Northern Neil

Hi Everyone! I have PM'd all European/uk members about this - I dont think I missed anybody... and so far we have only two definite, and to possible attendees. If you haven't already given a yes or a no to this, and would like to attend, please PM either myself, Ghost of Clayton or Augustus caesar, as tempus is fugiting as we speak!

Absolutely spot on. Regarding accent generally, a lot of criticism goes out to ancient/medieval films where the actors speak in American accents. Given that neither American nor UK English is correct, and how embarrassing Mel Gibson's attempts to produce a film using 'correct' language were, maybe this old chestnut can be dispensed with.

Hello JColomb, and welcome aboard! When I visited the forum I noticed the lack of seating, which was a bit irritating. Regarding reconstructing buildings, I believe the Curia was indeed reconstructed round about 1930 - hence its intact state. I suppose the reasons for not continuing this practice are many and varied; some archaeologists see this as further damaging an ancient building, whilst holders of budgets would say their money has to be spread evenly to finance the upkeep of what is already there.

What a charming little concept!

Not so bad thanks - holiday soon!

The use of cavalry in an offensive role seems to have slowly developed from about 200 onwards, until, by the time of the Battle of Strasbourg (360), Infantry were starting to act as support for cavalry, rather than the other way around. The medieval age of cavalry was just around the corner, and at Adrianople in 378 the Old Roman Infantry was defeated for the final time. I understand, Macro, that your discussion mainly focuses around the army of the Principate, and so your comments about a lack of native Roman cavalry is valid. It was also still very much the era of the mediterranean heavy - armoured foot soldier. For us late - period enthusiasts though, the army of the later Empire is just as Roman as anything that went earlier, and they treated their cavalry very seriously indeed. Gaulish and Pannonian cavalrymen, whose families had been Roman Citizens since the early third century, considered themselves as Roman as anyone else from within the Empire.

Here are some good links: The Fall of the Roman Empire - a New History. The Later Roman Empire The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilisation The Roman Empire at Bay 180 - 395 Hope this helps!

I believe this punishment was known as 'Fustuarium' and the punishment of the guilty legionary by the other men in his contuburnium was also intended to have a lasting effect on the other seven men who - probably reluctantly - had to beat their mate to death.

...which of course, makes it Roman. From the mosaics at San Vitale, Ravenna, 6th century:

Wrong; WWII was started by Herr Hitler; please check on your sources. I suppose one could argue that Britain and France were to blame when they made the treaty of Versailles and got the Germans angry. If they had not taken land away from Germany then maybe World War 2 never would have happened. ...but then, if Germany had not taken Alsace - Lorraine off France and humiliated them at the Siege of Paris in the Franco - Prussian war, the provisions of the Treaty of Versaiiles may not have been as far reaching...

Hi Mark! Welcome aboard, laddie! And to you also, Macro!

While much of the shift from Vulgar Latin to other languages occurred largely in the absence of any serious "barbarianisms," this strikes me as something that might come from a Germanic source. Also, remember that there are other variations of this; in Spanish, the J in Julius is pronounced like an H in the form of Julio. Also, in French and Portuguese the J phonetic is also pronounced, albeit slightly softer than in English.

We were. But Churchill's view was that the allies should have continued the push from Berlin to Moscow, taking advantage of the USSR's relative weakness, too.

My thanks Sylla for your considerate response. Caldrail, your silence on this issue concerns me, and your often irrascible tone has ruffled more than a few feathers in recent months. We are speaking to real people here, even if we do only know them via a computer screen.

Hi chaps - me again. Whilst the cycle of mild insults followed by articulate but languid put - downs is mildy amusing, It is somewhat clouding what is otherwise an interesting debate. I have moved it to the Arena, as there are still interesting and pertinent points from both sides in the debate.

My precise source eludes me for the moment, but I have encountered several references to Churchill's stance on the Soviet Union. Dresden was apparently flattened because the allies knew the Soviets would be walking through within a few weeks..

When I used to do Anglo Norman / Crusader period, we frequently received injuries. My best was a pressure cut to the eyebrow which required sutures!

A wonderful discovery, indeed. A look at this site on Google Earth Shows nothing which is obviously Roman, although using the map as a comparison you can just about make out a semicircular blur where the theatre is, and the walls and ditches. The local village of Altino (obviously the name, if not the buildings, remained in use) is just to the North East, and one can use it as a reference point for seeing the Google Earth image.

Eye candy, nothing more. I can certainly think of more intellectual actresses. The movie will probably be as historically accurate as "Gladiator." Although if for every million person who sees the movie, one of them actually picks up a book on the subject, I suppose the movie will have served some higher purpose. I found the trailor quite intriguing and moving. If it serves as a parable of the fanaticism and intolerance of monotheism - in ALL its guises - it may yet serve a higher purpose still.

Steady on please, boys - we dont want an interesting debate to descend into yet another terse argument.

birthday Greetings from Britannia to Judaea

count me in. PM's going out to all who have shown an interest.

Hi steve, and welcome.