Northern Neil

Is there any reference to Vigiles/Urban cohorts being bribed to turn a blind eye? It must have happened but my quick google search has not turned anything up so far.

I would probably be a velite, as I am not very well off, and in the republic one had to fund ones own military gear.

This is a very positive way of viewing the current demographic shift in the South West US. I remember someone on another thread saying that this area was originlly Mexican anyway? One thing I have always found odd. Hispanics are viewed - even by themselves - as 'non-white' citizens of the US. Why is this? Aside from the Puerto Ricans and a few cuban exiles, who appear to be of mixed ancestry, it is quite plain that most of them are of entirely Spanish descent!

People of the dark ages did use them, and in Britain they were given their names by the saxon invaders. Watling Street was used to mark the boundary of the Danelaw, so it must've been still in use and very evident 400 years after the Roman occupation ceased.

There were eight legionary fortresses, which roughly equates to about 40'000 legionaries. These were situated on the banks of the Rhine itself. There were also around 50 auxilliary forts, although they might not all have been in use at the same time. So, yes, I believe the legionaries did patrol the frontier along with the similar numbers of auxilliary troops. Whilst the auxilliary forts probably sent out small patrols to gather intelligence etc, I cant imagine the legions sending out vexillations of less than cohort strength, otherwise the tactical advantage of legionaries over Germans would be much reduced. This last is just personal opinion, though.

WOW - Doctor Doc! Well one. When is you first book coming out?

Yes - enjoy!

I wouldn't have thought that any research would have been needed for this. Given that people like us have been around for at least 150'000 years, I would have thought you could infer that recreational sex was happening at least since then!

Is Arausio not the Roman name for Orange?

Wow! you really ARE an aristo, then! I KNEW it!

This is a very good point, Sonic, and one which I believe hasn't been addressed fully on this forum,within the context of similar discussions on this topic. My own view is that the reconquest of Justinian was a disaster - he may have restored the outline of the Empire in geographical terms, but the cities of Italy were destroyed as a result, and a Germanic rulership rapidly adopting Roman ways was displaced. The re-established but greatly weakened Romans were then ill equipped to deal with the Lombard invasions of the late 500's. The Lombards then destroyed material Roman culture in the Italian peninsula forever. I believe that left to their own devices, the Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy (which also ruled over Helvetia, Raetia and Pannonia) would have eventually accepted Roman suzerainty, an emperor of the West would have been imposed on those provinces, and then both Eastern Roman and Western (Ostrogothic) forces would have resisted the Lombard invasions. Things would have henceforth been very different.

Great image, GPM. Went there when I was 14 - it hasnt changed!

Nope, but getting warmer. -- Nephele AWWWW! I'm trying to get as good as YOU!

No, sorry. Try a country to the west. -- Nephele BRINDISI!

A technicality here, I think - in the political sense British North America didn't win anything, as this was simply a repelled attack from British territory. However, for the people who were defending their homelands, this would have been considered a great victory, especially given the ferocity with which American troops were exercising in that region. Regards the navy, Kosmo is correct in that the British navy was the worlds most powerful up to the end of WWI. I believe that if Napoleon hadn't been there for us to deal with, the Royal Navy would have subjugated the US Navy due to force of numbers. That said, the US Navy won most of the single ship -to -ship actions of the time, due to the amazing super-frigates of that period such as USS Constitution. Whilst responding to this thread, I found this: http://www.ussconstitution.navy.mil/ Regards the Spanish - American war, did the Spanish declare war because they had run out of options? Sometimes when strong states want to keep the moral high ground in a dispute between themselves and a weaker opponant, they present their opponants with a desparate choice in which their only alternatives are to back off and lose territory / face, or declare war to protect their interests. We Brits did it (Siege of Zanzibar), the Germans did it extensively in WWII and the Romans did it with Carthage. However... burnt the whitehouse, eh? Tea and fish n' Chips all round with a sound helping of sprouts and a pint of of Best Bitter!

I think Valentinian I was the best emperor. He built forts in Barbarian territory, was the last emperor to fortify the frontiers, promoted religious tolerence (The last Catholic leader to do so for some time), legislated to help the poor, and legislated to punish draft-dodgers by burning alive. Although part barbarian, he was nonetheless a fanatical Roman who died after suffering a stroke, after a fit of rage following a disagreement with a barbarian embassy. My worst is Honorius. He was just a twit.

Yes!! You're too good at this!

OK! Here's another:

You are quite correct! I left the picture uncropped so the coordinates remained on the image. I figured someone would see the Clue. Over to you, Nephele!

Here's another Google Earth pic:

I look around - seemingly, a screen of silk or fine muslin has been thrown around me... or perhaps that is the effect of drink and herbs. People laugh, scream, drink and make love - I hear no sound. I sit in my corner, nursing the indignities of my fumbled pass at a fine Roman mistress, and contemplate my fellow celebrants. I get up, walk around, and no one notices me - save for a half naked thracian type who beckons me. This is merely transient. His interest is diverted by a fresh plate of delicacies, and my anonimity is intact. This room, to me, is deadly silent, though there are revellers in profusion, and much activity, music, dancing and laughter. Pertinax looks concerned, grasps my shoulders, and gives me a tincture in a tiny glass, which I drink. I offer him no thanks as I walk on, expressionless, although I will feel guilt at this tomorrow and make amends. I regard two dancing girls - they appear to be patrician types, although they dance in the vulgar style of the subura. Is one of them the matron of the house? Surely not. One of her friends, perhaps. But she seems fine to me, and a little familiar. Gaius Octavius senses a developing problem and strides towards me, rapidly discarding his half - full goblet. He is too far away. He whistles to Pertinax, who looks toward me through the compact press of guests and shrugs. The baby -eating thracian, totally out of character, assumes some responsibility, spots the danger, and attempts to divert his acquaintance from a path of disaster. What the hell. Chat up line on standby...

I think you might even get a flight cheaper than that, if you shop around, Doc. Often you get offers for 'Manchester to New York,

I have no details as to the kind of ships used, or water - borne artillery, but I remember reading somewhere that in Constantius' time (c.300 ) ships employed on the Saxon Shore were painted grey, sea-green and cream to camouflage them from incoming raiders. The clothes and faces of the marines on board were similarly coloured. Given that the navy at that time achieved considerable success against the incoming pirates, perhaps this is the first direct reference to camouflage being used succesfully as a military tactic against an aggressor. As to what the 5th century navy was like, perhaps East Roman/Byzantine sources will further illuminate.

To blow thine enemy to bits? Or just to satiate their hunger? ...Judging by the apparant weight of said Christian Matron, probably the latter. No sign of Christian poverty or abstinence there...

Roaringly good article, Caldrail. Even though the Severan Dynasty was fairly stable, from what I have read here, perhaps the seeds of the 3rd century anarchy were thus sown,at the end of the 2nd century.