Favonius Cornelius

In these ancient times the 'other side' rarely if ever gets to tell their tale, being too busy dead and/or oppressed.

JERUSALEM (AP) -- Underground chambers and tunnels used during a Jewish revolt against the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago have been uncovered in northern Israel, archaeologists said Monday. The Jews laid in supplies and were preparing to hide from the Romans during their revolt in A.D. 66-70, the experts said. The pits, which are linked by short tunnels, would have served as a concealed subterranean home. The Saratogian

I remember reading that the later Emperors married off their daughters frequently in attempts to solidify the dieing Empire's political connections. So I wondered if there were any existing royals in Europe who could trace themselves back to this at least. Is there a Roman Emperor living TODAY?!

I was wondering if there were any royalty living today that could in any way trace their blood line to any Byzantine imperial family?

Heh heh. Also, anyone with ability in said area often might be a bit wary for his life...

The Emperor's personal body guard, which I think was a separate group than the Praetorian Guard even, was all German. For the Praetorian Guard, it's composition depended on the Emperor. If the Emperor was placed on the throne by Pannonian legions, then you can be sure his Praetorian Guard was composed of them or at least had an infusion of them when he gained the purple.

Well you know how rumors go. If it's true for some, or even remotely so, it will eventually be seen as true of them all.

Also it might very well be possible that the Romans knew more about the beliefs of this cult of the Christ than what little we have in the histories that survive today. Surely a Roman would have a problem with the concept of some god annihilating the entire world with a great flood simply because he was displeased. Or the concept of perverse self-mutilation (circumcision).

Well, most of your questions can be found in a early Roman History book. As to the questions of what makes a tribe, I think it's possible to generalize that when referring to the Italian tribes, it generally referred to a group of thousands which lived in a general area and were generally related by blood. Lots of generalities I know, but that's the fact, all borders are porus. When you refer to the Siculi and Sicani, I'm fairly certain they lived in Sicilia and not southern Italia. I bet Panthagus would be great for these questions.

Maybe it was not intended for common people to read, but for those who

The first settlers on Easter Island didn't arrive until 1200 AD, up to 800 years later than previously thought, a new study suggests. The revised estimate is based on new radiocarbon dating of soil samples collected from one of oldest known sites on the island, which is in the South Pacific west of Chile. The finding challenges the widely held notion that Easter Island's civilization experienced a sudden collapse after centuries of slow growth. If correct, the finding would mean that the island's irreversible deforestation and construction of its famous Moai statues began almost immediately after Polynesian settlers first set foot on the island. Lifescience

In the early days of the Republic, the soldiers were expected to buy their own gear. Later in the Empire I believe the expenses of a soldier's gear were withdrawn from his pay over time. It would seem that while the soldiers were provided a staple amount of sustenance, with occasional bonuses for excellent service, a 'part of the job' was making up for the rest.

Haha, and these kids these days act like they invented hotboxing.

But....are you thinking of the Venetians of later naval dominance? Because the flow of history directly led to it happening. Who is to say that any native peoples in the area would help it?

I love expanding my vocabulary. Heh, that is a good word. Lots of potential.

This is all true, but I'd like to point out that when back in the day Rome's armies were raised from the landed citizens, they served willingly because they had a stake in the outcome of a war; no one wants to loose their land. On the other hand, when you raise troops from the landless, the paltry income of a soldier's pay is hardly enough to call taking up the sword and shield and risking life a good job. Therefore the epectation was the general would one way or another come up with a way to give them the big kick back. As Rome's conquests became ever more great, so did the expectations.

Anything from the Gladiator soundtrack.

All bogus.

LOL! Where is it quoted?

Lets face it folks, in general it takes a lot of experience or mathematics to pull of siege tactics on a large scale. In the ancient would that means a lot of money. In the ancient world only the Romans had it. It's just a reflection of total Roman dominace that enabled an Empire.

The man has a Latin blog. I salute you scholar!

Oh I agree, by Caesar's time, the Republic did not have much of any power. Just keep in mind that the Republic of Caesar and the Republic of before...even before Sulla, was quite different.

Yes the Fetials! http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2446

A legatus or a praetor would not have the imperium for talks on that level. Caesar as a general was a consul or proconsul, and therefore had the imperium to carry out such talks. Most acting generals had the status of proconsul.