You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Just Saw Gladiator Part II
- Thread starter Hard Ball
- Start date
Loved the visual impact of the battle field. It was Age of Empires only I could never get my game troops to fight like that.
Loved the fight scenes. No nonsense. Grabbed me by the guts.
Loved the story.
HATED the fictional emperor.
Loved the grand vision of Rome.
The bickering of the senators and the struggle for and abuse of power all drove home the fact that our human condition had always been like this. Would-be tyrants grabbing for power and trampling the people and their rights with nary a blink.
The Praetorians arrested people? Why did the senator's home have no guards to fight against the Praetorians in that home invasion? Why did the home of Maximus have no guards to battle the Praetorians?
How will RKBA help us against such invasion? Tyrants just keeps grinding down people and their rights like tanks drive over students in Tien-an-men and like flames burn down Davidians in Waco.
(sorry, had to tie in the RKBA speech.)
Loved the fight scenes. No nonsense. Grabbed me by the guts.
Loved the story.
HATED the fictional emperor.
Loved the grand vision of Rome.
The bickering of the senators and the struggle for and abuse of power all drove home the fact that our human condition had always been like this. Would-be tyrants grabbing for power and trampling the people and their rights with nary a blink.
The Praetorians arrested people? Why did the senator's home have no guards to fight against the Praetorians in that home invasion? Why did the home of Maximus have no guards to battle the Praetorians?
How will RKBA help us against such invasion? Tyrants just keeps grinding down people and their rights like tanks drive over students in Tien-an-men and like flames burn down Davidians in Waco.
(sorry, had to tie in the RKBA speech.)
Ironically, most of the Senators had a bodyguard militia that protected their homes. These were recruited from Gladiator schools. However, they weren't allowed to carry swords or anything that looked like a weapon. Even Rome had a ban on weapons.
Often, different Senatorial factions would battle (literally) in various Roman venues by having their bodyguards breakup political meetings, trials, etc. However, most Senators would freely go with their potential captors to save their estates and protect the lives of their family in the hope that their friends would payoff the officials for escape or exhonoration.
Often, different Senatorial factions would battle (literally) in various Roman venues by having their bodyguards breakup political meetings, trials, etc. However, most Senators would freely go with their potential captors to save their estates and protect the lives of their family in the hope that their friends would payoff the officials for escape or exhonoration.
I think it's worth noting that political brawls, or even minor pitched battles, were common even at the height of the Republic--witness the fates of Gaius and Tiberius Gracchus, two populist reformers (according to one school), and turmoil in the early first century B.C. (eh, Hard Ball?).
In spite of the remarkably advanced legal system and civil jurisprudence that our forefathers drew upon, civil disorder and chaos were prevalent throughout much of Roman history.
There are lessons there for us...
SA Scott
In spite of the remarkably advanced legal system and civil jurisprudence that our forefathers drew upon, civil disorder and chaos were prevalent throughout much of Roman history.
There are lessons there for us...
SA Scott
Another excellent book on the Roman army is "Soldiers of Rome-Praetorians and Legionnaires" by Robert Evans. It gives an excellent description of the Praetorian Guards (the emperprr's personal household troops and all the legions of the imperial army. Highly recommended if you are seriously interested in the subject.