Pertinax

Strange Omens and Signs , dark smoke and Eagles circling the Senate lead me to post this link to Deva Victrix , elements of whom I met at Banna and will blog of later... http://www.romantoursuk.com/deva_victrix.htm somehow I felt that the Gladiator Hire might be something Lost Warrior would have a passing interest in............. Press the "home" heading as there is some problem linking direct.

The book was perhaps "tossed off lightly?" as one might say?

More detail later but I am informed that the Romans originally considerd any type of fowling to be a barbarian sport ,given that its context was the netting (literally often) of birds , in particular for food. However they seem to have started to intergrate it into both fashion and sport possibly due to the influence of Hadrian Caesar. Caesar, Senators , Knights, Citizens- I bring you a visit to the Fowler's tent, here: http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...&cmd=si&img=753 and I will blog some more and hope others will have something to say about the social and military contexts of hunting and hawking.

I think the context of the Brittunculi insult is actually related to native irregulars /auxilliae in weapon training : though the "wog" diminutive insult would be easily applicable to any passing tribesman.I dont suppose the Tribes , at that time considered themselves to be "British" in any way ,save only as being (in some cases) anti-Roman, so they might not have got the insult. However I think this is too fine a semantic nicety to work out-unless AD can give us a logical suggestion?

Harking back to the "Caesers" dvd reviewed in the colosseum, Tiberius is adamant that his guidance by astrology is an exact physical science. Indeed he mocks those who are superstitious and says he is a modern man of science.

AS im not sure what tounge Boudicca thought in that was the best I could do!

You know much that is hidden oh Tim...

Quislings is the word I think-or the word she thought.

Terry Jones's "Barbarians" (as TV presentation) has just screened here and tries to make two points: Caesar went into Gaul looking for glory and money-I think we got that one already. The Celts were happy to follow high ranking females as head of state/clan.No one would argue really but he puts forward some interesting dig finds from Northern Gaul. Worth a watch if its passing but really another modern deconstructed post-feminist history.

Before I , hopefully, attend the re-enactment at Banna I would like to clear up the geography of the Eastern extremity of Hadrian's Wall. This is also to indicate the likely extent of any photorecce , as much of the Wall in this area was destroyed by use as building material for the Military Road in the Jacobite Rebellion (c1745). The other difficulty is that in this area urbanisation has swamped or overgrown the remains of the fortifications. If you refer to this map section: http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...&cmd=si&img=748 Arbeia is a site I will visit , this is a re-created "museum" of structures http://www.twmuseums.org.uk/arbeia/ Segedunum is a coralled site amidst an industrial area http://www.segedunum.com/ ( as brought to you by Northern Neil recently). As you will seee I tried to get a response/link to UNRV but no-one seems to be home at present. Pons Aelius is literally buried under Newcastle's Castle. Condercvm is a few scattered remains in a "housing project", most of the fort is built over by housing. Vindobala is a vague outline in a field.The military road scythes through the middle of the site. Coria is my next project (Corbridge Fort and settlement).This is a pre-Hadrianic Flavian work like Vindolanda. thence we arrive at Cilvrinum and my previous blog entry. wish me luck for good weather and LEG VIII Augusta! and a special link just for Docoflove! http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=h...cial_s%26sa%3DX

It could be suggested that she killed /had caused to be killed anyone who was romanised as well as Roman in the urban areas attacked. as the essence of the attack was the destruction of specific roman institutions and the Urban apparatus of acculturation. The great irony being that the Icenii were ,like the Brigantes a client kingdom and ally , mortally insulted by the program of forced de-militarisation which swept them into the net with previously rebellious tribes (and former tribal rivals and enemies).I would of course add that the question of exploitative government has not slipped my notice. Her army was indeed obliterated and given its numerical advantadge this doesnt suggest a high level of generalship, the Ordivices and Brigantes caused much greater grief with fear fewer combatants.Some suggest that Roman propoganda selected Boudicca as a useful "Brittanic" emblem to show the nature of the threat from the Island, in contrast to the orderly "unfeminine" Roman response. Its not to be doubted that a Queen would be followed by the hitherto constantly fragmenting/redefining tribes , but as has been said elsewhere until the Romans imposed an idea of nationhood on Britain tribal alliances were more a matter of a cult of personality , sometimes for the life of one monarch.

http://www.ambiani.celtique.org/site_en.htm heres a well illustrated link to a troop of Gauls who are cooking up a nice stew.

What an excellent site-just at random try MI3 or gangs of New York as well.

"Battling Boudicca Bashes Latin Louts" -this gives you a very good idea of what "Hold Ye Fronte Page " was like http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0...9931322-1950335 here it is-dont say you wernt warned.

I submit that "No good deed goes unpunished" proves the latter argument. and "Better a dinner of herbs and love therewith , than hatred and a stalled ox" as backup.