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Gareth Harney

@OptimoPrincipi

30 Jan

1) A magical, mystery thread connecting The Beatles and Roman archaeology! On this day in 1969 the Fab Four played what would be their last ever concert - performing unannounced on the rooftop of their Savile Row headquarters. But this was by no means the only venue considered..

2) A number of weird and wonderful concert ideas were considered as the culmination of their 'Let It Be' project, including playing in an art gallery to an audience of dogs, playing to an empty arena or returning to play the Cavern Club in Liverpool...

3) During the band's rehearsals for the mystery concert, another idea was raised on multiple occasions: they would charter a boat to sail to the coast of Libya, rehearsing during the sea voyage, and when they arrived perform a concert in an ancient Roman theatre!..

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Gareth Harney

@OptimoPrincipi

24 Jan

1) Gaius "Caligula" Caesar was assassinated on this day in 41 AD - by all accounts thoroughly deserved; yet the word 'assassination' tells us little, and it is easy to forget the human reality of what such revolutions often entail. Suetonius gives us a healthy reminder:

2) "On 24 January, Gaius was slow to rise as he was queasy after a heavy banquet the night before. His friends persuaded him to come out with them along a covered walk. There he met some young stage performers from a noble family rehearsing their presentation..."

3) "He stopped to view and encourage the theatre troupe and said he would have eagerly attended their performance later if it was not for the cold. At that point the prefect Sabinus ordered his centurions to clear away the crowd and then asked Gaius for the day's watchword..."

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Gareth Harney

@OptimoPrincipi

23 Jan

1) The Temple of the Divine Claudius was a vast temple complex on Rome's Caelian Hill, overlooking the valley that would later be occupied by the Colosseum. Though almost nothing now remains of the structure, its scale and grandeur once rivalled anything in the city.. #LostRome

2) The 'Claudium' was intended as a sacred complex to revere Claudius and the imperial cult. Construction began soon after the death and deification of the emperor in 54 AD, initiated by his widow Agrippina who was likely responsible for his supposed death by poisoning. #LostRome

3) The sprawling temple complex sat on a gigantic podium that spread across the Caelian Hill, measuring 180 x 200 metres; with towering retaining walls of travertine that raised the structure 20 metres above the valley below. #LostRome

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Gareth Harney

@OptimoPrincipi

18 Jan

1) Chasing 'likes' and validation on social media? Seneca has some advice to offer from 2,000 years ago:

"Why should pride in your abilities lure you into publicity? Who needs the applause of strangers or the approval of the mob? Not one of them can fully understand you anyway..

2) "You may ask then, 'For what purpose did I learn these skills?' It was for yourself that you learned them. Your efforts are never wasted. Asked if he worries his art will only reach a few, the wise man says: I am content with few, content with one, content with none at all..

3) "In fact, you should scorn the pleasure which comes from the applause of the majority. Many people praise you? So? Have you any reason for praising yourself? Do you really want to be a person whom the many can understand. Your good qualities should face inwards."

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Gareth Harney

@OptimoPrincipi

16 Jan

1) "To purify your new farmland you need to have a pig-sheep-bull procession. They must be led around the land as the following words are spoken: 'I call upon the benevolence of the gods, in the hope of good fortune I entrust to you this pig, sheep and bull led around my farm'..

2) "You should then invoke Jupiter and Janus with an offering of wine. Then to Mars you speak these words: 'Father Mars, I pray you be kind to my new home and family. I have arranged this pig-sheep-bull procession so you may ward off disease, barrenness, disasters and storms'..

3) ..'I pray you allow my vegetables, grain and orchards to grow and reach maturity; protect the shepherds and the flocks and bestow good health upon me, my home and my family. For these reasons, and to purify my farm, please be honoured by my pig-sheep-bull procession'..

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Gareth Harney

@OptimoPrincipi

10 Jan

1/5) Caesar crossed the small Rubicon river with his 13th Legion, on this day January 10, 49 BC. Crossing this boundary into Italy with his forces, he effectively declared war on the Roman state. Plutarch vividly describes the point of no return:

"When he reached the river...

2/5) "..known as the Rubicon, he paused to reflect; now as he drew nearer and nearer to the dreadful step. His mind wavered as he considered the tremendous magnitude of this venture. He ordered a complete halt and for a long time he weighed matters up silently in his own mind"..

3/5) .."his resolution wavered back and forth and his purpose suffered change after change. For some time too he discussed his perplexities with his friends around him. He considered the sufferings which him crossing the river might bring upon mankind, but he also...

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