cinzia8

Hi all: I'm making some final edits in my manuscript and I have a slave auction where an aristocratic heroine buys (via her liaison) a young mother and her 10 year old son. I know the solidus was used at this time, but someone has suggested to me that the denarii would have been used. I started the bid at 50 solidi with it being countered at increments of 3 or 5. I've ended it with a showdown between heroine and competitor with a final drastic offer of 65 solidii and seven ounces of silver by the heroine. Does anyone familiar with Late Antiquity currency know if this would be correct for a pair? I've been told that pre-pubescent children were premium. Should I be using Solidii or Denarii? I'm striving for the most accuracy I can. I think I'm thinking of the Solidus like we refer to the dollar or pound. Not sure how to view Denarii. Any insight is appreciated. Cinzia

LOL It's a great idea, but sounds like it would require some organization. As a writer, I like having a source where I think the members are versed in the many different aspects of history and know of resources. I also like that this site focuses on the Roman world. One of my favorite topics was when I asked about stirrups and everyone went crazy. LOL It seemed odd to me that Aetius having lived with the Huns would not have mimicked them if the Huns used stirrups like some scholars (one Hungarian in particular) believe. In any case, it was lively. For the record, I've stayed with the status quo on that topic. However, perhaps a writers forum would stimulate lively debate on historical theories and also act as a resource for writers as you say and also add that added dimension to the site that you mentioned. You would have to be the leader. It's your 'baby'. LOL BTW, Viggen is not 'really, really old.' LOL Perhaps, just wise. Cinzia

Auris, this looks awesome and somewhat daunting. ( I backpacked from Zurich to Istanbul and got lost more than a few times. :-) ) I will delve into it this week. I decided they should make the trip by sea (four men, two women). I've just been looking into which port stops they will make leaving from Brundisium to 5th century Constantinople. This will help a lot. Thanks!

Thank you, Bogdan. This is great information. I don't want to paint. I just thought I'd get a few figurines to add to a small diorama used in conjunction with a book reading. The information on the scales will be quite useful. I will check the links you posted and see what I can find. I just bought some replica coins and a few fibulae and a replica codex. A few barbarian and Roman soldiers would be the perfect final touch I think to the display. Thanks again. Cinzia

Thank you Onasander! I'm sure this will prove to be helpful. I also think a resources page maybe added to by members would help the writers who come here a lot. Would it be more work for Viggen? Lord knows he does quite a bit now. :-)

Yes. The second book is about a murder, and a quest to bring a prized relic to Constantinople right at the time that Petronius Maximus is killed and the Vandals enter Rome. I'm about three quarters of the way through. Hopefully, the cover for this one will be a bit more subdued. LOL

Thanks GoC, I checked out the tablet. It does not look promising for overland travel by a couple carrying a valued prize and in a hurry. :-)

OMG. After reading all these descriptions, I think they are going to take a ship!! LOL I just might put them right into Constantinople and reflect on the journey somewhat in the narrative. I know what you're saying is very real and yes it would be a 'tale of travel that will keep [my] readers disturbed, horrified, and spell bound.' I think a person should get a Nobel Prize for enduring such a journey. LOL It's very descriptive, though, so it won't go unnoticed. I will draw on it no matter the chosen path. If you've actually endured this sort of travel, you should write a book about it. In the states, right now, one of the big selling movies is WILD based on the book of the same title, I believe, about a woman who went into the wilderness on a spiritual trek of her own.

Thanks Onasander & Auris. These are excellent suggestions, which for my purposes add description and logic, and the resources look to be very helpful. I will definitely delve into them. I also have to correct myself. In reviewing Casson's passages on travel it was in the winter that sailing was discouraged and not the spring. Thanks again, Cinzia

I saw a story on this topic on an American television show called America Unearthed. It was really fascinating and seemed entirely possible. Who knows. In the meantime, I just finished the series Marco Polo. I'm wondering about some of the events depicted, but I know little about Marco, so I would have to find a reputable read for clarity. Years ago there was a short series made about his life that I enjoyed more because it showed more of his travels throughout China and not just his interactions with Kublai Khan.

Hi all: I'm trying to find some resources or a clear picture of how a traveller from Brundisium (Brindisi) would in the spring get to Constantinople. I've read that people avoided sea travel in the spring, so I thought to bring my characters to the big city on the Via Egnatia, but in some general reading I came across a passage paraphrased from Haddon's Warefare, State and Society in the Byzantine World that the western sections of the road were in such a poor state that travelers could barely pass along it. In another instance, I read that it fell mostly into disuse in the 5th century because of regional instability. My question is for anyone familiar with travel in Late Antiquity. What might have been the land travel alternative to the Via Egnatia for one trying to get to Constantinople from Dyrrachium( Durres) ? Or if you know of any resources that focus on life style in late antiquity either or both empires. I have Casson's book on travel in the ancient world, but his information doesn't always cover into the fifth century. As always, any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated. :-) Cinzia

Thanks Viggen!! I will check it out. Cinzia

Hi all: My upcoming novel will be out in late March. I'm getting ready for my first presentation and thought it would be an interesting addition to create a Diorama for display. Does anyone know of any reputable online stores that sell figurines? My book is set in the 5th century, so if I could find some barbarians, late Roman soldiers, a model coach, francisca, composite bow, anything related to the times, even women, accessories etc. but in miniature this would be fantastic. I will shop myself, but recommendations help the process. Thanks, Cinzia

Thanks. I'm following now. Cinzia

Viggen: This is fabulous. What was the metal used? I'm wondering about the stone, too. Cinzia

Nobody said they did. We were merely discussing literary conventions. I imagine 'Anno Domini' came later (quick check says Medieval) and BC, I have no clue because Before Christ is in English. However, the general reading population I think will relate easier to BC/AD and as Aurelia mentioned and for my purposes is a literary convention. Onasander, I know in a previous thread related to this topic someone mentioned AUL. Perhaps it was you. For me, AD works better than CE. :-)

John the Baptist was decapitated. Of course, no one honors him in the same way they do Jesus, but he is commemorated by pictures of his imagined likeness. If Jesus had been hanged, perhaps an image of a noose or gallows? It seems, the first representation was the fish and later with Constantine, the cross became most prominent. I think the crucifix came later showing Christ's body as well.

Thanks, Aurelia. Your viewpoint definitely helps and I agree. Within my story I use AD (mostly chapter headings) and for references in my author's note I'm just going to use 451. I'm thinking that if I anyone is writing in BC/BCE the will say 451BC. I'm in the US and people see on the History Channel (as I was told) the BCE/CE reference. So, some believe it is the standard now in the entire academic community. Cinzia

Thanks, Viggen. You're the man! :-) Cinzia

Hi all: I've read online that archaeologists have found evidence of the cross on pottery, glassware, brooches and jewelry dating back to the 4th-6th centuries, but the sources aren't cited. Does anyone know of any source other than Wikipedia or the Ency. Brit. that might substantiate these findings? My mid fifth century heroine wears one, but I want to mention to the reader the possibility of the accuracy of this or not. Cinzia

Sounds good. BC-AD works for me. Thanks for commenting. Cinzia

Viggen: Thanks again for 'saving the day'. I revisited the old thread and bookmarked this time. I took my author's notes to a writing group and one person went on about CE being more appropriate. I stated that my sources familiar with this historical time period leaned toward AD. Also, I've notice in some historical or author's note, the dates being shown as 132 or 69 with no mention of AD or BC. Are people assuming it's just AD unless specified by BC? Cinzia

Hi all: When I was writing my novel and I had chapter headings using a date, I was told here and by others for literary purposes use AD 451, which I agreed with and did. Now I'm writing an Author's Note and I'm wondering when I reference a date should I write, 132 or AD132 or 132CE. I've seen in another Author's Note the writer uses " in 69 …. " Does the average reader relate to the BCE, CE usage? I also see that some online information sites (wikipedia, Princeton, Ency. Brit.) use AD and others CE or not at all. I'm going to check with my editor, but I'm wondering if any published author on this forum might be able to comment. Thanks, Cinzia

Seeing that Cinzia in English is Cynthia, which means 'Moon Goddess', I like anything to do with the moon. This might make for a riveting story indeed. Thanks for the suggestion and the references. :-)

This is from Haley Elizabeth Garwood's novel "Zenobia." This is from Chapter one. On top of the chapter: 252 A.D. The Syrian Desert Here's the exact quote: guy also known as gaius Interesting way to start, especially if you take in account that many believe Christ was 33 when he died. How does one figure the 244 and the chapter reference of 252? In any case, I try to keep it clear and simple because my time period isn't that common. Cinzia