DecimusCaesar

I'm currently going through Eric Shanower's 'Age of Bronze' graphic novels. They are set during the Trojan Wars. Mr.Shanower has definately done his homework as he's recreated the era not as Classical Greece (in the style of Troy and other historical epics) but as the Bronze Age Aegean. Really nicely illustrated.

"Salve! It's Marcus here. the Ninth Legion is well and truly lost...wait, does this thing have Google Earth?"

I think there's a lot of truth in that. I really enjoyed re-creating the wars between the Hellenistic World and rome in Rome: Total War. I usually enjoy playing the historical battles scenarios in other ancient and Roman period video games.

For those who are interested Europa Universalis: Rome Gold Edition (which includes the 'Vae Victis' expansion pack) is now available to download direct to drive on Steam for

On a somewhat unrelated point, this video from a BBC documentary has completely shattered some of my view pop culture misconceptions on the Neanderthals: An interesting video, hopefully the BBc will put up the whole documentary one day.

Although he is seen as one of the Five Good Emperor', Hadrian's campaign against the Jews was rather brutal and vindictive - although it was an attempt to bring down a rebelling province. He had Jerusalem plundered and burnt (while also renaming it Aelia Capitolina), while almost a thousand villages cross Judea were burnt to the ground. The Talmud mentions millions of Jews being killed, while the Romans put a more conservative estimate of about 500,000. The Romans also pursued a scorched earth policy that must have killed many more. Sacred scrolls were burnt, rabbis were executed and the Torah was banned - all under Hadrian's attempts to stamp out Jewish practices. He also ordered thousands of Jews to be flogged, tortured and then crucified throught Judea. Thousands of others were enslaved. It was these events that some historians argue led to the Jewish disapora into Europe.

Nice review, made me laugh. recently i've been trying to get into Grand Ages: Rome, a game i got for Christmas but one I still can't figure out how to work properly. I'm still on level one of this game!

It is a fascinating documentary. I didn't catch it on TV, but I did see it up on Youtube. Seeing those skeletons did bring the reality of the Gladiatorial games to the fore. I don't read much on Gladiators, but seeing the bones did remind me that that these were real flesh and blood people being killed for entertainment. A rather sobering thought, but something that wasn't reflected in the documentary itself, considering the '300' influenced action sequences they inserted into it.

I read about this film a while ago. There was some confusion as to whether the film would be true to history or whether it was going to be set as a musical in 1920s America. I think though that these might be to different films, although Imdb has linked them as the same project. Weird.

The DVD is scheduled for release sometime around late August this year if Amazon is anything to go by.

I was reading Homer's Iliad recently and Aeneas does make a short appearance in one of the battles in the book, I think it's when Hector breaks through the Achaean ranks and attempts to burn the Greek ships. So he was certainly present before Virgil wrote the Aeneid. It really is amazing when you consider how much influence that Homer's works had on all subsequent Classical eras, from the plays of Aeschylus and Euripidies to the Romans. As for the Carthage section, it doesn't surprise me that it might be Virgil's addition. Greek and Roman literature tends to play very loosely with the chronology of the Trojan War and its aftermath.

You're right. I wonder about the weight differences between the oval shield and the rectangular versions. Perhaps it was easier to manouver with the oval shields in comparison with other types?

Reading this thread has gotten me to realise that I've really haven't read much Roman fiction over the years. I might begin by reading an actual genuine work of Roman fiction, Virgil's Aeneid. As for my favourite Roman book, for nostalgic reasons I'd have to go with 'A Companion to Roman Britain' by Peter Clayton and The Usborne's World History: The Romans by A. J Marks (it was one of my favourite Roman books when I was younger). I also have a fondness for Peter Connolly's books like Greece and Rome at War and Ancient City. In recent years I really enjoyed Rubicon by Tom Holland, The fall of the Roman Empire by Peter Heather, The Classical World by Robin Lane Fox, Roman Life by John Clarke, and Ancient Rome on Five Denarii a day by Philip Matyszak.

I hope you enjoyed your birthday Ursus.

Nice review, I enjoyed reading it. It's very personal and involving. I've been thinking of getting this title for a while now, along with a few others in the Roman Conquest series. I was under the impression that this one was by Ross Cowan not Maty, but I seem to have gotten mixed up with the Italy book. Anyway, a good review!

There seems to be new books about Pompeii every month. the one on the doctors seems interesting though, it isn't really something you hear much about. I remember Pertinax used to cover the ancient's attitudes to medicine and health in his blogs and posts a few years back.

I was just reading a selection of Lindsey Davies's favourite Roman history books on the Guardian website yesterday. Plus I took a look at her website today. here's the link to those who are interested. Lindsey Davies Personal site

By the way British viewers who missed the show can watch it for free on Youtube by visiting the channel 4 page on youtube. here is the first link to the episode on Alexandria: Alexandria It's rather entertaining, even though for most people on this forum it won't be anything new.

Looks fascinating. I enjoyed Hughe's series on the Spartans, but I haven't seen her other programs on Ancient Greece. Considering my TV is broken though, I'll have to wait till this is out on DVD, or watch it on Youtube if it gets posted there.

Here's some reviews courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes: Agora reviews Currently the film has a 50% Rotten rating at the site. There aren't that much reviews, so this is a sign that the film has sunk. I honestly hope it gets a good release.

imdb says release date it's in April I'm sorry, I meant that he'd seen King Arthur while on holiday in Spain (the movie not the quasi-historical figure )

Happy Birthday MPC!

Happy Birthday PP!

Thanks for your answer Macro! My friend says he's seen it on hol,iday in Spain, and that it wasn't bad a ta all. He usually doens't like historical movies.

Hope you had a great day LW!