(no subject)

[aleathiel]

I love who I was as a child, and even more I love my parents for encouraging me.

Since the AU was the more popular option, I went to dig out everything I had on Roman Britain. I found guidebooks from five Roman sites as well as three on Hadrian's wall itself, two books on the Roman Empire, a book of Roman recipes and a 500-page academic work on Roman towns in Britain. As well as all my Latin textbooks.

So, it appears this might end up being a bigger project than I anticipated. I'll start it today, but you may actually end up getting the colour-fic first because this will take a while!

Comments

[ohiaminagony.livejournal.com]

Oh dearie, can I ask you for a favour?

By any chance do you know any websites regarding the history of Vikings/Druids?

I am writing a AU VO fic so would like to know more about them before writing the fic proper.

[aleathiel.livejournal.com]

Um, off the top of my head I don't, but I'll have a look later and point you in the direction of anything I find (the fic sounds like a great idea!)

I do know that druids were much later than people suppose - for example it was thought that druids build Stonehenge but they were much later than that. I think they were more dark-age Britain.

Ironically I'm pretty sure it's the histoy paper covering the period before the one I just studied and after the one I'm about to study - which would place it at about 500-1000 BC. I think druids were specifically celtic and that the saxon versions were called something else. But that could be wrong.

Anyway, I'll get back to you when I find something more solid than the random connections my brain can make.

I have one book on Vikings - of a very low intellectual level - but I've just checked and that puts their raids at 790 to 1050ish. So the two should coincide. "By the second half of the nineth century (850-900) Viking settlers were well established along the northern and eastern coasts of England as well as the east coast of Ireland, the Hebrides, Orkneys and the Shetland Islands).
It also has some rough info about ships and sailing which I can type up for you later too if you want. I also think I have stuff from the Yorvik centre in York - I'm sure that's more detailed.

[ohiaminagony.livejournal.com]

I am interested about Druids' lifestyle and religion. They worship nature yes? Do they take vows of celibacy and such?

[aleathiel.livejournal.com]

My knowledge of druids is very poor I'm afraid. However I've found this and this and this.
I hope some of that is a help.

[aleathiel.livejournal.com]

Just found another more detailed book on Vikings covering sailing, warriors and raids, farming, trade and housing and food, women (not that you prob need that!), religion and art. I'll try and answer and queries you have.
And I'll try and find websites too, since obviously that would be more help to you than books in my possession.

[ohiaminagony.livejournal.com]

I am very interested about the raiding, warriors and religion.

Warriors: how old before they are deemed worthy to be a warrior? Any special characteristics/accessory that warriors have to set them apart?

Raiding: Do they pillage and rape? Or they just rob and snatch?

Religion: Their main god is Thor.

Hierachy: What is their power structure like? Chief/King?

[aleathiel.livejournal.com]

this is the best Viking site I've found, mainly because it gives links to many other Viking sites.

Warriors: how old before they are deemed worthy to be a warrior?
Failed to find the answer to that. Going by medieval it was 13-17. Anywhere mid teens. Don't know about Vikings.
Any special characteristics/accessory that warriors have to set them apart?
All men had to be warriors to an extent that that had to defend. Kept sword/battleaxe, round wooden shield and round leather caps with bands of iron near them at all times. The most feared warriors were beserkers who howled and ran wild with bloodlust.

Raiding: Do they pillage and rape? Or they just rob and snatch?
Definitly burn and destroy as well as rob, but only if they had no plans to settle in the area. Don't know about attitues to women/children.

Religion: Their main god is Thor
and Odin. And Aegir was the god of the ocean, which was obviously important because of the reliance on ships.

Hierachy: What is their power structure like? Chief/King?
Chieftains called Jarls. Very powerful Jarls took the title King.

[aleathiel.livejournal.com]

I've thought of something else - you're good for my brain!

Not exactly proper info, but if you're looking for the 'feel and 'atmosphere' then read "Sorcery Rising" and the sequel "Wild Magic" by Jude Fisher. They're fantasy, but Viking based, and Jude Fisher is a pseudonym for Jane Johnson - who wrote the visual companion to LOTR. "Sorcery Rising" is dedicated, among others, "To Viggo...for ravens, words and warriors".

So really, what you need is Viggo. He's the expert!

[ohiaminagony.livejournal.com]

I've thought of something else - you're good for my brain!

Why thank you ;)

Jude Fisher eh? very interesting.

So really, what you need is Viggo. He's the expert!
Oh? I think I am stalking Viggo now. ;)

I am also quite interested in Roman/Greek history about homosexuality and their way of life, I am also wondering if you have any good books/sites to recommend too. ;)

[aleathiel.livejournal.com]

I know. Honestly, the more I find out about Viggo the more enamoured I am!

I'm on a lot safer ground with Roman/Greek history because I've studied it a couple of times and am going to again next term. I went to a series of lectures on Sparta in the autumn including one of institutionalised homosexuality - which was totally fascinating. I've also got a book about prostitution in ancient Athens which covers male as well as female (it's called "Courtesans and Fishcakes" and is by James Davidson. It's an academic text on luxury - food, wine and sex - in Athens).
I really don't know what's on the web about Greek/Roman life, although it should be fairly easy to research.

Since I'm studying it very soon(probably with a bias towards Rome, although I'm not sure yet) you'll probably find posts with all sorts of random things I found interesting!
Also, I'm writing a Roman V/O set on Hadrian's wall. Well, I've hardly started it, but I will be!

[ohiaminagony.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your help dearie. ;)

Hopefully I can post the cookie on my LJ soon. ;)

[aleathiel.livejournal.com]

no problem. I hope it was some help.