How the Roman’s fought
A fantastic book is called “Rome and the Sword” by Simon James. This is a detail study on the gladius and its ancestors and the how and the why it contributed to Rome’s success in battle. I came...
View ArticleAn adventure staring you.
il·i·ad /ˈilēəd/ What does the title really mean? It means, “In pertaining to Illium” or “…Troy.” I will soon go on my own adventure. A Robiad one could say. I feel that there are others...
View ArticleClassicists are smart (I knew it!)
Picked up an interesting quote from Discover Magazine. It’s always something I suspected but sometimes one just has to be supported by data. The blog GENE EXPRESSION writes about GRE (General Record...
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The movie ‘Cincinnatus.’
I want you to write in and tell me what classical story you would like to see on the big screen. Put a comment on this blog, or place something on Facebook on the Ancient Rome Refocused Group site....
View ArticleBook Review
Just finished reading: What It Is Like To Go to War by Karl Marlantes. He is a Vietnam Combat Veteran, and Marine that not only explores the details of war, but the ritual, religion and literature...
View ArticleEpisode 12 (Season 2) Ancient Rome Refocused
Title — "Venus and Imaginative Archaeology" In this episode Venus (the statue of the goddess) takes a journey across time. Jordan Harbour of the popular podcast Twilight Histories is interviewed...
View ArticleVenus and Imaginative Archaeology
Episode 12 (Season 2) is posted. The show starts with a journey. A statue is created of the Goddess Venus, and we follow her thorugh the ages to the present time. She sees riots, the invasion of...
View ArticleHoratius at the Bridge
I’ve always liked this poem. The most famous stanza is as follows: Then out spoke brave Horatius, the Captain of the Gate: “To every man upon this earth, death cometh soon or late; And how can man die...
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Drum Roll, please
The hoplite shield is heavier than you think. Check out http://apittman.com/blog/store for a video that shows how to fight with spear and shield. Current price $30. Forget Prancercize and go for a...
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Clothes make the man
I found a website with photographs of classical subjects in modern clothes. Go to heavy.com for more examples. http://www.heavy.com/social/2013/06/ancient-sculptures-modern-day-clothes/ Humans don’t...
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The Plataea Oath
An oath sworn in stone. Have any of you sworn an oath? I mean raised your hand and swore to abide by some precept or law, while saying “so help me god” at the end? Did the ground rumble? Did...
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Name that Classical Connection (7)
It is time for another episode of ‘Name that Classical Connection.’ So far we have had 6 contests and someone has always managed to get the correct answer. I find this game interesting and mind...
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Philip Matyszak and Ruth Downie
This was a great weekend. I had the good fortune of interviewing two great writers: Professor Philip Matyszak of the book Legionary: The Roman Soldier’s ‘Unofficial’ Manual and Ruth Downie of the...
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Found in a creek bed.
I got an email from Archaeologist William Glover. He is featured on the latest podcast: Venus and Imaginative Archaeology. He provided an interesting picture and note. See below. – Rob Cain What...
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Daulaire’s Book of Greek Myths.
I was wandering through Barnes and Noble. There was a large book on Greek Myths sitting on one of the tables. It seemed familiar to me, and I opened it up. The title was Daulaire’s Book of Greek...
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Join the Senate
“Hello, Rob? I’ve been thinking about the Aeneid. I mean a lot. What I wanted to tell you is…” It would be great if listeners called in. The number is: 855-209-6230. It’s OK, this blog has the...
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Mythology and the BIC Pen
The pad of paper and the famous BIC pen, where many school papers, story of heartbreak, and first attempts at novel writing take place. I had totally forgotton about it. In high school (way back in...
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Up and down the mountain
What has changed. The packs are still heavy and the mountains just as tall. AVERAGE WEIGHT OF ROMAN SOLDIER’S PACK (Historical est.): 30 KG or 60 LBS. AVERAGE WEIGHT OF MODERN SERVICE MEN (U.S....
View ArticleThe Grape and War
Dan Carlin of Hardcore History, podcaster extraordinaire, did a podcast on the influence of alchohol on history. It was a fascinating program. Catch it if you can. In my own readings, which are...
View ArticlePhotograph of Roman Soldier Needed!
Help! I am in need of a photograph of a Roman Soldier guarding a Roman Style bridge across a river. Give me the rights and I’ll interview your reenactment group on the show. The age of the soldier...
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