cinzia8

Herculanus probably wanted to save his nuts and that's why he said yes to marrying Honoria. I believe he was much older, so he most likely didn't mind having a young, flirtatious and somewhat mindful woman to gape at. LOL It may have been win-win. She could run around after he went to bed at sundown. <g> However, no matter the quality of their marriage, I'm still open to villa names. For Gaius, did the author stating "420 years after the death of her savior…" set the book in AD 420 or 450? It seems too roundabout, but there might be more to the statement such as the character's deep Christian feelings. Cinzia

Hi Gaius, Thanks for the well wishes. I'm referencing the book first by giving you the time and place at the top of the chapter 'GAUL: A Roman field camp AD 450' This seems the most common way to help place the reader from the start and then as someone once said, "It's all in the details."

I like the idea of the moon. I like to sit outside on a summer night and look at the moon. In the winter where I live, the moon shines bright and high around 2AM (I'm an indoor night walker<g>). What if Herculanus bought it and it was called _______ Moon. Joshua is beautiful but the average reader won't get the biblical reference. It also has to be in Latin; however, if purchased it may have a 'soft' pagan or nature connection. The sound is key as well. Shining moon, bright moon, golden moon, silvery moon, strong moon, lady moon. Does anyone know any of these in Latin? I can probably use a translator. Ex. Lady Moon would this be Luna Domina? I'm kind of liking this Lady Moon. :-)

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and ideas. My character who owns this fictional villa is the real Senator Herculanus who was quickly wed to Valentinian's (III) sister, the misbehaved Honoria. Most evidence of villa's today are from Britain, or there is the Villa Romana Casale in Sicily. I also have been using Pliny's writing on his Villa Laurentinium. I believe this is a location and that Pliny also referred to it as Laurens. Does Laurens have a meaning in Latin? My heroine is a Christian and her new husband is a converted Frank. However, I'm going to assume that Herculanus was a Christian, especially if wed to Honoria. It really won't matter too much as far as the plot goes. What does Ad Gallinas Albas mean? Something with trees? Alberi in Italian--trees. Also, believe it or not, I've used the real Gethsemane in the prologue to set up the mystery quest. So that might be redundant or symbolic. I'll have to chew on that for a bit. Cinzia

Hi all: I'm writing in Late Antiquity and I'm looking for a name for my Roman villa. Any suggestions are appreciated. They have to be in Latin and nature related would be nice. Thanks. Cinzia

This is a good point and another useful detail. I do imagine to turn someone away would be quite offensive, especially in inclement weather. A formal request would also seem necessary as opposed to 'Hi, we were in the neighborhood and thought we'd drop by.' LOL Cinzia

Just to be more precise, the mansiones network had grown over the course of the empire and was at its peak in late 3rd/early fourth century. It was however a restricted network, available as part of the Cursus Publicus system set up by Augustus (it was not a post office, as often described, but a system of forced rental and way stations), whereby a traveller on official business can expect to appropriate temporarily animals or wagons according to an entitlement based on both status and the travel warrant (which set out what the traveller could demand from the public). Owners of the animals/wagons would be compensated from public money at rates set by the governor, though in fairness, compensation had ceased to be effective by the late empire and arrangements were based on loans or barter. Official entitlement varied from ten wagons for an imperial procurator and his son, to one wagon for a centurion. Soldiers were not entitled to wagons but interestingly could demand animals for transport (which is interesting given what I've read in Roman sources about soldiers taking beasts whenever they wanted - people weren't getting compensated and it seems the soldiers often abused the system). Such abises were checked at times - Constantine made it clear that no-one could simply demand property from a nearby peasant, and had to summon assistance from the way station. However, this official travel did not usually include family members (although the warrant might allow it - I have no evidence). Travelling at their own expense is another matter. I suspect that hospitality was largely available for those in need and one wealthy family might be only too happy to allow another to stay a day or two - a chance to socialise and make contacts after all. Incidentially I have no idea if the Cursus Publicus system included boats. I imagine it did although the longer travel distances would inflate the problems associated with demanding citizens goods and vehicles. Caldrail, What you've written is true. The Cursus Publicus was indeed for the soldiers, clergy and different officials and I think Casson did mention some sea travel, but I would have to go back and check. There also were average travelers who especially into the 4th and succeeding centuries who wanted to go to the Holy Land or just see more of the world and this included women of some means. Primarily like you say, they would find acquaintances or recommendations to stay with in private residences, but there were also these hospitium that existed that were run by 'hosts' and catered to the more genteel. I think I might use a hospitium for 'one night' just for literary purposes. Her next stop will be at the country estate of either a senator or magistrate. Also, how many people can they know on the way to Constantinople? They had to leave Rome in a bit of a hurry, so they will definitely have to camp as well. <g> In my own journeys, especially when I was a young lass (although I prefer upscale accommodations <g>) I used hostels and pensione because of time, place, and circumstance.

Number Six, The information about Frazer is most helpful. The idea of the sacred grove of Diana at the lake of Nemi is intriguing. Too bad it wasn't there in AD 456. However, I might be able to create something similar to enhance the story. Thank you. I will also check out The Golden Bough. I like the title. Cinzia

Hi Cinzia8. Mansio's are not wayside inns but a network of hostels for official business of the state. Couriers, diplomats, representatives, soldiers, or perhaps even those with enough clout to get permission to use them might be found. Wayside inns would be in most cases a very downbeat experience. Sometravellers hired prostitutes and left grafitti, amnd the rooms would not generally make many concessions to luxury. This might help you better - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansio [As for eating in a room alone, I suspect that might attract some comment. A womans place is by her husbands side as it were, and if the husband is busy with business, the ladies would temnd to congregate for socialising. I wouldn't have thought meals were taken to a room]. Caldrail, In Casson's book, his chapter section "Inns and Restaurants" talks about different practices and he does mention that those of means at times might have food sent to their rooms like 'room service.' The hospitium catered to the wealthier patron who wanted to avoid the more common places 'caupona' and so these hospitalities were in place. I'm trying to think of the status of my heroine. She has the money, yet if she can dine with her husband in the inn's restaurant, I would prefer it. Again, we see so much diversion from truth and accuracy in well-known historical novels and movies, I don't know why I worry so much. Thanks, for your input. It's always appreciated. Cinzia

I'm so sorry, Number Six. <g> I agree my name isn't 'Signifer'. I don't know what I was thinking. I decided to somewhat follow Horace's path down the Appia because he was headed to Brundisium. I just want to be consistent in my logical stops along the way. Although my novel is focused on plot more than exact historical detail. I try to be as accurate as possible. Also, who is Frazer? Is he/she a Late Antiquity historian? Cinzia

Thank you, Miles. This is a worthy suggestion. I will consider using the Anicia. Cinzia

Hi all: I'm into my second novel (I just signed a contract for my first one!!) and my heroine has to travel the Via Appia in the spring (by land) to cross at Brundisium and travel the Egnatian Way to Constantinople. She is accompanied by her husband, friends and servants. Their first stop is Aricia (like Horace) and from what I've read in Casson's Travel in the Ancient World, they most likely would stay with friends or some friend of a friend, camp in high style or stay in a Mansio (roadhouse inn) or a better classed establishment (hospitium). I plan on the first stop to be an hospitium (for intrigue in the plot reasons), then from then on stay with friends and once they cross at Brindisi to camp. Question: She is a senator's daughter can her way be prepared by servants and she discreetly retire immediately to her room and take her meals in her chamber? (This will allow her husband to go to the dining room and be involved in a bit of intrigue, not to mention the respite for the traveling party and some other stuff.) Would this be plausible even if not likely? Should I use the word hospitium or mansio? Question 2: I've been trying to find the name of a mid 5th century Roman senator who might host them (a friend of her father's), or would a local magistrate do? Her father's name is fictitious, but I was hoping to use a real senator as the friend. Any opinions or suggestions as always are welcome. I definitely found UNRV as an excellent source for book 1. Thank you all. Cinzia

I came across this online but will check my textbook sources as well. [The Salians, who eventually became the Merovingians, were first mentioned by Ammianus Marcellinus, who described Julian's defeat of "the first Franks of all, those whom custom has called the Salians," in 358.[18][19] He promoted them to the status of foederati within the Empire.[20] The 5th century Notitia Dignitatum lists their soldiers as Salii. Jordanes, in Getica and mentions the Riparii as auxiliaries ofFlavius Aetius during the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ch%C3%A2lons' title="Battle of Ch

That's so interesting about the status of 5th century gladiators. Do you think a modern comparison might be our interest in English football (U.S. soccer) and for Americans, football, waning away in a hundred years? Thanks again for the help in this matter.

I, for one, see no reason that you shouldn't just go ahead and make him a citizen, possibly by way of citizenship being granted in return for service to the empire, probably as a result of a bit of cash changing hands. The prevailing opinion seems to be that this sort of thing was likely, even if we few on these pages can't come up with concrete documented precedent. In short, historical accuracy is important in fiction, but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. I think this is an excellent idea. It is fiction. Will the history police arrest me if it's not quite spot on? :-) Also, your suggestion sounds plausible. Cash has always changed hands for favors. In my neck of the woods today in the state I live we have a term for our government "Pay to Play." This might not be a unique term, but it's one bandied about quite a bit here. Luckily, in the story, Frank has done a service for the Empire. So, I will combine the two. Her daddy (a senator) can be the vehicle for Frank's good fortune. Just curious-- were gladiators granted citizenship?

Caldrail thanks for your insight. It must have been difficult to have more than an infantile demeanor in a world ruled by men. However, women have learned to use many other less assertive means to get what they want precisely because of a ruling order that treated them like they weren't equal or intelligent. I also agree that you had female exceptions who did run a business or an estate because they had the determination or an evolved male partner. Cleopatra is a great example of seductive manipulation to get the power she needed to survive and rule, but I think her preference (history portrays some lustful chemistry here) for Antony did not help her go very far--that risk again with a price. BTW was Cleopatra a citizen? Sorry, I have this status on the brain now. Also, why do you find the Medieval tale of Lancelot and Guinevere ridiculous? I'm curious The content? Comrades (albeit King and Knight) in love with the same woman is not unusual. Courtly love fostered the idea of a knight's devotion to his lady, which could also include his queen.

I agree that history and even today has nurtured marriages made for gain and less for love. However according to Randers-Pehrson's non-fiction historical, Barbarians and Romans, Placidia and Athaulf loved one another and she despised Constantius who killed Athaulf and forced her to marry him. I also, think that at any time and in any culture there are those who do defy convention most often at a price, but one they are willing to pay. The Lancelot and Guinivere story acts as metaphor, in my opinion, for the notion of courtly love that bloomed in Eleanor of Aquitaine's court. The Family in Late Antiquity by Nathan also cites stories of marriages made for love. I'm not in disagreement with you, but I think that in real time men and women were still driven by lust, intellectual compatibility, and plain old chemistry. In addition this is a fiction novel set in history and although I cherish staying true to the facts as much as I can, I would bet there was a Roman woman somewhere who fell for a man other than a Roman, perhaps though not of aristocratic blood, but maybe that too. I can't help but think of the aristocratic Marcus Venetius in Quo Vadis who risked his life for the the barbarian slave girl, Ligia. This was fiction but Nobel Prize fiction. So, maybe I'm okay. I just want Frank to be a citizen if possible.<g>

Well, I guess I may have a problem. Wasn't Galla Placidia married to a barbarian (Athaulf the Visigoth) before Constantius? I think he served under Alaric. Was Alaric a foederati? I find it hard to believe that in Late Antiquity with all the interactions with barbarians that there were no mixed marriages. Even Honoria made a bid for Attila even though Valentinian refused the marriage. I'm going to have to dig deep on this one!! Darn. Cinzia

To make matters worse, my Senator's daughter is a 2 time widow. Could her father buy her Frank his citizenship? I'm sure with the right amount anything can be purchased. Any thoughts on this?

ALL-I'm not being notified about new replies. I checked my settings. All looks in order. Hmm. GOC, did this policy last into the fifth century?

Thanks all. I want my 5th century Frank noble to be a citizen or get citizenship so he can legally be married to a Roman from the senatorial class. I was just wondering if there were any application process or fee like today. Would he get automatic citizenship by marrying a Roman citizen? I will dig deeper, but any other insights are welcome. Cinzia

Hi all: Can anyone tell me or lead me to a source that would explain how a barbarian gained Roman citizenship? Could it be bought or attained through marriage? I believe I read that barbarian tribes located within the empire's borders were automatic citizens. Can anyone comment? Thanks, Cinzia

No need to worry about the claims the Zodiac Calendar is wrong. Its a complex issue but lets just say they are only looking at the positions of the sky-in when they say there is a "13th" sign. In actuality its not the positions in the sky and the Sun passing through them, but the Equinox that matters and it remains in the same 12 signs-thats why most Astrologers didn't change the Zodiac Signs to include Ophiuchus .Its complex (especially the Equinox position thing) but these articles should clear up come things. http://www.dailyhoroscope.com/horoscope-headlines/ophiuchus-the-13th-zodiac-sign http://www.astro.com/astrology/in_ophiuchus_e.htm No need to worry, you're still a Leo. Oh BTW whats the other aspects of your basic chart (gonna start a thread on this soon >W<!)? My basic chart? I'm a Pisces with a Moon in Leo and Scorpio Rising . EDIT Another article to clear up the misconception of changed Sign dates and the "new" Zodiac Sign "Ophiuchus". http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/13/no-your-zodiac-sign-hasnt-changed/ Also on the claim the birthdate changes because the position of constellations in the skies has changed recently. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/blog-post/2011/01/new_zodiac_sign_dates_dont_swi.html Read this and the other article above.It should clear up this misconception thats been spreading very lately since 2010. Good links. I look forward to your posts.

Priceless and true!! Why can't we see the real benefits that come from teamwork. I'm always venting about this very idea. Cinzia

I think if they raised this ship and did some kind of preservation work, it would be a fabulous historical site that might benefit the town. I hope they go for it.