Jay Cardam's Blog, page 5
March 10, 2014
Putin learning from the Romans?
This by way of Rogueclassicism an excellent depository of all things classical…
Barry Strauss, professor of history at Cornell University notes that how Russian tactics in Crimea echo centuries-old Roman tactics, and point to Russian President Putin’s understanding of history.
Strauss:
“Events in Crimea remind us that the region has an ancient history. Finding a friendly minority across the border to roll out the welcome mat, using military ‘volunteers’ in unmarked uniforms, and threatening your neighbors with force were old tricks when the Romans used them. Now the Russians are employing them in Crimea. Putin is nothing if not a historian.”
March 9, 2014
The “Apollo” of Gaza ~ Part II: Questions of Condition and Authenticity
This is a fascinating discussion, long but worth every minute of it. Thank you rogue classicism!
Originally posted on rogueclassicism:
In case you missed our previous installments:
The “Apollo” of Gaza ~ Part I: Fishy Tales and Timelines
The “Apollo” of Gaza ~ Part Ia: Fishy Tales and Timelines
The “Apollo” of Gaza ~ Part Ib: Implications of the Arabic Press Coverage
In our previous installment(s) on the so-called “Apollo” of Gaza, we primarily questioned the apparently ever-developing story of the find as told by the fisherman of many names as reported by various news outlets. Now it is time to look at the statue itself and see if it’s possible, from the information we have been given, to discern whether this thing is a genuine antiquity or a fake.
At the outset, though, we should deal with another question related to provenance, specifically whether it was actually found in the sea or not. Despite the engaging story told by the fisherman, opinions on this seem to be divided. Our first opinion comes from the oft-quoted Jean-Michel de Tarragon of the French Biblical and Archaeological School of Jerusalem, who seems to be one of the few academics consulted on the issue by the press:
February 23, 2014
A Dangerous Age…63!
Found this posted by Michael Gilleland on his LaudatorTemp0ris Acti…interesting site.
A Dangerous Age
Aulus Gellius, Attic Nights 15.7.1-2 (tr. J.C. Rolfe):
It has been observed during a long period of human recollection, and found to be true, that for almost all old men the sixty-third year of their age is attended with danger, and with some disaster involving either serious bodily illness, or loss of life, or mental suffering. Therefore those who are engaged in the study of matters and terms of that kind call that period of life the climacteric.
observatum in multa hominum memoria expertumque est, senioribus plerisque omnibus sexagesimum tertium vitae annum cum periculo et clade aliqua venire aut corporis morbique gravioris aut vitae interitus aut animi aegritudinis. propterea, qui rerum verborumque istiusmodi studio tenentur eum aetatis annum appellantκλιμακτηρικόν.
February 22, 2014
Roman Pillows
Nice tidbit of info from a list I’m on. Courtesy of Al Schlaf. Now I want that book.
Checking my copy of A.T. Croom’s “Roman Furniture” (2007 Tempus Publishing,
2010 reprint by The History Press) pp. 5r6-58, the cheapest were stuffed
with reeds or straw, next best, raw wool and the best, feathers or goose
down. citations at Pliny the Elder and Martial, among others.
Al Schlaf
Des Moines, IA
February 12, 2014
Pomeii at Franklin Institute! Have you seen it yet?
Pompeii Exhibit at Franklin Intstitute in PHILLY—Who’s been? Who’s going?
I have to get to Philly to see this. Good reviews and I’m a sucker for anything Pompeian. Have you seen it? Did you like it?
Take Our Poll
February 2, 2014
Don’t Eat it!
The Sarpa salpa fish causes hallucinations when ingested. It was sometimes used as a drug in Ancient Rome.
January 29, 2014
Numerius Meridius Pulcher
Numerius Meridius Pulcher, a manumitted slave of the Julio-Claudians with a shady past, lives in Ancient Rome and Pompeii where he solves mysteries. Pulcher is joined on his adventures by his faithful slave and long time companion, Aristo; his nephew, Quintus; his “muscle,” Apollo; and the numerous other slaves that seem to be added to his retinue at every turn. He is a survivor, a survivor with a heart.
The Roman Forum
Numerius Meridius Pulcher and the Case of the Not So Virgin Vestal is available at Amazon.com in both paperback and kindle formats.
Reviews for NMP and the Case of the Not So Virgin Vestal:
“I am a Lindsey Davis fan. This book reminds me of his Falco series, Of course the characters in “Numerius Meridius Pulcher and The Case of the Not So Virgin Vestal” are very different and unique. Numerius Meridius Pulcher has an “Exotic” past, but it spurs him on, instead of holding him back, which his enemies would prefer. When he start to look into a mystery, nobody can stop him.”
“A new voice from Ancient Rome”. Fun and fast reading.
“Jay Cardam introduces us to an interesting new protagonist in the heavily-populated world of ancient Roman sleuths … to my great enjoyment! Numerius Meridius Pulcher may not have made his fortune as a respectable member of Roman society, getting a rocky start as a child prostitute/slave named Hylas, first in Tiberius’ Capri villa, then later as a beautiful ornament in Caligula’s twisted court. However, Fortuna ultimately smiled through his manumission by the emperor Claudius …
The story is populated with characters who are given enough depth and credibility by the author’s deft hand that I found myself caring about Numerius’ family, his niece and nephew, as well as his slave/companion Aristo. The author has begun a hopefully-long series and I can’t wait to get to know these individuals better, as Mr. Cardam has the opportunity to give them greater depth in future works. The framework for further adventures has been built. I look forward with anticipation to seeing how the author continues to build the world of Numerius Meridius Pulcher.
Vale.”
The Author…Jay Cardam
Jay Cardam is a nom de plume of a working High School Latin Teacher.
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