🔺 AFTER CANNAE “How much more religious toward the gods did our senate show themselves! After the fatal defeat at Cannae (216 BC), they decreed that no women should mourn longer than thirty days, to the end that the rites of Ceres might be by them performed. For now, the greatest part of the men lying slain upon the bloody accursed earth, there was no family in the city that did not partake of the general calamity. And therefore the mothers and daughters, wives and sisters of the slain were compelled to put off their mourning-clothes, and put on their white garments, and to perform the office of priests. Through which constancy of observing religion, they forced the deities themselves to blush, and be ashamed of raging any more against such a nation, that could not be drawn from adoring them that had with so much cruelty destroyed them.” Valerius Maximus

🔘 WHY MAY NOT THE PRIEST OF JUPITER TAKE AN OATH? “Is it because an oath is a kind of test to prove that men are free-born, and neither the body nor the soul of the priest must be subjected to any test? Or is it because it is unreasonable to distrust in trivial affairs him who is entrusted with holy matters of the greatest importance? Or is it because every oath concludes with a curse on perjury, and a curse is an ill-omened and gloomy thing? This is the reason why priests may not even invoke curses upon others. At any rate the priestess at Athens who was unwilling to curse Alcibiades at the people's bidding won general approval, for she declared that she had been made a priestess of prayer, not of cursing. Or is it because the danger of perjury is a public danger if an impious and perjured man leads in prayer and sacrifice on behalf of the State?” Plutarch, Roman Questions

🔵 PALMYRENE CATAPHRACT “But observing that the Palmyrene cavalry placed great confidence in their armor, which was very strong and secure, and that they were much better horsemen than his soldiers, he planted his infantry by themselves on the other side the Orontes. He charged his cavalry not to engage immediately with the vigorous cavalry of the Palmyrenians, but to wait for their attack, and then, pretending to fly, to continue so doing until they had wearied both the men and their horses through excess of heat and the weight of their armor, so that they could pursue them no longer. This project succeeded, and as soon as the cavalry of the emperor saw their enemy tired, and that their horses were scarcely able to stand under them, or themselves to move, they drew up the reins of their horses, and, wheeling round, charged them, and trod them under foot as they fell from their horses. By which means the slaugther was promiscuous, some falling by the sword, and others by their own and the enemies' horses.” Zosimus, New history

🟣 BEYOND THE RHINE “Now the parts beyond the Rhenus, immediately after the country of the Celti, slope towards the east and are occupied by the Germans, who, though they vary slightly from the Celtic stock in that they are wilder, taller, and have yellower hair, are in all other respects similar, for in build, habits, and modes of life they are such as I have said the Celti are. And I also think that it was for this reason that the Romans assigned to them the name "Germani," as though they wished to indicate thereby that they were "genuine" Galatae, for in the language of the Romans "germani" means "genuine." Strabo

⚪️ HARSH TERMS FOR ANTIOCHUS “Antiochus, abandoning the conflict in despair, dispatched an embassy to the consul, requesting pardon for his errors and the granting of peace on whatever terms possible. The consul, adhering to the traditional Roman policy of fair dealing, and moved by the appeals of his brother Publius, granted peace on the following terms: the king must withdraw, in favour of the Romans, from Europe and from the territory on this side Taurus and the cities and nations included therein; he must surrender his elephants and warships, and pay in full the expenses incurred in the war, which were assessed at 5,000 Euboean talents; and he must deliver up Hannibal the Carthaginian, Thoas the Aetolian, and certain others, together with twenty hostages to be designated by the Romans. In his desire for peace Antiochus accepted all the conditions and brought the fighting to a close.” Diodorus Siculus

I have run out of sats here. Anyone have some? I spend them here anyway. Most will probably go to @FLASH to support his work. Thanks frens! 🟣🟠

"Sin acherib" translates to "Sîn has replaced the brothers" and is the Akkadian name for the Assyrian king Sennacherib. The name refers to the Assyrian moon god Sîn, and the meaning reflects a belief that the god replaced lost brothers for the king.

🟢 CAMPANIA WALKTHROUGH In the early Roman Republic, Campania was a vibrant region, a crossroads of cultures and a land of plenty. A Landscape dotted with cities, each with its own distinct character. Capua, with its Etruscan heritage, was a bustling center of trade and luxury, its people enjoying a reputation for refined living. Along the coast, the Greek colonies of Cumae and Neapolis thrived, their harbors filled with ships carrying goods and ideas from across the Mediterranean. Neapolis, in particular, was strategically important, its location making it a key player in maritime commerce. Inland, Nola and other Oscan cities, influenced by their Etruscan neighbors, added to the region's rich tapestry. The fertile volcanic soil of Campania was a blessing, supporting a flourishing agricultural economy. Vineyards carpeted the hillsides, producing wines that were already becoming renowned. Fields of grain swayed in the breeze, providing sustenance for the growing population. Olive groves dotted the landscape, yielding oil that was essential for cooking and lighting. And the rich soil nurtured a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, ensuring a plentiful supply of food for the inhabitants. The people of Campania were a diverse mix, Etruscans, Greeks, Samnites, and Oscans mingled in the cities and countryside, each group contributing to the cultural mosaic. While they retained some of their distinct identities, they also interacted and influenced each other, creating a unique Campanian identity. Religious practices in Campania were equally diverse, a blend of different traditions. Etruscan deities were still honored in cities like Capua, while the Greek colonies maintained their own pantheon of gods and goddesses. The Samnites and Oscans, with their own local deities often associated with nature and fertility, added to the religious mix. It was a world where different beliefs coexisted, reflecting the open and cosmopolitan nature of Campanian society. As the early Republic progressed, the influence of Rome began to grow in Campania. While the cities initially maintained their independence, they gradually came under Roman control. This period marked the beginning of a long process of Romanization, which would eventually see Campania integrated into the expanding Roman state.