Beware the Ides of March

Julius Caesar was brutally assassinated 2056 years ago. The story is well known and there is no point in repeating it all over again. As we cannot undo history, we can at least commemorate the Ides of March properly with a glass of wine or some freshly baked Roman bread. Just like Caesar would have liked.

For some Roman bread ideas, see Coquinaria.

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Women In Republican Rome (I)

An analysis of women’s roles in the ancient Roman society is unlikely to be done with a high degree of accuracy because of the ambiguity of the sources or the complete lack of information in certain fields. Most of the material we have regarding the participation of women in the important spheres of the Roman society comes from male ancient authors, who filtered the image of women through their own lenses, making it less likely to be concordant with truth. Additional sources such as epigraphy and archaeological material can be helpful when it comes to completing the image of Roman women in the broader context of political and religious life. 

The fundamental elements in the life of Romans were the relationship with gods, political activities and warfare. While all them were accessible to male Roman citizens and everyone could engage in specific activities related to these field, most of them were unapproachable by women. This is made clear in ancient sources, which tend to segregate men and women without equivoque, at least from a constitutional point of view. Thus, the tribune L. Valerius mentioned the elements that should constitute a woman’s world: “no offices, no priesthoods, no triumphs, no honorary insignia, no gifts or  spoils from war can come to women; elegance and adornment and apparel  – these are a woman’s insignia, these are what our forefathers called a woman’s world. 

The disadvantage of being a woman in ancient Rome is clear, mostly for the public sector. Women were excluded from participating in public affairs, having no right to vote or to be elected, they were not allowed to any action related to warfare and the only exception was that they were allowed to hold several priesthoods . Even though they had citizenship and they were legally free individuals, women were not free agents, since they were bound for life by the relationships with their fathers and husbands . The basis of a freeborn Roman woman’s relationship with the world was governed by a general incapacity, propter sexus infirmitatem, which was seen as a characteristic of every woman, regardless her age or status .

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Someone Does Not Like Grafitti

stultorum calami carbones moenia chartae 


Chalk is the pen of fools, walls (their) paper 

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History of Carthage: A Timeline - Part I

-814 BCE

Foundation of Carthage

According to the legend, the queen of Tyre, Elissa, founded the city of Carthage in 814 BCE. The Phoenician city is developing very fast and gradually becomes to dominate the entire coast of Tunisia and North Africa.

-535 BCE

Etruscan-Carthaginian invasion in Corsica

A strategic point for controlling the navigation of the Mediterranean, Corsica attracted the envy of neighbouring civilizations from ancient times. Thus, a few years after the installation of the Phoenicians on the island, the Etruscans and Carthaginians were trying to set foot on the island. If the first attempts ended in failure, this was actually only a postponement. Indeed, less than a century later, Carthage laid hands on Corsica

-264 BCE

Beginning of the First Punic War

A Roman army comes to the rescue of Mamertines, masters of Messina and faces the attacks of Hiero of Syracuse. He wanted them out of Sicily to put an end to their exactions against the neighbouring cities. Besieged, the Mamertines were first called for help from the Carthaginians, before turning to Rome. The arrival of Roman troops caused the alliance of Hiero and the Carthaginians, but they were eventually defeated. The victory marked the beginning of the First Punic War.

-262 BCE

Taken by the Romans

After a first victory against Syracuse and Carthage, the Romans are concerned about the concentration of armed forces in Agrigento. To prevent their enemies from retalieting, they decided to seize the premises. After this new victory, many Sicilian cities joined Rome.

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Martial Epigram 5. 34 Translation - Erotion the Slave Girl

Martial asks the shades of his dead parents to look after his favourite slave-girl in the afterlife.

Hanc tibi, Fronto pater, genetrix Flaccilla, puellam
     oscula commendo deliciasque meas,
paruola ne nigras horrescat Erotion umbras
     oraque Tartarei prodigiosa canis.
Impletura fuit sextae modo frigora brumae,              5
     uixisset totidem ni minus illa dies.
Inter tam ueteres ludat lasciua patronos
     et nomen blaeso garriat ore meum.
Mollia non rigidus caespes tegat ossa nec illi,
     terra, grauis fueris: non fuit illa tibi. 

I commend you this slave girl, father Fronto, mother Flacilla, as she was my delight and the object of my kisses. May little Erotion not fear the dark shades nor the vast mouths of the Tartarean dog. She would have completed her sixth cold winter if she'd not lived as many days too few. Now, let her play amid old friends, let her chatter and lisp my name. May the soft turf cover her brittle bones: earth, lie lightly on her, as she was not heavy on you.

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Latin Quote of the Day: This Is How Justice Works

bono vinci satius est quam almo more iniuriam vincere 


A good man would rather suffer defeat than defeat another by foul means (Sallust)

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Top 5 Movies In Ancient Rome

Gladiator  (Ridley Scott, 2000)  - Gladiator is without any doubt the epitome of movies about Romans. Despite some of its technical flaws (remember the watches and planes on the clear blue Roman sky?), the story of the general who becomes a slave is masterfully old is impressive and memorable. Maximus has become a legend and it's probably the first recommendation any classicist will make to anyone who asks about the best movie in ancient Rome. If they had spoken Latin, it would have truly been the ultimate film about Romans.

Rome (HBO Series - 2005-2007) - This brilliant HBO series recounts the events that lead to the fall of the Roman Republic and the birth of the Roman Empire, seen through the eyes of their main protagonists. It also follows the life and adventures of two soldiers of the Thirteenth Legion, legionaries Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus, who witness these events, and even influence them. What is striking about these series is the level of attention on details. Creators Bruno Heller, William J. MacDonald and John Milius succeed where many others have failed, reconstructing ancient Rome in a way that makes the viewer linger with the desire for the long lost glory that was Rome. 

Ben Hur (William Wyler, 1959) - Based on the novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace, published in 1880, this epic movie has the action placed at the beginning of our era. Ben Hur is a true monument of the history of cinema taking into account the extent of the technical recreation of the great naval battle, the chariot race, and the crucifixion. It also remains one of the most awarded films in the history of cinema, with 11 Academy Awards. 

Quo Vadis (Jerzy Kawalerowicz, 2001) - It may be surprising, but this Polish adaptation of Henryk Sienkiewicz's novel is the best one made to date. It's only drawback is that everyone speaks in Polish, but if it's not Latin, it really does not matter. The character of Petronius (Boguslaw Linda) is masterfully constructed and the costumes and decors are on par with the Hollywood one, and even better in some cases (see the grand Coliseum scenes). 

Agora (Alejandro Amenabar, 2009) - Agora is a Spanish film directed by Alejandro Amenabar, but it is shot entirely in English. The film is a historical drama that takes place in the City of Alexandria , Egypt , from the year 391 d. C. The protagonist, played by Rachel Weisz , is the mathematician , philosopher and astronomer Hypatia of Alexandria - who was murdered, dismembered and burned by the followers of the bishop Cyril of Alexandria in 415 d. C. 2. The film won 7 Goya Awards, including best original script for Alejandro Amenabar and Mateo Gil. The costumes, extras and props resemble those of the HBO series “Rome” and the reconstruction of the ancient city is one of the most impressive you can get on screen. They should have, of course, all spoken Greek, but this is too much to ask, even for a movie made outside Hollywood.

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