Centurion-Macro
-
Posts
368 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
2
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Static Pages
News
Blogs
Gallery
Events
Downloads
Posts posted by Centurion-Macro
-
-
Plataea was an important battle, because it beat the Persian army in a pitched battle. I am not an expert on the battle, but the Persians really did have no real chance of winning. However, it was an important victory for the Greeks, even more so than the more famous battles (Thermopylae and Salamis). But it is often played down in history.
-
Panta Rhei.
Everyone knows nothing lasts forever, but they usually don't imagine they'll live to see the end, and act accordingly.
Much like we do, actually. I don't really believe any society ever learned anything from history, not consciously at least.
I agree with this statement here. I guessed they must have known that at some time their empire would fall, but it would be long after their deaths - and so it would be not worth thinking about.
-
Happy birthday!
-
I would have to agree with the poster above. Caesar was a great politician, general and statesman - but he was no hero. He conquered the Gauls, slaughtered a lot of people just to get some glory. A lot can be learned from his battles and wars, and I enjoy reading about his battle techniques. But in my opinion, I think Gaul was better off without Caesar conquering it, and it was a sad day for the world when he did.
So for me he is a smart villain, who you can learn a lot from.
-
I for one was surprised by this, but then again, I do not study the Later Roman Empire like I do the Republic and Early Empire.
Very interesting story, thank you
-
Welcome to the forum you two
I too am a big fan of the Eagle Series and HBO's Rome. You will fit right in here.
-
Happy birthday, may you see many more seasons!
-
Now that I come back to this thread, I think it would be very interesting to talk to Tacitus. That would be very interesting.
-
Well volunteered, you two! Would you be interested in purely academic works, or popular titles (dare I say 'coffee table books!) as well? I have a fair amount of both if you want me to send in my lists, ISBN's etc.
Aye, they both sound good. If you sent us some things from your lists that would be grand!
-
I would be interested in creating such a bibliography.
-
While he ruled for only a short time (thank the Gods) I believe that Vitellius should be added to the list of bad emperors. He was lazy, arrogant, self indulgent and completely useless. He ruled because he thought a "prophecy" said he should rule, and didn't really care about the people, just as long as they kept in line and kept giving him food.
-
I am currently reading Comrades: Communism, a world history.
It is extremely interesting, but very deep. I think I will go back to fiction for a bit after I finish it.
-
The only thing still bothering me is how the posts look when you read them. They are totally unorganized and all over the place.
-
I am wondering whether I should get a copy of Mein Kampf. I want to see Hitler's deluded thoughts more clearly, but I hear the book is horribly written.
I don't suppose you guys have read it?
Bits and pieces .... Mussolini called it unreadeable driven, and he was right.
It's available online, no reason to spend money on it.
I am wondering whether I should get a copy of Mein Kampf. I want to see Hitler's deluded thoughts more clearly, but I hear the book is horribly written.I don't suppose you guys have read it?
I haven't managed more than a few pages, it's unimaginably dull.
Also, my copy is in German and in Gothic script, both of which don't help.
Well in that case, I may have a glance at it, but if it is dull then I doubt I will read much.
-
Wow, these are some really great books. I will definitely be looking at the imperialism one, and the book on Marcus Aurelius.
-
The posts look all jumbled to me, with the profile pictures and all that not being in the right places. It makes the site less appealing.
Also, I too am annoyed with the 'numbers' instead of the dates on new posts. I have also lost my avatar.
-
Lanista (Russ),
First, thank you kindly for your words of encouragement. At the moment, I am leaning towards the turbulent, yet decisive period that begins with the death of Claudius Gothicus, and the restoration of the Roman world by Aurelian. With the rise of the Illyrian Officer cadre, and the intrigue they themselves spawned, it seems a fertile period to explore.
The Praetorians, recruited from Italian stock, had been plagued with a series of non-roman Emperors, starting in my novels case, with Septimius Severus, the Syrian who purged their rank in favor of his own, and a long line of soldier Emperors, like Thrax, Phillip the Arab, and Decius, just to highlight a few. Then finally, Valerian, and the heir to be Gallenius! Saviors of Rome from a traditional senatorial family of pure roman blood! Alas, it was not meant to be.
A quick side note here. For those of you that have read my posts here at UNRV, you know that they often pertain to barbarians within the ranks of the Legions.
So, into this climate young Primus Messienus Castus has been chosen to serve in the Praetorian Guard, obviously with the aid of his very influential father, a well respected Senator, who paved the way with well placed donations that were needed to soothe the worries of those who have very legitimate concerns in Rome. Castus' mother is in fact a romanized woman from Sirmium. Now the source I saw (please correct me if I am wrong), said that Aurelian had a daughter, though no name is mentioned. I could easily use this lack of evidence to my advantage, and have Castus' father be her husband, and he in turn Aurelian's grandson. It only says Aurelian married Ulpia Severina before becoming Emperor, so the timeline is open for this insertion of a fictional character given that the Emperor died at sixty. The boy would be perfectly placed, watching his Grandfather's back, as he sought to save Rome.
I hope to illustrate the struggle between roman and romanized barbarian through his eyes, the racism and hatred he experiences, and highlight the difficult choices he will have to make as his grandfathers reign rises to a zenith and then plummets into intrigue.
Alamanni, Zenobia, the Gallic Empire, the religious reformations, Felicissimus' rebellion, and his grandfathers final death at the hands of the very Praetorians he serves in! Seems they believed a Secretary, Eros, who had lied about a minor matter, who then covered it up by spreading rumors of Aurelians' coming purge (he was a stern bastard). Imagine young Messienus as he races headlong into fate!
Ok, I am done, lol. Just an outline of what is to come, but I believe it has merit and it is original. I do have a request. If the good lady Nephele would be so kind as to look at the name Messienus and see if it is a genuine name. It caught my eye, but one can never be sure of its autheticity. I also used Primus as his Praenomen. I really like it with so few choices and too many overused (how many Marcus' can there be!) names.
sincerely,
H. Majorianus Invictus
You have a very interesting idea for a novel.
I myself would like to see (when reading) both a lot of political intrigue and lots of stuff going on behind the scenes, but I would also like to see the main character going to a far flung stretch of the Empire, and interacting with the legions. It would be great to see what they think of the Praetorian Guard. Of course you will have to research about Roman life at the time and the growing problems the Empire had. At this time, the Guard were very corrupt, and usually took bribes to kill and assassinate etc. It would be good for a 'good' Praetorian to be in their midst, along with a few good souls who he would befriend, both in the Guard and in the city of Rome itself.
I would love to see a battle of political intrigue that would take the main character all over the Empire, as well as all over the different parts of Rome. It would be nice to hear a story of the Praetorian Guard.
-
I am wondering whether I should get a copy of Mein Kampf. I want to see Hitler's deluded thoughts more clearly, but I hear the book is horribly written.
I don't suppose you guys have read it?
-
Welcome to the forum Danny, I shall take a look at those links now.
-
Reading a book on Vietnam for history class. It is interesting, and I am learning a lot, but I would rather read something about the Romans.
-
I just read "Roman Gaul and Germany" which is 20 years old, but a very interesting look at two provinces!
Did it have detailed information on civilian settlements and lifestyle as well as military information?
~I just started 'Colditz, The German Story'. It is a grand book so far.
-
I never expected to see a topic like this when I logged on today.
Nice info!
-
So far I am liking it, although the map is annoying.
-
I think I will give this a go. I just joined, and I will let you know what I think.
~I joined and started playing, and it is alright. It was confusing to me, but I think it has promise.
Best books on the Roman Legions?
in Libri
Posted
I am covering Legions of Rome now, and it is a very good book. It has easy to process information about what you need to know about the legions, and it gives information on every single Roman Legion and every major battle they fought in. So far, it is the most comprehensive book on the legions I have read.