P.Clodius

Another book you may want to consider is The Last Generation of the Roman Republic by Eric Gruen (Thank you MPC). It was written as a counter to The Roman Revolution. Syme paints a picture of a system of government that is dysfunctional and doomed. Gruen offers a different view by presenting perhaps THE most thoroughly researched view of Late Republican legislation essentially saying it wasn't preordained to failure and was functioning quite fine (though with the occasional hiccup).

HAHAHA...I'm a little behind the times on this classic response.

That was actually pretty good...As a none german speaker and was forced to learn Westerwald I can relate..!

...hope your 72 virgins turn out to be shemales.

The sack of Rome in 390BC was never far from the back of Rome's collective mind. Gaul was seen as primitive, volatile, turbulent, and its conquest was seen as a positive step by ordinary Romans. Eventually Gaul became the jewel in the crown of the western roman empire.

And not only that, wasn't he noted at the time for his moderation,(after achieving supremacy)? The more power that he accrued the less he exercised it.

..truly a day of infamy..! LOL

Well he did feed 5000 people with the ancient equivalent of a McDonald's Happy Meal..!

Isn't the idea of empire inclusion? And how ethically did he mistreat his army?

Oh my..!

Happy birthday dude...

That's a bold statement. True according to whom? Probably his mortal inimicus Cicero, and if so does that make it true? Perhaps its time to dedicate a thread to Clodius, his history, character, and acts. This may take time for me to compose so bare with me.

The Romans were mostly significantly outnumbered. As I believe Tigranes scoffed at Luculus' army, "To large to be an embassy, to small to be an army." Luculus' army went on to kick his proverbial butt. Are you saying that 300 Romans could have held off the Persians? Luculus was outnumbered but had several thousand men. Not at all, men are men and 300 spartans/romans would still have had the same result. But there wasn't just 300 spartans there, in total there was around 5000 for the battles. Most of the greeks were dismissed by Leonidas once they knew the game was over but I think 700 thespians elected to stay anyway. All I was saying was in most encounters we find the romans out manned, just not outclassed.

The Romans were mostly significantly outnumbered. As I believe Tigranes scoffed at Luculus' army, "To large to be an embassy, to small to be an army." Luculus' army went on to kick his proverbial butt.

Perusing around flickr and I found these. Some pics of Pompey, Rome and Arles. http://www.flickr.com/photos/49503098636@N01/

Happy birthday man...Ahhh I remember 37 fondly. Now, feel like an argument?

All hail our illustrious chief..

Crucification was not a roman invention, it appears to have arrived via the Carthaginians.

As I recall, he was rather more charitable than I would have been. Thanks for reminding me to look up his treatment. In summary, he attributes the rift btwn Caesar and Pompey to Curio. The rift being in neither parties best interests, particularly Caesar's, Curio did this to enhance his own standing.

Hopefully not a special commission to Cyprus, Clodius. Glad you liked Gruen's book -- it's not as anti-Caesar as I would have written it, but it's pro-republic, which is more important. I wouldn't say it was pro-republican as you put it, but instead offers an original thesis in that rather than a 'revolutionary' period, it was (almost) business as usual for the romans. As for it being anti-Caesarian or not I was pleasantly surprised to find it wasn't really anti anything, other than anti 'established' theories. Indeed, one could find plenty of material for a pro or anti whatever side you chose to support. It is without doubt a future reference book. What're your thoughts on his ideas about Curio?

Agreed...for once..Could this be the start of something special?

ROFL

Even though the library was still around in Christian times...Damn, a crappy soldier, an even worse politician, and now an exceedingly mediocre arsonist! The library could be burned down and still be around later. Rebuilding? a quick wiki.. "Therefore, the Royal Alexandrian Library may have been burned after Strabo

Even though the library was still around in Christian times...Damn, a crappy soldier, an even worse politician, and now an exceedingly mediocre arsonist!