Gladius Hispaniensis

Ave Nephele Maybe my memory fails me but I read the Book of Facts almost two decades ago, so you may be right - I may have read it somewhere else. Thanks for the input

Ave Andrew IIRC they were actually making fun of the English expression "to shake you by the hand". You're right it is a good book. My personal favourite was Asterix in Corsica - I was literally in tears with that one

Ave Northern Neill Yes, precisely. Recommended reading on the subject: "The Mythmaker" by Haim Maccoby and "James the brother of Jesus" by Robert Eisenman. The first one is an easy read and a very good buy. The second one is a bit of a hard slog, not very readable but a veritable treasure trove of information on the evolution of early Christianity and it's true Judaic origins. Regards, Gladius xx

Whoa, slow down. Not everyone will have the correct knowledge or perception, which is why we have other members to correct it like Phihillene. In fact, some people are taught/learn differently...so let's not get too frustrated. Ave Flavius I was actually pointing that posting not at Philhellene but at the other fellow that was trying to propagate the "Omar burnt the Alexandria Library" myth earlier in the thread. I agree not all of us are taught in the same way, but it seems incredible to me that in 2007, with research literally at the tips of our fingers, one can still propagate a pernicious anti Muslim myth that has been laid to rest by Christian (not Muslim) scholars. To me this is an indication of either intellectual laziness - where a person is simply unwilling to do the requisite research, or of deliberate slander mongering which is inexcusable in an age where different communities across the world are trying to reach out to and understand each other. Either way it is reprehensible. One thing that attracted me to this forum was the sober quality of the material being discussed here, and I don't think this forum should be used as a sounding board for anyone wanting to mouth off his personal prejudices. Regards, Gladius xx

The story of Caliph Umar's or any other Muslim's destroying the Library at Alexandria is a total fabricated legend. Please refer to the following sources: http://www.answers.com/topic/library-of-alexandria http://elyclarifies.blogspot.com/2006/01/b...ia-library.html http://www.bede.org.uk/library.htm#omar http://ehistory.osu.edu/world/articles/ArticleView.cfm?AID=9 It's hard to believe people still believe this pernicious and gratuitous pile of manure to be historical fact. Do your homework before posting nonsense on a mature historical website

I think it's a crying shame that we do not have a historian of Josephus's calibre to record the second and final Judean revolt, the one led by Bar Kokhba. From hindsight it seems to have been far more bloody and destructive than the previous result of the '60s CE. A detailed account of the campaign and a fulsome description of the Roman Army's tactics in that era is something I really crave. Also if someone wrote a history of the early following of Jesus and his immediate disciples - St. James etc. that is something I really miss a lot

Ave Northern Neill The first editing and repackaging was actually done by Paul of Tarsus, who depoliticized the Messianic Judaism of Jesus's immediate followers and presented it to the pagan world not only as a new religion, which it certainly was not meant to be, but also as a non-political one that posed no threat to Rome's status quo in Judea. This was the reason why Pauline Christianity actually managed to survive the violent upheaval of the 60s CE and the Bar Kokhba rebellion of the following century. Once it managed to ingratiate itself into the fabric of Roman society it managed to repackage and re-edit itself a second time and set itself on a slow but steady course of political usurpation that culminated in the Council of Nicea and it's later manifestations.

One of the main reasons for the survival of Christianity in the empire was obviously it's apolitical nature, with it's emphasis on rendering to Caesar what belongs to Caesar etc. There is no way a religion could have survived in that milieu without being apolitical. The Pauline Christian concept of an otherworldly messiah whose kingdom was "not of this world" certainly could not have been a challenge to Roman authority. The same reason can be given for the survival of post Temple Rabbinical Judaism and for the destruction and near extinction of Apocalyptic Messianic Judaism. This also helps to explain the non-survival of the early following of Jesus in Judea - whatever they were they certainly not apolitical

In the famous chariot race in Ben Hur a red Ferrari is supposed to be seen in the background and IIRC I read this in Asimov's book of facts. Does anyone remember seeing this? I would sure like to see a clip of that. I have been searching for it several times unsuccessfully

A note of caution: I have been reading Asterix since 1975 and I know for a fact that the quality of those comics took a steep downward curve after the death of Goscinny, the script writer. I mean the new ones written after his demise are just not that funny. Asterix and Son and Asterix and the Black Gold were OK, but simply no comparison to the vintage ones - some of those used to have me in tears - from laughter!

Ave Decimus I am glad you brought that up. I was just going to suggest that we might have to delve into Welsh or Gaelic or the dialect spoken in Brittany in France, whatever that is called, to come up with clues to ancient Gallic names. As for German, we might have to look into High German for some ideas. Primus Pilus's post about Ariovistus does not sound too far off the mark Incidentally, for those familiar with Josephus's works, I had very little trouble understanding his Greco Roman rendering of Arabic names as Arabic is a language that I understand and speak. For example, mention is made in Jewish Wars of the king Malchus, which is nothing but Malik - meaning king, and the chieftain known as Aretas is actually Harith in the original, meaning guardian. The Idumean usurper that is known to us as Herod the Great is a bit of a puzzle for me though. It does not sound like any Arab name that I am familiar with

Ave Gaius Could you tell me which book of Ammianus Marcellinus you are quoting from?

Ave On reading Roman accounts of Celts and Germans, we often come across proper names that sound a little too Latin to sound really authentic. I really wonder what people like Caractacus, Vercingetorix, and Ariovistus would have been called in their own tongue? The Greeks, for one, had this really nasty habit of Hellenizing foreign names. For example Jesus, James, and Peter are all Greek derivatives of Aramaic/Hebrew names. I have no reason to assume the Romans did not do the same thing. Does anyone know the answer to this question? Thanks in advance

Ave I am very much interested in getting hold of some literature with a detailed account of Trajan's campaign in Parthia including the sacking of Ctesiphon etc. I am not aware of any classical works on the subject but that would be my main preference. Modern works will do nicely too. Thanks in advance

You know, Scipio Africanus is one of the least mentioned of the great generals of history. Everyone talks about Caesar, Napolean, Alexander, Hannibal - these are pretty much household names now. I liked Liddell Hart's book and I think it throws more light on the life of this great general and on his capabilities. Another thing I like about the book is that it is written by a soldier and a military theorist that had a significant following in the 20th century, and that gives his work a perspective that is very refreshing for someone interested in military history such as myself

It is highly unlikely that Jesus was born on the 25th of December for the simple fact that the early Christians celebrated his birthday on the 6th of January. 25th December is a Pagan grafting into a traditional Christian holiday presumably meant to coincide with the birthday of Sol Invictus, the deity worshipped a large part of the empire in Constantine's day.

Speaking of which, I would like some clarification on the following point: The revolt of the Iceni, IIRC started after Roman troops had publicly whipped Boudicca and molested her daughters, at least that is what history school textbooks say. I wonder if "molested" is just a sanitized way of saying "raped", or if it means generally manhandled? Any input, fellow forum members?

Ave I read Gallic Wars at the age of 12 or 13 so my memories of it are very sketchy. The one thing that did strike me at that time was the realisation that in combat bravery and virility are rarely a good substitute for discipline and battlecraft, and this is amply illustrated in the Commentaries. I might read it again if I have time but can anyone give me any input on his Civil War commentaries and on how they compare with his previous famous work? There is a copy in my local library and I am in two minds on whether to get it or not.

Thank you gentlemen. I shall now search the public library

Hello I am looking for a good book on the campaigns of Belisarius. Can anyone recommend any literature on the subject?

I always thought the Jutes were part of the Angle/Saxon/Jute invasion of post Roman Britain. If you are right that would mean the Angles and Saxons came from Germany and the Jutes from a completely different place, Scandinavia. Hmm, interesting. Cheers, Gladius xx

Ave I was just wondering if Roman troops ever clashed with Norse invaders from Scandinavian countries. I know the Norsemen did not really become notorious until much after the fall of the Western Empire but I do remember reading that Britain was starting to experience its first Scandinavian raids a little before the time of Honorius. Does anyone know anything about this. Thanks in advance