Centurion Marcus Valerius

Io Saturnalia and Happy Holidays to all!

Wow! Fantastic news, especially for metal detector enthusiasts.

Here's a link to a good video documenting the discovery of the source to the aqueduct that supplied some (all?) of Rome's water. Interesting temple/chamber constructed into the waterworks that corresponds to a coin minted during Trajan's reign. The walls of the tunnels are painted "Egyptian Blue." Unleaded paint, I hope! RSG No Roads Lead to Rome

Gaius Appuleius Diocles the Charioteer made more money and probably got sued less than any of our modern superstar athletes. "...According to Peter Struck, associate professor of classical studies at the University of Pennsylvania, an illiterate charioteer named Gaius Appuleius Diocles earned

I'm looking for source material providing information on revolts in Mauritania around 122-123 AD. It's known that Emperor Hadrian was "on tour" in Gaul and Hispania, and is said to have traveled further south to quell some disturbances, but I've been unable find any solid details. We know he was there, but little is known about the source of or reasons for the revolts. As a novelist, I'm hoping that no substantial facts have survived ... that way I can make up stories with impunity! Any information or links would be appreciated. RSG No Roads Lead to Rome

This is rumor, needs confirmation, but I've heard whispers that Amazon is working on backwards compatible Kindle software for stone tablets. RSG No Roads Lead to Rome

Thanks for the review and the comments about the discoveries associated with excavations for new train lines. When I lived in Spain, it was not uncommon to have archeologists on construction projects. There was a rule of thumb that the middle ages were a few meters below the surface and Roman relics were a few more meters underground. There was so much history to be uncovered that discovering ruins didn't stop construction unless they were deemed "important." RSG No Roads Lead to Rome

This sounds like a really interesting vein to mine. I agree with those who have suggested mixing the military and political role of the Guard. Lots of potential mortal and moral conflicts to explore: - How were the privileged Guard viewed by the more rank-and-file legionaries? - If, as was suggested, he wanders off into the far reaches of the empire, how would he be received? What challenges would he encounter? - Where does your character stand given the Guard's history of choosing and eliminating emperors? - Does he start off idealistic and veer towards opportunistic? - Is he in agreement with his commanders, or does he see things differently? - How is Christianity diffusing into the ruling class and, by extension, those who Guard it? - Perhaps the broader question is how are Roman beliefs changing. Is your guardsman a member of a cult (Mithras?) and, if so, are his beliefs challenged? Just a few thoughts that might spice up the story! Good luck! RSG

I'm currently reading "Hadrian and the Triumph of Rome" by Anthony Everitt. This is a good book for people with a more than passing interest. It covers the roughly 60 years years between the Flavian Emperors and Hadrian's death. The author does a good job explaining the political and historical conditions that preceded Hadrian's rule. Everitt offers interesting and reasonable speculation where the historical record is thin, especially during Hadrian's youth. Hadrian spent most of his adult life away from Rome. He traveled the width and breadth of the empire, commissioning architectural projects, founding towns, and making sure the legions didn't get too restless. His historical record isn't as rich in documents and secondary sources as for other emperors, so Everitt had to travel far to piece together details from the architectural records, taking pains to find relevant inscriptions and dedications etched in stone and metal. Hadrian was an interesting and enigmatic emperor. He was a good administrator, a Hellenist, a solid military man with a curious and artistic personality. His one "big idea" was to stop expanding the empire, build walls around those who could be governed, and stomp on those who couldn't. I'm halfway through the book and will provide a more detailed review when finished. So far, I'm finding it rich in detail and context and well written for casual history buffs. Classics scholars may enjoy the sweeping overview but will probably be left feeling hungry for more. RSG

I like the answers so far. I was thinking that someone from around 100 AD might be fascinated to see a sporting event, a racing event, an outdoor produce market, a military camp or a large port, and a tour of any great capital city and visit to a parliamentary debate. They would no doubt feel both familiar and strange to see how much we've taken from their architecture, love of public spectacle, military arts, government, and sense of commerce. They would be shocked to see planes in the sky and all of our other technological developments. Much of this would appear to be nothing short of magic. The rise and spread of Christianity would probably be a big surprise. A visit to a large cathedral basilica would be really interesting. By and large, I think that, overall, an astute Roman would see more similarities than differences. I might finish the day with a good movie. Any recommendations?

For reason's I don't fully understand, Amazon's offering my Kindle edition for $2.39. It's doing well (Top 10) on the the Political/Humor , Business/Ethics, and Ancient History/Rome lists. There's no good reason for the price drop, but you might as well benefit while I bang on the gates of their empire. Enjoy!

If you could bring back an ancient Roman and show him or her a few things about our world, who would you invite and where would you go?

I've seen a number of references to "corn" in the ancient world. Does this refer to the same grain common to the modern world, or is Roman corn something different? Thanks for any responses! No Roads Lead to Rome

I've read estimates that Titus brought back 20,000- 40,000 Jewish slaves from his conquest of Judea in 70BC. Many were used to build the Colosseum. This is probably the source of the population cited in the Trajan census figure. One of these enslaved prisoners is the great-grandfather of my character Gaius Severus in "No Roads Lead to Rome."