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|-Alert- Great Book|


Antiochus of Seleucia

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I just started reading an old book I found deep in a recess of my school library's bookshelf. It is called Roman Military Law by C.E. Brand. It was published in 1968 (give or take a year), and is my first serious study of the Romans. This book is very unlike many of the other books I have read. This one is a serious scholarly work, and I am already engrossed after the first chapter because of the knowledge contained within. I can't wait to finish and provide a review! I am very fortunate I found this book- I looked all over the net for a place to buy it (because I can constantly refer to it), but I could only find it in the "out of print" section at the Barnes and Noble site for $100+. I don't know why it costs so much- the inside cover of the dust jacket says $6.50! :blink:

 

Perhaps I can cut a sweet deal with the librarians... :) (I'm sure they don't know how much this book goes for...!)

 

Interesting excerpt I want to share:

Thus Gallius tells of a punster who was reduced [in social status] because of his ill taste and want of respect in answering a routine inquiry of the censors by a jest; and another who barely escaped the same fate, after explainations and apologies, because he yawned in their presence. (31)

 

(31)...The man who yawned was excused only after he had sworn that he was afflicted with a disease that compelled him to yawn, and that it had overcome him, despite his utmost resistance.

One of the Censor's duties was to uphold public morality, but perhaps they overdid it... :angry:

 

***Important Question***

 

Has anybody heard of Theodor Mommsen, R

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I can't help you with finding a cheap copy of the book, but the excerpt you put up, reminds me of a passage from The 18th Century Japanese martial manual; "Hagakure" which gives tips on how to cover the mouths when rude samurai wanted to yawn in front of their superiors. It was definately more socially unacceptable in the past, than it is today.

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