Metella

Well ... I had been under the impression that Europeans had never encountered corn aka maize .... until coming to the American contenent. Why am I reading in multiple books - some published in the 1960s and some up to recently - that mention the corn in the field and corn in other aspects near or in Roma ? Wouldn't it be barley and other grains of that type ? What the heck, eh?

I love your take on this .... while I can't add anything to the subject you are trying to learn about - I would like to add about the tangent .... I knew a chick that went to Harvard - she was dumb as brick - but was in there because her dad went and he had a ton of money. She snorted coke and would be happy sitting all day staring out the window. She was a lovey thing. She graduated with a degree from Harvard and that wrangled her a rich husband .... end of her life -story. I have no respect for the name of Harvard ... if anyone throws that around, they have an even bigger hurtle to overcome to gain my respect. Shame what humans do for greed and money - on both sides of this sad story of a waste of a pretty human form.

humph. Well I don't like the loosey-goosey use of that word .... So the Romans would have used their Latin word for grain, yes ? It is only our modern usage that has done this ? I ask because of my writing - and I want to use grain - but didn't want to miss some fine point. My book is from a Roman Republic point of view ... so I am thinking grain ....

Back to the maps again - those maps are too busy visually .... Oh well. What is Cappodocia called now ? I am no good at this map compare thing - again - it is a spacial deficiency that I have.

I read somewhere about a general who used cyphers with scrolls .... but I can't remember the details of how it was symbolized ..... argh .... good topic, I'd love to hear more. I know, of course, they had nightly passwords for camp guards ... but written instructions were used to communicate long distance, and I wish I could remember the example I read.

YES ! I think you hit the balance exactly - and they would be gathering info from scouts during campains .... which would be tempory, but spacial and relative .... Still - I like this map and now I want even more .... I want this EXACT map with the current names in small font under what the Republicans called those cities. and I want it now, eh?

But what about the gay dudes ? I can only offer an opinion about American views - and that is general - with many exceptions ..... but I think Americans have been intolerante of gays not due to religion, but due to an odd outlook on what it is to be a man if you are not rich or of a ruling class family. They really aren't good at being honorable - so to draw attention away from them and their own weakness - they lash out verbally and physcially at gay men. They just make fun of lesbians unless they are pretty. I've never hear the phrase Abrahamic Faiths before ... but I would say they came about because cultured aliens trying to help us learn to become civilized realized most population groups were not advanced enough to understand, so they pretended they were gods and taught morality and standards and other nice things .... which the Abrahamic fools twisted and mudded until it was fine with them to kill and torture anyone who didn't follow exactly how the preacher of the day said the "word of god" was meant to be followed. They are only bested at intolerance by Islam - but then, that is still the Abrahamic Faiths, yes? Wish those aliens would come back now and say now - but that was all you could understand at the time, now snap out of it and work with us to make this planet a better place to live.

This map is the type I have been looking for - for a long time ! How great to see it here ... as I am not fluent in spacial interpretation of these things from word to map .... Whose map is it ? and can I use the image in an upcoming historical fiction ? It would ease the readers ... as I just give up and let them figure it out if they care enough.

Yes - so far I like it - I am 1/2 way in .... this is more like what I wanted from a historical fiction. All kudos to the Falco series for being set in a nice time, but I am not a fan of the style.

ha ha ha I don't even know what ablative is ... good luck

I just loaded up .... the first 3 books in Marius' Mules ... and Gladiatrix Starting in on two at once, I'm a glutton for Roman stories.

Thanks ! going to watch it tomorrow ... nearly out of bandwidth for the night. This will help me to set the ambiance for my novel ... the little things make it feel real.

I'm jealous too ! I'd love to learn latin - I only read some words (science) but I don't really know how they are pronouced or the way to make it an acutal speaking language. Maybe when I retire too !

For anyone who is part of this forum - I will give a deep discount on my editing services for novels. I am a freelance editor and I make my living editing novels. Going over to amazon right now ! Congrats! a finished novel is a great thing.

I have not - what type of style - flavor are the books? While I don't mind the Davis series, it is pertty modern in implications of how the characters think and such. I still enjoy them ... They just don't feel that authentic to me.

Hair took the place of our designer bags - probably. A way to sliently show how upper class you were by how much time and how intricate you could get your hair .... also henna coloring and such - a game for rich ladies. That being said, I like the care taken with the long flowing locks ..... but I couldn't must the patience to do it myself.

And their daughters married very well

a soldier tender foot, how sweet. (snark) I so love those photos ! I have a farmette - and a vacation is a major planning event .... I will drink a cold one in your honor on May Day.

Well - speaking as a horse owner - and not even reading the article (sorry - sick and coughing) Since we know that chariots, breeding and such were well established (key word well) during Alexander's time ..... Just realizing how long it would take slow breeding animals such as horses to produce reliable traits .... how long to build human skill sets with horses .... I would say that is totally reasonable. You can get 1 off-spring a year from a mare; but more likely would be one every other year ... and so that is a very slow rate.

Facinating ... that is a bit strong handed ... bwahhaa ha ha Well, it is, perhaps, time for a dictator here - in the old Republican fashion. This just made me realize ... that I no longer think anything of import comes from the lips in that room, and pay more attention to a CGI talking lizard than any political figure for the last decade. Now that's sad. On that note, I'm off to vote in my local elections.

So the Geico commercial of lizard behind a lecturn - calling for jello for everyone .... there are Fasces on the wall behind him ! Have my eyes deceived me? And why would they be there for a spoof on an American political scene.

I so wish I were closer - I would join you for a day walk; or even the whole thing if you would have me. Unfortunately, I can't get away this year. I will wait impatiently for you to share all you dare .....

Yet the fame of the Rebel Yell is still around today. I lived in the south for a while, they talk it about it ! However, being a 'Yankee' (which I am NOT -but I guess any American who is not Southern gets that label) no one would share the yell with me - so I have no idea what it sounded like. Still, I am with you - if I am girded up for battle - I am not really going to be concerned about battle cries .... I've got other things going on in my mind.

Right - he was off making his name ... some of his contemporaries were dealing with that rascally slave. I do think I read somewhere he was considering returning to Italy to "save the day" but it was resolved before he did.

ha ha some of those shower curtains were hilarious - Farticus. Yes, those pics were inspiring. I am non-too-handy with DIY projects, alas. I guess I will have to get my book out and start racking up royalties. (snark) My husband could do it -but his list is long ...... I'll save the pics for now and hope. Any cool toothbrush holders? I can start small. ha ha