Princeps

That it is within my power to rule over you for life is evident. However, I am mild by nature and have no wish to dominate. Let me live my life in peace. -Augustus (Cassius Dio / Dio Cassius has it slightly different, but this is my preffered translation) At last, now I can begin to live like a human being. -Nero

There are conflicting views I think. Same with the solstice (though I've never understood this, given that it's dictated by the Sun).

Oops, forgot Tynemouth priory. There are loads of ruined castles round these parts, I include this one 'cos it's also about 10 minutes from my home. I used to go ther to drink beer as a teenager. Ah, those were the days

Yeah, film school are quite good. I don't have the album, but I've heard some of their stuff, I enjoyed it. Babyshambles - **** Forever ANother Pete Doherty tune that I really like - starts off slowly, then builds to up to an awesome song. Listen a few times and you'll really like it. Contains explicit lyrics 8/10 Peaches - **** the pain away Since I'm doing profainity today, I'll include this tune. I don't know anything about the tune or the artist, some girl from myspace sent me it last week, I assume it's by an American female artist (well, this is obvious, but it's all I know, apart from the fact that I like it). May cause offence to anyone with delicate sensibilities! 8/10 Moby - Go A quick Moby anecdote - Myself and a friend once saw Moby sleeping on a train, I think he'd just done a gig at Newcastle Uni (so it was obviously a long time ago!). He had his records at his feet, and my associate wanted to "Liberate" a record as a souvenier. I convinced him that this would be no good, perhaps he was on his way to a gig and taking a record would mess up his set. Anyway, that's my Moby anecdote. I really like his stuff, this is one of my favourite Moby tunes. 7/10

I tried to find a modern day pic of the one I first posted for comparison, but I couldn't (I could take a pic myself as it's a 3 minute walk from my home, but it hasn't changed much - less people is about it). Here's some other pics of where I live- Tyne Bridge-built by the Sunderland company that built the Sydney bridge. This one is about 40% smaller, it was designed first and built second (iirc). This shot also shows a few of the other bridges spanning the Tyne - there are quite a few (the Industrial revolution basically started here I believe, so they've been building bridges ever since). Another bridge, the "Blinking eye" millenium bridge. Built for pedestrians, it tilts to allow ships through. A very nice bridge this one. It leads to the Baltic arts building (I can't find a really nice pic including both, so there's a small pic below). The first pic also shows a nice view of the Sage music centre, again I've included a smaller pic of the sage, there are loads of large pics of this structure on google if you want better shots. Gateshead Angel (Angel of the North). COntraversial, but that's 'cos some people live to complain. I love it. Grey street - officially England's greatest street! (for aesthetic value at least, as voted by members of RICS, among others). Designed mainly by John Dobson, it includes the Newcastle theatre and Grey's monument(neither shown), and has a lovely downhill curve. And finally, the Penshaw monument. Not really in my locale, I live about 25 miles from this place, but I've included it anyway, for obvious reasons! That concludes the tour for now, I may add some more later.

I would agree that Edinburgh is a wonderful city, the first time I visited I was astounded at how nice it was in the evenings (then again, it is the capital). I'm not sure I would have advised the Romans to visit though. I'm sure the pre-castle era wasn't so pleasant up there. How was the lecture?

Mariah Carey - Shake it off I never really liked Mariah's early stuff, but since her comeback her music has really improved imo. I think she's working with better producers or something, anyway the productions values of this song cannot be denied, and Mariah's voice is as strong as ever. 8/10 The Killers - All These Things I've Done I got this tune from the "Hot Fuss" album, one of those rare gems where every song is worth listening to. This was my favourite tune ever for a while, even now when I'm anebriated I am known to screech along with it at the top of my voice, especially "I've got soul but I'm not a soldier". A classic song this one. 9/10

Ok then here's one for the old timers (like me!), though not exactly synth-pop Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares to You The video to accompany this song is quite powerful, and apparently they shot it dozens of times (and I think the tears at the end were actually an ad-lib, though don't quote me on that). Plus Sinead is really hot in this vid! 8/10 The Libertines - Can't Stand Me Now Songs like this one are the reason Pete Doherty is loved by so many, despite being a total smack monster. Not overwhelming in its greatness, I'd describe this tune as "nice", he definately deserves the label "The Poet". This is another of those songs that remind me of my own life journey, especially the line "teach me how to play guitar, with my cigarette like a superstar. Fortunately I haven't smoked for a good three years, don't think I've strummed for at least that long though, might have to remedy that soon. 9/10 Note on this song - this is not the original version, I think it may be a live recording. The original is good, but this track is worth finding, I think it's a lot better and I've added to the score I gave it (Pete sings "I read every review,...ahhh a vision of you" near the end of the version I reccomend)

Page 3 of Metro (free paper for public transport users in a dozen or so major UK cities), full page article featuring 2 large photos. The article was about one of the users (I think he was called Cynwolf or something) being crucified for 7 days for various offences, as shown on the photos. Also featured a quote from RedBedlam explaining the punishment. Not sure what the circulation for Metro is, at least a few million I would imagine. I have the article if anyone wants to see a scan.

I have neglected this thread for the past month or so, I will resume posting as of now Bush Swallowed I really like the guitar and vocals on this tune. Don't see much of this band anymore. I would classify this tune as some type of grunge style. 8/10 DMX - X gonna give it to ya Wait for you to get it on ya own? X gonna deliver it to ya. This is my favourite DMX song, possibly one of my favourite rap/hiphop tunes in general, been playing this quite a lot recently. 8.5/10

He was pretty cut up about the loss of his legions in the Teutoberg forest. It was around this time that his two heirs apparent also perished (I forget their names but they should be easy to find, they were Julia's sons). I don't think he became senile or anything, but his spirit was broken. I'm not aware of any of his later history being supressed, if that's what you mean. Taccitus wrote a fair bit about his later years. Edit - The boys were called Lucius and Caius? (Gaius?). I'm not sure, she had 5 children in all.

What did the Romans do for kicks when not participating in drunken orgies and blood sports? They were very fond of their wine certainly, but what about other substances? Am I right in thinking that tobacco was a New World discovery? I've never come across any mention of narcotics etc in the writings of the Roman historians.

Thanks Dr. Heather! Your time is much appreciated, I'm sure you're very busy. FWIW I totally agree with you in your answer to my question. I think Constantine's death bed Baptism is the clincher for me, but as you say, religious conviction has never been an obstacle to people intent on violence. Edit - also, thanks for that tip on the Journal of Roman Studies. I'll try to check it out some time in the future.

You have excellent taste docoflove, I see you are fond of 80s UK music. I've never really listened to joy division ("Love will tear us apart" being the exception), but I quite like new order. Ian Curtis' demise was a tragedy. I will get some tracks from them to add to the list. Just for you Germanicus- Ian Brown - Time is my Everything Ian got some sort of lifetime achievement award from NME recently, and not before time either. I believe he was there from the start of the Madchester revolution, and we have him to thank for influencing a lot of what has come since then. I really love this song in particular, he utilises a lot of brass in his tunes, which is a nice change from what I usually listen to. 8/10

My birthdays are not something that I like, but hopefully you'll have a good one, happy birthday.

I thought that was a bit strange, someone told me that they changed their name, I just assumed some focus group had advised it. Do you like the Smiths or Morrissey docoflove? I was thinking about adding a few 80s tunes to the list. The Source - You've got the love This tune is kind of a fusion between Moby and Snap, I never get bored of this track, it has everything I like. I think it was ahead of it's time. 9/10 Blur - End of a century Damon Albarn is a total genius, his work in his new band just gets better and better. This song brings back fond memories, it reminds me of summer as a youth. 8/10

Fine Young Cannibals - She drives me crazy They only had 2 big hits as far as I can remember. To be honest though, even if they just had this one it would be good enough for me. Possibly my favourite 80s pop song. 8/10 (Known as "English Beat" in the U.S) Kings of Leon - Bucket As far as guitar bands go, these guys are awesome. Slightly better than The Strokes imo, because their songs are more varied. They've all got long hair too, something I've never been able to achieve. 8/10

I totally agree. I personally think the pilum is underappreciated in context of romes great victories. It played a huge factor in winning battles. I also think it was the most cleverly created weapon of ancient times because of the many tasks it performed in one throw as you have explained above. The use of it was a devasting introduction to romes enemies of whats to come. Picture and an army of maybe 5000 romans, each throwing two waves of pila. Thats 10000 spears hurtling towards you which must of being devasting not just to the enemies physically but also mentally, destroying morale even before the battle began. It gave the romans a huge advantage to take into the battle and this is why i regard the pila as one of the most clever weapons made. As spears go, it wasn't any better than ayone elses. The only advantage it gave was that you couldn't throw it back. Mind you, I wouldn't like to be the target of a volley Possibly, but http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2664&st=15

Thanks gents, I'm glad to see the Byzantines have finally got their place at UNRV. I think the cut and pastes should be referenced though, if they weren't written by the authors.

Good thing it's not "a english" exam

Ah, rock fans eh? My personal favourite u2 tune is "with or without you". If you like u2 you will enjoy todays first sugestion. Muse - Hysteria Don't know what happened to Muse, I haven't noticed anything new from them since their debut album. What they have produced, though, is some damn fine modern rock music. This is my favourite Muse track. 8/10 I especially like the video they made for this. Dirty Vegas - All or Nothing I love most of the tracks from Dirty Vegas' self-titled album. Their mellow style of house music is good for most occasions, from laid back solo listening to all out club nights. 8/10 Not everyone appreciates the virtues of house. Another note - I am running this thread on another forum too. I have decided to cut and paste, please ignore any repetitions. I will edit out any profainity etc but if you notice any please inform myself or a mod asap.

Nine Inch Nails - Hurt Wow, what can I say, this is better than the cover I mentioned. I cannot praise it any more highly than that. It even has the bass tones at the end of the tune. 8/10 - Not one for the shuffle mode at gatherings, and the protracted ending is messing with my mp3 player. Also, at the rate of 1 tune a day this thread will takes at least a few years and run into hundreds of posts, so I will be doing 2 or 3 per day. Beck - Broken Drum Beck has loads of good tunes in his catalogue, I'm sure he'll make a few appearances in this thread. 7/10 Na na naa naa naa naaaa, good guitar riff throughout and and Beck's unmistakable drawl, couldn't ask for more. Jungle Brothers - True Blue Classic hip-hop dance fusion. Forget your 50 cent ****, this is real hip-hop. I reccomend you start with the Aphrodite mix and then try the others. All of them. 9/10 (Note, possibly offensive lyric near the end). U2 - Bloody Sunday U2 are truly the kings of rock. One of their earlier tunes, this is an absolute classic. 8/10 - Certain political overtones don't manage to spoil this track

Using the powers of the internet, find an old photo of your home town. This is where I live, Whitley Bay

If the Romans were the only ones with siegecraft technology, how did the Persians successfully overcome the defenders of the Athenian Akropolis? How did Alexander defeat the number of walled cities that he did? The Persian horse

ok, thanks for that *runs off to download NIN*