Favonius Cornelius

I think the matter would boil down to superority of armor, the knight's as being better. Horses can be fairly standard through time except for a few instances. In terms of weaponry, the quality were probably compariable and the particulars not too important nor different (aside from perhaps crossbows). In armor however, the full plate technology behind the knight's armor is a true advance over the scaled versions you see of the cataphracts. The cataphracts would probably end up weighing more and even be less protective than the knights.

The quintessential cop-out for battle scenes. Someone somewhere should start a group that specializes in quality large scale battle scenes for smaller budgets. I mean if you focus on it and make it an expertise, then you should be able to do it for less cost than going at it new. Course, those lame-ass Hollywood types probably also think that their blurred, epileptic cinematography is 'artistic' or something. Crucify them.

Interesting stuff! Thanks for the link.

Pretty funny. Makes me want to watch the shining again it's been a long time.

It's a funny question because I can not think of two more totally different people. Full on military man on the one hand, political animal on the other.

Furthermore, modern genetic geneography is producing results that is really going to require a paradigm shift in the way we look at historic migratory waves. What the data indicates is that the only migrations that had profound impact on the genetic composition of people in western europe occured in prehistory, i.e. the Paleolithic. (>10,000 BC) Prime example is the percent distribution of Y chromosome haplogroup M343 (R1b). This comprises 80% - 90% of Ireland & Iberia and 70% of modern Brittan. These were the Magdalenians of the paleolithic and the megalith builders. The current consensus is that the true "Celts" derived from Y chromosome haplogroup M170 (I). Unless the Celtic "Invasion" of Ireland was accomplished by women only it in fact doesn't seem to have ever occured... I have some problems with this use of modern day genetic coding to figure the migratory patterns of humans. I admit, it is in part due to the fact that I am not completly up to speed on the research on the specific genes they track and why they seem to think them reliable. My first point/question is are these genes even an acceptable marker? Genes have funny ways of spreading themselves around in counter-intuititive ways. Just because there is a case where one gene was used to track a human or other species population does not mean that it works for them all. Another consideration is the dominant or recessive nature of this gene. If the Celts over-ran Brittania, killed all male men and children and raped the women, if the native population has a dominent form of the gene then it will be dominant in their bastard offspring and seem as if no migration happened. Why not track a male gene instead? Where are these samples being taken and via what unbiased method?

A rich and unknown merchant living somewhere nice and isolated, say Sicilia, Africa, Sardinia? Or perhaps somewhere in the east.

Let us turn the tables a moment. If the Romans attacked say, the Insubres, then you could be sure that all Celt nations in the area would have cooperated at least a little, because when one is attacked all are in danger. Such is also the case in Italia. When Etruia is attacked, it is a problem for all neighboring nations as well, particularly when they share closer cultural and allied ties. Perhaps the Romans did not have any overt alliances with the Etruscans, but it is still true that the invasion was a problem for them. I have not heard of too many instances where the Celts paid much heed to the arts of diplomacy anyway, so if a target had loot and was a good chance at being defeated, you could be fairly certain they would strike. Better to parley from a distance than at home. Sadly, the Romans apparently bungled that effort. What say ye to that bear-like one?

Some time around 650-700 AD an adventurous rabbi made his way to the hinterlands between the Black and Aral seas, to the steppe lands of the Turkic Khazar. So impressive was his presentation of his faith than these nomadic people settled down and accepted the Jewish faith. http://www.khazaria.com/ What amazes me even further about the story of this ancient ally of the Byzantines is the fact that the Kagan of the Khazar maintained a religious council for advice which had a member of each known religion sitting in it. Surely one of the more curious epics in human history.

Et tu lancea?

I like hearing about obscure gods and goddesses, cults and sects, because I know a lot about the rest.

I never liked this class, but I guess if the shoe fits... Bard Dashing and multi-talented: You are a Bard! A decent warriors, reasonable spell-caster, and fairly good at tricking people, the Bard is the jack of all trades. These charming fellows live by their wits, though a sharp blade, a few spells, and some lockpicks never hurt. Smart, sneaky, and aggressive, you're probably good at most things you try. You don

No way dude! Did Caesar ever personally train in much of anything before being best at it? Hey, that guy could march for miles and was known for his suprising speed.

I saw not one but two eagles on the way to work today.

'Rome' where are my legions?!?! *Storms around palace in grief*

I'd love to go if I could. If I were a rich man I would travel around Europe and fund/participate in archaeological digs.

The Celts started it by sacking Rome. So the answer to your question is it's the barbaric Celts that asked for war.

I know the cornicerns were used for signal purposes during battle, but certainly they could have been blown into some sort of prebattle clarion call. Think of when Caesar marched into Rome in the HBO series 'Rome.'

Those icons fought poorly

Awesome.

Advanced Placement, Viggen. I took a ton in high school too. Lost and I would be fast friends I bet in history class.

You mean our little pictures? Awww no fun.

For the longest time I was against total realism, and I think I based my judgement on an earlier version, but by 6.1 those guys have made a fantastic alteration I fully admit. Just sucks that we will have to wait quite some time before they get their hands into barbarian invasions.

I doubt that any modern general recently or in the future will be able to earn such a title, because the mists of history have not shrouded their weaknesses nor aggrandized their accomplishments.

Come on people: William Shatner!