Roman History Books and More

book chats for june: 'fire in the east (warrior of rome series #1) by harry sidebottom

2013-05-17T09:56:08-04:00

Fire in the East (Warrior of Rome, Book 1) by Harry Sidebottom will be our book for June 5 & 19. It is taking place in CE 255.

"Fire in the East: Warrior of Rome serves as a vivid example of the best in historical fiction, where the genre serves to not only accurately inform its readers about the complexities of life and relationships between diverse cultures but imbues them with a passion to learn even more." Review by our friend Mary Harrsch.

online book chats

2013-05-17T06:19:00-04:00

This blog is an adjunct to The Roman History Reading Group which meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month except August in our chat room from 9:30 to 11:00 p.m. US EDT (UTC/GMT -04). This means that in Asia and Australia/Pacific, it's daytime. Here is a world time clock as a general assistance for non-USAns.

Please note the time change effective March 10.

Chat room location (with instructions) at Google Talk.

2013 Reading Schedule

June 5 & 19
Fire in the East (Warrior of Rome, Book 1)
by Harry Sidebottom
(also as eBook)

July 3 & 17
Cast Not the Day: A Novel of Love and Tyranny
by Paul Waters

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coming up: 'andria (the girl from andros)' by terence, may 15

2013-05-14T18:06:00-04:00

May 15
Andria (The Girl from Andros) a play by P. Terentius Afer (Terence), online text. Also available here.

Terence at Wikipedia
Image at left: Alleged portrait of Terence, from Codex Vaticanus Latinus 3868. Possibly copied from 3rd-century original.

Suggested companion reading:
The Woman of Andros by Thornton Wilder

Update, May 14: A bit late for the discussion, but there is Edith Hamilton's The Roman Way which deals with Plautus and Terence in the first three chapters.

chat reminder: 'imperial caesar' by rex warner next wednesday

2013-04-25T11:27:02-04:00

We will be discussing the second of the two Julius Caesar novels by Rex Warner:

Imperial Caesar

Both can be had as a joint eBook: Julius Caesar: Containing 'The Young Caesar' and 'Imperial Caesar'. A brief review at Bookish.

Mention was made in the last chat that this might be "all military," but so far in my opinion the military parts are more concise and for the non-military mind certainly less annoying than in Colleen McCullough's "Caesar: A Novel."

next two book chats: 'the young caesar' and 'imperial caesar' by rex warner

2013-04-11T17:40:41-04:00

We will be reading two Julius Caesar novels by Rex Warner:

April 17
The Young Caesar
May 1
Imperial Caesar

Both can be had as a joint eBook: Julius Caesar: Containing 'The Young Caesar' and 'Imperial Caesar'.

A brief review at Bookish.

a note to our oversees friends: time change in the u.s.

2013-03-08T11:55:37-05:00

Please note that on Sunday, March 10, the U.S. is switching to U.S. Daylight Savings Time. For our chats that means:

EDT= UTC/GMT -04

second of three chats on 'carthage must be destroyed' coming up march 20

2013-03-08T11:48:37-05:00

Carthage Must be Destroyed: The Rise and Fall of an Ancient Civilization by Richard Miles (also as eBook).

"The first full-scale history of Hannibal's Carthage in decades and "a convincing and enthralling narrative." (The Economist )

"Drawing on a wealth of new research, archaeologist, historian, and master storyteller Richard Miles resurrects the civilization that ancient Rome struggled so mightily to expunge. This monumental work charts the entirety of Carthage's history, from its origins among the Phoenician settlements of Lebanon to its apotheosis as a Mediterranean empire whose epic land-and-sea clash with Rome made a legend of Hannibal and shaped the course of Western history. Carthage Must Be Destroyed reintroduces readers to the ancient glory of a lost people and their generations-long struggle against an implacable enemy."

March 20: Through Chapter 9, Barcid Spain

We had a good chat last Wednesday.

next book: 'carthage must be destroyed: the rise and fall of an ancient civilization' by richard miles

2013-02-22T10:36:13-05:00

Our next book in our onlie chat will be Carthage Must be Destroyed: The Rise and Fall of an Ancient Civilization by Richard Miles (also as eBook).

"The first full-scale history of Hannibal's Carthage in decades and "a convincing and enthralling narrative." (The Economist )

"Drawing on a wealth of new research, archaeologist, historian, and master storyteller Richard Miles resurrects the civilization that ancient Rome struggled so mightily to expunge. This monumental work charts the entirety of Carthage's history, from its origins among the Phoenician settlements of Lebanon to its apotheosis as a Mediterranean empire whose epic land-and-sea clash with Rome made a legend of Hannibal and shaped the course of Western history. Carthage Must Be Destroyed reintroduces readers to the ancient glory of a lost people and their generations-long struggle against an implacable enemy."

March 6 & 20, April 3

The breakdown is as follows:

March 6: Through Chapter 4
The Economy of War: Carthage and Syracuse

March 20: Through Chapter 9
Barcid Spain

April 3: Through the end.

Enjoy! I think it's one of the best selections for this year.

Sarmatians on The Wall

2013-02-14T16:04:13-05:00

Thanks to Irene for letting me do this guest post!

Our current read, “Island of Ghosts” by Gillian Bradshaw, sends Sarmatian cavalry to Hadrian’s Wall as a result of a treaty with Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Ariantes and his men are assigned to Cilurnum, known today as Chesters Roman Fort.

Chester’s has a wonderfully preserved bath house, located outside the fort walls, on the riverbank. The niches for storing clothes still survive and you can sit inside one of the baths!

I'm unsuccessful at uploading photos, so click on the link below for the English Heritage page on the fort. Scroll down to the gallery and click on the photos - they are incredible. At the administrative headquarters, you can even peer into the strong room where the money was kept. The strong room still has its original roof! You can also see the under floor heating system (hypocaust) in the commander's house. He had a private bath house as well.

Chesters Roman Fort

We visited Cilurnum (Chesters) in 2008 and in 2010 and 2011 I was lucky enough to take part in archeology digs at Vindolanda Roman Fort.

Vindolanda

If Ariantes and his fellow Sarmatians had to be posted on the Wall, then Cilurnum was one of the better forts. Although I think his fellow Sarmatian Prince, Arshak, got the best posting: Eboracum (modern-day York)!

One of the most memorable things about my visit to Cilurnum was at the gift shop. We asked the clerk to recommend a bed and breakfast. He recommended one a couple of miles down the military road. He said it was just past the Temple of Mithras. My mouth hung open! I made him repeat that there was a Temple of Mithras just down the road. We visited it and I still can't believe I was there. Here it is:

http://www.roman-britain.org/places/brocolitia.htm

column of marcus aurelius

2013-02-10T17:42:38-05:00

Our current read, "Island of Ghosts," takes place during Marcus Aurelius' reign. Our friend Robert posted a page by Jona Lendering about the Column of Marcus Aurelius, one of the war monuments from ancient Rome. That page also leads to a link on LacusCurtius, Columna M. Aurelii Antonini.

The image is via Wikimedia Commons, from this page about the column.

Update: How did I miss this video?

next online book chat february 20: 'island of ghosts' by gillian bradshaw

2013-02-08T15:53:28-05:00

Get thee ready for the next chat, a novel set in Roman Britain, "Island of Ghosts: A Novel of Roman Britain" by Gillian Bradshaw, availabale as paperback elsewhere. eBook (U.S. only).

Library Journal:

The title here refers to the Roman Britain of the second century A.D. as seen through the eyes of Ariantes, a warrior prince of the Sarmatians. He and his loyal cavalrymen have been forced to swear allegiance to Rome and are stationed in a Britain still troubled by tribal uprisings. Ariantes begins to learn Roman ways in order to protect his people while struggling to remain true to his heritage. Bradshaw (Beacon at Alexandria, Soho, 1994) explores the demands of loyalty and honor amid political intrigue and rebellion. She deftly melds her expert knowledge of the period with her moving portrayal of a compassionate and honorable man adapting to a foreign culture. Both the setting and the riveting plot should appeal widely. Essential for any collection of historical fiction.Laurel Bliss, New Haven, CT

final chat on 'the october horse' by colleen mccullough, this coming wednesday

2013-02-04T17:56:39-05:00

Our final chat on The October Horse by Colleen McCullough in our ongoing reading of the "Masters of Rome" series (also as eBook) will be this Wednesday, February 6, 9:30 EST.

Enjoy, and see you all then!

continuing reading 'the october horse' by colleen mccullough, january 23

2013-01-14T22:18:55-05:00

The second of our three chats on The October Horse by Colleen McCullough in our ongoing reading of the "Masters of Rome" series (also as eBook) will be next week, Wednesday, January 23.

Through Chapter VIII: "Fall of a Titan," which ends with the assasination of Caesar and his forced cremation in the forum.

coming out end of january: 'the joy of sexus: lust, love, and longing in the ancient world' by vicki leon

2013-01-10T15:27:26-05:00

Coming out end of January by our friend Vicki León will be her newest exploration of the lives in the Ancient World, The Joy of Sexus: Lust, Love, and Longing in the Ancient World.

In her previous books, Vicki León put readers in the sandals of now obsolete laborers, ranging from funeral clowns to armpit pluckers, and untangled the twisted threads of superstition and science in antiquity. Now, in this book of astonishing true tales of love and sex in long-ago Greece, Rome, and other cultures around the Mediterranean, she opens the doors to shadowy rooms and parts the curtains of decorum.

León goes far beyond what we think we know about sex in ancient times, taking readers on a randy tour of aphrodisiacs and anti-aphrodisiacs, contraception, nymphomania, bisexuality, cross-dressing, and gender-bending. She explains citizens' fear of hermaphrodites, investigates the stinging price paid for adultery despite the ease of divorce, introduces readers to a surprising array of saucy pornographers, and even describes the eco-friendly dildos used by libidinous ancients. Love also gets its due, with true tales of the lifelong bonds between military men, history's first cougar and her devoted relationship with Julius Caesar, and the deification of lovers.

also as eBook.

hot off the presses: 'semper fidelis' by ruth downie (gaius petronius ruso)

2013-01-10T15:06:38-05:00

Another adventure starring Gaius Petreius Ruso and his wife Tilla, during a visit to Britannia by the Emporer Hadrian and his Empress. And a new interpretation of why Suetonius had to go home to Rome ...

Semper Fidelis byRuth Downie.

Back at his post as a doctor in the Twentieth legion in Roman-occupied Britain, Ruso uncovers a new danger even closer to home than the neighboring barbarians.

As mysterious injuries, and even deaths, begin to appear in the medical ledgers, it's clear that all is not well amongst the native recruits to Britannia's imperial army. Is the much- decorated Centurion Geminus preying on his weaker soldiers? And could this be related to the appearance of Emperor Hadrian?

Also as eBook.

... and a new david wishart: no cause for concern

2013-01-07T14:06:57-05:00

I also discovered that David Wishart published a new Marcus Valerius Corvinus mystery early last year:

No Cause for Concern

‘I need a favour from you, Corvinus. Do what Occusia asks, and I’ll be very grateful. Very grateful indeed. Turn her down, or fudge things, and – watch my lips here, please – you’ll wish that you’d never been born. Your choice, absolutely no pressure. You understand?’

Four years down the line, and Sempronius Eutacticus is still the charming, good-natured organized-crime boss that he was when they last met. Now his stepson has gone missing, and he wants Corvinus to trace him. Not that it should be difficult, mind: there’s no cause for concern, because young Titus has simply run off to join his uncle’s acting troupe. Or that’s what everyone assumes, anyway.

Until, of course, he’s found murdered.

new mystery by rosemary rowe: a whispering of spies

2013-01-07T13:41:36-05:00

This just out:

A Whispering of Spies by Rosemary Rowe in the Libertus series.

A gruesome discovery leads Libertus on a dangerous quest . . . Wealthy Volus, ex-lictor to the Imperial Governor of Gaul, is retiring to the town of Glevum. Libertus is sent to his new apartment, where he is informed that one of the ex-lictor’s treasure carts has been intercepted, the guards and horses brutally butchered. When his actions are misinterpreted by a network of spies, Libertus is suspected of involvement in the massacre and marched to the garrison to await trial. But after daringly escaping, Libertus embarks on a dangerous quest to discover the truth . . .

'the october horse' by colleen mccullough: chat breakdown

2013-01-02T15:41:57-05:00

Reminder: on January 9 & 23, February 6 we will discuss The October Horse by Colleen McCullough in our ongoing reading of the "Masters of Rome" series. (also as eBook).
(note January dates a/c New Year's Day)

January 9, through Chapter III:
Putting Things Right in Asia Minor
January 23, through Chapter VIII:
Fall of a Titan
February 6: through the end

Enjoy!

last chat of the year next wednesday: 'the temple of the muses' by john maddox roberts

2012-12-14T10:00:27-05:00

On Wednesday, Decemer 19 we will discuss The Temple of the Muses (SPQR IV) a Decius Caecilius Metellus mystery by John Maddox Roberts.
(also as eBook)

... and we are in Alexandria again. The year is 60 BC and Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger has been hustled out of Rome to avoid his enemy Clodius - again - and sent on a mission with Metellus Creticus. And of course he gets involved in a murder mystery. A rollicking story! We also meet the 10-year old Cleopatra, briefly.

Enjoy!

december 5 chat coming up: 'terra incognita' by ruth downie

2012-11-23T21:53:11-05:00

Terra Incognita by Ruth Downie
(also as eBook)

Robert found the Facebook page of Ruso and Tilla!

Update: Ruth Downie plans to join the chat!