Crispina

Thanks for the updates.

I just don't see Jamie Bell as Esca, I guess I had the character pictured completely different in my mind.

That's incredible. Can you believe how excited those people must have been to discover the mural? Makes you wonder about all the other treasures that are out there beneath Grandma's wallpaper.

On a lighter note: I finished "Two for The Lions" last night. Very good story. Although a certain person wasn't Didius Falco's favorite, and I understood that, I still was shocked and a bit saddened by the loss of this "certain someone" at the end. Even tho he deserved it I guess! And as I read about the execution and gladiatorial combat, my imagination was MUCH better than watching it unfold on "Spartacus and Gods of The Arena". Well done, Lindsey. Now on to the next book, "One Virgin Too Many". I really don't know what to think with a title like that.

Opening sealed tombs? digging? Truly awful.

I can just see Zahi Hawass standing out in front of the entrance with a machine gun. Anyone remember his tv series of specials last year? When he got mad, he'd yell and kick ass! "You are fired"! Woke up this morning to see on TV and this thread my fears realized, but they said the museum is being protected now from looters. The collapsing building is another matter.

I wish I could watch it also. I keep going to the site and clicking on "Play", thinking the video will magically begin.

I saw a video of people making a human chain around the Cairo Museum of Antiquities to try and keep it safe. The government building nearby is still burning and they are afraid it will spread to the museum, the last I heard they were calling for help to keep the fire away. Do you think they will loot or vandalize the museum? Didn't something similar happen in Iraq? I know there are more important issues involved here, but still.

I just got this in the mail today, looks very interesting; haven't had time to sit down with it yet. It's a used copy which I paid $.54 for and $3.99 S/H. Thanks to the member who recommended this book!

Crispina, my fellow Falco admirer, I'm afraid I have to disagree with you. I really didn't see much more gore and sex than the original series had, although I will admit that the pacing of this first episode was perhaps a bit too fast. But I think that was probably due to the writer trying to establish the storyline quickly. I can see potential for a better fleshing out (pun unintended) of the storyline in subsequent episodes. I was pleased to see just about all of the regulars from the original series back again. All in all, I think this new series got off to a good start! -- Nephele While I did appreciate the full frontal I just think the writers and director tried too hard for shock value. Plus you know I just can't accept John Hannah in the roll of Batiatus, I don't know why I just don't care for him. Maybe I just don't care for the character of Batiatus altogether. I remember I said this about the original series when it began and said I'd never watch it...well I did, but this time I'm pretty certain I won't watch GOTA.

I watched the first half of this last night. Hated it. They don't have a story anymore so they load up with gore and sex, looked like the ads I see for teenage video games.

It has a genuine wooden base too! I got a couple gift certificates for Christmas to use at the shop, and when I saw this charioteer I just had to have it. My friend who owns the shop just laughed and laughed. Hey - I like it!

Bought this today at my favorite antique shop. Must be something very special, it's heavy plastic and cost $14. Go Greens!

After watching a documentary on Herculaneum for the 10th.time, and the fact that much more of the ancient city lies beneath the modern city, I was wondering what would one expect to actually find in an ancient library? Has one ever been found? I remember the news about the burnt manuscripts being made readable, but don't remember if these were from an ancient Roman city or other.

The trailer does look pretty good. I doubt it will come to our theater, but one can hope. Do you think they will film the entire series? I mean, wouldn't they have to; or perhaps they'll squeeze everything into one movie. What about the family ring and the girl he leaves it with, hidden at the base of the tree? (I do have the right book don't I? )

"Dying Light in Corduba" - this was good. The next, "Three Hands in The Fountain", has a more contemporary feel about it -serial killer and all; but it was also pretty good. Nice descriptions of the aqueduct systems, and since I had learned more about aqueducts from some of the UNRV forum threads I could visualize the characters' romps through the tunnels,ect. better. This morning I picked up "Two for The Lions", one I'm anxious to read; Nephele mentioned this as the first book she read in the series, I think?

A very happy birthday to you and many more.

Thank you for posting the many informative links. I will have to browse them all. Years ago, I attempted to teach myself Italian, from all manner of books on Italian grammar, yes the "Learn Italian" tapes, and even an interactive software program that was great. I bought Italian newspapers at the book store, workbooks, ect. One of my favorite books was a guide to Italian slang. ha I finally got to the point I could read and write the language fairly well, but when it came to speaking I was too shy to practice in public! Anyway, I do remember most of the rules of pronunciation so that helps a little; but I realize it is not Latin.

Posting my "dumbness". But when reading novels set in Roman times, I have a hard time figuring out how to pronounce most characters' names. Some seem fairly obvious, but others look as though they could be pronounced three different ways! Are their any simple "rules" of pronunciation when it comes to proper names? or do I have to learn Latin?

Thanks for reading my post. The site mentioned is probably the best for reference. One needs to know the number of the tablet of interest, however. My post is based on tablet 154 and one must enter 154 to bring up the tablet in question. (Or, one can click on the "View all tablets" option and go through each tablet, one at a time.) http://vindolanda.cs.../TVII-2-1.shtml guy also known as gaius I remember the site you mention (and posted link to). I spent hours there one time, it was the wee hours of the morning before I realized it. Very interesting.

That will more than do - thank you very much. I'll bookmark the site.

Was a lunar eclipse ever mentioned in the writings of Roman historians? The moon turning red would have been a great mystery, how did they interpret this?

Merry Saturnalia to all of you. Eat, drink, bathe and debauch!

I wonder why it was in that particular spot? Do you suppose the head is nearby? What an amazing thing to come upon while out for a stroll.

Sounds worth more than two cents to me.