Pertinax

That amazes me PP-this day is overlooked? I would have thought (as Phil suggests) that this is a fundamental Day , on which America came to have a renewed and mature understanding of itself as a Nation. All credit and praise to those who lost their lives.

Why not? The cultural borrowings of Rome as regards religious and architectural themes (with a deep internal legitamacy in their indigenous settings ) can reasonably be described as "catholic" , could we not see an alternative history with other themes and ideas readily adopted? I venture to suggest that neither the trappings of an "enemy" culture nor ideas of obscure origin would be discarded- the main legitimizing strand would be the cultural weight of a symbol in its original locale. Perhaps Rome would have arrived at a dualistic religious world view some way ahead of Christianity (Zurvan -Ahriman) .

I saw the trailer the other day as well, the hints of middle earth were unmistakable.

Deep bore samples are needed from a statistically significant number of sites-easily done without without major damage or disruption.( except possibly to some large egos). Think about this Rameses. The paper in question was published in the Journal of the American Ceramic Society, an organization that cares deeply about materials science, couldn't give a whit about Egypt, and gets far more serious submissions than they could possibly publish. Now what is the likelihood that they're going to publish a paper that is nothing but speculation on the pyramids? It's about as likely as the Journal of Roman Studies publishing a paper on the electrical conductivity of zirconia at 26 degrees centigrade. That is, absolutely zero. Get real. Quite.

Were they not displayed in the Imperial capital at Cstephion? I find a very fleeting reference in the Osprey series work(Rome s Enemies 3) saying " thereafter the standards were displayed in various temples" -however the reference to Crassus" severed head and hand being thrown onstage at the entertainment staged by the King Of Armenia in the presence of the Parthian King during a performance of Bacchanates (Euripides) is widely regaled as an amusing after dinner story............. I note that many of the Roman prisoners (with craft skills) are said to have been settled in the neighbourhood of Merv.

The column is a device giving a "sacred" element to the space that it defines (or indicating a sacred/public defined space( where the interaction is "controlled and overseen " by religious "weight")-in terms of social intercourse).The adoption of the greek motif (even as a an artifice-columns in semi relief for example ) in domestic architecture at Pompeii indicates a desire to make a particular space "dignified" http://www.amazon.co.uk/Society-Pompeii-He...8&s=gateway refers accordingly. So we could take the position that the Romans were keen to use the idea of greek sacredness of a locality by happily assimilating a greek "device" (the column) to indicate sophistication and gravity. and as CD says-perhaps these symbols would not have had common currency without constant familiarity, but a culture so keen on acculturation just cant keep its hands off other peoples "motifs!"

Galen's surgery/ vivisection kit and working notebooks! Out of scientific curiosity. A set of pigments and brushes from an upmarket decorator. For the health of the eye and heart.

I attended the Kinematograph to view the item discussed, my findings were: 1.It is advisable to avoid purchasing property in Venice. 2.Nail guns can be dangerous. 3.Never drive avgas bowsers at high speed. Back to basics is good, the lethal pugnacity of the books has been rekindled. Excellent use of Miss Green's assets. ps:please note use of a herb described by Dioscorides in the attempted assassination of Bond-Digitalis( cardiac glycoside).

Which rather neatly obliges me to ask if you are aware of any Roman recipes for terrine of songbirds?

I knew there might be a catch. OK , for those not in Leptis Magna I suggest that guinea fowl might be an acceptable substitute. Do not use macaws or budgies, as they are apt to squawk when throttled.

A bump for this thread as I am pleased to see that Northern Neil has been able to return to the fold and has been asking for appropriate info on the UK meet. Its the 14/15 th April weekend in 2007.

A good rule-of-thumb, when considering colour palette in clothing (and to some extent in decor,though perhaps with more hierarchical rules) is to invert the modern idea of "good taste", the subtle greys and off whites of the moderns would indicate an inability to buy dyestuffs. A good meeting of the "quality" ( I refer to Pullos' description of the young Octavian in his brothel visit) would see people in as wide a range of colours as the participants purse could allow of.

Here is a shot I posted of some "homemade" perimiter defence caltrops, of a very basic design. http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...=si&img=958

I was indeed suggesting inhumation "beyond the pale". I think you are correct as regards likely density of finds.

Im with MPC- ban small children.

Here is a find at the very heart of London: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/arti...in_page_id=1770 or rather the centre as it is understood to be today.The Civitas was some distance away , near the Bank of London. The inhumation outside the Civitas would be logical , but the "prestige site" remarks seem to be a bit of a leap of faith.

I feel that I now hold the moral high ground, having firmly ignored the Bosnian use of turf and plants as a pyramid facing material. So , the idle thought flickers across the mind , was mass concrete a more widely used technology in the Ancient World than we suppose? Especially in the consideration of very large volume/resource intensive (people and goods) projects.

I presume this will now produce a great re-calculation of build time, and a re-evaluation of the conventional wisdom as regards the use of slave labour.

I regret that work commitments keep me from the bosom of my friends here on the Forum, so although I have been unable to visit or contribute heavily as the great Frenzy of the Solstice approaches, I have kept a little time and room in my heart for all things Roman. As time is precious I offer a simple recipe for Flamingo ,( though parrot will do just as well). Originally from Apicius this is via Faas: Pluck your Flamingo well, wash the animal , tie the legs and loose neck firmly to the body. Place the trussed bird in a sturdy pot. Add water, dilll and a little fragrant vinegar. When the mix is half cooked add a bundle of leek and coriander leaves. When almost ready add garum to taste. Meantime in the mortar : pound up pepper , cummin , coriander , laser ( extinct of course- try a little rue or asafoetida), mint. Mix these well add vinegar and a few dates . Add this mix to the pot. add amulum (sauce thickener-I have a Roman recipe to follow) . Serve the Flamingo!

Did no one in the US Establishment give this work any credence? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Babel-Dragomans-In...TF8&s=books which says , in effect, get tough and take no crap or get out (or leave it alone) and forget it.

The internal dynastic feuds of the Parthians and Sassanids put the everyday treachery and duplicity of Rome into the shade , the Clan loyalties of the various factions seem to weave a fabric of constant treachery and subversion around any ruler without a "vision of power". If Rome weakened any ruler by its actions the internal strife of the Empire was enough to bring down such a person.Im inclined to suggest that the military technology that was the most effective , (clibanarius and cataphract) was the sociall seat of all the Empire's misfortunes.

It was surreal watching Leeds with Burnley's best two ex-strikers , being beaten by us with an ex-Leeds man scoring the winner

Actually a note to Forum members in the UK , this magnificent book (lavish , quality plates) with a scholarly text on the Religious and Cultural raison d'etre of The Games in the Hellenic World seems to have been remaindered and I managed to find a copy for a mere 5 Pounds.A present for the Hellenophile in your life? http://www.oxbowbooks.com/bookinfo.cfm/ID/.../Location/Oxbow

Happy Birthday and try not to drink it all in one draught.

well it seems that we are not alone in our love of all thigs Roman : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/fema...in_page_id=1879