[Amazonian fighting in the streets: All over some bloke called Morris ...?!?]
Violent scenes of conflict on the streets of York left the Emperor reminiscing about troubled histories from his own ancient past:
''And now civil discord broke out again worse than ever and increased enormously. Massacres, banishments, and proscriptions of both senators and knights took place straightway, including great numbers of both classes, the chiefs of factions surrendering their enemies to each other, and for this purpose not sparing even their friends and brothers; so much did animosity toward rivals overpower the love of kindred.'' [Appian, Civil Wars, I.5]
[Imperial Horse Racing at the Christmas Market - Edinburgh 2012]
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"From his earliest years he had a special passion for
horses and talked constantly about the games in the Circus, though he was
forbidden to do so. Once when he was lamenting with his fellow pupils the fate of a
charioteer of the "Greens," who was
dragged by his horses, and his preceptor scolded him, he told a lie and
pretended that he was talking of
Hector. At the beginning of his reign he used to play every
day with ivory chariots on a board, and he came from the country to all the
games, even the most insignificant, at first secretly, and then so openly that
no one doubted that he would be in Rome on that particular day. He made no secret of his wish to have the number of prizes
increased, and in consequence more races were added and the performance was
continued to a late hour, while the managers of the troupes no longer thought it
worth while to produce their drivers at all except for a full day's racing. He
soon longed to drive a chariot himself and even to show himself frequently to
the public; so after a trial exhibition in his gardens before his slaves and the
dregs of the populace, he gave all an opportunity of seeing him in the Circus
Maximus, one of his freedmen dropping the napkin from the place
usually occupied by the magistrates."
This Summer the Emperor was fortunate to attend the great and ancient Olympic games hosted by the city of Londinium ....
A seat close to the mighty Olympic flame was an added enjoyment. A great time was had by the imperial court, although the Emperor could not fail to note a distinct lack of bloodshed. Still, "When in London ..." as they saying goes.
Like great Roman generals before him,* the Emperor recently undertook a campaign into the remote Northern Highlands.
It has to be said that the Emperor's recent expedition was of a more recreational than military bent, but the terrain was certainly challenging and the Imperial forces camped under canvas like the armies of old.
Well, perhaps with a modicum of modern comfort, but it was camping none the less.
The troops were well provisioned; lacked for nothing in fact and the camp was in high spirits.
The beautiful beaches and strange characters found on them, were a wonder to the Emperor who had led his armies to the farthest and uncharted shores of the North.
A long and arduous progression through the most mountainous of terrain, saw the Emperor safely marshal his forces back to civilisation.
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*One is reminded of of the Roman general Agricola , who in c.82AD made a concerted attempt to subdue the Northern lands of the Caledonian Tribes. Its fair to say the locals were not cooperative:
"We, the choicest flower of Britain's manhood, were hidden away in her most
secret places. Out of sight of subject shores, we kept even our eyes free from
the defilement of tyranny. We, the most distant dwellers upon earth, the last of
the free, have been shielded till today by our very remoteness and by the
obscurity in which it has shrouded our name. Now, the farthest bounds of Britain
lie open to our enemies; and what men know nothing about they always assume to
be a valuable prize. But there are no more nations beyond us; nothing is there but waves and rocks ... "
[Tacitus, Agricola, 30. Dramatic words of the Caledonian War Chief Calgacus, as imagined by the Historian Tacitus]
And neither, let me tell you, was my Mum's garage!
-----
It is incumbent on every emperor to bestow a physical legacy for the betterment and benefit of mankind; as well of course as to ensure the mark and glorification of their own magnificent reign.
Great baths, theatres, fora and aqueducts dominate the ancient world and still endure to perpetuate the memory of our imperial ancestors.
Indeed, it can be one of the pressures of being an emperor, to know that one must build .... and it is a pressure that I have not been immune from. The last two summers have seen the emperor building his own modest legacy.
[Video of Great Garage Build, Kinross 2011. Click to Play]
So in my own modest way, I can now somewhat relax. At least until next Summer, when ramping and landscaping will follow.
I take it all back! Who says that sheep are not intelligent?
Recent scientific recognition studies have proven that sheep have developed visual memories and indeed have the capacity to emotionally recognise and remember the specific faces of up to 50 of their woolly companions.
Great uncle Pliny was obviously not aware of this fact when he attributed the ability of facial recognition purely within the capacity of men:
“The human features and countenance, although composed of but some ten parts or little more, are so fashioned that among so many thousands of men there are no two in existence who cannot be distinguished from one another.”
[Pliny, Natural Historia, Book VII.8]
Go Sheep!!!! I will never mock thee again ...
20 February 2008
With Me & I
The hypnotic effect of the open road and some hardcore Hendrix reminds me strongly of that cult British classic, Withnail & I.
On this trip we did not run foul of the law - 'honestly Ocifer'. A full chicken dinner was not consumed on the passenger side - although a Marks and Spencers lunch might have been.
For details of the cult classic (a favourite of mine) see:
Its amazing how bored you can get at work - I received this video from my crazy brother. I really love the fleeting look of pride and satisfaction that fills his face just after the dance. I think its brilliant. His future's bright ...
Today we took an afternoon walk down to one of our favourite beaches at Gullane.
The wind was most fierce and I enjoyed watching the Kite Surfers skiting at speed across the Forth estuary.
I have always loved the power and drama of windy days. As a child on such occasions, I was often warned by Mum "... to watch out for falling chimney pots". That good advice has stayed with me and I can honestly say that I have not been hit by a chimney to date :-).
At School we boys used to upturn our jackets above our heads and use them as human sails to propel ourselves at otherwise unachievable speeds across the playground.
A previous windy day at St Abb's Head on the East coast had reminded me of this exhilarating feeling. It was all I could do, just to stand up!
