Nephele

Birthday hails to you, Bryaxis! May you have a great day! -- Nephele

You might like to check out UNRV's own Wallmap of the Roman Empire, "exhautively researched over the course of two years and subject to five months of design and historical scrutiny." Click here. The map is circa 117 CE, but that's pretty close to the time period you specified. -- Nephele

I liked the Garmin ad best! -- Nephele

I'm currently reading Saturnalia. It's the 18th novel in Lindsey Davis' series featuring Marcus Didius Falco, a detective in ancient Rome. Great book

Welcome back, Spurius! -- Nephele

I was wondering when you'd notice. Marcellus Mastrannus, you are descended from that ill-fated imposter, Amatius "who pretended to be either the son or grandson of the great Marius. On the death of Julius Caesar B.C. 44, he came forward as a popular leader, and erected an altar to Caesar on the spot where his body had been burnt. He was, however, shortly afterwards seized by the consul Antony and put to death without a trial." Unlike your ancestor, you have refrained from any tendencies towards impersonation of the famous, and have subsequently fared better. Like your ancestor, you bear the gens name of Amatius. However, your cognomen is Habens, literally meaning "having; holding," and indicating that you possess property and are very wealthy. Your praenomen is "Spurius," abbreviated as "S." Your full Roman name is: S. Amatius Habens = sbaahaymntiess

Birthday hails, MPC! May you have an auspicious birthday and Ides of March! -- Nephele

Welcome aboard! -- Nephele

It's not yet the 13th here in the States, but we're always raring to party early! Birthday hails to you, Primus Pilus, o illustrious Triumvir! May you have a glorious weekend! -- Nephele

Birthday hails to you, Maladict! May you have an excellent day! -- Nephele

Hey, Doc, congrats on your upcoming trip! Don't tease the natives too much! -- Nephele

Those are way too many letters, Marcellus Mastrannus. Please give me a scramble of just your first name and last name. Thanks! -- Nephele

Birthday hails to you, o illustrious Triumvir! May you have an excellent day! -- Nephele

Sofokles, I refer you to Philip Matyszak's excellent book: Legionary: The Roman Soldier's (Unofficial) Manual. Maty is a classicist who teaches at the university level, and we are also proud to claim him as a member of UNRV. In his chapter titled "Life in Camp," Maty describes what Roman legionaries might have expected for their daily sustenance. Breakfast would consist of a light meal of cold meat and cheese. For dinner, hunting parties might bring in fresh game such as venison or boar. The legionaries (based at camp) ate better than the rest of the citizenry

okamido, you are a member of the Lartii, a proud patrician family that is descended from the famous Lartius who was Rome's first dictator (Titus Lartius Flavus). Your cognomen is Dento, indicating that you have a full set of teeth (and quite a handsome smile, as a result). Your praenomen is Aulus, customarily abbreviated as "A." Your full Roman name is: A. Lartius Dento = roewtlasndrat

Ha! Subcultural "goth" is more my style. In addition to Roman blanagrammed names... Cinzia8, you are the daughter of Marcus Caetennius Antigonus and Tullia Secunda, who will be known to later generations thanks to the discovery of their tomb in the Vatican necropolis. (ref. Death and Burial in the Roman World, by Jocelyn M.C. Toynbee) As with all Roman maidens, you are named for the gens of your father

Yes, that does look like fun! But... Where does one begin? He's got so many links all over his blog, that I'm confused over which to click on first. -- Nephele

Which book is that, Crispina? Davis' Saturnalia? I've never read that series you're currently reading. (You cracked me up with: "I have become Brain Explodes".) -- Nephele

Pliny was convinced (perhaps rightly so) that Roman character was suffering due to slaves doing all the hard agricultural work that the Romans themselves used to do in the time of the Republic. Rome would never see another Cincinnatus. -- Nephele

The chapters in Bostock's translation don't align with the Latin chapters. Try Chapter 7 for your translation: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?d...8%3Achapter%3D7 "...and indeed, if we must confess the truth, it is the wide-spread domains [latifundia] that have been the ruin of Italy, and soon will be that of the provinces as well." -- Nephele

Welcome to UNRV, Okamido. -- Nephele

For those who enjoy fictionalized ancient Rome, Caroline Lawrence (The Roman Mysteries) was asked by Dr. Hella Eckhardt of the Diaspora Project at the University of Reading to write a fictional scenario of the life of the Ivory Bangle Lady unearthed at York. Caroline's scenario is an absolute treat for the imagination

I noticed that her detective character Falco has a best friend (Petro) who is a member of the vigiles, and he seems to be more policeman than fireman. At least, from what I've read so far in her novel Saturnalia. -- Nephele

I've seen John Hannah in the short-lived British drama series New Street Law, and he was quite good in that. Spartacus: Blood and Sand is pretty shocking, but I do think the scripts are well written. As with Deadwood, I find the characters (even the bastards) multi-dimensional and compelling. -- Nephele