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Centurion Marcus Valerius

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Posts posted by Centurion Marcus Valerius


  1. I'm looking for source material providing information on revolts in Mauritania around 122-123 AD.

     

    It's known that Emperor Hadrian was "on tour" in Gaul and Hispania, and is said to have traveled further south to quell some disturbances, but I've been unable find any solid details.

     

    We know he was there, but little is known about the source of or reasons for the revolts.

     

    As a novelist, I'm hoping that no substantial facts have survived ... that way I can make up stories with impunity!

     

    Any information or links would be appreciated.

     

    RSG

    No Roads Lead to Rome


  2. Thanks for the review and the comments about the discoveries associated with excavations for new train lines. When I lived in Spain, it was not uncommon to have archeologists on construction projects. There was a rule of thumb that the middle ages were a few meters below the surface and Roman relics were a few more meters underground. There was so much history to be uncovered that discovering ruins didn't stop construction unless they were deemed "important."

    RSG

    No Roads Lead to Rome


  3. This sounds like a really interesting vein to mine.

     

    I agree with those who have suggested mixing the military and political role of the Guard.

     

    Lots of potential mortal and moral conflicts to explore:

     

    - How were the privileged Guard viewed by the more rank-and-file legionaries?

    - If, as was suggested, he wanders off into the far reaches of the empire, how would he be received? What challenges would he encounter?

    - Where does your character stand given the Guard's history of choosing and eliminating emperors?

    - Does he start off idealistic and veer towards opportunistic?

    - Is he in agreement with his commanders, or does he see things differently?

    - How is Christianity diffusing into the ruling class and, by extension, those who Guard it?

    - Perhaps the broader question is how are Roman beliefs changing. Is your guardsman a member of a cult (Mithras?) and, if so, are his beliefs challenged?

     

    Just a few thoughts that might spice up the story!

     

    Good luck!

     

    RSG


  4. I'm currently reading "Hadrian and the Triumph of Rome" by Anthony Everitt.

     

    This is a good book for people with a more than passing interest. It covers the roughly 60 years years between the Flavian Emperors and Hadrian's death.

     

    The author does a good job explaining the political and historical conditions that preceded Hadrian's rule. Everitt offers interesting and reasonable speculation where the historical record is thin, especially during Hadrian's youth.

     

    Hadrian spent most of his adult life away from Rome. He traveled the width and breadth of the empire, commissioning architectural projects, founding towns, and making sure the legions didn't get too restless. His historical record isn't as rich in documents and secondary sources as for other emperors, so Everitt had to travel far to piece together details from the architectural records, taking pains to find relevant inscriptions and dedications etched in stone and metal.

     

    Hadrian was an interesting and enigmatic emperor. He was a good administrator, a Hellenist, a solid military man with a curious and artistic personality. His one "big idea" was to stop expanding the empire, build walls around those who could be governed, and stomp on those who couldn't.

     

    I'm halfway through the book and will provide a more detailed review when finished. So far, I'm finding it rich in detail and context and well written for casual history buffs. Classics scholars may enjoy the sweeping overview but will probably be left feeling hungry for more.

     

    RSG


  5. I like the answers so far.

     

    I was thinking that someone from around 100 AD might be fascinated to see a sporting event, a racing event, an outdoor produce market, a military camp or a large port, and a tour of any great capital city and visit to a parliamentary debate.

     

    They would no doubt feel both familiar and strange to see how much we've taken from their architecture, love of public spectacle, military arts, government, and sense of commerce.

     

    They would be shocked to see planes in the sky and all of our other technological developments. Much of this would appear to be nothing short of magic.

     

    The rise and spread of Christianity would probably be a big surprise. A visit to a large cathedral basilica would be really interesting.

     

    By and large, I think that, overall, an astute Roman would see more similarities than differences.

     

    I might finish the day with a good movie. Any recommendations?


  6. If anyone is looking for a ballpark figure, I believe the usual estimate is about 50,000 Jews in Rome at the time of Trajan. This is based on known synagogues, percentage of contemporary burials and some Jewish texts (I can't recall which ones offhand.)

     

    In the very early days Christianity was seen as a Jewish sect (even Jews and Christians themselves were uncertain about whether this was the case), and the Jews were afraid that Christianity would upset the status quo with the authorities.

     

     

    I've read estimates that Titus brought back 20,000- 40,000 Jewish slaves from his conquest of Judea in 70BC. Many were used to build the Colosseum.

     

    This is probably the source of the population cited in the Trajan census figure.

     

    One of these enslaved prisoners is the great-grandfather of my character Gaius Severus in

    "No Roads Lead to Rome."


  7. I've just finished a novel length story set during the Bar Kokhba Revolt (AD 132 - AD 135) and besides the Roman Empire Map I purchased from this site and the abundance of information about the legions I also got from this site, I found a great resource for any one interested in this time period. The Bar Kokhba War Reconsidered edited by Peter Schafer does an excellent job of using archaeological and epigraphic evidence to create a clearer picture of this little documented but major revolt. Two chapters in particular give a fascinating look at the cave complexes the Jews used during this revolt. And the authors make it clear that these cave systems were used as a important part of the Jewish offensive rather than as defensive positions of last resort as they were used in the First Jewish Revolt.

     

    With this in mind, does any one know of any good descriptions of how the Romans dealt strategically with these highly defensible Jewish positions. For my writing, I used mainly examples from Josephus's Jewish War to portray Roman strategies but was wondering if anyone has read of legion tactics in tight quarters.

     

    If anyone is interested in my story I'm releasing 12 or so chapters a little at a time in a new blog I've just set up at www.iudaeanovel.com

     

    I'm also going to be posting historical information about the conflict and reviews of books that I used for research. I'd like to invite all of you to come take a look. I'm hoping between the story and the history you will find something interesting. I also welcome any comments and creative criticism you might have concerning the writing or historical accuracy of the text.

     

    Once again, I'd like to thank UNRV for all the inspiration and information they have provided over the years,

     

    Jim

    www.iudaeanovel.com

     

    My novel, "No Roads Lead to Rome," takes place about a decade earlier across the waters in Hispania. One of my characters is a young Jewish rebel who's trying to get to Judea to join the fray. I'm considering sending him there in a sequel but, as you realize, it's a huge historical backdrop to paint on.

     

    Unlike the period you are working in, I was able to inject a good dose of humor into a relatively obscure corner of the empire.

     

    Hadrian's war in Judea intrigues me as planting the seeds of a conflict that we're still living with today. I'll be interested to read your work.

     

    Good luck!

     

    RSG


  8. Hello all. I didn't know where to ask this question, but I always wondered who the high priest Annas was? Does anyone know anything about him? I did hear his daughter married ciaphas and he became high priest.

     

    High Priest in Jerusalem between AD 6 -15. He and his family where members of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. The family of Annas , his five son


  9. Interesting article. It inspired me to comb the web for references to resurrection in the Mysteries of Mithra, the cult that originated in Persia.

     

    The god Mithra has many parallels to Jesus. It's a fascinating topic to explore. Among the parallels, I recall reading that Mithra was said to have been resurrected. On a quick second glance, it seems this is a controversial assertion and difficult to prove.

     

     

     

    RSG

    Author of No Roads Lead to Rome

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