guy

(click to see enlarged image) I enjoy the history of England / Britain of the early 1700s. I appreciate and admire the inspiration (sometimes incorrectly interpreted) of Ancient history in forming the culture and arts at this time. I enjoy the image of this travel guide from 1703 with the title of SPQL (obviously derived from the Ancient Roman SPQR or senatus populusque Romanus): Senatus Populusque Londinius (SPQL) Then, again, many Italians today who are frustrated by the ineptitude and corruption of Rome think SPQR stands for "Sono Porci Questi Romani" or "these Romans are pigs." guy also known as gaius

Woow. So much for the punditocracy and their forecasts of an easy "remain" victory. Let's hope for the best, and if necessary, make appropriate offerings to Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. guy also known as gaius

As a non-Brit, I don't understand the nuances of the issues and I shouldn't voice my opinion. As someone who favors libertarian views, however, I am very sympathetic to the "exit" side which favors less bureaucracy and not more. I worry, however, about the unintended consequences such as Scotland's leaving the UK. Let us hope that things work out well for our friends in Britain, however. guy also known as gaius

Off early through the desert for some spiritual renewal in the one place I'm sure to get it ... Las Vegas. It will be at least 110 degrees (or 43.3 Celsius) as I race thru the desert. Although I'm off to see Steve Windwood and Steely Dan, I will be listening to this as I drive thru similar scenery as this clip: guy also known as gaius

Thank you for the reply. Here is a link to a beginner's review of the coins to commemorate Hadrian's travels: https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/2789/Ancient-Hadrian-coins/ guy also known as gaius

Someone (IdesOfMarch01) at cointalk posted a beautiful gold coin from the Hadrian Travel series. These coins were minted to reaffirm Roman power and prestige as the Emperor Hadrian traveled throughout the Roman Empire. (Click on the image to enlarge.) HADRIAN 117 - 138 A.D. AV Aureus (7.26 g.) Rome ca. 134 - 138 A.D. RIC 305 HADRIANVS - AVG COS III P P Bare head left. Rev. HISPANIA Hispania reclining left, holding branch in right hand and resting left arm on rock; in front, rabbit. The question: What is the significance of the rabbit on reverse of this coin? http://ctspanish.com/rabbits.htm http://www.culturespain.com/2011/05/28/spain-rabbits-and-the-iberian-lynx/ Any thoughts? guy also known as gaius

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/27/world/europe/greece-aristotle-tomb.html?_r=0 guy also known as gaius

The city of Rome is somewhere near the states of Wyoming and Colorado. Who would have thought? guy also known as gaius

I read the article, also: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/mystery-of-hannibals-path-across-the-alps-to-rome-may-be-solved-by-ancient-poop/2016/04/08/d8b2bc86-fce3-11e5-9140-e61d062438bb_story.html My feeling is that unless they find elephant dung (or some other animal not indigenous to the area), the results would only be speculative. guy also known as gaius

Great write-up. I wrote about some of the numismatic evidence of his reign a few years ago. http://www.unrv.com/forum/topic/16297-elagabalus-bringing-the-syrian-sun-god-to-rome/ guy also known as gaius

It always amazes me that most of the elite in the late 1600s and 1700s (as well as many of the common folks) had a much greater appreciation for ancient history (including Latin) than we do now. In fact, George Washington had the play "Cato" by Joseph Addison performed for the troops at Valley Forge in hope of improving morale and being an inspiration to fight the British. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cato,_a_Tragedy http://allthingsliberty.com/2013/12/george-washingtons-favorite-play/ I am hoping to write a thread sometime soon about a modern misinterpretation of a Robert Burn's poem of the late 1700s caused by an understandable confusion about ancient history. No wonder Roman numerals are falling out of use. guy also known as gaius

I must plead some ignorance about dates in Roman numerals. I was recently enjoying an original copy of William Temple's "An Introduction to the History of England" with the date MDCXCIX [1699]. The date threw me off a bit. guy also known as gaius

While watching the Super Bowl, I was disappointed to see that they had replaced the Roman numeral "L" with 50. I despaired at the dumbing down of the Western World after reading this article linked earlier at UNRV: "Rome finally abandons 'too complicated' Roman numerals" http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/11758563/Rome-finally-abandons-too-complicated-Roman-numerals.html http://www.unrv.com/forum/topic/18232-rome-finally-abandons-too-complicated-roman-numerals/ Fortunately, this change in the use of Roman numerals at the Super Bowl is only for the 50th anniversary game. Next year's game will be LI. Any education, even unintended, is a good thing. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/04/nfl-ditches-roman-numerals-for-super-bowl-50-logo/ There's hope, yet. guy also known as gaius

Great interview. Much deserved kudos. guy also known as gaius

(I have both the honor and the privilege to review Anne Olga Koloski-Ostrow’s “The Archaeology of sanitation in Roman Italy: Toilets, Sewers, and Water Systems." This is just a preview of my later complete review.) While doing research a few years ago about healthcare in the ancient world, I found this fascinating drawing by the illustrator Ron Embleton. It depicts a communal latrine (forica) at Housesteads Fort along Hadrian’s Wall. I was horrified by the use of the sponge on a stick, probably shared, for personal hygiene. (Click on image to enlarge) This is a picture of a preserved Ancient Roman latrine in Ostia: For many years, these pictures and others of ancient Roman latrines had left me with more questions than answers. While reviewing Professor Koloski-Ostrow’s book “The Archaeology of Sanitation in Roman Italy: Toilets, Sewers, and Water Systems,” I gained greater insight into sanitation in ancient Rome and an answer to many of my questions. Professor Koloski-Ostrow notes, “The ever-present trenches at the feet of the public toilets were definitely designed to hold liquids, either spillage from washing arrangements, water directed into them for cleaning sponge sticks, or urine.” Professor Koloski-Ostrow’s research further supports the use of sponge sticks for personal cleaning after toilet use. She sites Seneca’s moving tribute to a German gladiator killing himself with a sponge stick as evidence of at least its presence near a commode: There is no definitive evidence that these sponge sticks were used for personal cleanup (and not used for cleaning the toilets, instead). Professor Koloski-Ostrow, however, does make a persuasive argument that the sponge sticks, in fact, were used for personal hygiene. To really understand ancient Roman culture and history, one must appreciate the mundane as well as the monuments. guy also known as gaius

(I have the honor and privilege to review Anne Olga Koloski-Ostrow’s book "The Archaeology of Sanitation in Roman Italy: Toilets, Sewers, and Water Systems." This serves as a preview of my forthcoming complete review.) Reviewing Professor Koloski-Ostrow’s book, I came upon this interesting insight concerning a very famous Roman attraction. Many people are familiar with the Roman "La Bocca della Verità" (The Mouth of Truth) stone. This large ancient stone disc is now used as a test for truthfulness, including among the betrothed or newlyweds to test their pledges of fidelity. Legend has it that the monument’s mouth would bite down on the hand of any liar. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bocca_della_Verit%C3%A0 The stone disc was prominently featured in this famous scene from the movie “Roman Holiday” featuring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck: Professor Koloski-Ostrow presents a compelling argument suggesting that the large stone was not intended for decorative use in a fountain. Instead, she believes it was likely used as a sewer cover despite its large size. She stated, "After carefully studying the water wear pattern on the eyes, nose, and mouth of the Bocca—perhaps a representation of a water god or the Tiber River itself—I believe it originally lay flat for a long period in a location where it received a continuous flow of runoff water onto its openings, not out of them." Professor Koloski-Ostrow offers additional evidence indicating that the stone was likely used as a sewer cover rather than as a decorative facial feature of a fountain. She cites contemporary anecdotes from both Suetonius and Tacitus, which support the existence of large sewer openings in the ancient city of Rome that would have necessitated sewer covers as large as La Bocca della Verità. The professor also contends that the crack running down its center suggests that the stone may have been damaged when it was lifted from a flat position or when it was thrown down again. Professor Koloski-Ostrow summarizes by saying, “…we can say that the Bocca is more likely a sewer covering that allowed water to pour into it than fountain face, and the evidence therefore points in a much less romantic direction than contemporary Roman marital traditions would have us believe.” guy also known as gaius

Let's put all this in context. Around 100 AD, Rome had about one million inhabitants. London didn't achieve that milestone till nearly 1800 (with a couple hundred thousand of those residents living in nearby communities not yet part of London). Let's ask ourselves which city seems to have the healthier conditions. Would health conditions for the average resident in the London of 1750 been much better than in the Rome of 100 AD, for example? The only difference I can imagine is that by the 1700s, there was at least the earliest understanding of germ theory and contagious diseases. But it wasn't till late in the 1700s that Jenner introduced the safer cowpox vaccination for smallpox, for example. Hand washing, however, wasn't even an accepted requisite for good medical care till the mid-1800s. Both cities suffered from overcrowding, infectious diseases (London at this time, unlike Rome, was ravaged by syphilis), poor nutrition, crime, streets covered with filth and excrement, poor access to shelter and houses, etc. I ask, which water supply would have been more reliable and drinkable? My favorite scene of preindustrial-revolution London is with Johnny Depp as the debauched Earl of Rochester. The part at the end of this short clip depicts the grime and muck of the London of the late 1600s: guy also known as gaius

Sounds like fun. Share some pictures. Be safe. guy

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/12076680/Scientists-in-Italy-rediscover-snake-that-was-used-by-ancient-Greeks-as-a-weapon-of-war.html We have film evidence of Hannibal using similar tactic: http://www.infobarrel.com/Hannibals_Army_of_Catapulted_Snakes guy also known as gaius

The Gonio Fortress looks interesting. Great video. Thank you.

To be fair, these press releases are written by publicists and not people who work closely with production. Hopefully, there will be some excellent historical consultants. Hopefully. guy also known as gaius

Interesting. I have never heard of this anecdote. Cabbage, on the other hand, was frequently mentioned by the Ancient Romans. Pliny the Elder and others touted the health benefits of cabbage. Diocletian, in his retirement, took pride on his success with growing cabbage. I don't remember this mention of lettuce, however. guy also known as gaius

We can all agree that Hypatia’s murder was cruel and senseless. We can also agree the destruction of knowledge is a great loss. Popular classicist Bettany Hughes and celebrity scientist Carl Sagan have recounted the poignant and powerful tale of Hypatia’s murder with the destruction of a great library in Serapeum. Unfortunately, as discussed above, this is a great mythology, exploiting the elderly Hypatia’s tragic and needless death. Added for poignancy is the destruction of the mythical great library in the Serapeum. I am not religious and I have no tolerance for religious zealotry. (I have met several people who have been personally and painfully impacted by the horrific recent religiously-motivated events in San Bernardino, CA. Very sad.) That said, history should not be dependent on Hollywood's or an eighteenth century Englishman’s rendition of events.

Edward Gibbon's rendition of events: . Powerful and poignant story...but probably apocryphal. guy also known as guy

Here's a very intensive assessment of the literary evidence of the Alexandrian library and Hypatia: http://www.bede.org.uk/Library2.htm guy also known as gaius