AEGYPTUS

I would agree Rome has borrowed form many cultures including the Greeks. I would agree claming to be the Protectors of Hellenism and destroying all these cities under Greek influence is rather hypocritical. However I think it is important to note that the Greeks as a people valued freedom above all else. Rome may have had to use a few harsh examples to make sure the other Greek cities did not step out of line. Alexander the Great did it (Destruction of Thebes) and I am sure he and the Romans are not unique in this respect. What better way to establish one authority particularly in such a patriotic region such as Greece. The Ancient Greeks have always been very independent wishing to govern themselves just like every other nation I suppose so they are bound to be revolts if The Romans did not establish their authority over Greece. Perhaps they could have gone another way about it but they didn't unfortunately. In regards to the last couple of sentences I always thought Greeks held quite well respected positions in society (Physicians, Teachers, and Craftsmen). Also correct me if i am wrong but didn't the Romans use Greek administration at least to a certain extent in the east. Also that it was due to the fact that Greek administration was not an alien concept to the east (Alexander the Great) so it would have made it slightly easier for the Romans to implement their on administration structures which had similarities to the Greek style? AEGYUPTUS

Having just finished reading Alexander the Invisible Enemy (John Maxwell O'Brien) I think it is also important to note that Alexander took any chance he had to out do his father according to Arrian "Victories were squandered on his father". Examples of Alexander wanting to out do his father are Philip reaching the Danube Alexander crossing to fight Gatea, Philip punishing Thebes Alexander destroying it, Philip sending an expeditionary force over the Hellespont Alexander conquering Persian Empire and parts of India, Philip playing with the idea of deification Alexander declaring himself to be the son of Ammon (Zeus). You get the idea lol. So you could say Alexander was motivated to out do Philip. We know it was a tetchy subject as one Cleuitus belittled his achievements and exaggerated Philips he killed him there and then in the palace at (Samarkand) obviously under the influence of wine. But as the saying goes "Wine speaks the truth" or something like that lol

I think that the Toga was an Etruscan dress also the first sewege systems in Rome were commisioned by the Etruscans. That is really about all I know about them.

Massalia I believe was founded in 600 BC by the Ionian city of Phocaea

I have just finished reading Alexander The Great The In visible Enemy by John Maxwell O'Brien and according to him Alexander wished to worship azt the Temple of Heracles. However Tyre weished to remain neutral. When Alexander Persisted by sending Ambassodors. The Tyrian responded by flinging Alexanders ambassadors from the battlements. Alexander was enraged a siege insued. In regards to Troy the site was excavated by Henerich Schliemen (think that is hoe it is spelt). Their are several cities on the same site. Priams Treasures found by Schlimen however it is contrevercial as some people think the treasure found is form a later city on the same site!!

I would not be to surprised if the Romans had contact with the Vikings or people of Viking descent. As they pretty much colonized the east coast of Ireland founding Dublin, Wexford, Cork and Waterford city on the west coast limerick. The ancient Nordic peoples had been trading Tin and copper with Cornwall long before the time of the Romans. So I have no doubts that it stopped during the Roman reign of Britain. Also if I recollect correctly the Russe ancient ancestors of the modern Russians had contact with the Byzantines they were descendents of the Vikings they also attacked Constantinople cannot remember the date though.

There is evidence to suggest that Greek Culture and Architecture was heavily influenced by the one of the great trading powers of the Mediterranean the Minoans of Crete. There is a theory that the Cyclades were slowly colonized by Cretans they eventually reached main land Greece by island hoping. This would explain similarities in arcithecture and culuture.

I would recommend Alexander The Great the invisible enemy by John Maxwell O'Brien. Takes you through Alexander

Technically, it's the first 'recorded' Monotheism. That is funny I always thought that the first recorded montheist religon was Akhenaten idea an Ancient Egyptian Pharoh. The worship of the Golden sun disc Aten. Getting rid of all other Egyptian gods/goddess during his reign. I think Christianity and Judaisum would have come alot later down the time scale.

The Battle of Masada certainly suggest that realtionship between the rulers and those occupied was not good. Lead by Eleazar the Jews put up a good fight eventually the Legions had to build a ramp so they could gain access to the fortress.

I have always admired Cicero. I always have seen him as a great statesman standing up for the ideals of the Republic particularly to Caesar. Even though he was on the losing side on this particular occasion. So I do not really think he was over rated.

I voted for Alexandria a multi Cultural metropolis with many influences must have made for a fine city!!!

Just read a book on Constantinople reasonatley by Roger Crowley he suggested that in forts around the city there were garrisons who were crushed easily by a far larger Turkish force. I was just wondering why did they not abandon these forts in defence of the Capital ?

However I think it is important to mention that the Ottomans must have had a relatively good fleet as the did conquer many islands belonging to the Venetians throughout the eastern Mediterranean having said that many of their sailors were eastern Europeans. I would say I would have to agree it is a long shot but I thought it would make an interesting topic that would spark some form of debate.

Well you really do learn something new every day I was always under the impression that it was Greek do not know why lol

Another question I would like to ask is on Egyptian Religion during the Greco-Roman period. I know for example cults such as that of Isis were extremely popular in Rome were there any temples built to Roman Gods in Egypt or did the Egyptian continue worshiping the same Gods as they always had done in the past?Also did the agree with the worshiping of Emperors as Gods I know they worshiped the Pharohs so did these traditions continue during Roman period? Thanks AEGYPTUS

Just one quick question. THe maps of Greece and her colonies do not show places such as Massalia. I always thought it was a Greek Colonie or was it one of the later Greek colonies?

Here is a link http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/irelan...y/iron_age.html Go to Roman Influences and Irish Colonies 2nd paragraph it is mentioned. As I said before it was found a good while ago I read about it briefly in the newspaper

Yeah, he is my homeboy. He's just behind Alexander the Great in my book. Well I agree to the technological achievements, like the ever so famous chariot, but not tactics. It depends on the time period. At one time Assyria had the upper hand and even ruled Egypt for a time. At other times the Egyptians had the upper hand, like in the battle of Kadesh. Also somewhere in history it talks about the 'sea people' Phoenecians attacking Egypt. They kept them out. Just depends on the time period. I'm just getting mine confused. I would not call the battle of Kadesh a great victory or even showing of Egyptian military superiority so saying Egypt had the upper hand I deem as incorrect. I think Ramesses was a rahter hot headed young man he fell for a Hittite trap at Kadesh and had to hold out for reinforcments to arrive he became a hero for a tactical blunder. It was only a narrow victory anyway. He hastely married a Hittite Princess to seal an alliance with the Hittites to make safe provinces such as Syria and Palestine that is until the Hittite Kingdom collapsed in 1196 BC So I do not know how great a man he really was.

I am from Ireland. As far as I know the only thing that is even remotley Roman is a Roman trade post found a while back outside Dublin. They found a few Roman Coins and shard of Pottery.

I would have to agree Dan Brown books are not great would not use them as a reference anyway. Also The Da Vinci Code the movie for example was really bad.

Thanks a lot interview was great. Really liked youe books!!

I meant that during earlier times, (mid and late republic so on) beards were, IIRC, considered to be a bad thing, but later they were, acording to my presumption, connected to wisom and philosphy. I have a quick question for anyone who can answer it. In earlier times Barbarian came from the Greek word for someone who wears a beard or something along those lines. So how did its meaning go from Barbarian to being assosiated with Philosphy and wisdom? Just interested!!

If I recollect correctly Terry Jones did mention alcholism. Also that Rome had to expand its wine idustry to keep up with demand from Gaul.

Personally I think at Constantinople nature took its course. No Empire can last forever. Also a Greek state coming to pass I think is also highly unlikely as the lower classes of the Near East and Mesopotamia,Egypt etc... Did not want to learn Greek as was said above by Gaius Octavius the entire administrative system would have to be redone before the Empire even stood a chance of trying to rejuvenate. I personally do not think that would have been possible if the locals if not some at least were willing to learn Greek. So I don't think the Empire if you could even call it that by 1453 would have stood much of a chance if it did not fall to the Arabs it would just have been some one else at a different time. Rebellions could have been a possobilite.