Metella

What about soldiers on the march .... did they carry wine as a matter of course, or with supply wagons? or just take it from the country side they were in? Did they drink water on campaign? Did this often lead to sickness? I also like little details

Thank you for the opportunity: When a king such as Mithridates would parlay with a Roman envoy - what were the pomp and circumstances? Meaning, once when General Sulla had his chair placed at a higher height than a local leader; they (the locals) had the person who let Sulla arrange this killed. Were there special Roman clothing used - food etiquette - gifts given any other protocols I may be missing ? Thank you again.

Hi All ! Occasionally I will be able to pass on free e-books - this is for new authors who want exposure. All these books will be on amazon, and all the authors ask is that you leave a review for them on Amazon.com. Be truthful - try not to totally trash them - but that is the only thing they ask - just a review. It helps them establish themselves and makes their next publication easier. Today I have 2 small e-books to offer - both in PDF form. one is about Physical Culture .... written more like a thesis than a novel; so big words, eh? It covers briefly entire lifestyles and how to honor the body. They do mention ancient Greek athetics, but this is not about that. Took me about 30 minutes to read - less than 50 pages. Called "How to Live: a manual of sensible physical culture" the other is about an orphan and the fountain of youth - light fantasy, I think it is written for adults - but would really work best for tweens. I read it in about 45 minutes. Called "Those Still Young" Thanks for letting me post this - Metella

Ah - that was very generous of you. I'm afraid my personal library consists of only 9 books, so I cannot be so generous.

Indeed - no perfect answer to this. I am satisfied with replicas for most of my experiences; but nothing could beat actually walking in the ruins of Rome under the blazing Italian sun. I guess my stand is closest to Maty's above. Not my fight, but I sure wouldn't want to globe trot to a million little museums, paying silly entrance fees to see one room of items and listen to superficial blabble about their history and then move on to the next dinky museum 3/4 day's ride away. Nasty global impact as well as butt flattening.

I wish they would have shown a picture. If you follow this later - please post a link if they every finish the model helmet as their display piece.

Thanks for the links ! There are only 3 (yes THREE) books on Roman before the middle-ages at my library. Humph.

That is speaking, what about a speech? I have never suffered from stuttering, nor suffered from any stage fright, yet I am horrible at persuasive speech. Horrible.

For any movie that is going to be released like this - for many things it has to de-volve to the lowest commonly understood factor .... Probably using the word "Centurion" to mean any generalized commander of a group of soldiers. Like karate for martial arts. Only those of us "into" it know better. So with those type of things as my parameters - I just go to be entertained. Geez, I am thrilled when some movies show the crest going side to side instead of front to back for those where it is appropriate. Anyhow, I realize I turn off my historical eye; but I get so few Roman movies - that as long as they are Roman-centric (as guy said) then I am pleased. I HATE the ridiculous accents used. Just let the actors speak according to how they are acting the part. Stupid and useless and more distracting than helpful.

True, true. Perhaps corrupt is the present day looking back and using my adjectives ..... as I wouldn't call Sulla corrupt; in fact, if his reforms were allowed to solidify - the Republic may have stood for a few more centuries. Good point.

I don't think Caesar was a hero - not because he killed and conquered - but because none of his actions were paradigm changing. Killing and establishing the Roman boarder were what a noble was supposed to do - and he did it well. That would actually be an argument to make him a hero; unless we judge him by our times and morals. Which I wouldn't. Marius and Sulla changed the paradigm of the military. Caesar was a very good general who used this change to his advantage. I don't think he was evil - just towards the end too greedy and corrupt which was to become par for the course. Augustus changed the paradigm of rulers for Rome - he took small steps; just at the military was changed a step at a time .... then those that followed Augustus took it further.

I love that I have found this place ! I am doing a story on a decurion in early Republic time. He saved a battle for the consul Sempronius - so with that as the main nugget - I am building a whole world around this guy. Lots of fighting with the Volsicans too. I have also been inspired by all the other writers in this genre here too - thanks all for posting and sharing.

I whispered to my husband in the theater - they use that formation for sieges. I was wondering too - but I guess it was visual for the medium. I like it - I read the book more than 20 years ago ! and had totally forgotten about the book until reading the review here. I read all her book in high school and must have started my love for Romans thanks to her. No, no women really in the film - but it fit the story line and they were in the background and fairly well respected - so I have no complaints about it. I think even those who don't know any of the story or know about Roman history can enjoy this film. The small flashes of humor keep it human. I didn't like how the fight scenes were filmed - they were too blurry for me also. I wanted to see a sword swung and hit, same with fists. not a blur and the final result. Oh well.

Greetings all. I am a lover of the Roman Republic era. More disdainful of the self-indulgent-ness of the Emperors. They forgot to put Roma first. I will be writing 2 different historical fiction novels set in Republic times. Perhaps a 3rd. I love to see all the similarities between the current US situations and those of ancient Rome. I am very glad to have found this site.

Oh my goddess - I didn't mean to YELL that part - I actually meant to make it smaller. ha on me. I be patient and wait to 'avatarate'. I loved the video .... I have been irritated that seeming all the U.S. productions on Rome give the Romans an English accent. Blah. thanks all for this fun introduction into UNRV.

PS Don't use the word 'Latinista' - I think i may have made it up. Ha ha I won't - as you said about the mental workings of the reader .... when you say Latinista, I see a slightly large, lovely, reddish haired Mexican type woman - who is beautiful, but won't engage her brain and runs on emotions. Not at all what I picture for ancient Romans. ha ha Seriously - thanks for that input - as I am struggling now with this issue, and my gut was to go with the names as they are (using our current alphabet). As you can tell, I am new here - can anyone tell me how to upload an avatar picture to my profile? I can edit some, but not that area of my profile. thanks.

I also have found this a problem. In addition, if I am writing about this for a general audience, I struggle with perhaps changing a name to make it smoother for the reader. As readers, what solution would you like? Name changed in the whole book with an end note of the proper name? Phoentically spelling it out the first time it appears in a novel? (won't that pull you out of the story) Leave it as is; and let the reader create their own sound in their mind and stick with it - even though it is most likely in error? A better solution ? thanks.