Favonius Cornelius

Many superstitions come from the Roman (and by relation Etruscan/haurespecies) tradition of Augurs in the state cult and their duty to look for signs from the gods in the world around them. Indeed, seeing one or many eagles flying the sky before a battle was a good sign. I think they also looked for vultures as a bad sign? I think seeing a wolf was a good sign too? Not sure. During the republic at least, the armies had ceremonial chickens. They would feed them before the battle, and depending on how well they ate determined how well the battle would go for them. Lightening striking buildings was a sign of displeasure, as was the birth of deformed animals. Augurs would inspect the entrails of sacrificial animals for any imperfections (very Etruscan) as a sign that the gods were not pleased. The Augur tradition and the Roman's fixation of constantly looking around them for signs from the gods makes the Romans one of the most superstitious of peoples, and you can still see vestiges of this in Italian culture today.

I thought tonight was 4 of 8... ?

The jury seems to be still out about the bog bodies, at least from this author. Some believe they were sacrifices due to the great amount of artifacts found with them "including coins, jewelry, ceremonial musical instruments and weaponry." http://www.canada.com/entertainment/story....b4b7e935&page=1

Discovery made in 2000, now on display: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4695097.stm

Well, I don't know about that really. I think there were probably less well known assassinations going on through Republican history. Anyway though, an assassination seems like a small thing compared to the wholesale slaughter during the upheavals of the Gracchi or the civil war of Marius of Sulla. I'd say those violent events were what irreversibly changed the Republic.

Interesting. Did they have anything to say about them? Have any online resources for them? How about Scandinavia or Africa beyond the Sahara?

One thing I always enjoy when reading the histories is about a tribe lost to history, or a city or place which only a name and a bit of information is known. I'd like to use this thread for those lost tribes. Does anyone know of what the Romans knew of peoples beyond Germania and the Gothic lands bast the Danube, basically Poland and beyond? Ever hear of a name mentioned for this land?

Heh funny stuff.

AVE CAESAR! AVE CAESAR! AVE CAESAR!

This is another example of using terminology to slant against the Romans (lost holocaust). I wonder if the Celtic spread across and over indigenous peoples through Europe, or their destruction of the Etruscans is a lost holocaust. Or what of Germanic incursions into Celtic lands.

I wonder if the Han dominated Chinese government and culture will seek to stamp out this 'revisionist' new find. Frankly the Han trend of precieved cultural superiority strikes me as racist.

I of course agree with all of the above, but I have to say I enjoyed the portrayl of Marcus Antonius. At the very least he looked the role. This third episode was better than the last one, which is sure to be the crappiest.

Cross and Chappelle are my favs.

Are you kiddin? You got to be crazy if you DON'T love the Romans!!

Of course, don't forget the They Might Be Giants version of the history: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/t/they-might-be...nts/136385.html

I think the Romans viewed homosexuality with some degree of acceptance, but they did not hold it high as an admirable trait as the Greeks may have to some degree. Romans tended to be a harder sort in terms of attitude, and gay loving was seen as excessive. You should be producing sons for the city-state or busy with work as opposed to wasting your time on such things. That was the Republican attitude I think. Later in the empire it was probably much less so. Additionally, though if you were on the receiving end of things (and I care not to explain that phrase), it was simply something of a humiliation for any man who took himself seriously. Caesar and the Bithynian king come to mind. I kind of think Roman gay love is comparable to smoking pot today. It's largely frowned upon, but a lot of people still do it mostly in secret, in the privacy of their own homes, and few people bother to scorn or hunt it down, seeming largely harmless.

That's interersting, I always assumed the Picts were from Ireland or something, but they seem more formally to be an alliance of tribes grouped by the Roman's perception of them.

I prefer Byzantium. Constantinople reminds me of selling out to Christianity, and of course Istanbul reminds me of the sad end of the Roman Empire at the hands of barbarian invaders...

I'm curious, what particular details make the map unable to be authenticated?

Primus Pilus invited me way back, but I foolishly did not take up the offer until Demson started gloryifying the Celts.

Interesting observation Ursus with the honor and glory, I had not thought of that before but it rings with truth. Of course, that same drive caused great instability, and stability is what the empire brought. I wonder if the ancients could somehow combine both.

Fantastic! Thanks folks. Keep em coming if you have something else. Beautiful stuff isn't it? Taking a look at those Roman helms, I find it strange how large some of them had of that back fan, that area at the back of the helmet apparently designed to protect the back of the neck. Seems like a lot of unnecessary extra weight for no good purpose. Anyone have ideas as to why they had it? http://www.romancoins.info/a-2005-helmet%20(32).JPG

Well, you mean in the movie or a part of its music? Chances are you are just hearing some modern instrament being played to sound all ancient. Fact is we know precious little about ancient music.

I'm sorry but into the second episode this series is rediculous. I will still watch it, in the hope that my contribution to ratings might actually do something, but shame on whatever idiot writer/director who corrupted the history. F'ing morons. I missed the first episode. How was Julius Caesar portrayed?

For the Romans I think bisexuality was not a terrible thing, but by and large the leanings were more heterosexual. In fact you find many cases of Roman writers making fun of or ridiculing homosexual activities, showing that it was a bit looked down on, especially if you were on the receiving end of things.