Germanicus

As Governor he had a duty to aid and protect those in his sphere with "Friend and Ally" status. Read the Gallic Wars, you'll get the picture.

Slaughtering a lamb for a guest doesn't indicate backwardness in my view. Perhaps whats more backward is western detatchment regarding where their meat comes from. That aside, the treatment of people under Sharia law disgusts me.

I myself am testament to interest in Ancient History in Australia, it'd depend heavily on the circles you move in, as would be the case anywhere in the world. To confirm, it was a season 1 episode that screened last night, both here in Melbourne and in Perth.

yeah....right.

] Coptic, Egyptian Christians. Their language is the closest modern equivalent to Ancient Egyptian.

Caesar was a great military commander, a shrewd politician and very intelligent. I believe he also instituted some farsighted and wise reforms. I can no longer however completely overlook his acceptance of Dictatorship for life, his actions in Gaul, or his actions once dictator with regard to what should have been elected offices. This being said, the "liberators" caused more problems than they solved, which is why even Cicero comments in May 44 BC - "if things stay the way they seem to be now(bear with me in what I am saying), I find no joy in the Ides of March", and later "since the killing of our master has not made us free, he was not a master to run away from." Shakespeare has a lot to do with how people view Caesar and Brutus and Cassius these days, but he had his own reasons for naming the killing of a Dictator(or King) a tragedy.

I didn't know they claimed to be descendants of the Gracchi. Regarding your question 2, the below comes from Roman Emperors.org.

Yes, he turned a blind eye to his friends profiteering from proscriptions, but sometimes perhaps not :- The below from Plutarch, life of Crassus.

I would like to comment, but you have already said so much Cato, and given me a great laugh this morning.

That's exactly the point Cato has made repeatedly - a bar is not a public place. You think fascism got a hold in Germany with a gun or a vote ?

I suggest no such thing, like Kosmo says above, I agree that it brought both advantages and disadvantages.

No need to be insulting Gloria Exercitus, just remember, he's attacking your theory - not you as a person. Cato lacks subtlety, but makes up for it well with knowledge, and he's certainly not a "kid". You've listed "wickedness" as one of your main reasons for the collapse. Wickedness according to who ? You've also said - If this was the case - why didn't Christianity save the western empire ?

True. I just read a comprehensive de-bunking of the "evidence" for the Jesus was a Buddhist myth. The similarity between what the bible claims he says and Buddhist thought is probably no more than a pleasant co-incidence.

Like I said - sounds far fetched, but who knows - certainly not you or I. Although I know which I think is more likely, I have no need to sway anyone else in my direction though.

Thanks a lot Flavius ! It's the title of a painting I'm working on. The use of color in it makes the green in it just vibrate with a certain intensity - and it's the view of an island from above - hence "Green Amplification Island" once again, thanks !

I'm curious. The Governor General in Australia is our head of state, appointed by the Queen, he's a rubber stamper these days, and weilds zero power. In your own constitutional monarchy, what does the queen actually do in terms of government, besides open parliament etc ? PS- Your right on Charles - I predict Australia becomes a Republic when the Queen falls off the perch.

Just hoping someone can give me a latin translation of the below:- 'Green Amplification Island' I realise it may be difficult, if not impossible. If you post a translation - could you post a direct translation of each latin word you use ? Thanks and much appreciated Germanicus

Not corny at all Ursus. I echo your sentiments in all matters, but must add words of thanks to you, the iron fist of reasoned restraint. So willing to give of your time and yourself for this community. An inspiration to me from the time I first stumbled across UNRV and could not help but stay.

Pliny mentions the followers of Christus in his letters. Certainly not the man himself though who would have been dead some 100 years earlier. I can understand questioning his exsistance, but as Augusta states, something or someone or some group began Christianity, I don't doubt this was begun by an individual, as in the case of a number of mainstream religions.

I know nothing about American football, and have no interest in it, until now, when I find out there's a guy called "Butch" involved in coaching, classic ! Virgil, your team has just become my team !

What was the order - least to most expensive in terms of material ? I'm thinking that there may be a whole range of carved wooden statue/statuettes that didn't make the trip to the 21st Century ? Just speculating.

The Caracella bust as you mention was probably created to look so aggressive as the potential for an attempted coup was ever present. Another thing to consider is that all these busts were probably painted. Which in some instances could change the whole effect of the work. The above is based on pigment traces on the prima porta Augustus. I think Romans in both the Republican and Imperial periods had an obvious love of realism, a hellenistic influence, but then I also think that idealism played a part in both periods as well. I think the Roman tendency to emphasise facial quirks, age lines and like features are often deemed "realistic" in our own time, as our idealism, and idea of beauty and virtue is not the same as the Romans. A Roman republican Patrician wanted to appear older, wiser, stern, intelligent and militarily capable, a paragon of experience, strength and wisdom. Augustus on the other hand wanted to appear God like, as did many of his successors. Vespasian possibly wanted to hark back to those republican ideals, and emphasise solid, wise rulership by the father of the people, rather than some distant, god like figure.

Forgiveness is giving up the hope for a better past.

Lets see :- He has crime convictions dating back to the 80s. He lies in wait, observing behaviors of victims (your spare key), he has become a serial arsonist, he stole your girlfriends underwear, - this is all stacking up to "serial killer" if he hasn't yet he's well ahead on the progression. I don't mean to scare you any further P, it's something you've probably already considered or the Police have. Glad he's locked up ! I am also colored by the episodes of "From the files of Dale Hinman" I have been watching lately on late night TV.