Pertinax

presume you have the modest picture reference at figure f2 in"Rome's Enemies (vol 3)" from osprey men-at-arms? (and the inferred combat capabilities of these people) If you dont have ready access , we are talking pony mounted archery specialists

I see that the 1000th member milestone approaches. and arrives as I speak!

I would like to suggest that "modern" people seem to imagine that ancient populations stayed in one place grubbing for roots, just because technology has developed to reduce the world by speed of travel doesnt mean that the adventurousness of individuals has either increased or decreased. A lot fewer people spread over wider areas with bio degradable technology just dont leave too many clues.If you discuss scandinavian/byzantine trade routes it still seems to surprise people that such a trade path existed .

Another culinary thread I see-I understand that in Turkey(the place) the Turkey ( the bird) is known as a "foreign sky chicken". Please correct me if I am mistaken.The animal's name is related to its originally exotic status-so in Britain "turkey" was deemed reasonably exotic enough . And may I wish our American cousins a pleasant Thanksgiving.

Skarr- it was mooted that a shortened version in the Uk ws acceptable (leaving a lot of the political intrigue out)beacause "the British audience would know the history anyway". I think they got cold feet and went for as much glossy sex and violence for shock impact,the politics would have added greatly to the show.I hope I will be able to get a "director's cut " someday.

Bear in mind that though the Romans were certain that animals were ripe with "anima" that didnt stop them being "hard on themseleves and others" ie: cruelty was not a concept to be considered in the death of a beast. If you all recall Marge Simpson is quite firm with Homer when he asks if the cute monkeys at the zoo have souls-the strict Christian answer is no-they are dumb beasts.Actually I wonder if we have the start of a new thread here-the Romans saw death as the last breath of the deceased, one would try to catch a dying parents last exhalation to draw their soul into your own-not as we would if the brain were dead but the body breathed -they would consider breath (pneuma ) to be life itself. To Lost Warrior -I have redressed the gender issue- the Brigantes will always follow a female warrior if she is stern and resolute! (and sacrifices her enemies to Brigantia as Mother Goddess) To Pantagathus- the path of the Mariner is fraught with peril and the balm of fecundity. [note from ursus: this post removed from other thread and merged with this one]

The cow was not a valuable thing in Rome-it produced only milk ( not flesh) and who on earth drinks that except barbarians ? Veal was the only real flesh from cattle, oxen were motive power otherwise.(a culinary aside). Originally Romans were reluctant to eat meat as their stock were so useful, sheep for wool , goats for real milk( for cheese making) and others for carting and working the land.Beasts of burden are tough and chewy. Only the pig lives to be eaten, its meat at that time and place was by far the fleshiest and most succulent.A devout man had to offer from his own stock,establishing a link between men and gods via the soul of the beast rising to heaven and bringing a report of the world .To the Romans animals had soul or rather were with "anima", a priest killing a beast lead to the deity absorbing the liberated anima and being fortified by it.The flesh was shared in a solemn feast with great fuss and preparation involved so the Gods were aware of the effort made. Male animals to male deities , female to female, black to the underworld ,white to the heavens. Animals were specific to Deities-the donkey to Priapus for reasons of lustihood,Mars recieved a horse,though this did not exclude other beasts or a joint sacrifice (which was most pleasing). . The gist is-valuable items only because the Gods know! So a PC with XP office edition and some plasma screen tvs burnt on top of a pyre of ipods and nokia phones ,perhaps with some dvds around the edge. Lost Warrior knows the thoughts of the deities! Fear Her! (note gender)

I wish to publicly thank Moonlapse for fixing the Gallery upload problems I had earlier today.I though id lost a whole album! In his honour I shall now place the begnin features of a local Celtic deity in my favourite album, this in symbolic acknowledgment of his serene compusure in the face of technological complexity. I went over to Ribchester today to get some updated photos but the museum's internal lighting is rather harsh ,so the altar to apollo [dedicated by the Sarmatian cavalry in AD241 (Gordian 3rd), the unit being "Gordian's Own" ( dedicated by Julius Antoninus , centurion 6th Legion (Victrix) from Meltene -commander and prefect)], still makes no appearence in my album of artefacts and sites.

If you had remained sober enough whilst using the "vase" .Welcome also M.Porcius Cato!

Not much chance of using it to give your Legion a strategic advantadge-"I think the Samnites are up near the neck of the vase chaps, take a look round will you? And pour me another one while your holding that thing "

The Daily Telegraph informs me that a large Villa is now in the process of excavation in Amalfi, this is another very interesting find in an area noted for its history as a Roman resort for the wealthy. Not too far from Villa Jovis by boat! The house is said to be most impressive in size and appears to heve been owned by a person of note. My mistake-Positano, under the Church ,vast roof beams were found .The place is apparently very big indeed. If you lean out of the window you would be able to see the Lights in Tiberius's Villa and pop across for a light refreshment. This is a vesuvian "burial" by the way.

a barley based gruel would be very a good idea-very good for the body -keeps the kidneys in top condition and allows thorough processing of all ingested foodstuffs (ie: optimised nutrition)i, and a gruel would of course include meats and fats .Protein content in barley is high and complex and in the ancient world it was a revered crop with sacrificial overtones (Wicker Man fans pay attention).

The Saveloy is a sinister creation indeed -too smooth and orangey by far -when I was young and impoverished and living in Gateshead , working in Sunderland and Shields I couldnt afford much else. My Mother ,(who is a very great age) still likes Lamb's hearts and duck gizzards for the same reason as your Grandad.

Its very proper of you to bring me back to earth with your remark about the Native Americans- your observation is acute and poignant , reminding us of the fate of languages ( and peoples). I keep musing on the actual relationship of the Scotii and Picts , as im sure you know things seem to become even more unclear as we move into the period of "viking" domination and the vortex of petty kingdoms crossing ethnic and cultural boundaries (and the hiring of mercenaries across all these groups) . This is a quick reply in appreciation of your post, I wil come back to study it again. Oddly enough I was just reading two very sobering quotes about Brittania and Hibernia( and Armenia)-"it was fine and glorious to have acquired them, not for any value , but for the great reputation they brought to the magnificence of Empire" (Florus -chum of Hadrian) and "The Romans have aimed to preserve their Empire by the exercise of prudence rather than extend their sway indefinitely over poverty -stricken and profitless tribes of barbarians" (Appian -on the fall back from the Antonine Wall)

Its welks I cant stand! rubber fish. We eat a lot of Morecambe Bay shrimps here -so we should glow in the dark.By the way longbow surely you are a connisseur of saveloy dips and pease pudding? Fratres of the Americas-Morecambe Bay is said to be a little "lively" from its proximity to Sellafield, though I know shrimps tend to glow int he dark anywayand be indiscriminate scavengers .

Pantagathus-thats a most learned piece. What is your feeling about the Ligurian " bloodline" do you think they are pictish?( or have become described as such) Certainly Hibernia is remote enough to hold a people who wish to withdraw from easy contact ..Its so long since I looked at early populations that I cant trust my memory (must be a joke in there somewhere ), do you have any thoughts as to relationships with linguistic groups: I know thats stretching a thin skein of evidence a long way but you have provoked my curiosity!