I would say that I do consider myself to be Latin American (or Latin). Just not Hispanic... Btw, it is indeed interesting how seemingly unrelated topics or discussions will lead you to UNRV.

Very good! Over to you Mr. Ghost.

Joyeux anniversaire!

Very sorry for my late reply. This site is very near Virunum but is regarded as a separate settlement and is known by a different name. Another hint: you must go up the mountain.

Nope, you must go further north. This settlement was often associated with iron production.

It's not in Hungary, now you've gone too far east.

It's not Teurnia, in fact there isn't much to see there in terms of ruins. This one is much more interesting.

It's not Aguntum, but you're on the right track.

I was also away (business trip with limited access to internet), hence my silence the past few days. Anyway, here's another hint: from Switzerland, go east but not too far...