Subject:  Oh, it's a lovely period in history, sweetiepie... Conflicting religions, conflicting styles of rulership... (r) |
Author:
Sanlin
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Date Posted: 21:49:53 12/06/01 Thu
In reply to:
Kitkat <@^@>
's message, "Unfair, unfair!!! You know (r)" on 19:08:31 12/06/01 Thu
For instance, in ancient Scotland and some other areas of Britania and the surrounding Isles, the clans were ruled by matriarchs--not by men. The Romans, for their part, borrowed many members of their pantheon of deities from the Greeks, giving them different names, such as Jupiter, instead of Zeus. The celts and gaelic peoples had their own deities and legends. There's a rich history of Celtic myths, heroes, and legends found in sources like the Book of Kel (9th C)--not to mention the legends of King Arthur, in Britain, traced to a 4th-5th C general named Arturus, I believe. Not to mention some intriguing historical personalities, like Hannibal the Carthaginian. There's a little write up on him and his invasion of Italy, via the Alps, at: http://www.encyclopedia.com/articles/05625InvasionofItaly.html
Here's some Pictish and Celtic sites:
Pictish nation: http://members.tripod.com/~Halfmoon/
Encyclopedia of the Celts: http://celt.net/Celtic/celtopedia/indices/encycintro.html
Another Celtic encyclopedia: http://celt.net/Celtic/celtopedia/b.html
Now, of course, the Romans were also rather infamous for their orgies and other entertainments. *wg* ;-P They *really* knew how to debauch, for a people that were very orderly, otherwise. They created marvels of engineering with their colliseums, theatres, aquaducts, and road systems. A lot of modern law is based on what we inherited from the Romans. They had bloody entertainments to keep the population amused--gladiators and chariot races, among other things. They kept slaves, just as the Greeks did, and employed troops from many different nations, as well as their vaunted Roman Legions. Certain generals, like Tacitus, from which the term 'tactics' is derived, gave us some brilliant millitary advancements in strategy and warfare. I found it interesting reading Tacitus' account of the Rebellion at Boudicca, which tells of some of the ancient female Briton warriors and the Druids, as well. Here's the link: http://www.athenapub.com/britsite/tacitus1.htm Here's some excerpts, where the two commanders, Briton and Roman, are rallying their troops before the battle:
"Chapter 35. [Boudicca addresses her army.]
Boudicca, in a [chariot], with her two daughters before her, drove through the ranks. She harangued the different nations in their turn: "This," she said, "is not the first time that the Britons have been led to battle by a woman. But now she did not come to boast the pride of a long line of ancestry, nor even to recover her kingdom and the plundered wealth of her family. She took the field, like the meanest among them, to assert the cause of public liberty, and to seek revenge for her body seamed with ignominious stripes, and her two daughters infamously ravished. From the pride and arrogance of the Romans nothing is sacred; all are subject to violation; the old endure the scourge, and the virgins are deflowered. But the vindictive gods are now at hand. A Roman legion dared to face the warlike Britons: with their lives they paid for their rashness; those who survived the carnage of that day, lie poorly hid behind their entrenchments, meditating nothing but how to save themselves by an ignominious flight. From the din of preparation, and the shouts of the British army, the Romans, even now, shrink back with terror. What will be their case when the assault begins? Look round, and view your numbers. Behold the proud display of warlike spirits, and consider the motives for which we draw the avenging sword. On this spot we must either conquer, or die with glory. There is no alternative. Though a woman, my resolution is fixed: the men, if they please, may survive with infamy, and live in bondage."
Chapter 36. [Suetonius meanwhile addresses his army.]
Suetonius, in a moment of such importance, did not remain silent. He expected every thing from the valour of his men, and yet urged every topic that could inspire and animate them to the attack. "Despise," he said, "the savage uproar, the yells and shouts of undisciplined Barbarians. In that mixed multitude, the women out-number the men. Void of spirit, unprovided with arms, they are not soldiers who come to offer battle; they are bastards, runaways, the refuse of your swords, who have often fled before you, and will again betake themselves to flight when they see the conqueror flaming in the ranks of war. In all engagements it is the valour of a few that turns the fortune of the day. It will be your immortal glory, that with a scanty number you can equal the exploits of a great and powerful army. Keep your ranks; discharge your javelins; rush forward to a close attack; bear down all with your bucklers, and hew a passage with your swords. Pursue the vanquished, and never think of spoil and plunder. Conquer, and victory gives you everything."
This speech was received with warlike acclamations. The soldiers burned with impatience for the onset, the veterans brandished their javelins, and the ranks displayed such an intrepid countenance, that Suetonius, anticipating the victory, gave the signal for the charge."
Definitely provides some insight into the mindset of both groups. :-D
It's a particularly rich and fascinating historical era, since just about *everyone* invaded Britain at one time or another.
Hugs,
Sanlin :-D
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