Even More Roman Tactics

It was recommended that if your cavalry was weak, then it should be stiffened with light armed foot soldiers. Vegetius also stresses the need for adequate reserves to prevent an army from enveloping one's own or fending off cavalry from attacking the rear of the infantry. Alternatively, they could perform an eveloping manuever on the opponent. The positions taken by the commander was usually on the right wing.

"Roman Army Tactics." The Roman Empire. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. http://www.roman-empire.net/army/tactics.html.

Envelope. Digital image. Wikimedia Commons. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/Envelope_-_Boonville_Address-000.jpg.

Gallic Rivers

More Roman Tactics

10,000 men can be placed in a rectangle 1,500 yards by twelve yards, and it was advised not to extend the line beyond that. The normal arrangement was the infantry in the center and the cavalry on the wings. Having the cavalry on the wings prevented the infantry from being outflanked, and once the battle turned and the enemy started to flee, the cavalry could finish up. Horsemen were always a secondary force in ancient warfare, as most of the fighting was done by the infantry.

"Roman Army Tactics." The Roman Empire. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. http://www.roman-empire.net/army/tactics.html.
Roman Cavalry 2. Digital image. Wikimedia Commons. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/Roman_Cavalry_2.jpg.

Roman Tactics

In the works of Vegetius, many Roman battle tactics are expressed. The importance of choice of ground is pointed out. Height is an advantage over the enemy. Rough ground is also better for pitting infantry against cavalry. The sun should be behind you to dazzle the enemy. The wind should also be blowing away from you, blowing your projectiles further and putting dust into the enemy's eyes. In the battle line, each man should have three feet of space, while there should be six feet between each rank.

Digital image. Wikimedia Commons. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Celestia_sun.jpg.
"Roman Army Tactics." The Roman Empire. Web. 23 Mar. 2010. http://www.roman-empire.net/army/tactics.html.

Ancient Ruins in Gaul

Ancient Gaul Ruins. Digital image. Tripadvisor.com. Trip Advisor. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. <http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/60/b9/a3/the-ancient-roman-ruins.jpg>.
Gaul Map. Digital image. Humanities.mq.edu. Humanities. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. <http://www.humanities.mq.edu.au/acans/caesar/images-coins/Map-of-Roman-Gaul.jpg>.
Ruins in Gaul. Digital image. Gutenberg.com. Gutenberg Site. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. <http://www.gutenberg.org/files/19694/19694-h/images/022.jpg>.
Ruins of Gaul. Digital image. Travel.webshots.com. Webshots. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. <http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1136275551055159650oVNiSJ>.

Sallust's View on Human Nature-38 Latin CH 34

All men who wish to surpass the other creatures ought to strive for the greatest power, so that their life isn't passed through with silence like the rest of the cattle, which nature formed bent forward but with an obedient belly. But all of our strength is placed in spirit and flesh; souls enjoy power, souls enjoy service, our soul is common between us and the gods, and the body is common between us and the beasts. To me, virtue appears to seek glory with the help of powers and of natural talent, because life itself is enjoyed and short, seeming to bring about memories to be long lasting as possible. For glory and beauty and riches are changeable and also fragile; while virtue is clear and eternal strength.

But many mortals, addicted to the stomach and to sleep, have carried an ignorant and unsophisticated life, just like those who travel; To the, the body assuredly served as a source of pleasure against nature, the soul was a burden. But at last the soul seemed to live and enjoy of me, which comes to seek some business of intent on acts rather than good reputation

Danae-Who

Danae was the princess of Argos, in Peloponessos. She was a daughter of King Akrisios. When her father learns of a prophecy that he was to be killed by a son of his daughter, he locked her away, but Zeus, disguised as a golden shower, impregnated her. She had a son named Perseus. After hearing of this, the king locked them in a chest and cast them out at sea. Perseus did eventually fulfill the prophecy.

Works Cited

"DANAE." Theoi Project. Theoi. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. <http://www.theoi.com/Heroine/Danae.html>.

Bats and Owls-Why?

The Minyades were the princesses of Orchomenus, under King Minyas. They scorned the worship of the god Dionysus, and refused to participate in his orgies. As punishment for this crime, the gods inflicted them with madness. This caused them to dismember one of their sons. The gods then transformed the three into bats and owls.

Works Cited

Bat. Photograph. Commons.wikimedia.com. Wikipedia. Web. 19 Mar. 2010. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bat_%28PSF%29.jpg>.

"Minyades." Theoi Project. Theoi. Web. 19 Mar. 2010. <http://www.theoi.com/Heroine/Minyades.html>.

Decimation!-Special Post

Decimation was a form of military discipline used by officers in the army to punish mutinous or cowardly soldiers. The word "decimation" is derived from Latin meaning "removal of a tenth." In Latin, "decem" means "ten." Units were divided into groups of ten, and then lots were drawn to see who would die. The unlucky victim was then killed by stoning or clubbing by the remaining nine comrades. The remaining soldiers were given barley instead of wheat and had to sleep outside of the Roman encampments.

Works Cited

"Decimation (Roman Army)." Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Web. 18 Mar. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decimation_%28Roman_army%29>.

Photograph. Silverclipboard.com. Silverclipboard. Web. 18 Mar. 2010. <http://silverclipboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/rome1.JPG>.

Aqua Virgo-Where?

The Aqua Virgo aqueduct was built by Agrippa in 19 BC. It supplied Rome with 100,000 cubic meters of water per day. It ran almost entirely underground, out of sight. It ended in the Baths of Agrippa in the Campus Martius. It was restored in the 18th century, and its waters feed the famous Trevi Fountain (1744).

Works Cited

"Aqua Virgo." Romereborn.com. University of Virginia. Web. 17 Mar. 2010. <http://www.romereborn.virginia.edu/ge/AQ-006.html>.

The Realm of Elysium-What

The Elysium Fields were the fields where the souls of heroes and virtuous men found rest. This included the islands of the Blessed and the Lethean fields of Hades. The first of these, also known as White Island, was reserved for the heroes of myth. The latter Elysium was a netherworld realm on the side of the river Lethe, in Hades. Its fields were promised to the initiates of the Mysteries who lived a virtuous life. 

Works Cited

Atsma, Aaron J. "The Realm of Elysium." Theoi Project. Theoi. Web. 17 Mar. 2010. <http://www.theoi.com/Kosmos/Elysion.html>.

Goethe's Ankunft Im Elysium. Photograph. Commons.wikimedia.com. Wikipedia. Web. 17 Mar. 2010. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Goethe_Elysium.jpg>.

 

King Midas-Who

King Midas was a wealthy king of Phyrgia, in Asia Minor. When an elderly companion of Dionysus was separated from his master, Midas showed great hospitality. Therefore, when Midas returned the old satyr to Dionysus, he was granted one wish. He wished for the golden touch, which quickly turned out to be more of a blessing than a curse. He could not even eat without his meal turning into gold. When Midas confronted Dionysus about this, he was told to travel to the river Paktolos, and bathe there. Midas obeyed, which rid him of the power, and imbued the river's sands with gold.
Later, he was asked to judge a musical contest between Apollo and Pan. When he chose the pipe over the lyre, the lyre-god gave him donkey ears. Ashamed of this, Midas hid these ears under a Phyrgian cap, the traditional cap of the nobility.

Works Cited

Atsma, Aaron J. "MIDAS." Theoi Project. Theoi. Web. 15 Mar. 2010. <http://www.theoi.com/Heros/Midas.html>.

Photograph. Home.comcast.net. Comcast. Web. 15 Mar. 2010. <http://home.comcast.net/~bmill07/TurkeyTrip_files/image005.jpg>.

Photograph. Realmagick.com. RealMagick. Web. 15 Mar. 2010. <http://realmagick.com/articles/69/1169-1.jpg>.

Vocab Check-Chapters 23-33

1. dehinc-then
2. hic-here
3. credere-to believe
4. negare-to deny
5. nescire-to not know
6. patefacire-to make open
7. putare-to reckon
8. lex-law
9. limen-threshold
10. mensa-table
11. tristis-sad
12. turpis-ugly
13. quam-whoever
14. tantum-so much
15. nepos-descendant
16. quot-how great
17. utilis-useful
18. ponere-to put, place, or set
19. stella-star
20. ut-so that
21. cedere-to withdraw
22. dedicare-to dedicate
23. egere-to lack
24. tacere-to be silent
25. moenia-walls of a city
26. osculum-kiss
27. denique-finally
28. ita-so
29. quidem-someone
30. condere-to store
31. contendere-to contend
32. pugnare-to attack
33. respondere-to answer
34. surgire-to arise
35. repente-suddenly
36. unde-so that
37. bibere-to drink
38. cognoscere-to learn
39. comprehendere-to comprehend
40. exponere-to explain
41. rogare-to ask
42. vinum-wine
43. apud-among
44. semel-once
45. usque-all the way
46. dolere-to grieve
47. ferre-to carry
48. adferre-to bring to
49. conferre-to bring together
50. referre-to carry back
51. invidere-to look at with envy
52. occiddere-to die
53. custodia-custody
54. exercitus-army
55. dives-rich
56. dummodo-provided that
57. malle-to want
58. patere-to be evident
59. praebere-to excel
60. promittere-to send forth, promise
61. velle-to wish
62. initium-beginning
63. ops-aid
64. philosophus-philosopher
65. plebs-plebeians

Arachnids-Why

Arachne was an arrogant girl and a weaver in the Greek town of Colophon in Lydia. She dared to challenge the goddess Athena to a contest in weaving. Athena presented the gods seated on high thrones, while Arachne presented them disguised as animals chasing around mortal girls. This made Athena furious, so she beat Arachne with her shuttle. Arachne hung herself in despair, and Athena transformed her into a spider.
Arachne -> Arachnid


Source: http://www.theoi.com/Heroine/Arakhne.html

Iron Age-When

The Iron Age is the prehistoric period during which cutting tools and weapons were made mainly of iron or steel. This coincided with other changes in society, including agricultural practices, religious beliefs, and artistic styles. The Romans lived through the end of the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. The British Iron Age ended with the Roman Conquest.

Picture: http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/Science/images-2/iron-age-tools.jpg

Pons Aelius-Where

This bridge is the modern Ponte S. Angelo. It was also completed by Hadrian in AD 134. It linked his mausoleum with the Campus Martius across the Tiber River. Other names for the bridge included the Pons Hadriani and the Pons S. Petri. It included three main arches and three smaller arches. 

Picture: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b1/Pons_Aelius_production2YD.jpg/500px-Pons_Aelius_production2YD.jpg

Caucon-What

Caucon was a priest of the goddess Demeter, and established her Mysteries in the land of Messenia. Caucon was the Lord of the Cauconians, nestled between Elis, Arkadia, and Messenia. The three genealogies derived from a long running dispute over the sovereignty of the region. He was worshiped as a hero and his tomb was shown in Lepreos.


Site: http://www.theoi.com/Heros/Kaukon.html

Wheelock's Latin-Chapters 23-33 Vocab

http://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AY6tOzWDGMWVZGdwaHZrNjlfMmNkYmNwN2hr&hl=en

Callisto-Who

Callisto was the daughter of the Arkadian King Lykaon. She was also a hunting companion of the goddess Artemis. Callisto's name means "most beautiful." She was seduced by the god Zeus, and was later transformed into a bear. Callisto bore a son named Arkas. She was later hunted down as a beast and placed among the constellations as Ursa Major.

Picture: http://www.theoi.com/Heroine/Kallisto.html

The Character of Cimon-Parsed Verbs

Parsed Verbs-
Pervenit-3rd person singular present active indicative of "pervenire" meaning "to come to"
Habebat-3rd person singular imperfect active indicative of "habere" meaning "to have"
Fuerat-3rd person singular pluperfect active indicative of "esse" meaning "to be"
Tenuit-3rd person singular perfect active indicative of "tenere" meaning "to have"
Valuit-3rd person singular perfect active indicative of "valere" meaning "to be strong"
Occidisset-3rd person singular pluperfect active subjunctive of "occidere" meaning "to fall"
Doluerunt-3rd person plural perfect active indicative of "dolere" meaning "to hurt"
Desideraverunt-3rd person plural perfect active indicative of "desidere" meaning "to sit"
Fuit-3rd person singular perfect active indicative of "esse" meaning "to be"
Haberet-3rd person singular imperfect active subjunctive of "habere" meaning "to have"
Poneret-3rd person singular imperfect active subjunctive of "ponere" meaning "to put"
Patere-present active infinitive meaning "to stand open"
Voluit-3rd person singular perfect active indicative of "volvere" meaning "to roll"
Prohiberetur-3rd person singular imperfect passive subjunctive of "prohibere" meaning "to hinder"
Videret-3rd person singular imperfect active subjunctive of "videre" meaning "to see"
Dedit-3rd person singular present active indicative of "dedere" meaning "to give up"
Locupletavit-3rd person singular perfect active indicative of "locupletare" meaning "to enrich"
Iuvit-3rd person singular perfect active indicative of "iuvare" meaning "to help"
Extulit-3rd person singular perfect active indicative of "effero" meaning "to carry out"
Est-3rd person singular present active indicative of "esse" meaning "to be"
Fuit-3rd person singular perfect active indicative of "esse" meaning "to be"
Fuit-3rd person singular perfect active indicative of "esse" meaning "to be"