FAQ
Who does this?
My name's Daragh Sankey. I'm a TV producer. Here's my weblog, here are some photos that I should add to soon. I'm not super into long, self-glorifying bios, but if you read d/blog you may get some idea of who I am.
Are you a history student?
Hell no. In fact I never took it at university, although I've always loved reading history, especially anything about Rome. (Can you tell)?
Is this weblog historically accurate? What are the sources?
I like to think so, but the correct answer would be "somewhat". Writings about military matters are largely based on Caesar's own writing. (Although whether this makes them true is another matter.) Political writings are based on secondary sources, both period and modern. (Have a look at the resources page for some of my favourites.) Caesar's personal feelings, thoughts, reflections and and such, as you find them herein, are well-informed conjecture.
Caesar's own writings, while excellent, were about military matters exclusively, and as such they skirted around what was to me the most fascinating story at the time: the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire, and Caesar's role in that process. So I have taken the liberty of including political and personal reflections - I imagine that if Caesar were writing a weblog, and he had no fear his enemies were reading it, he would include such subjects as well.
This sounds like my country / state! Are you playing up modern-day parallels?
Well, If I see a similarity, I will try to make it apparent, but I'm not going to exaggerate anything going on in Roman history to make it sound more like our present day. Most of these similarities are the usual cases of history repeating itself. In particular, signs of an ailing Republic have special relevance today.
But why don't I just out and say it: George W. Bush makes a lousy Caesar. Imagine if Howard Dean became president, then had his enemies arrested, then invaded and conquered a continent, then started a civil war in the US and had himself made president for life. All the while making life better for the average Roman.
I linked to your site, will you link to me?
Certainly, you've just made yourself a Friend of Rome. However, the link must be in your blogroll, or list of favourite sites, and not simply a weblog entry. In other words, it must be permanent, since that's what you'll get in return. Also, be sure to email me so I know you Linked Unto Caesar™ - I confess I don't check referrer logs often enough.