JGolomb
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Posts posted by JGolomb
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Exactly my point; that's radical Christian logic, like Eusebius or the Medieval Inquisition, which could simultaneously charge you for being an atheist and a Muslim...Maybe Julian was nice with Jews because he was fighting against Christians, the enemy of my enemy...First, there's no evidence that the Jewish were active "enemies" of the Christians at the IV century.
Then, "pagans" (traditional Roman religion) despised Judaism as much as Christianity. Just check out Tacitus, Dio, Celsus, Porphyry or essentially any source.
Caldrail - terrific insight. Thank you very much.
It sounds like the end goal is comparable to modern days - "save the lions". Wherein our goals are cute, fuzzy, and "because-they're-living-beings", there rationale was a little more self-serving.
Thanks,
Jason
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Eco Revamp Plan for Hadrian's Wall
A management plan has been published that maps out how the World Heritage Site of Hadrian's Wall will be conserved, researched and made accessible to visitors and local communities over the next five years.The wall was built in the 120s AD during the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian as the northern frontier of Roman-occupied Britannia. The site today is one of Britain's most outstanding historical monuments; it recently came second in a list of favourite British sites as voted by the UK's children - beaten only by Stonehenge.
It's also of educational, environmental and economic value to many different groups of people, including archaeological researchers, conservationists, visitors and local businesses. The five-year plan sets out to provide care for the heritage site, while also providing access and opportunities for different members of the community.
One of the priorities will be the conservation of archaeological sites along the wall. Further excavation and research are also important
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70 miles?!? Your source is clearly utterly exaggerating; their statements don't resist simple inspection.
This is a very good point Sylla. However the relative precision of Waldseemullers North and South American west coasts should not have been known at the time. The map, when smoothed to account for perspective, is ridiculously close to correct. I just found one reference that says the map predicts the width of South America at certain latitudes to within 70 miles.However, some of the authors' statements seems to be a bit too farfetched; for example, geographers had already known for a long time that there was sea (ie. the Pacific Ocean) east to eastern Asia; if the recently discovered lands were to be considered a new continent and the Earth was indeed round, sea ought to be drawn between the land masses.Please take a second look of the "Pacific Coast" of South America in that map; it's just an irregular hyperbolic curve from the two continuously explored points by then (more or less from modern Rio de Janeiro to Nicaragua).
A "strait" was imagined instead of the actual isthmus of Central America... at the only unexplored sector of the Caribbean coast.
Besides, less than one third of the actual area of South America was drawn; the width is patently wrong!
The "ridiculously close to correct relative precision" essentially disappears on a closer examination.
Sylla,
I understand your point, though I don't believe it "essentially disappears". Quite frankly, I don't fully understand the science, but here's the full blown analysis referenced in the Post article:
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However, some of the authors' statements seems to be a bit too farfetched; for example, geographers had already known for a long time that there was sea (ie. the Pacific Ocean) east to eastern Asia; if the recently discovered lands were to be considered a new continent and the Earth was indeed round, sea ought to be drawn between the land masses.
This is a very good point Sylla. However the relative precision of Waldseemullers North and South American west coasts should not have been known at the time. The map, when smoothed to account for perspective, is ridiculously close to correct. I just found one reference that says the map predicts the width of South America at certain latitudes to within 70 miles.
In a subsequent map he took out the Pacific Ocean.
Here's a nice summary of the mystery and relatively recent findings from the Washington Post. I've bolded some of the highlights.
How was it that a German priest writing in Latin and living in a French city far from the coast became the first person to tell the world that a vast ocean lay to the west of the American continents?That is one of the bigger mysteries in the history of the Renaissance.
But it is not the only one involving Martin Waldseemueller, a map-making cleric whose own story is sufficiently obscure that his birth and death dates aren't known for certain.
Waldseemueller appears to have also known something about the contours of South America's west coast years before Vasco N
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Another famous map called the Waldseemuller map is the first map to use the word America, was published in 1507, but appears to have a pretty distinct and correct (but skewed visually) presentation of the WEST coast of the Americas. Check the bottom left here:
http://www.umc.sunysb.edu/surgery/waldseemuller-loc-big.jpg
While there are arguments on both sides, pulling back to look at the bigger picture, it certainly feels like there's enough evidence in aggregate to presume that Christopher Columbus was not the first non-native-American to come across the Americas. Who and when specifically? It's impossible to tell. Either way, Columbus was the first to break the news to the world (though he still thought he'd found the Indies until the day he died).
Not that anyone asked, but I think these stories and myths around lost maps and previously undiscovered lands is fascinating and as technology improves, we'll find many modern historical facts exposed as mere myths.
There's one reference in here to the previously undiscovered American west coast, but it's a good overview of this famous map.
The map that changed the world
The map represented a remarkable number of historical firsts. In addition to giving America its name, it was also the first map to portray the New World as a separate continent - even though Columbus, Vespucci, and other early explorers would all insist until their dying day that they had reached the far-eastern limits of Asia.
The map was the first to suggest the existence of what explorer Ferdinand Magellan would later call the Pacific Ocean, a mysterious decision, in that Europeans, according to the standard history of New World discovery, aren't supposed to have learned about the Pacific until several years later.
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If nothing else, Constantine was a great opportunist. How he got away with that stunt is beyond me, but it was a superstitious age.
Ah...that reminds me of this article/video I came across Monday. There's too much to distill in this message, but it spotlights some scientific explanations for Constantine's vision
Constantine's dream before the battle in 312
And here's what's probably a very informative video...in French...which I don't speak:
La vision de Constantin en 312
Go to about 1:35 of the video. Um, it's a bit of a stretch.
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From about.com:
On this day in A.D. 312, the Roman Emperor Constantine was victorious in battle for control of the Western Roman Empire against the Roman Emperor Maxentius. The battle is known as the Battle at the Milvian Bridge, a stone bridge across the Tiber River. Constantine is said to have had a vision the preceding night telling him that he would win under a certain sign that included the appearance of a cross set against the sun and certain words in Greek that translate into Latin as: in hoc signo vinces 'you will win under this sign.' This sign and the following victory are credited with convincing Constantine to convert to Christianity, which he did, but not immediately.
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Preview: Top 10 Artefacts Coming to the New Vindolanda Museum in 2011
1: The Vindolanda Tablets
The tablets on loan from the British Museum will be the star attraction at the newly refurbished museum. Birley says:
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This bust of Caracalla is going up for auction and is estimated to pull in about 250,000 pounds. It's popped up a number of times on the feeds and blogs that I track and, honestly, I think it's a terrific piece of work. It carries the weight of a sense of menace, power and emotion. This image alone makes me want to learn more about the Emperor.
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When I received Russell Whitfield
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This is getting pretty broad coverage...
Roman temple discovered in Tuscany
A Roman temple dating from the fourth century AD was discovered inside the Maremma Park, located in the central Italian region of Tuscany. The rectangular-shaped temple was found by a group of archaeologists after three months of work about three kilometres from the beach of Marina di Alberese, in the province of Grosseto.The rectangular-shaped structure measures 11.5 metres by 6.5 metres and was built using a Roman-building technique called 'opus testaceum'. A loose stone foundation covered by bricks which are then covered in slabs of marble.
According to archaeologists, the temple suggests there was once an important Roman settlement in the area, which served as a trading port that handled goods coming from Africa and from the entire Mediterranean basin.
The goods would then be transported north to the city of Siena and the Etruscan town of Roselle (Rosellae in Latin) or south towards the town of Heba (now called Magliano in Toscana) and the ancient town of Ager Cosanus, which is also located in Tuscany.
At the temple site, archaeologists found at least 50 Roman coins and a huge quantity of ceramic artefacts originating from all over the Mediterranean basin, but especially from Tunisia.
The team of archaeologists will be carrying out further excavations in the area, where they believe there is another temple, dedicated to the pagan goddess of hunting, Diana.
According to the group of archaeologists' Facebook page, the privately-funded project is directed by Elena Chirico, Matteo Colombini and Alessandro Sebastiani with the scientific co-direction of the Archaeological Superintendence of Tuscany.
"The archaeological project in the territory of Alberese, in the province of Grosseto, finds its aim in the comprehension and understanding of settlement patterns in the Roman and Late Antique period," said a statement on the group's Facebook page.
"The project will focus on the excavation of some key sites and on the preservation and valuing of the natural landscape of the Regional Park of the Uccellina."
I can only assume that this frieze is from the discovery. There's no specific reference, however.
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Here's a nice overview of archaeology v. construction in Rome as spotlighted by the recent discovery of what might be Hadrian's Athenaeum. It's a fun story and I'd recommend a full reading. I pulled some quotes below.
Hadrian's amphitheater is one discovery made while building Rome transit line.
Does anyone know what ancient sources are suggested?As they dug through down through layers of modern, Renaissance and Medieval remains to the level of ancient Rome, they found what looked like a grand stairway made with sheets of granite and antique yellow marble. Across the way, the remains of a matching stairway -- the steps long, shallow and deep -- led archaeologists to the conclusion that they were looking at the seats of a covered rectangular amphitheater, a place where plays, speeches and debates were held by the city's poets, scholars and politicians.Archaeologist Roberto Egidi, who directed the excavation, said research in texts by ancient sources suggests they have found the Emperor Hadrian's "Athenaeum" -- an auditorium ancient writers say he built at his own expense on his return from Palestine around A.D. 135.
While archaeologists fear destruction because of the Metro, they also acknowledge that the project has provided funding for their work, and the opportunity to excavate areas where they wouldn't normally have thought to look.Roberto Cecchi, special commissioner for the Rome Metro, says that not even Romans realize how rich the ground under their feet is.
"They don't know that there is a whole other city, or rather two or three cities under modern Rome," he said at a recent conference. "Nowhere even in Italy is there such richness as there is in Rome. In Milan, archaeological remains are 10 to 12 feet deep; in Rome they can be more than 50 feet deep."
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Better late than never!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JG!!!
Hope you had a good one.
GPM and others - thank you very much for the birthday wishes. The UNRV community is a special group and I'm glad to be part of it.
J
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After a cursory search of ancient roman maps,
Do you mean decades-old reconstruction maps of ancient Rome like http://catholic-resources.org/AncientRome/Platner.htm ?
From fuzzy memory of watching a DVD course in a distracting environment, I gather many such layouts have recently been flipped around on very latest maps. "Experiencing Rome: A Visual Exploration of Antiquity's Greatest Empire" keeps apologizing for showing showing 3D layouts in conflicting ways - some apparently based on that old model in EUR that we always see in TV documentaries, and some corrected diagrams by the course artist. I believe most changes are a reversal of forum orientations, putting the temples and entrances(?) on opposite sides than previously thought. http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/coursedesclong2.aspx?cid=3430
Caesar - yep, that's the kind of map I saw. Very similar, actually. I'd assumed there wouldn't be anything specific to a Hadrian Athaeneum, but figured I'd take a peek in case the experts forgot to check that sort of thing. :-)
J
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Nope, this is science; the proof is still far from being "in". It simply is not "out" yet.Statue fragment shown to be NeroThe proof is in!?
... Dr Russell said he was 100% confident they matched...What Dr Russell said is that he was 100% confident that the proof will eventually be "in"; now, all what is required is some patience to see if:
- the analysis of the measurable variables first,
- the independent replicable confirmation by other researchers later,
- and finally the ponderation of alternative explanations...
... will eventually prove that his a priori qualitative assessment of the match was right.
Here's a new video which includes a much more thorough explanation by Dr. Russell as to why he believes this will prove out to be a portraiture of a young Nero. He touches on much of what's been discussed in this thread. It's worth the 3+ minute viewing.
J
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A few other news services are starting to pick up this story but so far I have only found one which 'may' possibly have an unattributed image of the excavations, the Euronews site at:
http://www.euronews.net/2009/10/22/ancient...vealed-in-rome/
It is possible that as they sort out the links to this news item on Google more articles will be searchable but at present (22/10/09 - 9:50am BST) despite 123 news articles being claimed only about 3 or 4 will actualy turn up and at least 2 of those currently only appear to have stock images of Roman ruins rather than of the excavations
I just watched this video. I specifically remember scooting around the corner of this blocked off dig...across the street from the Vittorio memorial on once side, and diagonally across from the Trajan complex. It made an already deadly walk through the streets of Rome even deadlier. :-)
This all assumes that the video on your link is from the discovery.
After a cursory search of ancient roman maps, I wasn't able to find anything in that immediate area, but it makes sense considering the density of buildings and proximity to the forum.
J
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2010 marks the 1600th anniversary of the end of Roman Britain
Just came across this site and figured I'd tee it up for the UNRV community. Are any of Britain-based members involved this anniversary?
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Wishing you a happy birthday, and thanking you for your birthday present to UNRV of that fine book review of Age of the Gladiators.
-- Nephele
Nephele - Thank you! I genuinely appreciate the compliments.
I'm loving the UNRV community (if you couldn't tell from my incessant posting) :-)
J
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Quick question:
Does the Pantheon merit a visit? And is there anything to be seen at Hadrian's mausoleum (Castel Sant'Angelo)?
An easy visit (since it is directly across from the main train station Stazione termini) are the baths of Diocletion.
guy also known as gaius
Guy,
I was in Rome this past summer. I loved the Pantheon. I think I dragged my wife there three times in two days. It's a quick little trip, but the vibe in the place is amazing. Maybe I got caught up in the perfectness of the dimensions in combination with the sheer scale, magnitude and history of the building.
My wife and I also loved the Castel. The inside of the building is okay...there's very little of Hadrian's tomb left, and it's mostly a tour of a cool old castle. But the views of Rome from the top are worth the visit alone. I'd highly recommend it. Also, exploring along the Tiber riverfront is pretty cool as well.
J
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From Amazon.caThe frontier of the Roman Empire stret-ched for 5,000 kilometres. Yet, far from being at the periphery of the Roman world, the frontier played a crucial role in making and breaking emperors, creating vibrant societies along its course, and ensuring Rome
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Statue fragment shown to be Nero
The proof is in!?
Full article and nice video in the link above...the 'proof' is clarified below. :-/
Experts say they have proved a statue fragment found in West Sussex depicts the Roman emperor Nero as a young man.The digital image produced by the scanner was compared with the known depictions of Nero in Parma and Paris.
Dr Russell said he was 100% confident they matched.
"He has that very distinctive hair over his ears and very distinctive almond eyes," he said.
In the video, Russell adds that the stone and quality also indicate it's genuine-ness
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I wasn't too excited by this story from yesterday (or maybe the day before), but it's getting pretty broad coverage so felt irresponsible not to share with my UNRV friends.
There's a slightly new take in the focus of this article
Petrified Footprints Suggest Romans Used Children to Make the Lod Mosaic
from the story:
Footprints left by the artists and workers who made the largest and most beautiful Roman-era mosaic in Israel 1,700 years ago have been discovered in the plaster underneath the mosaic. Archaeologists were in the process of conserving the famous Lod Mosaic when they found the imprints of bare feet and sandals shown clearly in the plaster bed -
CNN just ran a story on Portus. Nothing new in the story, but some new photos
Caracalla
in Imperium Romanorum
Posted