Favonius Cornelius

You mean, suspicious as in there is an attack right when Israel is waging a new war and there is an election for the control of congress in a few months? A new big threat would play into the hands of certain individuals I suppose...

I thought they were home grown England citizens. That might make them Britannian rabble instead. I'd actually expect such behavior from that wayward provincia...

Pullarius Is the pullarius a title for an augur who is keeping the chickians, or is a pullarius an altogeather different position outside the augur college?

The Roman state cult was split into different colleges and groups, one of which was the augurs who's job it was to read the portents, such as the eating of the sacred chickians. You can read more about them here.

In the book I reviewed recently on rebellions in Britannia, I came away with the feeling that the Romans in general felt that Britannians were a bunch of country bumpkins not capable of much. I have the feeling that Britannians were not used much as soldiers beyond local uses and perhaps that Gaul garrison.

The birth of Christianity saw many different subgroups form, and many remain today. Did/does Judaism have a similar fractionation?

Link does not work.

She looks English to me...

That settles it, we need s Judaism expert in here. We have all the other major religions covered of the Roman times but this one it seems. Fertile ground for expansion...

Wow it does indeed look like a fine site, and somehow I have never heard of the city nor the site.

I think that you are right in terms of the Republic, but it seems Wot is speaking more in terms of the Empire.

Interesting idea, but I'm not sure I agree. Can you give some examples?

Having seen hardcore Trekkies in action ... I have no doubt that 100 years from now there will be a Star Trek religion and Nimoy will have a statue next to Shatner and Roddenberry. Did not the Kirk say: "Do you know the one, "All I ask is a tall ship, and a star to steer her by..." You could feel the wind at your back, about you - the sounds of the sea beneath you. And even if you take away the wind and the water, it's still the same. The ship is yours, you can feel her, and the stars are still there." -TOS, The Ultimate Computer, 53:2:34 Let us take a moment to contemplate the logic of this.

Brits have always been lucky! They have a world of history in their backyards, they've been safe on their island through history, yet close enough to history to take part in it.

You know what, I'm calling that belief out. I think that a country can pay people a livable wage and give them the basics of life without going out of business, without economic ruin. I think the excuse of not being able to afford to pay for such things is a cowardly lie at worst, or a misconception just as liberal fears of reducing welfare were misconceived.

I suggest that the 'most active in' section in your profile be limited to important threads, excluding the general discussion areas, since most people over time will all be most active in the general forums. It would be cool to see people's areas of specialty or interest by this section.

I don't know much about this. Can someone give me a quickie course on Judaism in the period of the Romans (not interested in developments after). I would like to know about its polytheistic elements and what sub cults and derivations of Judaism people know about.

What of the Danubians and Thracians? They raided for quite some time. Or are they considered of a different ethnic stock?

Huh? Jewish polytheism?

Hm thanks, you gave me an excuse to watch the movie again for the 32174th time. Then who are the 'blessed mother and father' he speaks of? Who does his figurines represent?

I have a sinking feeling that in some corner of this forum lay my answer, but have we ever discussed just what faith the Gladiator followed? I honestly am not sure myself.

I'd vote for the annona, considering how it could be used both as a gift and a weapon should an Emperor choose to use it, and effected absolutely everyone (even the richest depend on the lowest). Free bread is fairly easy and inexpensive to accomplish, and should an emperor grow angry he could conceivably reduce the dole, and the people could do little even if riotously angry with the emperor's guard.

With good reasons, many people think of an oppressive and authoritative government with respect to the Roman Empire. This is not entirely the case however. In fact, the Roman ability to form alliances and bonds of equality with conquered or neighboring peoples is the fundamental thing which allowed Rome to survive past the Second Punic War. Without that loyalty born of sound and progressive diplomacy, Rome would have burned long ago. You can see more of this sort of Democratic/Republician worldview, this amicii et socii, even in the principate and many of it's acts. I can think of no nation in any part of the world in ancient times that can claim a similar feat, and I think this aspect often overlooked in favor for more obvious stamping legions and conquered territories. Really their accomplishment reminds me of the formation of the United States. Perhaps in a strange way, what made the Empire great was the Republic before it.

These days are great for the dooms-dayer in your neighborhood. Wars in the middle east, natural disasters increasing, makes a simple archaeological discovery take on certain apocalyptic value.

Heh ya really. I expect they'll find king Arthur at some point.