Unstable Gables - An Imperial Perspective

It seems that 2010 has not been kind to imperial roofs!

In late March, the emperor's court was shocked to hear of a ceiling collapse at old uncle Nero's famed Golden Palace - Domus Aurea. Situated between the Esquiline and Palatine hills in the centre of ancient Rome, the palace has stood for more than 2000 years. It was perhaps to have been expected that time would take its toll eventually.

'Rome was not built in a day' and it has certainly not decayed in one day either.

As if news from the old empire was not enough, consultation with my own august mother has recently confirmed that roofing work is also now required on my family's own imperial residence in Scotland.

The work required is not inconsiderable, and although I know the improvements will be sound, I find myself wondering for how long that roof will endure?

Will it be that my dynasty's own modest palace will endure into the futures of men as yet not even born?

[Master Roofer at work on the Imperial palace; applying wet harling]

For the recent collapse of the Domus Aurea see: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8595660.stm

For the palace itself see also:
http://www.the-colosseum.net/history/domusaurea.htm

Cramond Island, Edinburgh

A striking summer sunset; off Cramond Island in the Forth Estuary, just outside Edinburgh.

For Cramond and its Island See: http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/edinburgh/cramond/index.html

One of my esteemed antecedents, Antoninus Pius (86 - 161 AD) built a fort at Cramond in the 140's AD. Its nice to pop back on a Summer's evening to view the old place. Its funny to muse that the northern most limmits of Antonius's old empire are now at the very centre of mine.

Caesar on Friends

"His friends he treated at all times with so great courtesy and tender respect, that when Caius Oppius, who accompanied him in his journey through a wild forest, fell suddenly ill, he gave him the only place there was to shelter them at night, and lay upon the ground in the open air. Moreover, when he became sovereign lord of all, he advanced some of his faithful followers, though of humble origin, to the highest place of honour. And when he was reproached for this partiality, he professed openly, that if he had used the help of robbers, of cutters and pirates in maintaining his own dignity, he would not fail to requite them for their services."

[Suetonius, Caesar, 72]

Image of an Emperor: Vespasian

"He was of middle stature, well set, and with limbs compact and strongly made. His countenance was like that of a man in the act of straining himself. Whereupon, one of those witty fellows, upon the emperor's request that he make a jest respecting himself, retorted, 'That I will - when you have finished your business at the stool.' His health was excellent, though he did nothing more to preserve it than vigorously rub his neck and other parts of his body at regular times, in the tennis court attached to the baths, besides fasting one day in every month".

[Suetonius, Vespasian, 20]

South Queensferry

[The Jubilee Clocktower. South Queesferry, Midlothian. Scotland]

For more info see:
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/queensferry/southqueensferry/index.html

Image of an Emperor: Nero

"In stature he was little under the average height. His body full of spots and freckles and foul skin besides. His hair was yellowish; his countenance fairly agreeable but not handsome; his eyes grey and dull, his neck thick, his belly prominent, his legs very slender, and his health excellent. For, intemperate as he was, and given to riotous living, he suffered, in the space of fourteen years, only three attacks of illness; and these so slight, that he neither forbore the use of wine, nor modified his usual diet. In his dress and grooming, he was so indifferent that he had his hair cut in rings, one above another; and when in Achaia, he let it grow long behind. He generally appeared in public in the loose and effeminate garment he wore at table, with a fine lawn handkerchief around his neck, and wearing neither a girdle or shoes."

[Suetonius, Nero, 51]

Rugby on the Beach

This year the Emperor has been down the beach quite allot with his mate Gilbert. Just ladish hi-jinks. Practicing his spin-passses and drop-kicks. Its been fun and other friends of the imperial court have always been welcome to join in and be tested under the high ball.