😂 Gregory of Tours on Clovis: “One day when he had called a general assembly of his subjects, he is said to have made the following remark about the relatives whom he had destroyed: 'How sad a thing it is that I live among strangers like some solitary pilgrim, and that I have none of my own relations left to help me when disaster threatens!' He said this not because he grieved for their deaths, but because in his cunning way he hoped to find some relative still in the land of the living whom he could kill.”

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🔺 THE CIMBRIAN WAR The Cimbrian War (113-101 BC) was a significant conflict pitting the Roman Republic against migrating Germanic and Celtic tribes, most notably the Cimbri and Teutones. Their southward movement, possibly due to environmental changes in their northern homelands, brought them into contact and conflict with Roman territories and allies. The initial Roman response was disastrous, marked by heavy losses at battles like Noreia (113 BC) and the catastrophic defeat at Arausio (105 BC). These defeats exposed Roman military vulnerabilities and caused alarm in Rome. However, the migrating tribes' decision to move west into Gaul and Spain provided Rome with crucial time to reorganize and for the emergence of Gaius Marius. Marius's subsequent military reforms proved vital. He decisively defeated the Teutones and Ambrones at the Battle of Aquae Sextiae in 102 BC. The war concluded in 101 BC with Marius and Catulus jointly crushing the Cimbri at the Battle of Vercellae in northern Italy. This decisive Roman victory eliminated the immediate threat of these migrating tribes to Italy. The war was instrumental in the rise of Marius, whose military reforms had a lasting impact on the Roman legions, and it highlighted the challenges posed by large-scale migrations to Roman security. Interesting video:

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🔘 WHY DID THEIR ANCIENT COINAGE HAVE STAMPED ON ONE SIDE A DOUBLE-FACED LIKENESS OF JANUS, ON THE OTHER THE STERN OR THE PROW OF A SHIP? “Is it, as many affirm, in honour of Saturn who crossed over to Italy in a ship? Or, since this might be said of many, inasmuch as Janus, Evander, and Aeneas all landed in Italy after a voyage by sea, one might rather conjecture thus: some things are excellent for States, others are necessary; and of the excellent things good government is the chief, and of the necessary things facility of provision. Since, therefore, Janus established for them an ordered government by civilizing their life, and since the river, which was navigable and permitted transportation both from the sea and from the land, provided them with an abundance of necessities, the coinage came to have as its symbol the twofold form of the lawgiver, as has been stated, because of the change he wrought, and the vessel as the symbol of the river. They also used another kind of coinage, stamped with the figures of a bull, a ram, and a boar, because their prosperity came mostly from their live stock, and from these they also derived their affluence. This is the reason why many of the names of the ancient families are such as the Suillii (belonging to pigs), Bubulci (herdsman of oxen), Porcii (pig), as Fenestella has stated.” Plutarch, Roman Questions

🔵 ROMAN ENVOYS ARRIVE AT ANTIOCH “After the completion of the festival, the envoys with Tiberius Gracchus arrived, who had been sent from Rome to investigate the state of affairs in Syria. Antiochus received them with such tact and with so many expressions of kindness, that Tiberius not only had no suspicion that he was meditating any active step, or cherishing any sinister feeling on account of what had happened at Alexandria, but was even induced by the extraordinary kindness of his reception to discredit those who made any such suggestion. For, besides other courtesies, the king gave up his own hall for the use of the envoys, and almost his crown in appearance; although his true sentiments were not at all of this kind, and he was on the contrary profoundly incensed with the Romans.” Polybius, histories

🟣 DALMATIAN CUSTOMS “The Dalmatians have the peculiar custom of making a redistribution of land every seven years; and that they make no use of coined money is peculiar to them as compared with the other peoples in that part of the world, although as compared with many other barbarian peoples it is common.” Strabo

⚪️ THE SECOND PUNIC WAR BEGINS “Since after the assassination of Hasdrubal the Carthaginian there was no one in command, they chose as general Hannibal, the elder son of Hamilcar. The people of Zacantha, whose city was under siege by Hannibal, collected their sacred objects, the gold and silver that was in their houses, and the ornaments, earrings, and silver pieces of their women, and melting them down put copper and lead into the mixture; having thus rendered their gold useless they sallied forth and after an heroic struggle were all cut down, having themselves inflicted many casualties. The women of the city put their children to death and hanged themselves. The occupation of the city, therefore, brought Hannibal no gain. The Romans requested the surrender of Hannibal to be tried for his lawless acts, and when this was refused embarked on the "Hannibalic" War.” Diodorus Siculus

🟢 CALIGULA’S GERMAN EMPLOYEES “The Germans were the first who perceived that Caius was slain. These Germans were Caius’s guard; and carried the name of the countrey whence they were chosen, and composed the Celtick legion. The men of that countrey are naturally passionate: which is commonly the temper of some other of the barbarous nations also; as being not used to consider much about what they do. They are of robust bodies, and fall upon their enemies as soon as ever they are attacked by them: and which way soever they go, they perform great exploits. When therefore these German guards understood that Caius was slain, they were very sorry for it, because they did not use their reason in judging about publick affairs, but measured all by the advantages themselves received. Caius being beloved by them, because of the money he gave them; by which he had purchased their kindness to him. So they drew their swords, and Sabinus led them on. He was one of the tribunes; not by the means of the virtuous actions of his progenitors; for he bad been a gladiator: but he had obtained that post in the army by his having a robust body. So these Germans marched along the houses in quest of Cesar’s murderers: and cut Asprenas to pieces, because he was the first man they fell upon: and whose garment it was that the blood of the sacrifices stained, as I have said already: and which foretold that this his meeting the soldiers would not be for his good. Then did Norbanus meet them; who was one of the principal nobility of the city; and could shew many generals of armies among his ancestors. But they payed no regard to his dignity. Yet was he of such great strength, that he wrested the sword of the first of those that assaulted him out of his hands, and appeared plainly not to be willing to die without a struggle for his life. Until he was surrounded by a great number of assailants, and died by the multitude of the wounds which they gave him. The third man was Anteius, a senator; and a few others with him. He did not meet with these Germans by chance, as the rest did before; but came to shew his hatred to Caius: and because he loved to see Caius lie dead with his own eyes, and took a pleasure in that sight. For Caius had banished Anteius’s father, who was of the same name with himself: and being not satisfied with that, he sent out his soldiers and slew him. So he was come to rejoice at the sight of him now he was dead. But as the house was now all in a tumult; when he was aiming to hide himself, he could not escape that accurate search which the Germans made: while they barbarously slew those that were guilty, and those that were not guilty, and this equally also. And thus were these [three] persons slain.” Flavius Josephus

⚫️ LAST DINNER “The most warlike of his cohorts was still unharmed, which, made up of Chauci and Frisii, was stationed at Tolbiacum on the borders of the territory of the people of Cologne: he was, however, turned aside by the depressing news that this cohort had been destroyed by a stratagem of the inhabitants of Cologne, who, after stupefying the Germans with an elaborate dinner and abundant wine, had closed the doors, set fire to the building, and burned them all.” Tacitus, Histories

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.”

🟡 SUPERSTITION The Ancient Romans were a deeply superstitious people, believing that the gods and goddesses of their pantheon influenced every aspect of their lives. They sought guidance through divination, interpreting omens from the flight of birds, the entrails of sacrificed animals, and even the patterns of lightning. One common superstition involved the number thirteen. It was believed to be an unlucky number, possibly due to its association with the witches' coven. The Romans also had a strong aversion to the left side, considering it sinister and unlucky. This is reflected in the word "sinister" itself, which comes from the Latin word for "left." Other superstitions included the belief that breaking a mirror would bring seven years of bad luck, the importance of carrying a lucky charm, and the practice of knocking on wood to ward off evil spirits. The Romans also believed in the power of amulets and talismans, which were thought to protect their wearers from harm.

🟤 ROMAN CONDITIONS “The conditions were these: All Roman prisoners and deserters held by the Carthaginians were to be delivered up; Sicily and the small neighboring islands to be surrendered to the Romans; the Carthaginians not to initiate any war against Syracuse or its ruler, Hiero, nor to recruit mercenaries in any part of Italy; the Carthaginians to pay the Romans a war indemnity of 2000 Euboïc talents in twenty years, in yearly instalments payable at Rome. The Euboïc talent is equal to 7000 Alexandrine drachmas. So ended the first war between the Romans and the Carthaginians for the possession of Sicily, having lasted twenty-four years, in which the Romans lost 700 ships and the Carthaginians 500. In this way the chief part of Sicily (all of it that had been held by the Carthaginians) passed into the possession of the Romans. The latter levied tribute on the Sicilians, and apportioned certain naval charges among their towns, and sent a prætor each year to govern them. On the other hand Hiero, the ruler of Syracuse, who had coöperated with them in this war, was declared to be their friend and ally.” Appian. The Foreign Wars.

🔶 ANTIPATER THE EDOMITE “The praise bestowed by Caesar at the time on the hero of the day and the hopes which it excited  spurred Antipater to further ventures in his service. Showing himself on all occasions the most daring of fighters, and constantly wounded, he bore the marks of his valour on almost every part of his person. Later, when Caesar had settled affairs in Egypt and returned to Syria, he conferred on Antipater the privilege of Roman citizenship with exemption from taxes, and by other honours and marks of friendship made him an enviable man. It was to please him that Caesar confirmed the appointment of Hyrcanus to the office of high-priest.” “After escorting Caesar across Syria, Antipater returned to Judaea. There his first act was to rebuild the wall of the capital which had been overthrown  by Pompey. He then proceeded to traverse the  country, quelling the local disturbances, and everywhere combining menaces with advice. Their support of Hyrcanus, he told them, would ensure them a prosperous and tranquil existence, in the enjoyment of their own possessions and of the peace of the realm.” “He took the organisation of the country into his own hands, finding Hyrcanus indolent and without the energy necessary to a king. He further appointed his eldest son, Phasael, governor of Jerusalem and the environs ; the second, Herod, he sent with equal authority to Galilee, though a mere lad.” Flavius Josephus

NO BARBARIAN “Now, we are told that Pyrrhus, when for the first time he beheld from a look-out place the army of the Romans in full array (280 BC), had said that he saw nothing barbaric in the Barbarians' line of battle; and so those who for the first time (198 BC) met Titus (Flamininus) were compelled to speak in a similar strain. For they had heard the Macedonians say that a commander of a barbarian host was coming against them, who subdued and enslaved everywhere by force of arms; and then, when they met a man who was young in years, humane in aspect, a Greek in voice and language, and a lover of genuine honour, they were wonder­fully charmed, and when they returned to their cities they filled them with kindly feelings towards him and the belief that in him they had a champion of their liberties. After this Titus had a meeting with Philip (who seemed disposed to make terms), and offered him peace and friendship on condition that he allowed the Greeks to be independent and withdraw his garrisons from their cities; but this proffer Philip would not accept. Then at last it became clear even to the partisans of Philip that the Romans were come to wage war, not upon the Greeks, but upon the Macedonians in behalf of the Greeks.” (Titus Quinctius Flamininus (c. 229-174 BC): Roman general; victor in the Second Macedonian War (Cynoscephalae, 197 BC); proclaimed Greek freedom (196 BC), establishing Roman influence in Greece.) Plutarch

🔘 WHY IN ANCIENT DAYS DID THE ROMANS NEVER DINE OUT WITHOUT THEIR SONS, EVEN WHEN THESE WERE STILL BUT CHILDREN? “Did Lycurgus introduce this custom also, and bring boys to the common meals that they might become accustomed to conduct themselves towards their pleasures, not in a brutish or disorderly way, but with discretion, since they had their elders as supervisors and spectators, as it were? No less important is the fact that the fathers themselves would also be more decorous and prudent in the presence of their sons; for "where the old are shameless," as Plato remarks, "there the young also must needs be lost to all sense of shame." Plutarch, Roman Questions

🔵 GALLIC WOMAN TAKES VENGEANCE “It chanced that among the prisoners made when the Romans won the victory at Olympus over the Gauls of Asia, was Chiomara, wife of Ortiago. The centurion who had charge of her availed himself of his chance in soldierly fashion, and violated her. He was a slave indeed both to lust and money: but eventually his love of money got the upper hand; and, on a large sum of gold being agreed to be paid for the woman, he led her off to put her to ransom. There being a river between the two camps, when the Gauls had crossed it, paid the man the money, and received the woman, she ordered one of them by a nod to strike the Roman as he was in the act of taking a polite and affectionate farewell of her. The man obeyed, and cut off the centurion's head, which she picked up and drove off with, wrapped in the folds of her dress: On reaching her husband she threw the head at his feet.” Polybius, histories

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