Pertinax

Ive posted this gallery shot to see if Northern Neil can give any further info on the possible presence of a fort or camp near to an iron age site in Southern Cumbria ( formerley Lancashire-Over- the-Sands). http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...=si&img=883 It seems quite logical , given the measured tread of Flavian fort and road building ,that this area should have one or several neglected/ignored/buried sites. If so much effort went into coastal defences further north in later times why not here? Indeed perhaps a rear echelon policing presence in later times? We know of Roman artefacts at the nearby Humprey Head .

To diversify from man to horse here, (no GO this is not a recipe for "special sausage") , I was unaware of the original use (and later slang re-use) of the word farrago , Varro (De re rustica ) and Columella ( later ref same work) mention a mixed barley/vetch/legume fodder for cavalry mounts used for purging the beasts at the start of the campaigning season.Strangely barley , although universal as a cavalry feed-stuff is not ideal for horses, they tend to get short of wind and sweat a lot until thoroughly accustomed to it.Alfalfa (lucerne) from the Median plain would be amongst the best of feeds, hence the fame of the Nisaean horses. Cereal is needed to "harden" beasts for campaign work and have a long wind, so I postulate that the use of Gallic mounted auxilliae is not just down to the excellence of Gallic horsemanship but the robust dietary regime of the mounts used. ps: as far as my bon vivant cockerels go ( soon to suffer a cruel low blow as they preen and strut in the farmyard) my camel's milk suggestion is , because, this is the best whey available to Rome, and if I recall was mostly made into top quality cheese rather than consumed as liquid (AD?).Were I a Roman of means with the subsidised"Rustic Estate" to match my sophisticated Urban and Urbane lifestyle with percieved "Virtuos Rusticity" surely I would feed my little pigs and cockerels the best of foods? Ive mentioned previously that Mr Piggy would loose his "equipage" early on in life , his flesh being considered the more sweet and digestible for it.

Carcopino in "Daily Life in Ancient Rome" offers the theory that the beard as a fashion item were, if not "invented" as a social elegance by Hadrian was a useful camouflage for an old scar, furthermore that (as Carcopino posits) shaving was carried out by a third party using water alone -an ordinary man or soldier would find such a fashion a comfort. I would be interested to know if anyone has sources quoting use of oil or any soaps for grooming the beard.Even slaves did not , apparently, shave themselves if belonging to a reasonably prosperous household.

Indeed, I was going to suggest that I would enjoy reviewing the "manliness" title, given the many debates this concept touches upon, then saw the price tag .At least the list lead me to Keay's previous "spice route" title.

Hello SE , have a look here http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?automo...p;showentry=369 to give you a flavour of re-enactment and links to some appropriate images thence http://triclinium.spaces.msn.com/PersonalS...sonalSpace.aspx and look at the "link to these" section. Good Luck! Any decent kit capable of use was kept in use for as long as possible !

If you have a natural gift , seize it!

Brazil were lousy , well done France. England were a reflection of Svens personality-not present.

This is the reason for the "conjectured" port at Fleetwood, ( given the development at Walton Le Dale) but as the town is whollly Victorian some commentators have suggested Flavian installations on your home patch as the logical "fixed points" on a strategic road/waterborne network.

Aah, Galen had you in mind when he mentions the large Gourd. It is nutritious and filling (being of moist and cool humours) , but doesnt actually taste of anything and might rot in the stomach .Its juices are without quality as far as the senses are concerned. Somewhat like subsisting on turnip.It is suggested that pickled fish may be served to leaven the fare. Enjoy! probably best to drink beetroot juice with it (very alkaline).

Excellent, the first of these is just what I required.

Pantagathus do you recommend any particular map sources for this era?

I had in mind sheep's brain actually, but given the propensity of the unethical to feed meat to herbivores as feed I only eat those animals I am well acquainted with. cue raucous and ribald jokes... The brains of birds from hilly country Galen commends as superior to marsh dwelling animals, then entering a discussion on the use of ostrich gut as a digestive medicine -I assume this is essentially the use of the gastric mucosa of the beast to aid the digestion of those with damaged intestines and villiae (this is not as strange or "old school" as it sounds , until Mad Cow hit home little old ladies always demanded a liquid "Liver Tonic" made from the mucosa of cows and mixed with liquiefied extract of spleen and liver.Ox bile is still for sale in tablets for those with malfunctioning gall bladders. Which leads me to Galen's further suggestion for clearing the stomach : Sea Urchin with eggs , honey and pepper.This I have had in its Japanese guise. I note that he has a further statement on cocks testes which I overlooked, namely that the very best quality are from aninals fattened on milk whey '(though he does not say which animals milk, camel for the wealthy bon vivant I suggest).

LW this may be of interest to you http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...=si&img=879

Galen made me do it... :angel:

I was checking a reference on the use of Mustard seed in relation to an excellent photo posted by LW and some pms we exchanged regarding herbs , this lead me to peruse an entry by Galen as regards the consumption of testicles. Galen mentions that in his part of the world the pigs are castrated to enhance the flesh of the whole animal , and bulls to render them more pliant and equitable in temper. Having recently consumed the hypothalamus and seminal vessels of fat lambs (mixed with king scallops , fried in butter with samphire herb and a little garlic) I commend Galens words to the public "If the testes are cooked properly they are nourishing , Pork is superior to other meats just as the testicles of pigs are superior to other testicles. Only the testicles of cockerels are in every respect the best , particularly those fattened on grain" Alas he condems the brain as unwholesome and a producer of phlegm, producing nausea in some patients , personally I found it to be quite pleasant , like a sort of meaty toothpaste, but the cerebral crenellations are a bit off putting.Galen says we should have brain in an oily sauce to loosen the bowels after a rich meal, and that marjoram is a great help as a side dish.

Magilton I assume? You could easily have a Spanish gene!