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paolo

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Posts posted by paolo

  1. *makes note of all those who inadvertently revealed their computer genius status through their hobbies*

     

    oh, uh my hobbies...

     

    i read and take notes from history books and make amateur maps to follow along

    also read about art (and architecture) history, religions, languages,

    know a few words in italian, spanish, latin, french, hebrew

    i used to paint - oils, portraits, etc, just an amateur deal

    run and work out

    online diary n website stuff like html

    debating, discussing, etc ideas about history, art history, news

    making people laugh, cheering them up when they are down

    books, books, books

     

    standard private stuff

    i avoid sleeping

     

    am not fond of spectator sports, movies, theatre etc, i don't like watching others do things

  2. That's a good point P. Clodius. How I solve that problem is the following: Since I don't remember anything unless I take notes, I don't take notes from what I read in historical novels. *smiles*

     

    As far as Mr Iggulden's books, I find him to be a truly gifted writer. I agree with Primuspilus that the author of a historical fiction would do better to simply use fictitious characters rather than distort known historical figures.

     

    I wrote a customer review of his first book. If you have a spare moment : Gates of Rome (under paolo giovio)

  3. My name is inspired from "Paolo Giovio" from the Italian Renaissance. He was a humanist and historian. I read a bio on him and critiqued it as one of my first customer book reviews at amland amland review I use paolo on most of the forums if I'm not being the 'toon.

     

    The Renaissance/Baroque period interests me for both the art and history. My favourite artist is from the Baroque Movement, GianLorenzo Bernini, mainly known for his sculpture. His Estasi di Santa Teresa is truly inspired.

  4. ISTJ - "Trustee". Decisiveness in practical affairs. Guardian of time- honored institutions. Dependable.

    11.6% of total population.

     

    Introverted (I) 53.85% Extroverted (E) 46.15%

    Sensing (S) 53.33% Intuitive (N) 46.67%

    Thinking (T) 63.89% Feeling (F) 36.11%

    Judging (J) 68.42% Perceiving (P) 31.58%

     

    These results are not exactly a newsflash for me, except for this :

     

    His SJ orientation draws the ISTJ into the service of established institutions. Home, social clubs, government, schools, the military, churches -- these are the bastions of the SJ. "We've always done it this way" is often reason enough for many ISTJs. Threats to time-honored traditions or established organizations (e.g., a "run" on the bank) are the undoing of SJs, and are to be fought at all costs.

     

    I don't enjoy big group gatherings nor small talk, so I steer clear of the above mentioned institutions (except the government, yes, I pay my taxes), oh yeah, and I'm not homeless. The method used seems a bit simplistic.->(J) for Judging. See how self aware I am ?

     

    The ISTJ is not naturally in tune with their own feelings and the feelings of others.

     

    I have only been called inconsiderate and clueless by people who hate me.

     

    ISTJs usually have a great sense of space and function, and artistic appreciation. Their homes are likely to be tastefully furnished and immaculately maintained. They are acutely aware of their senses, and want to be in surroundings which fit their need for structure, order, and beauty.

    Who would want to live in squalor? (ok, was that my 'lack of tact' rearing its blunt head ?)

  5. I agree with Moonlapse, we don't have all the information; that people tend to go with the theory that supports their viewpoints; and that the caution on media as a source of fact. I am always amused at how many people think the president of the United States is an 'idiot' and in the same breath declare how much more competent they themselves are at running a world power with all the complexities, clashing needs and ideas of the masses and those in power under him. A world leader is not at liberty to act on whatever whim bounces through his head, instead he weighs many things, that we, the public, no matter how brilliant we are, do not know all the factors involved. Our president is not an intellectual type, but he is smart and he is consistent. While intellectuals are admirable in many respects, are not necessarily optimal candidates as world leaders because they are not always (<-note the careful wording) also action oriented nor possess other essential qualities for this high-pressure and complex position.

     

    The media (usually/always ?) has to sell advertising and as a result, is dependent on sensationalism as a method of hooking readers. The penalty for false reporting and inciting dissension in the United States is entirely too lax. There is a difference between "Freedom of Speech" and the ABUSE of "Freedom of Speech"

     

    I also agree with Moonlapse that it is good that saddam hussein was overthrown, as he was an oppressive leader and all people deserve freedom. Wars should only be fought for freedom. The fact that Iraq has oil, only helps us fund our assistance to them. If we make a little profit from their oil, it is a small price to pay for their freedom. After all, we are not going to suck them dry.

     

    I also applaud Primuspilus on his comments about naysayers in the States. No one is forcing them to live here. I for one am grateful and proud to be a US citizen. We have our faults, but name me a country that doesn't. (Also he has a wayzkewl signature quote)

  6. Well, I the way I interpret this question is; did they use translators (of written texts etc) as interpreters.

     

    I did a google search using : ancient roman interpreters relations -bible -literature

     

    Ad Hoc webpage says :

     

    Julius Caesar refers to the provision of the "customary interpreters", and it was Cicero who first formulated the dictum - as valid today as it ever was - that only a foolish interpreter will translate word-for-word. The ancient Greeks and Romans needed interpreters in large numbers because they generally considered it beneath their dignity to learn the languages of the peoples whom they conquered. There were also political implications behind the interpreter's profession in classical antiquity. As Valerius Maximus repeatedly points out, Roman statesmen felt obliged to have interpreters present even when their services were superfluous, merely to highlight Rome's superiority. It should be added that interpreting was not a highly esteemed profession in ancient Rome. Most interpreters were slaves, prisoners of war or residents of frontier lands - in other words, thoroughly untrustworthy individuals. To make matters worse, their command of foreign languages put them more or less on a par with the shamanistic seers who communed with the gods in trance and the medicine men who could speak to daemons and diseases. When the Roman emperor Caracalla negotiated a treaty with the rulers of several conquered tribes by which they would march on Rome if he were murdered, the only eye-witnesses of the clandestine talks were the interpreters. As soon as the deal was sealed, Caracalla had them assassinated

     

     

    Also, I found this, but I didn't read through it, it looked like there might be something in it :

    pdf file

  7. I just tried to download it with no luck. It downloaded but then said the file was not readable or was corrupted. I can open other pdf files. I tried it on 2 different ones and then tried just to open one on the site. Looks like it could be really helpful, after all you got the same score as me on the test, just after one week !

     

    Foreign languages way too late in schools in the States. There should be more language immersion schools. It's really the only way to truly learn a language. Have you studied other languages ?

  8. All religions are the same, they just change the names of the people, places and things to achieve the same goal. Fighting over religions is like fighting over which language is the best. Obviously everyone has their preferred ways of relating, but do we have to say one is better than another ?

     

    All world religions, in their 'original forms' teach love, tolerance and humanity. Any version one finds contrary to that is a politically perverted version. Those latter versions are so distorted, they no longer represent the original religion in a valid form.

     

    If more people took a deep breath and considered this, we could find something a lot more sensible to have wars over...like perhaps, undisguised coveting of other peoples' property *smiles*...well at least it would be honest.

  9. I live near a "Pizza Hut" does that count ?

     

    Oh yeah, my neighbor is a barbarian, Fatboy, but I'm not in Ireland, one must have escaped to the States.

     

    (Somehow, I'm thinking this is not making the same impression as Silentium's post)

  10. One hour !

    Well that rules out a bus tour...

    Since it's really not going to happen...that's right isn't it ?

    I will not ponder this for more than a few weeks...but off the top of my head and also, just having read about B.H. Liddell Hart's enthusiastic account of Scipio Africanus, and having the added advantage of our fine post starter's answer, I would agree with him, Battle of Zama

  11. Marcus Regulus

     

    I am with paolo -- but i just started learning latin a week ago.

     

    *grumbles* not for long

    It took me more than a week to learn 10 chapters

    By next week, you will be able to teach me !

    Oh, wait, maybe you already can.

    What book are you using ?

  12. since:

    • the term "Byzantine" is modern
    • different opinions of the Roman Empire/ Byzantine Empire were made (as is often the case from "foreign" points of view)
    • the Roman Empire was made up of many conquered areas which were culturally different as a result of Rome's conquering policy to allow conquered areas to retain their nationality in varying degrees

    I cast my vote in Fatboy's direction and would say to give one date, as an all-inclusive answer might not be possible. Instead should we not give one according to the Western Roman Empire, another for the "barbarians" and yet a third from the Eastern Roman Empire itself ?

     

    PS: excellent post idea and information from everyone

  13. Dan M (and Fatboy)

     

    I just came upon the "A Short History of Byzantium" in hardcover, at a used bookstore for $6. I thought I better snatch it up, even though it is not the set of 3. It was worth getting since it is in unread condition and its list price is $31. On the jacket, it says it's based on the three-volume work. I really bought it because you gave it such high ratings. Oh, also because I had money. *smiles*

     

    http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...=glance&s=books

  14. Well..Mont Saint Michel is not exactly a domus..it's all medieval (I'm obsessed with Romanesque and gothic architecture, after the classic one obviously) therefore no servants for the time being =)

     

     

    hmmm, no servants, eh ?

     

    I've visited a number of countries in Europe (France, Switzerland, Germany, Poland) but none so beautiful as Italy (although I might be just a little biased  ).

     

     

    Italy is heaven on earth.

  15. Even though skel found the answer to his question, I thought I would chime in. I started reading the Rawlinson translation and a better read amland pal than I, talked me into getting the Penguin version, insisting it was an easier read. He is right. But before tackling this, I decided to read some general greek history first, since Ancient Greece was a 'new frontier' for me. It made all the 'new' information a little less overwhelming. I am not familiar with Augustus's recommendation of Walter Blanco.

     

    Oh this is funny, I just checked amland to see the name of the translator on the Penguin edition (Aubrey de Selincourt), and there is a recommendation just the opposite to the one I just made ! She is another amland pal. Hmmm...I wonder if they know...

  16. Silentium,

     

    That's the great thing about the internet, no one has an accent ! unlessah dey talkah likah deees

     

    Thanks for the welcome!I'm glad to hear you like Bernini, some people tend to dislike the "parte barocca" of the city but I like it as much as the classic one. I think without his works Roma wouldn't feel like Roma

     

     

    Essatemente !

     

    When you buy that island...can I have a wing in your villa ? Oh yeah, and could I borrow a few of your hot and cold running servants ?

  17. Ah, that sounds inspiring about both authors. If they can round out the characters, that scores points with me. That certainly brings them to life. They will get my asap attention.

     

    Nothing like a good writer to teach us !

  18. primuspilus

     

    those were said in jest, n i agree with you :

    people who are, truly learn and practice their religions the way they were originally intended.

     

     

    your comments about discussing religion are the same opinions i hold, fyi, n i'm a catholic. weird huh ?

     

    Fafnir

     

    don't back down now, this could be interesting *smiles*

  19. Silentium

     

    do you apologize because your english is better than most of ours, with english as our first language ? *smiles...then runs n hides from my compatriots*

     

    welcome to the forum. although the states is my first choice to call home, italian is my favourite language (that is based on my mastery of a handful of thickly american-accented words), bernini is my favourite artist and (american) pizza is my favourite food.

  20. primuspilus

     

    i think not having a religion is kind of like having a religion, a crusade of sorts. is it not so much easier to believe in some Higher Power than spending time convincing astonished believers you have none at all ?

     

    augustus

     

    Why are there so many Alein and UFO webrings, or transexual believers?

     

     

    does that mean alien and ufo believers, and transexuals are all atheists ? there seems to be a jump in logic.

  21. I am a Norwich fan. I read his "A History of Venice" and have his "Paradise of Cities". After your comments I might get his series on Byzantium, though I already have one by Cyril Mango. I have also read "The Fall of Constantinople" by Sir Steven Runciman, which captivated me. Others I found interesting are "Chronicle of the Crusaders" by Joinville and Villehardouin (in translation) and "The Byzantine Empire" by Robert Browning.

     

    Right now I am enjoying "The Grand Strategy of Philip II" by Geoffrey Parker.

     

    What makes "Normans in Sicily" so entertaining ?

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