Pertinax

Then why the popularity of the story of Pyramus and Thisbe, the original "star-crossed lovers"? Surely the tale of a love that transcends social barriers is as old as dirt. I suggest that the conflict of Romance versus Duty is one of the oldest conflicts in Human History. Except now we dont have the benefit of arranged marriages in the West.

Warrior cults? I suggest examination of the Warrior Ethos of Medieval Japan , and pre-Columbian South America. Do you mean specific "Warrior Cults" or militaristic societies?

Phil, perhaps you may , therefore, help me to recall the author of this paraphrased remark: " Well no-one in my family has ever been executed for treason!" riposte- " that is because, Sir , there are no Gentlemen in your family!" Is that a Jacobean quote? Its certainly a Jacobean sentiment. This might be the start of an unrelated thread, but- the emotional landscape of antiquity, indeed recent history seems to both resonate (the naughty Pompeiian graffiti ) amd be likewise remote (the arranged marriage). However I suggest that the extension of the idea of romantic love to the peasantry (read -working class for industrial /post industrial societies) (and the "marriage across social/class barriers") are of such novel and recent fabrication as to be completely anachronistic in world history. I suggest the key phrase in Phil's last post is "any modern person" , whereas the Roman Patricians and the European aristocracy of a millenium and a half later would at once recognise the difference between personal ("selfish") emotional preferences and familial ("honourable") allegiance and alliance.

Just the sort of text ive been looking for, "King Philip's War " is the sort of historical remembering that should be pushed into the full glare of academic daylight (and popular rediscovery).This sort of uncovering of the non-romantic is what all idealists should be exposed to.

Whilst the term "Viking" has been used indiscriminately (for perhaps two hundred years) to refer to a perceived historical episode in British History ( Nordic raiding initially), in Scandinavia the descrition of a person going "a-viking" would (and still does) mean someone going on a voyage (for trade or less worthy purposes). So the term applies more to a temporary state of being than an ethnic identity. Rus and Varangian are however more correctly grounded in ethnicity (the latter by possible mutation from "an oath taking band" to an identifiable group of a certain racial background), though Slavic and Norse scholars continue to contest as to who influenced whom.

I can only assume , to your ire MPC , that Karl Johnson was chosen for his apoplectic cussedness of manner-hence framing Cato as a bitter reactionary. His demeanour seemed to have something of the Knoxian Presbytery about it, versus GJC's rather more "liberal" personal behaviour. I suggest the ages and relationships have been skewed as plot devices, and we are invited to to see GJC as "modernising"? Just a thought. http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...si&img=1257 doesnt look too happy does he?

Id help Pantagathus with the drinking and take in a few fast food outlets. Certainly I'd hope to try the seafood around Baiae. Without doubt I would want some seed heads from the Silphium plant . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silphium please note AD's reference in the entry!

Pliny the Elder: a killer whale popped into the harbour to snaffle some hides from a wrecked gallic merchantman, the Emperor chucked a few javelins and darts at the trapped beast , after it had been carefully corraled.

AD are you familiar with Molesworth? Yu mite gnaw wot I meen? I fink theese fings r too makee us intwo gurlly swats.

The pictures? They just happen when you have a personality disorder and are obssesed with Rome , and drag your bemused family around the country looking at re-enactments and ruins. :bag: Thanks for the compliment though! I forgot the other set that I took a shot of: http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?&a...si&img=1446

Those with the box set, will already know that the graffiti styles were "learnt" from the Pompeiian survivals , the set designers then extemporised on the originals. The street colour schemes for the house exteriors were also borrowed from that environment. and please look here..(parental advisory!) :pimp: http://www.orbilat.com/Languages/Latin_Vul...i_Graffiti.html and: http://www.personal.kent.edu/~bkharvey/rom...es/graffiti.htm some of these are splendid. Antiochus , I see youve been busy:"Antiochus hung out here with his girlfriend Cithera".Do we have anyone by the name of Phileros ,"Phileros is a eunuch!" , well really!

Thanks for that Pertinax, what a great picture, i've heard of the Phalerae before, i believe it was originally a piece of a horses harness which used to cover the corner of the horses mouth and was also considered to be highly decorative. Check this website out for a few more pictures of the Phalerae http://www.legionxxiv.org/centurionpage/ Thank you GPM, here is a shot of the "origins": as horse trappings. http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...si&img=1445

Perhaps this is really a reference to the "golden mean" as a recurring thematic idea, due to its appeal to the eye?

The Phalerae: http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...=si&img=912 small "award discs" usually worn by the Centurion.

Now then , I have a (perseus) quote from some private correspondence: "Receive also a chicken coop, in which you have sets of glassware, two bowls of quinarius size, a dozen goblets, two papyrus rolls for school use, ink (for use) on the papyrus, five(?) pens, and twenty Alexandrian loaves. I beg you, father, to be content with that". This is an extract from a letter of Claudius Terentianus to (his Father) Claudius Tiberianus , early II C , whilst serving in the Alexandrian Fleet. Does anyone care to venture an opinion on "Alexandrian Loaves" as a distinct recipe/type?

A sensitive restoration: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061026/ap_on_...ancient_brothel

Many Happy Returns.

Oh NO-the nice inclusive neo-liberal Goths just want to be loved and cuddled , but the bad Romans are rude to them so they have to burn Rome . The End. This series makes the Poseidon Adventure look smart.

Isn't it amazing how we all revere 'I, Claudius', even though many of us disagree with some of its portrayals. I find this fascinating, and perhaps worthy of its own thread at some time. We snipe at films like 'Augustus' and find faults (some of us!) with 'Rome' where the historical facts are plainly wrong - yet 'I'Claudius' was full of inaccuracies: Gaius dying before Julia's banishment; Lucius dying afterwards; Postumus' banishment coming after Varus's defeat in Germany; the revenge against Arminius coming before Augustus' death etc. I still remain a devout fan of 'Claudius' and probably could recite the script! And yet I do not agree with the protrayal by Graves of any one of the charcters, either in the novel or in the adaptation - well, perhaps with the notable exceptions of Antonia and Drusus (I). Are we seduced by the consummate acting? It would be interesting to discuss just why 'Claudius' has remained the yardstick by which all other dramas about Rome are measured. Charm. wit and intelligence in script and performance : who cannot forgive a litany of sins for such qualities? So many modern offerings seem to be sincere, dull and PC , like eating dry muesli. I have some dietary advice for you all: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9cKGYhuQKQ...ted&search= Forgive me Great Lady.

Final episode tonight - let us hope for a glimmer of quality.

I think a little clarity is needed here ,are we to asssume that the suggestion is that Jefferson as a Deist mimicked the sacred architecture of Rome to invoke the spirit of Democracy?

Praise Mercurius! Here is a link for you avid consumers of Dormice: http://www.flinthyll.org/documents/Dormous...cumentation.pdf I take no credit for this , the worthy posters at "Apicius" drew this to my attention.So reach for those pesky squirrels! I wonder if quail meat would be a worthwhile substitute here, certainly we would achieve a blend of fleshiness and a slight hint of game? Also as regards the laser substitute, pennyroyal/asafoetida/rue something with a bit of an edge to it perhaps.

Dear Members, just doing the housekeeping , polish , whistle: Pharsalus is hereby integrated into the great swamp of all things HBO ! Please continue I prithee. Shame we havent got a "doffing hat " icon.

"Pertinax - a catchy statement. If we had a 'most memorable' section on the Forum, I would nominate that succinct summing-up of our fearless leader. Although I hasten to add it is somewhat kind" Quoth The Augusta.. Fair Lady, I was going to add "but is actually a turnip" , however I felt this spoilt the ambience.

Was it junk mail?