Germanicus

But Roman Wargamer - In Julius Caesars time (Circa Gallic Wars)They didn't carry the same weapons and Triarii. They carried Pila, Scutum and Gladius, like all the other legionaries. What I want to know is why Marius, half a century before J Caesar, did away with the Triarii and their hoplight equipment.

I must say I can't imagine what you'd look like with a perm, pehaps I should play around with your photo in photoshop to get an idea - LOL Not like spam though right ?

That's an interesting question Germanicus......Anyone have an answer or theory ?

Roman Wargamer - Name your source/s.....Please.

I agree with your contention. By "achievements is restoring the republic" do you mean in appearance only ? Sure, nothing wrong with a partner/helper. Augustus adopted Tiberius in 7AD, and it was he who was forced to adopt Germanicus, not Agrippa. So in forcing the adoption of Germanicus I think it more likely that Augustus just wanted a capable heir - certainly either a Claudian or a Julian, but either would do, as both Tiberius and Germanicus were Claudian. If at all possible, I agree, he would have like a capable son, but as it wasn't to be - was happy with a capable adopted one, even a Claudian. Sure, I'm with you here. I'm out of time, but you've some interesting specualtions regarding Gaius which I'll try to comment on later.

"Giving up is the new smoking" Germanicus - 27/04/06

I don't know, I always thought "Jew" and "Jewish" described both, the religion is Judaism - where as the Oxford dictionary describes the term Jew as being :- 1-a person of Hebrew descent(clearly a racial group) or a person who's religion is Judaism. And I know you're not saying all Jewish people are Doctors or Lawyers, you're just saying that more of them are as opposed to....some other racial or religious group. Higher education correlated to more income is certainly true. As to higher education correlated to less religion, there's been no evidence presented for or against, just statements, and I reserve my judgement.

Absolutely, not much protection against wrestling though, but a straight punch would be deflected (the slow blade penetrates the shield) I think of Rowan Atkinson too.

Times two if Gurney gets to wear his shield belt.

Is this really the case ? Seems like a racial stereotype. I think that even if it is the case that more educated people become atheists, it's largely irrelevant. Formal education is not related to intelligence. Religeous people misconstrue the arguement as denigrating them somehow, which it does not, and atheists misconstrue religeon as being some kind of mistake in logic, which it is not.

I've heard the tale about before, but it bares a major similarity to Plutarch:- And Suetonius, describes the same event, also at the time of his Quaestorship in Spain (before the conquest of Gaul):- The reason I asked for your source was because I've never heard of this happening when Caesar was fighting the Civil war, and cannot imagine him saying "I have yet to conquer Italy"...or Rome as you put it in an earlier thread. I doubt the actual event ever happened in truth anyway, although perhaps only in the way Suetonius describes.

But none of these speculations are serious...right ? What do you make of Antonys behaviour at Rome as Master of Horse while Caesar was in Alexandria ?

That's not been in dispute. All up, I think that the Triarii qualify as that theorietical unit you were talking about Dominus. So, what were the reasons for Marius doing away with them ?

Perhaps "educated" is the wrong word, although Cato's contention is certainly held up by the people I know in my own experience. The below is from Wikepedia and relates only to scientists, but seems credible:-

They had a Gladius as a side arm, so I assume it wasn't just for show. Also, as they probably fought as Hastati and Principes in their earlier careers, they'd be well versed in it's use.

So in the Triarii we really have an example of your theoretical unit ?

Yes, thats what I was referring to - If accused - they either denounced Christ, and swore an oath to the Emperors statue and received a pardon, or did not, and were punished. Clearly the ability to swear an oath to the Emperor was an issue prior to Decius.

So could they not have fought as a kind of phalanxe if they wanted ?

I wondered about this as well. BTW - how long were the spears of the Triarii ?

And yet it was an issue under Trajan, well before Decius.

You are right.

I didn't find him too anti-Cato at all, he even waxes on about what a fine and respected Roman he was.....in truth I was a little dissappointed, as a Caesarean I was hoping he'd have the knives out.

Kindly post your source for this.

I just read The Conspiracy of Cataline by Sallust, which I found highly enjoyable. Considering he was a partisan of Caesar, and that it was written after the assasination, I thought there might be more in the way of anti-boni sentiment, but found little. Caesars speech and Catos following it were both good, and I really felt an eye witness at times. I'm interested to know how he's now treated as a source on the events, as opposed to Cicero say, who I haven't read.