Pertinax

I know I rattle on about parasiticly transmitted diseases all the time -but here we go again ,they are so often overlooked .This is an interesting reflection on the type of army Napoleon had, a huge ,citizen based , in most part very basically trained soldiery. It also highlights exactly what such armies are prone to suffer, though it was said of medieval armies it applies here(perhaps even more so), armies are a walking mass of contagion.

well -after the Solstice feasting has subsided and no more mistletoe can be found for the golden sickle's blow, I will take courage and review a book written by one of our Forum members.This is going to a nervy process as Mr Andrew Dalby is an esteemed author and man of wide learning,(actually frighteningly wide),nothing daunted I hope to deliver reviews on his most recent work and my long overdue commentary on Galen.If I am struck down in the Forum by assassins in the New Year, look for a pensive gent, carrying apples, with a blood stained toga. I think he will explain the apples soon I was very pleased to find this book as I was aware of Mr Dalby's previous works, and it is evident that his sources are well researched and his excellent eye for language digs out subtle interperative nuances that may be lost to the monolingual. The thing that strikes me about this book is that it benefits from being "read" in the Roman manner, ie: out loud - to savour cadences and phrases like rich foods, indeed that is both a compliment and a type of critiscism. The difficulty with this work is, that if one sits and reads, without the slow discipline of speaking and proper phrasing, the detail of the text is actually almost too rich. That of course is a critiscism that most people would consider a compliment , my point is that it was apt for me to read this book over the Xmas period as its density mirrored a festive meal. ...continue to the full review of Empire Of Pleasures by Andrew Dalby

And of course the fact that much of our modern medicines are synthesized forms of the chemical compounds found in those very plants that people have used for those millennia... Asprin to name just one! but white willow ( tastes vile) or meadowsweet (acceptable)dont give you acetylanide poisoning but do give you plenty of salycillic acid.And Vallium what a an abortive synthesis of valerian.

I was just adding the Convolvulus (Morning Glory) entry to my Herbal album in the gallery and I realised that I have now managed to present a passable Toxicological catalogue. May I regale you with the basic categories of plant toxins: 1. Inebriants-exciting cerebral functions, cause loss of co-ordination, deep sleep or fatal coma may follow. 2.Deliriant- spectral illusions and deliriousness: thirst often a direct side effect:may lead to paralysis. 3.Convulsivant-Intermittent spasms(head toward feet),Death from exhaustion . 4. Depressant-vertigo,nausea ,vomiting.May cause asphyxiation 5.Irritant-burning pain,throat /stomach.Death by convulsive systemic shock. 6.Asthenic-numbness ,delirium ,fainting. so if anyone tells you that plant folklore is rubbish ask them where they imagine strychnine comes from! (answer amongst several-St Ignatius's Beam from the Phillipines). Its very odd that people have forgotten that plant medicine was the only medicine for most of human history. You will also see that the healing properties of some of the semi-toxic plants have been recognised by healers for millenia, and that the healing/toxicity depends on the part of the plant,how its processed and at what time of year it is harvested,and the experience of the healer. Take care out there! note:replaced "medieval hall" pic in Eboracvm gallery with superior shot.

Yes Bindweed as we know it-Convolvulus -grows happily over my fence. It is one of several strongly inter -related species with a very wide range.Hallucogen, convulsivant, deleriant and purgative, get the dose wrong and you are done for.Only used as a homeopathic medicine. I have posted in the gallery area beautiful but no touching!

so if I style myself Primus Aurelius Pertinax does this add up? Primus as first born,Aurelius (well I have to pick a clan) and Pertinax ( personal antisocial tendency).

The tradition of foreign guards from alien cultures is unbroken -Franco had his Muslim Guards for instance, possibly for a striking show of barbarous "orientalism" but real soldiers nevertheless. Contemporary liberal Muslim rulers of small states show a great preference for particular types of specialsit ex-British servicemen.

I was thinking Kendo/Iaido( and I take your point on your own specialisms)-I know its not a direct analogy -but you would never lose the focus of the point of he blade on the adversary ( though you might move the blade). If id been pushed backwards and ( horror of horors) lost the weapon ,well then its "whatever means are to hand " but that isnt a good winning strategy. I think the point about specialisation is important, and the effect of being part of what some commentators consider to ba a "crew served weapon" ie": fighting in a defined area within a defined structure to inflict maximun injury. Neckguard aside to Jimbow -yep everyones a bit shorter than the Gauls and emerging rear of skull first from behind the scutum, so very logical ,also id say to spread impact damage away from the clavicles-painful hit spot

If id been a disenfranchised Huscarl I would have been straight on the boat to crack some Norman skulls.

When I made the remark about not stooping to pick up a discharged pilum I was thinking Gallic /Goth/Brigantian( any other Briton) adversary -I was imagining who would pick up a pilum to return it? A swordsman with long sword and shield? An assault trooper (Falx, axe , heavy sword)? What formation (if any ) these persons would be in. I can see peltasts/skirmishing troops perhaps attempting this but they would possibly be carrying several light spears themselves. I say here that if you are a "chosen sword" you wouldnt grasp another weapon unless you were going backwards and had lost your main arms. Roman versus Roman-ok we have rotating front lines and precursor missile attacks but would a Century even think of retrieving weapons knowing they were fighting "themselves" ? Im not taking issue with any of the posts here-just turning over my own thoughts and doubts. I know I broke the retrival into "stoop/reverse /throw" my point there was ,if you are an accomplished soldier you will know how long this sequence might take depending on what fighting space you are in, the decision to retrieve may be a direct logical/practical "no its too risky cos too many bodies about,must keep head up and contact point visible". Fights can be very very short , seconds (or less ) are needed to make or not make a decision. Virgil61 is spot on with the Trajan remarks-The Dacian campaign was a masterpiece of combat engineering but all that work was to bring the Legions to battle by tactical and strategic excellence. I think im ranting now

If you want to be really scared-I saw the first episode! An unearthly child?

That is very convincing and I agree with Favonius Cornelius .I have to ask a question to reinforce this argument, to any members who have been in any sort of hard contact sport or actual straight fight,- do you think you would stoop to pick up ,then reverse ,then throw a pilum thrown at you in a life or death fight? What would that do to any concerted effort of a group advance? the whole assault would end in an immediate melee-anyone who has fought with a stabbing implement wants to get in close and hit hard ,not break momentum ,not least because that is also the best way to defend oneself. Previously I had thought the "bendy " argument was logical but I am now prepared to think otherwise.

In which case I urge you to read my post in "Gladiator in G-string"!

Older! Good grief I thought Patrick Troughton was a radical newbie!

May I add ,if wearing a long garment of quality weave ( the robust Kilt, the elegant Hakama) a Gentleman often feels quite sufficiently warm in his nether regions to forgoe undies -they are most "constrictive", as a Toga is an even heftier item than a pair of Hakama ,I suggest comfort is also a factor! Try a kilt, I urge you, cast aside your doubts-comfortable,capacious and snug.

I think Pantagathus will tell us that the route these men took was a major established trade route at that time. These men would represent the highest quality export from their home region, skilled ,experienced, tough. very large and with a long history as a fighting elite by this time. What is forgotten is the technological excellence of their weapons and armour, as we have discussed as regards swords elsewhere ,exported metalwork from this area was exsquisite and these were no savage Thegns but "ready to go " elite guardsmen

May i suggest that the brutality is a logical extrapolation of the pragmatism? If you take up arms against Rome then you have to be eliminated -you have stepped outside the law( and the moral framework of that law)-if Rome came to fight and won then your own battlefield casualties would be fearful (weve kicked this about elsewhere when looking at casualty infliction in relation to modern weapons) and as a logical extension resistance would be eliminated (Trajan in Dacia for example). It may be grim reading to "moderns" but such moral terror is a very effective morale crusher.If you bowed to Rome then, well ,your Gods might be useful and powerful so bring them to the party,but if your God(s) threatened Roman authority best to adapt to Rome :look at the struggle against the Jews in the context of the wider tolerance of multiple cults. Ive kept an eye on the thread but been too tired to give a decent contribution -all work at this time of year:bag: