ROMAN NEWS & CULTURE
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19.02.2010 19:40, Nick Squires from Telegraph.co.uk  : |
| Golden Bough from Roman mythology 'found in Italy' Italian archaeologists claim to have found a stone enclosure which once protected the legendary "Golden Bough".  In Roman mythology, the bough was a tree branch with golden leaves that enabled the Trojan hero Aeneas to travel through the underworld safely. They discovered the remains while excavating religious sanctuary built in honour of the goddess Diana near an ancient volcanic lake in the Alban Hills, 20 miles south of Rome. They believe the enclosure protected a huge Cypress or oak tree which was sacred to the Latins, a powerful tribe which ruled the region before the rise of the Roman Empire. The tree was central to the myth of Aeneas, who was told by a spirit to pluck a branch bearing golden leaves to protect himself when he ventured into Hades to seek counsel from his dead father. In a second, more historically credible legend, the Latins believed it symbolised the power of their priest-king. Anyone who broke off a branch, even a fugitive slave, could then challenge the king in a fight to the death. If the king was killed in the battle, the challenger assumed his position as the tribe's leader.  The discovery was made near the town of Nemi by a team led by Filippo Coarelli, a recently retired professor of archaeology at Perugia University. After months of excavations in the volcanic soil, they unearthed the remains of a stone enclosure. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/new s/worldnews/europe/italy/72586 07/Golden-Bough-from-Roman-myt hology-found-in-Italy.html |
| 19.02.2010 19:39, Daily Mail Reporter from Mail Online : |
The Roman Army Knife: Or how the ingenuity of the Swiss was beaten by 1,800 years Inspired: The Roman army pen knife, a precursor to today's popular Swiss Army accessory The world's first Swiss Army knife' has been revealed - made 1,800 years before its modern counterpart. An intricately designed Roman implement, which dates back to 200AD, it is made from silver but has an iron blade. It features a spoon, fork as well as a retractable spike, spatula and small tooth-pick. Experts believe the spike may have been used by the Romans to extract meat from snails. It is thought the spatula would have offered a means of poking cooking sauce out of narrow-necked bottles. The 3in x 6in (8cm x 15cm) knife was excavated from the Mediterranean area more than 20 years ago and was obtained by the museum in 1991. The unique item is among dozens of artefacts exhibited in a newly refurbished Greek and Roman antiquities gallery at the Fitzwilliam Museum, in Cambridge. Experts believe it may have been carried by a wealthy traveller, who will have had the item custom made. A spokesman said: 'This was probably made between AD 200 and AD 300, when the Roman empire was a great imperial power. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new s/article-1247230/The-Roman-Ar my-Knife-Or-ingenuity-Swiss-be aten-1-800-years.html#ixzz0e74 eYAN7 |
| 11.02.2010 18:50, Adrian Goldsworthy : |
Roman Warfare  The Romans built perhaps the greatest empire of all time, forged with an unequalled skill in warfare. Accompany these unparalleled Roman troops from the conquest of Italy through to world conquest. Watch as defeated armies became allies and future soldiers of the Empire. Consider the irony of extreme brutality and repression leading to peace and prosperity. All the techniques and the organization of this amazingly advanced fighting force come into focus, from the emphasis on drills to its superior technology and bureaucracy. http://www.s-p-q-r.org/rome_fi les/Page456.htm |
| 11.02.2010 18:45, Philip Matyszak : |
Legionary: The Roman Soldier's (Unofficial) Manual (Unofficial Manuals) This carefully researched yet entertainingly unacademic book tells you how to join the Roman legions, the best places to serve, and how to keep your armor from getting rusty. Learn to march under the eagles of Rome, from training, campaigns, and battle to the glory of a Roman Triumph and retirement with a pension plan. Every aspect of army life is discussed, from drill to diet, with handy tips on topics such as how to select the best boots, or how to avoid being skewered by enemy spears. Made Me Want to Enlist This book starts with the premise that Rome of 100 AD is alive and well and that you, the reader, are interested in joining the Legions that Defend Our Empire. This "manual" promises to give the prospective recruit the information he needs to make an informed choice and proceeds to do just that. It takes you from "how to enlist", through the training process, getting your uniforms and kit, helpful hints on how to get along in the legion, how the legion is organized and fed and supplied, who you will probably be fighting (those darned Dacians are the most likely right now) and ends with your retirement and its attendant benefits. Overall, a lot of fun and very informative. I would consider signing up if I weren't already much too old and not a Roman Citizen. Steve Thickstun http://www.s-p-q-r.org/rome_fi les/Page456.htm |
| 11.02.2010 18:21, Staff from Malton & Pickering Mercury : |
| Stand by - the Romans are set to invade Ryedale again THE Romans are about to invade Malton again 1,600 years after they left – but they are waiting for better weather to do so. A special Roman festival is due to take place over the first May Bank Holiday weekend and will involve the Market Place and the old Roman fort site, named Derventio, in Old Maltongate. The town's Market Place will be renamed The Forum and host chaADVERTISEMENTriot races involving human horses, Roman cookery, hair and make-up demonstrations, a play, music, dancing and a head-in-the-hole display for photo shoots. A major re-enactment group called Victus represent the 9th Legion who, historians believe, built the first fortress, Derventio, in Malton before moving on to York or Eboracum. The idea has come from Graham Harris, who managed the Roman Bath Museum in York but lives in Malton and is being backed by the local Business in Action group. The re-enactment group also has a strong auxiliary soldiers section which is appropriate as Derventio was manned by auxiliaries for most of its long life. He said: "Strongest of all is their extensive living history camp which recreates a Vicus – the civilian settlement which always sprang up outside a fort or fortress. We are arranging for military displays to take place within the site of the fort. They also have a wonderful British section recreating the tribes who lived here well before the Romans arrived." The re-enactors will be accompanied by Mr Harris' own group – the 6th Legion based in York – with simulated battles, projectile weapon displays, an armoury and a tented area with replica Roman and British weapons and a Kiddie drill where children can dress up as Roman soldiers. The living history camp will comprise up to 15 tents with diferent displays. Some restaurants will offer a Roman theme and there will also be a Miss Derventio competition where the winner will be made up in a Roman-style costume and be carried around in a Roman taxi known as a palanquin. Also planned are a Russell Crowe lookalike competition, a hog roast, a beer tent, a wine festival and a Toga party. |
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