WotWotius

If you read Tacitus' and Dio's accounts of the Boudiccan revolt you will get a very different view: they state that burdensome taxation, and the withdrawal of loans was a key reason for the rebellion of 60AD. Additionally, archaeological further adds to the view of Rome instigating burdensome tax on the local Britons: various modius (A dry measure, normally used for grain) jugs have been found in southern Britain which are much bigger than the standard imperial size, thus suggesting that Britain's procurators coned the locals into providing more grain as a tax than they were supposed to.

Favourite non-fiction: Churchill: a biograpghy by Roy Jenkins (very colourful language), and From the Gracchi to Nero: History of Rome from 133 B.C.to A.D.68 by H. H. Scullard (brilliant outline of the period it covers). Favourite classical non-fiction: Suetonius' The Twelve Caesars Favourite historical fiction: Not such a fan of historical novels --I much prefer books set in mythical kingdoms, unconstrained by reality-- but I did recently read Pompeii by Robert Harris (read it on a nine hour train journey) and though it was ok.

I've noticed that somebody is yet to mention Cicero's reputation in the law courts.

When Rome invaded Britain in 43AD, the indigenous Britons were subject to years of oppression. Military governments, financial swindles and burdensome taxation were all imposed in the region; the province would have to wait at least forty years until any sort

They have the exact same feature on the special eddition Gladiator DVD...again not too taxing.

You could also mention how Rome's influence on the Christian world shaped their future.

Please provide some evidence for this. there were actually two brutus's around at the time of caeser's assassination, Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus who was a roman general and admiral and close friend and adviser to caeser, but also one of his assassins and Marcus Junius Brutus, he was a cousin of decimus brutus and nephew of caesers enemy marcus portcius cato, who's daughter he marries, he was a supporter of pompey who changed sides after pharsalus, he was made governer of cisalpine gaul and reluctantly drawn into the assassination plot. hope this helps a little True there was 2 Brutus' around but you're confused. It was Decimus that was the supposed govenor of Cisalpine Gaul. True, Decimus Brutus received his governorship directly after Caesar's assassination. It was during his time as governor that he was defeated and killed by Octavian's forces--which were actually sent as a relief force to aid Brutus in his fight against Marc Antony--at Mutina.

I'm Sparticus and so is my wife...

I suppose that's why he was so eager to get command in Syria in 54BC

I'm aware of the fact that Crassus successfully crushed the Spartican rebellion in 71BC, and that he presided over the disaster at Carhae in 53BC. But what I would like to know is whether or not there are any reports of Crassus being at the head of an army between these dates. Can anybody help?

I love I Claudius, but you have to admit that Brian Blessed is completely wrong for the part of Augustus. According the sources (namely Suetonius), Augustus was fragile, slender human being, with a subtle approach to being Princeps. Mr Blessed on the other hand is quite the opposite: loud, theatrical and overemotional. However, because of the over-the-top, thespianic manner in which Brian Blessed plays Augustus, it is hard to hate his character. Plus you gotta hand it to him, he is the best person in the world at saying who he is... 'I'M BRIAN BLESSED!'

Petrified afterbirth containing intact, ancient DNA? :bag: So we can now clone Augustus.

Good , keep your choices coming in please. York has a good selection of museums as well, one of which is actually in a pub What could be more convenient. I think I've been there. Is it the one that contains hypocausts in it cellar? If memory serves me correctly, I do believe its opposite York Minster.

I had a thumb through my Dad's copy of Pliny, and I came across the text below... 'Fabulous antiquitie, and the prince of lyers Herodotus, have reported,42 That in that tract where Bacchus was nourished, Cinamon and Canell either fell from the nests nests of certaine foules, and principally of the Phoenix, through the weight of the venison and flesh which they had preyed upon and brought thither where as they builded in high rockes and trees; or els was driven and beaten downe, by arrowes headed with lead. Also that Canell or Casia was gotten from about certaine marishes, guarded and kept with a kind of cruell Bats, armed with terrible and dreadfull tallons, and with certaine flying Pen-dragons. And all these devises were invented onely to enhaunce the price of these drugs. And this tale is told another way, namely, That in those parts where Canell and Cinamon grow (which is a country in manner of a demy-Iland, much environed with the sea, by the reflection of the beames of the Noon-sun, a world of odoriferous smels is cast from thence, in such sort, that a man may feele the sent at one time of all the aromaticall drugs as it were met togither, and sending a most fragrant and pleasant savour farre and neare: and that Alexander the Great sailing with his fleet, by the very smell alone discovered Arabia a great way into the maine sea. Lies all, both the one and the other: for Cinamome, or Cinamon, call it whether you will, groweth in

Apparently (according to the Sunday Times) HBO and the BBC are toying with the idea of remaking I Claudius. If this is to take place, wouldn

Manius Fannius

The Franks, as allies of Rome, killed 20, 000 Vandals in battle when they the barbarian horde crossed the Rhine.

And the Museums are excellent. Please consider however the likely availability and cost of an overnight stay in a "target location" . Aqua Sullis might be a good compromise for WW. Don

OK what is Funniest Roman name you can think of. I've got Sextus Hirthius Maximus

I've always had a slight interest in History, but I didn't have fondness for Rome until two years ago when I did an A-level in Ancient History: I chose it over contemporary History because I was bored of Hitler (there's more to the 20th Century than a man with a funny moustache!!!). My interest in the subject was so great that I now doing a degree in Ancient History and Archaeology.

Wow! It comes out on my birthday!

But..But.. thats Barbaric! lol Seriously it is hard for me to comprehend crimes against culture and art such as that. Even and maybe especially at that time it had to be apparent that Rome was something unique in human history. The ruling classes of these nations at least would have to be aware of that. Your surely right of course though,what a tragedy. If we assign ourselves to the Terry Jones school of thought, we'd believe that the Romans would have done the same to a Vandal city. Rome had already massacred large chunks of the Vandal population during their migration across mainland Europe; 455 AD was just a way of repaying the atrocities. Still, if it were up to me Rome would still be around in her ancient glory.

yup, I would be favour of London: all roads/traintracks lead straight there.

Romans in Britain What are your views on this controversial play based on Roman Britain?

No problem here Brotus, think all you want, just don't make a thread about it. Wow! You better watch out, this cat has got claws!