Lanista

*lol*

Its all in the details...

Thanks, Medusa :-)

Thanks Nephele - so the list of names and now this. It's like you're writing the things for me. Really, thanks so much, I owe you beers, don't I? Melvadius: You were looking at the SWORDS? Dude - there's no hope for you. None at all....*lmfao* and anyway that's what photoshop is for ;-)

Just for you Ghost: http://www.russellwhitfield.com/154_Gladiatrix_2-2.jpg sneaky peak of promo images for the new book. That one's in the raw (no, not nude), no effects or backgrounds done yet, hot off the ...digital file. UNRV saw it it first, we'll be using these and others like it as for T-shirts and all that stuff when the book comes out. Well: Hoplomachus Dimachaearius Retiarius Murmillo Thraex The ones ending in "r" are easier - Secutrix and so forth, but I've always guessed at these other types *lol* Cheers Russ

So...Hoplomachus = Hoplomachia (in gladiatorial terms)? If there's a list of these out there (I've looked and can't find one - but then why would there be a list of feminine forms for a largely male sport), I'd be ever so grateful for a link. Anyhow, if anyone's feeling linguistic, can you save me from getting it wrong! Cheers Russ

Hi guys - this just in from Myrmidon. http://www.myrmidonbooks.com/readerpanel.html The Myrmidon Books Reader Panel is launching in January 2011 and we are looking for keen readers who are passionate about books to join this exclusive community. As a member of our Reader Panel you will be essential in shaping our future publishing programme by telling us what you like and what you don't like about what we do. We want to hear all your views. Get a sneak peek at what we are working on Offer your feedback on what you think we are doing well and what can be improved Have a direct link to our editorial and marketing teams And of course get FREE books. http://www.myrmidonbooks.com/readerpanel.html Hey, if you apply, please tell 'em it was Russ that sent ya *lol* Cheers Russ

I disagree. I think his parents were probably killed in the subura's crime alley. Driven by rage and grief, billionaire charioteer Diocles shuns the high life and instead - knowing that Rome's criminals are a cowardly and superstitious lot - dons a costume that makes him look like a bat and wreaks vengeance upon not only the killers but any and all of a criminal ilk.

The Daily Mail published this article, which includes a

Hi guys - so, if I say five legions and hint at a cover up, do you reckon I'm on safe ground. Or should I hedge and say three? I'm going into fantasy after this...much easier *lol* Cheers Russ

Thank you gentlemen - I'll go with five. Much appreciated, you are legends. cheers Russ

Hi guys - yep, there were definitely two phases of Dom's war, the first with Fuscus and the second with Tettius Iulianus, that's for sure. Other than that, it is sketchy - I'd like to know where wikigod got its "five or six" legions line from: I'm sure no matter what figure I use, someone on amazon.com will dispute it, but if UNRV is struggling to find hard facts, I'd take that as a fair barometer of how hard it IS to find find hard facts - clearly you guys know your onions on this stuff. Thanks again for all your help Cheers Russ

And the wikigod agrees - I knew I'd seen it somewhere http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domitian's_Dacian_War

I'm sure I read it somewhere, but I just can't find it *lol* Trajan's era is a bit late for me, I needed this to happen in Domitian's reign and my tenuous plot-point was backed up by references on wiki and in the classics - they don't say a lot, which means that we don't know a lot I guess! Cheers Russ

Hi GoC - yeah, it does - but it only mentions "a large force" which I guess is up for debate *lol* Thanks though, we could be on the right track, I think! Cheers Russ

Hi guys - was having a convo with Tony Riches (he of Wounds of Honour and Arrows of Fury fame). He's read a pre-read of my next novel which features a Dacian kicking of the Romans at Tapae in Domitian's campaign. At the first battle, I know that V Alaudae was destroyed, but somewhere in my spurious research, I read that five legions were destroyed. Now, I'm not so sure - novel is in the editing process at the moment, so its an easy fix to make - so, do we know how many legions were lost apart from the fifth? Any advice gratefully received! Cheers Russ

Don't do anything I wouldn't! Have a great day, man

Thank you guys - there's shoutouts to UNRV in the acknowledgements (especially Nephele who provided the fighting names of most of the gladiators in the book with her extensive list) and for book III Kosmo who helped me a little bit of topography. UNRV has really helped me on this journey, you guys are always quick to help a struggling thickie and for that you have my profound gratitude. Cheers all Russ

It has Angelina Jolie in it. As far as I'm concerned, its already in my top ten. Happy Days!

I can give you a practical answer. When our daughter was three, she announced that she wanted to play tennis. At that age, we had no idea what hand she preferred (we actually thought she was ambidextrous at the time), so we duly took her to lessons. She's now six and a confirmed lefty...but still plays tennis on the right! Cheers Russ

Its a great movie, I've seen it dozens of times. Yep, its tacky, but its good tacky. It was shot in Eastern Europe and that really works it is favour: the set people have done a brilliant job because the frontier city of (if memory serves) Durostum is a really depressing place. Out-of-favour governor Timarcus is pissed off at everything and everyone, so his character is more than just evil for evils sake. He feels he's had a raw deal and he's taking it out on everyone. Lisa Dergan and Karen McDougal do fine jobs in the movie. And, to be honest, there's far more nudity in the Grier/Markov classic than there is in this. So the the "Playboy" tag is a little misleading: you'll see more boobs in 10 minutes of "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" than you will in the whole movie. But - before anyone goes rushing out to buy it on my recommend, bear in mind that this is a Concorde movie and a remake of an exploitation flick, so aside from the two protagonists, the acting is pretty ropey...even from Timarcus who went on to star in the uber-overrated Russian dirge called "Daywatch." So did the director, Timur Berkmabetov (I did that without looking it up - wonder if I got it right) and then ended up directing Angelina in "Wanted." I have to say that of all things, its Berkmabtov that really lets this movie down - and the girls themselves state this in their (really really long) interviews in the special features. He goes for this really choppy style in the climatic fight sequences, but their so choppy its hard to see what's going. The actresses got the hump when they saw the final cut because they'd spent almost every day they were on set practising their moves, so when it was all juddery cuts, you don't really get to see the effort they put in. But what the hell. Its all good fun, and as I say, I've seen it loads of times. But you HAVE to view the interviews with the actresses after you've seen it once, and then watch it again, it gives you a real insight into the hell these girls went through to make this movie. A titbit - they say that the actor playing the lanista was a raving alkie who's breath stank not just off booze, but fags and...well...it was just foul. So when he's shouting at them, doing the "Full Metal Jacket" bit, they're all flinching away. Its not from fear - they're trying not to hurl *lol*. And then there's the Roman party...its the strangest thing I've seen in any swords and sandals flick - and I've seen a few of 'em...but basically, the Romans all get pissed up, form a circle, hold hands and jump up and down, chanting rhythmically. Maybe its an allegory for an all guy orgy, I don't know. If you can get it on the cheap, go for it...its a great laugh, disposable entertainment. And the Romans wear lorica too. Its worth watching back-to-back with the 1973 version...same plot, different directors...so you can see how the same subject matter is handled differently. They both sort of trump each other in different departments I think. But yeah - definitely worth a watch in my book. Cheers Russ

This program is on the History Channel in the UK every couple of months. It's pretty good, I've always enjoyed it as it covers some obscure people. Of course, I'm sure there will be the usual complaining that the third legionary from the left is wearing the wrong kind of calligae, but if you can get over that, then you'll find it an entertaining way of spending a good few hours. Its a long series, huge in scope and for me they've used the budget well. It looks like its mostly done in Eastern Europe where sets, costumes and cast are relatively cheap. Its definitely worth watching. Cheers Russ

I loved this book as it goes. The sequel, Arrows of Fury, is out as well. Cheers Russ

Can't believe these two haven't been flagged up: Forever (wait for the "Our Roman Gods are watching - Make sure they are not ashamed!" bit) Divintus (linguists - its in Latin!) -

Of course I do. That's why one of Lysandra's opponents in Gladiatrix II is an Apache warrior. It was on Deadliest Warrior, but in my version the gladiator wins. Then she fights off ninja assassins - and befriends a samurai. Its great stuff and I'm glad that DW verifies all of it.