| Page 2, Panel 7-8 |
"Maybe it's because I'm a ... that I love" = Take off on a rousing
cockney chorus "Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner that love London so..." |
| Page 2, Panel 8 |
The Geneva Convention (1864) places limits on what weapons can be used
in warfare. |
| Page 3, Panel 8 |
"I'm only a bard..." = Allusion to the line "She is only a bird in a gilded
cage" from the song "A bird in a Gilded Stage" by Harry
Von Tilzer (aka. Harry Gumm) (1872-1946) |
| Page 5, Panel 8 |
A play on "Friends, Romans, Countrymen" - Mark Antony in Shakespeare's
'Julius Caesar' (Act 3, Scene 2, Line 78) |
| Page 7, Panel 5 |
Alea jacta est = the die is cast (Julius Caesar) |
| Page 10, Panel 4 |
The symbols are letters from the Phoenician alphabet. The
letters are "taw", "yodh" and "res". They mean "mark", "arm" and
"head" respectively. |
| Page 11, Panel 8 |
Vanitas vanitatum... = vanity of vanities, and
everything is vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:2, Vulgate) |
| Page 14, Panel 7 |
Via Appia = Appian Way.
Only problem is that Rome's nearest port, Portus Augusti, was linked to
Rome by the Via Vitellia and Via Portuensis
|
| Page 16, Panel 4 |
Apodyteria = Dressing / changing room;
Sudatoria = Sweating Baths (sauna);
Caldarium = Hot Room;
Frigidarium = Cold Room; |
| Page 17, Panel 9 |
Ostiaria = Porter |
| Page 18, Panel 10 |
Cubiculum = small sleeping compartment;
Triclinium = dining room with couch |
| Page 18, Panel 11 |
GLC = Greater London Council |
| Page 26, Panel 9 |
Giblet = various parts of a bird, such as the neck, heart gizzard |
| Page 30, Panel 9 |
"Album, in the province of Sternum" = Sternum is a breast bone / rib
cage. |
| Page 31, Panel 4 |
Note the Egyptians walking in profile. |
| Page 33, Panel 1 |
"Roman in the Gloamin..." = "Roamin' in the Gloamin", a
popular Scottish song by the entertainer Sir Harry Lauder |
| Page 33, Panel 6 |
"Love is a many splendid things..." = ???? |
| Page 34, Panel 1 |
Canes calidi = hot dogs;
Chiplotae = A small sausage;
Persic = A reference to a brand of washing powder called Persil. Because
of the resemblance to Persian, a Persian salesman is selling it.
|
| Page 34, Panel 2 |
Panem et circenses = bread and circuses.
A derogatory phrase coined by Juvenal (Satires x.80 60-130 AD)
which can describe either government policies to pacify the
citizenry, or the shallow, decadent desires of that same citizenry.
He used it to describe the practice of Roman Emperors who gave
unlimited free wheat to the poor and costly circus games as a means
of pacifying the populace with food and entertainment.
In fact, the system of free or heavily subsidized food distribution
was limited to a minority of Roman Citizens holding a special token
(tessera) entitling them to a monthly supply of grain and olive oil
from the reign of Septimus Severus. The rations were probably too
small to feed a family and the receivers were not necessarily poor or
in need of free food. This does not change the fact that the food
supply to a city the size of Rome was of primary concern to the
emperors in order to avoid popular unrest. |
| Page 34, Panel 4 |
'Et tu brute' = 'Julius Caeser' by Shakespeare (Act 3, Schene 1, Line 77)
|
| Page 35, Panel 1 |
"Drinka..." = A reference to "Drinka Pinta Milka Day". An advertisement
slogan used in Britain some time ago.
|
| Page 35, Panel 8 |
"Auld Lang Syne" - a poem by Robert Burns that has become
one of the best known songs in English-speaking countries. Traditionally
sung on New Year's Day.
|
| Page 36, Panel 9 |
Plaudite cives = "Acta est fabula, plaudite cives" meaning "The
story is over, applause, citizens!" Said by Cicero or Cato Sr. on his
deathbed. |
| Page 37, Panel 7 |
Goodbye to the forum ??? |
| Page 38, Panel 5 |
Ave Caesar! Morituri... = Hail Caesar! We who are
about to die salute you! |
| Page 39, Panel 1 |
Mirmillo = a type of gladiator, usually paired with a Thracian |
