cinzia8

I tend not to think of the queen as Cleo the pothead, but anything is possible in this world.

Guy: Is it documented that Cleopatra was a cannabis smoker? From what I read on those links, there isn't a lot of evidence for its use by smoking it.

Guy, was this dramatization taken from a movie? From the sources you listed, there seems to be some evidence that hemp seeds were used for medicinal purposes. Thanks for putting this up. Cinzia

Hardly inelegant. I like how the phrasing sounds, (writers are about the rhythm of words. I will remember this perhaps for a title) and what a great resource. :-) All the information you've given me will really help a lot.

What an interesting name for the digest. I almost think it would make an intriguing book title: The Law of Assassins and Poisoners. That's good news about opium (the name and availability). This is great information!

Definitely! I imagine in an empire of such magnitude that some people knew very well how to alter their consciousness not only for spiritual reasons but also for respite from physical pain and their reality. Can you imagine living in those times? You might need a good buzz now and then. Ha! ha! I will have to research if I can use the word 'opium' (did the process exist in the far east in the 5th century? Was it something smuggled to market or openly sold?). Maybe it was manufactured in the Western Empire. Euphoric powders. ?? Hmm. I have a new challenge! I write romantic historical adventure-mystery in the 5th century (Outlander meets Late Antiquity). Many readers (although it's fiction) will take the history presented as fact. I do my best to portray as accurately as possible. If I deviate, I will include this in my Author's Note. But I really like to represent the history as we understand it today. Thanks again for your help and thoughts. Cinzia

Hi, all: Did the Imperial Romans use any kind of drug? I write novels set in Late Antiquity and I'm always looking for flaws to inflict upon my characters. :-) I started thinking did they 'party' with anything other than wine? I don't know if I've ever seen any reference to this habit for these times. I will probably research the topic, but I thought I would start here. There had to be something, right? Poppies grew in ancient Rome. Were there opiates? Cinzia

Wow! A great defense and many valid points made in regards to the connection to the church, military, transportation and the lens Gibbon would have been looking through based on his experiences. I may go and see what he has to say about late antiquity, my favorite place. Cinzia

Thanks, Barca. This is a great resource. I've never had the chance to read Gibbon, so this explains a lot and points to a new resource for me. It's amazing how the PG became so powerful. Cinzia

Thanks, Barca. Sounds like they had a lot of power for a protective force. Cinzia

Thanks, Caldrail! I wiill definitely check these links out. You're Semper Fi. :-) Cinzia

Hi all: I'm writing a series set in the 5th century Roman Empire. It's fiction and the Emperor Marcian in the east will assign a dangerous task to the hero and heroine. They need two men to provide some 'special forces' backup. I was going to pull these two characters from the Praetorian Guard, but I discovered that the PG was defeated in battle by Constantine and the unit was disbanded. Does anyone know what replaced them? It seems they did quite a bit more than just protect an emperor. Any resources or information is appreciated. Cinzia

It may be symbolic, but the artist (artists) had to have a point of reference. It's very nice to look at. Thank you for all this information. It really is quite helpful. :-) Cinzia

Thanks for checking!! This note was in my email notification from you, but I don't see it here. [btw. here is a Roman coach also from around my neck of the woods, so two horses seems to be the standard even though the tracks seem quite narrow.. its from Maria Saal (near Virunum) and that slab is reused in the outside wall of the catholic Dome...]

Viggen: Here is the link to the museum in Cologne. When I look at that coach (which will be pictured on the museum's website) they look wider than the road tracks and the coach's cabin. And yes, if you visit your local museum in June, if you come across any information about vehicle proportions, please inquire. As you may already know, there were a variety of different sized vehicles like we see in our cars today. When I was walking toward my SUV the other morning, it struck me that from a distance I was reminded of the image of the Roman coach. Haha. :-) http://www.museenkoeln.de/roemisch-germanisches-museum/pages/4.aspx?s=4

Viggen: It's so cool that you live around these ancient tracks. They are really deep. So, two men side by side = 4 feet? The wheels on that covered wagon look wider to me but the cabin is smaller in width. I can't imagine traveling for days (especially older people) in something too small. I'm annoyed that this picture is posted on the German museum for Roman artifacts but there's no place that I could see any text that appeared to give an explanation of their replica. If I post the link, could you possibly take a quick look to see if anything is there? I cannot read German.

Thanks, Caldrail. Good thoughts. A friend told me that the distance between railroad tracks was patterned after the distance between chariot wheels which I believe is 4.5 feet. In regard to you mentioning modern day vehicles, coincidentally the other day, I noticed that the width of my SUV from a distance looked similar to this Roman wagon model I've been looking at. So I measured the front end of my vehicle and it was 5 feet. To put a sleeping cot in a wagon that would travel the Appian Way, I imagine it would have to be at least 5 feet. I think it's something a reader will just brush over, but I'm a curious girl and I like my facts. :-)

Hi all: I've been doing some research into Roman coaches (more specifically a carpentum) and I'm using this model found in a German Museum in Cologne. I have not been able to find the length and width of this vehicle. I'm guessing the length to be about 8 feet but the width is tougher. Someone suggested to me the width of a chariot to fit the ruts in the road. It will be traveling the Appian Rd in the 5th century. I'm using this in fiction novel as a coach with perhaps a small bed for a long journey. Has anyone done any research into this? Something like this was used in Gladiator and recently in The Game of Thrones Thanks, Cinzia

Got it. Interesting article. Life was so hard then. When I'm whining to myself about things in my own life, I think of some poor men like these. Most likely young, slaves perhaps, the quality of their lives poor (and most likely dreadful) and their legacy a grave—a pit with their heads beside them or somewhere else. Tragic.

I took a peek yesterday. You're right, it looked intense and over my head, but kind of cool. :-)

Thanks, Caldrail!! This information makes things easier! :-) I tried looking at your website but got pushed into some warfare site. I will look again later. I've been thinking of adding my website to my signature, but sometimes I like my anonymity. Hmm. I have to think about it. I suppose a published writer shouldn't want to hide. Haha. Thanks again.

What is the significance of the Iron Age individual over the others--Roman Britain and Welsh? His DNA goes back further? I'm not sure I understand. Cinzia

Hello all: My question is for Late Antiquity 5th century. Is it reasonable to say that a fictitious lesser son of a real senator—the senator later became an emperor in the east— and the son who was killed in battle be buried in the family tomb of the wife of equal status? (She is alive but her mother and father are dead. She is an only child). I'm trying to find out if I'm taking a literary license or not by setting things up this way. Any help or sources are appreciated as always. Cinzia

Thanks, Caldrail. It does make sense that if they are carrying an object back to somewhere it perhaps was from there. Hmmm. I will also have to plot how it got to Germania. What does 'Troops pay chests' mean a chest that held their wages? I'm kind of thinking of something not as grand as the Ark of the Covenant, or something already done. Maybe a pharaoh's death mask or scepter. ??? I will have to browse around. I kind of wanted to go to Palaestina, but that might be more difficult. Do you know where the best place perhaps to pose this question for suggestions would be? Thanks as always!

This is very nice! I love brooches and if I had the time and a bit more money, I would collect them as well. I recently purchased some Roman and Merovingian replica brooches for my book launch. Also this week, I saw some ancient Scandinavian brooches on another forum as well. Please share if you have any more. The one posted seems unique as well. As a side note: I'm also looking for an artifact of value for my characters in my third unwritten book as yet, to carry to safety either to Egypt or Palaestina. My problem is that it has to be found on a Germanic battlefield or in Germania in the 5th century (it doesn't have to be from the 5th century, though). I'm going to post this request somewhere on the forum, but I'm not sure where the best place would be. Any suggestions and/or opinions are welcome. Any ideas? Cynthia