Messalina Mommsen

My younger brother is fascinated with the movie, 'Stargate' (and following TV episodes) and recently made me sit down to watch them. When I was younger, I too had a fascination with the world's unexplained mysteries and/or myths, yet I haven't really given the alien theories much thought for a long time. Built to the plan of the Orion Belt, the pyramids certainly are rather exceptional. Yet, I'm not sure if this means that "aliens" visited there! Does anyone have any thoughts on this? The website below has some strange pictures/photos: cosmicegypt

I agree with this entirely. I'm reminded of a book by Tariq Ali called 'The Clash of Fundamentalisms.' It describes the mentality of both Islamic and Western fundamentalism. Tariq Ali suggests that we are currently experiencing an ugly recurring pattern of history, whereby religious symbols play a part on both sides:

I concur. When I started this thread I imagined more people would talk about the environment. In my view, we are not sustaining ourselves, nor the eco-system within which we live.

When it comes to classical history you've pretty much covered it with the exception of museums perhaps...When you find that job that allows you to drink coffee in the library, read and write in solitude--without a Phd in history or the classics-- and it pays well, let me know. Virgil, I'm actually working voluntarily at a museum now- archiving, researching, conducting oral history and photographing artifacts. However, to get a job there I will need to finish my university degree with honours and possibly a PHD. Even if I eventually gain the most highly regarded job in the museum- Senior Curator- I would still not be paid very well and the work is incredibly demanding (albeit stimulating). In short, I've come to the conclusion that the pursuit of intellectualism (reading in library) and the pursuit of money (career) are two very different things. It's a pity that one must have money to survive, so I guess all that we can do is try and find some kind of balance By the way, I wonder how you become involved in the historical side of movie production?

"I'm going to be bias. I say that the US will still be a superpower, still fighting more wars, which from a result, deadlier and far more advanced weapons will be developed" -Flavius "With its internal divisions, and with a century

What kind of advice would my fellow UNRV peoples give to a person that wants to pursue a career in history? Asides from becomming a university lecturer, teacher or historical writer, what other kinds of careers exist? I'd love to sit in the library with coffee reading and writing history in solitude for the rest of my life. Unfortunately, I don't think that's an option. Damn being a plebian and needing to earn money. It's a struggle!

Considering this is a history forum dedicated to the past, this topic may seem a little out of place. Nevertheless, I was wondering what kind of predictions people have for what this earth will be like 100 years from now? Things to consider: politics, environment, technology, society (eg. Who will be the ruling power? What technologies will be in place?)

Interesting you mention this. There's been a lot of public debate recently in Australia about the Muslim community here, in particular relation to terrorism. It's been making me think about human interactions throughout history and the ways in which different cultures have clashed based on their beliefs and ideologies. In particular, it's interesting to think about the Pagan/Christian world of the Third Century and the ways in which belief systems came to a loggerhead- causing social upheaval with the persecutions etc. In a sense, I guess what I'm trying to say is that one person will not cause the downfall of an empire or political regime. Things must be viewed in their wider context- with an understanding of the social, religious and cultural factors of the historical period. While the likes of George Bush or Australia's Johnny Howard, for example, are causing a lot of upheaval and change, I don't think these men alone can bring about the downfall of the western world as we know it. I think a lot of other factors have contributed to the mess we find ourselves in today. In the case of the fall of Rome, I think it really began with the social reforms of the Gracchi brothers...

Thanks Virgil- I'm going to get their CD tomorrow. It's a good thing they aren't like what's on MTV today- I've been a little disconcerted by the popular music scene. I got 'Get Ready' by NEW ORDER as it was on special, but am going to look into their music further...awesome Has anyone heard of an American dude who goes by the name of 'Bright Eyes'...? His lyrics are incredible.

I concur; the new IR and terrorism laws = ridiculous

Bath is cool not only for the Roman baths, but also the town itself- very interesting (especially if you are from Australia- a place that severely lacks in historical buildings)!

Keep us posted on when it will be broadcast in Melbourne anyway- it's got to be better than most of the trash that is usually showing!

Hello Professor, I've just spent a year studying Ancient Roman History at Melbourne University (with Ronald Ridley being my tutor- you may know of him)? I am fascinated with the classical world, but fear that subjects such as 'Ancient Rome' and 'Classical Athens' are becoming threatened in Australian universities due to cuts in funding. There seems to be a push towards career focused & vocational learning (eg. IT, Marketing, Commerce) as the pursuit of intellectualism or 'learning for learning's sake' is viewed as less important. Do you agree that this is an impending problem that universities of the future face and have you noticed any changes to the quality of the education system during your years of learning and teaching? Thanks for your time, Catherine

Thanks for the help there- Perhaps New Order will be the CD that I buy this week. I have a gift voucher so I can get two CD's. Any suggestions for the other CD? I want something of the electronic genre too- along the lines of Massive Attack, DJ Shadow, Coldcut...

It's strange- I've never really listened to New Order much. Not sure why- I'll have to give them a go. We have ITUNES music store in Australia now, so you can just buy music over the net. Tempting. I'll have to make sure I'm never intoxicated in my bedroom with a credit card or a lot of money could be spent on music! I'll also have a look at The Band. What's their best CD?

I'm not necessarily sure if Juvenal could be classed as a 'philosophical' text. It's more a political form of poetry, with the earlier satirists using rhetoric (as you suggested earlier). What makes it difficult to understand is perhaps the language it uses. Yet, as a Radiohead song says: 'I might be wrong.'

I'm definately into the classics too. Can't stop listening to the Smiths lately. Do you know: The Pixies Joy Division The only group I haven't heard of is 'The Band.' What are they like?

Messalina was my sign in name on 'Msn Messenger' before I even knew about her history. I read her name in a book called 'Venus in Furs (yes, also a Velvet Underground song) and liked the sound of it. Since I've been studying Roman History, however, I've learnt more about her character. The third wife of Roman emperor Claudius, she was a wild, powerful, manipulative, sex crazed woman who liked a good party. Apparently she challenged a prositute to an all night sex competition... interesting

Well said. I agree that it's not a good idea to delete these messages and personally don't mind reading them. I'm more worried about the state of the education system and the fact that children are taught to acquire information and 'get a good mark' rather than actually learn and understand for themselves.

Thanks Hamilcar- that's as a thought. Have you read other satirists and if so, who is the most entertaining?

My drum teacher always told me to listen to this, but I never got round to it (due to the fact that he told me to listen to a lot of things so there wasn't time for them all)! Is it comparable to anything? Which CD is the best in your opinion? I concur. What do you think has led to this? What has changed in the past years to make popular music so stagnant? It's terrible. P.S. I also like most of your music selections, but who is Vivaldi? Classical?

I'm a new member myself- only stumbling upon this site recently. I joined because I was hoping to engage in some interesting discussions about a topic that I'm highly interested in. However, it's a little worrying to see that some people are joining to get help for their school essays. I don't mind helping these kids, but a lot of them just want instant answers and I'm afraid this doesn't help to 'educate' them.

I'm nearing the end of a university degree, majoring in history. It's getting to that time where I must start to think about what to do after university. It will involve history in some way or another. I'm currently working voluntarily at the Melbourne Museum, yet still unsure if I want to pursue public or academic history in the future. Apart from that, I work in hospitality to pay the rent, listen to and play music, watch cartoons and procrastinate.

Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History is worth a look. Although it's essentially a Church history, it provides an interesting insight when compared with the likes of Zosimus. Although obviously not an impartial source, it's always interesting to try and gauge contemporary opinion...Eusebius' interest in recording dates, times, names, and

I concur- Juvenal's satires certainly provide for enjoyable reading. However, I am not sure as to where you acquired your references for the information on Juvenal's exile in Egypt? From what I have read, it is not entirely certain whether or not Juvenal was actually exiled. Of the life of Juvenal, little is known. He was most likely the addressee of three epigrams by Martial (7.24, 7.91, 12.98) where he is depicted as both living a hectic life in Rome (12.18.1-6) and having oratorical skill (7.91.1). However, no other ancient source provides further information (except for what is contained in Juvenal's satire). I'm well aware the Egypt is referenced and detailed by Juvenal in his satire, but considering the purpose of satire as a genre, it's hard to trust its validity as a historical source. Combining humour with criticism, the satirists of the early Principate- such as Lucilius, Horace and Persius- used satire as a means of criticising the world around them for the purposes of entertainment. Braund suggests that distortion or exaggeration of events was not only commonly accepted in this genre, but often necessary. Therefore, the haphazard and kaleidoscopic style of the satire leaves much to the imagination. Unlike historical accounts of Rome produced in this time period, such as Tacitus