Nephele

Thanks for the offer, GoC! But I found two pages of Lindsey Davis' novels in audio format at Amazon. These don't appear to be read by Hamilton, though (unless I missed his name somewhere). I'm going to be ordering a bunch today for my library. -- Nephele

I didn't know there were audiobooks for the series! I've never heard of Andy Hamilton, but Falco has such a dry irony so perhaps a comedian is a good choice as the reader. I'm going to see about ordering the audiobooks for my public library, so then I can borrow them for free. -- Nephele

I'm a good way into Poseiden's Gold. Totally hooked on Falco. And, yes, the bull dancing was a bit over the top in the previous novel. Hahaha! -- Nephele

Ah! Wiki or no, you're still pretty clever, GoC. Okay, I checked out the Discussion Page for the Wiki article on "Tally Stick" (your direct link doesn't appear to be working), and here is what they gave: "The saying 'the short end of the stick' has no known relationship with the concept of split tallies. (See the article - The Long Story of The Short End of the Stick, Charles Clay Doyle, American Speech, Vol. 69, No. 1 (Spring, 1994), pp. 96-101.)" I believe this is the article to which they are referring: retrieved from JSTOR. Since this topic relates more to general history (the possible ancient or medieval origin of a popular expression), I'm moving it to the Historia in Universum forum. -- Nephele

Hmmm... What's to stop you from simply destroying your half of the tally stick, and never going back at all to that rather forgetful merchant? I've never heard that explanation before for the expression "short end of the stick." I have to say that the complexity of it suggests to me that it's a story that's been passed around too many times to be true. Do you have a reference for it, GoC? -- Nephele

Hmmm... That's not implausible at all, if you're talking about the expression "got the wrong end of the stick." -- Nephele

I think it was the poet Catullus, actually. Now you

Birthday hails to you, J! -- Nephele

Congratulations, Russ/Lanista! (All of us here at UNRV can proudly say "We knew him when...") Here's to many more novels! -- Nephele

On December 8th President Obama will be appearing in an episode of the Discovery Channel's Mythbusters. "Obama will challenge hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman to revisit the controversial claim that ancient Greek scientist and mathematician Archimedes set fire to a fleet of invading Roman ships by using mirrors that reflect the sun's rays. "In keeping with the "Mythbusters" format, which uses scientific methods to confirm or refute claims often widely accepted as true, Savage and Hyneman will attempt to replicate Archimedes' reputed attack on the Roman ships." Full story here. -- Nephele

Ah, I'd missed Melvadius' posting of that LiveScience report last summer. In light of the recent study done (steam cannons vs. mirrors), I wonder whether this new information will be incorporated into this apparent follow-up Mythbusters episode? Also, cheers to you, Viggen, on having gotten Cesare Rossi to supply a response for UNRV! -- Nephele

In addition, today the President happens to be hosting a science fair at the White House, honoring students from across the nation who participated in math and science competitions. Whatever else you may not like about Obama, I'm glad to see a leader of this nation pushing for scientific inquiry instead of religious beliefs. Missed that one. I'll have to hunt it down now! -- Nephele

Excellent review, Ursus -- and cheers to you Maty on another outstanding book! I've placed my order for my public library -- we have all your books in the collection, Maty! -- Nephele

"But the real stars of the show are ultimately the scene stealing villians. John Hannah and Lucy Lawless are unforgettable as the scheming lanista and his equally opportunistic wife." Absolutely! Excellent review, Ursus. And, as you already know, I agree 100% with your above statement! -- Nephele

There were amphitheatres in Rome for the purpose of gladiatorial displays, before the Flavian Amphitheatre (Colosseum) was built, although they were all wooden. The first stone amphitheatre in Rome was built in 30 BCE by Statilius Taurus, a former consul. We have had a few discussions in the past dealing with Rome and jails. You might like to check out this link: Police Also, here's a link to an archaeological news item of related interest: Ancient Prison Cells Unearthed in Tiberias Dig -- Nephele

Birthday hails! -- Nephele

I know that, over the years here, I've expressed nothing but scorn for Wikipedia, but I think I'm going to have to change my opinion... There's a Wiki contributor going by the name of P. Aculeius who has lately been contributing a number of admirable articles on Roman onomastics. He's even corrected errors I'd found in Wiki articles and which I'd posted about here (such as the old Wiki article on Roman praenomina which stated that the praenomen "Appius" was used only by the Claudia gens). I don't know who this guy is, but if he were around here I'd crown him with a wreath of laurel. His Wiki articles on Roman gentes are outstanding. -- Nephele

Ah, silphium! The Lindsey Davis novel Two for the Lions features her fearless Roman detective Marcus Didius Falco off in search of the legendary plant, along with his brother-in-law Justinus. I'll have to dig out that novel again, as I believe Davis quoted Pliny's description of silphium in it. What fun to see the connection between the fictional work and the numismatic evidence! Many thanks, Guy also known as Gaius! -- Nephele

For UNRV members who may be searching for just the right avatar to appear under your screen name... I've created 27 new avatars on a classical theme from which you might choose. These new avatars can be found in the Base Gallery when you go into the "Edit Avatar Settings" function of your Personal Profile. Here is the direct link: http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=Us...CODE=getgallery Have fun! -- Nephele

I started at the beginning of the series and I'm now about halfway through the fourth book -- The Iron Hand of Mars -- in which Falco travels to Germania to deliver a new standard to legio XIV from Vespasian, and winds up embroiled in a murder mystery and legate abduction that appears to combine political intrigue with commercial competition. I can't believe it's taken me so long to discover this series! I'd say someone ought to make a film series adaptation out of these novels, except I'm skeptical of anyone doing it right. Davis' writing is vividly descriptive and evocative of ancient Rome, and her characters are wonderfully memorable. I've got to hunt down a copy of the next novel in the series now, so I'm not left high and dry when I finish this one! -- Nephele

Yehudah, you come from a plebeian family

Thanks, everyone! I had a most excellent day! -- Nephele

Aha -- with Kosmo in a different time zone, he got the jump on everyone! My UNRV birthday is Sept. 14th! Thanks everyone! -- Nephele

"After the death of his wife [Vespasian] resumed his relations with Caenis, freedwoman and amanuensis of Antonia, and formerly his mistress; and even after he became emperor he treated her almost as a lawful wife." -- Suetonius, The Life of Vespasian, 3. In Lindsey Davis' novel Two for the Lions, Antonia Caenis is a pivotal character. I have to admit that it was this novel that now has me intrigued with the lady -- a former slave who rose to considerable power (or, at the very least, considerable recognition) through being the long-term mistress of the emperor Vespasian. I would love to know more about Antonia Caenis

Thanks, Fulvia! I had already discovered that book, but I'm still steadily working my way through Davis' Falco novels first. Belated thanks to you, too, Ingsoc, for that information! -- Nephele