Seen Elsewhere

The new Ara Pacis museum opens with a handshake beneath the Tellus Relief. Photo Reuters.

Yesterday was Rome’s birthday which refutes the old myth about Rome not being built in a day. Celebrations included the opening of the Ara Pacis museum which led to this handshake beneath the Tellus relief. It follows that Rome must be a Taurus.

The Taurus personality is typically straightforward and assertive, qualities that make it possible to accomplish a great deal. For the most part, other people are positively influenced by the Taurus character.

For more intelligent commentary on the day Troels Myrup has a post from Rome where he’s staying with the DAI.

Other news from Italy: Italy owes wine legacy to Celts, history buffs say. The success of modern Italian wine may be due to the process of land draining that began when the Celts invaded from the north in antiquity.

Sharon at Early Modern Notes is conducting a poll.

What do folks think of a student using the expression “sexing-up” in an essay? Should I tell him to be more boring in future?

Wearing my arrogant hat I can’t see why I should try and write boringly just because a few other academics are awful writers. My only concern is ambiguity in colloquialisms. Sexing-up can be the sense of Blair or Color Me Badd. I recently heard a talk on Agalmatophilia in ancient Greece and I still get flashbacks.

Pete Marsh, the Lindow Man, gets profiled in the Scotsman today. As well as being a prominent bog body he also helped solve a murder. Someone in a house neighbouring the bog confessed to killing his wife when the body was found.

…and finally there’s been a furore over the new Ben and Jerry’s ice cream Black and Tan. I thought it was an over-reaction as most Americans would associate it with the drink rather than Irish independence, but when you read the opening words of the press release it’s clear the foot fits perfectly in the mouth:

“If you’re looking to enjoy a cold frosty one this St. Patrick’s Day, then raise a pint… of ice cream! Just in time for the big day, Ben & Jerry’s introduces new Black & Tan ice cream…”

Keep an eye open for the Orange March flavour this summer.