Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Horse of Kings Found From Persian Royal Grave 5,000 Years Old

Blood bay horse playing in turnoutImage via Wikipedia
The Caspian Horse is a beloved breed whose roots can be traced back to the Iron Age and even deeper in the prehistoric mists of time. This small, fast and graceful steed is easily identified by a pronounced forehead, large eyes and short ears. Although much smaller than modern thoroughbreads, the Caspian Horse is spirited and a strong jumper -- and was a royal favorite for pulling a war chariot, swiftly transporting a courier or majestically carrying a king to a royal hunt.

Now it is being reported that the oldest remains of the Caspian breed have been discovered in an archaeological dig in Iran. Through history horses have played a pivotal role in determining the fate of civilizations in conflict and, a source of envy, have been the cause of livestock raids chronicled in man's earliest poems and ballads.

In the fantasy action novel, Gettysburg Passage, horses are important, too. They play a key role in keeping several of the main characters a few trots ahead of the harm's way.

In short, some friends living in contemporary Washington, D.C. stumble on an ancient artifact which before long has them running for their lives. Lucky for them, several horses -- could they possibly be right out of America's Civil War? -- are conveniently available to speed their escape. Before long, these characters find themselves deep inside a mystery that flips through time and that is somehow linked to a distant, lost civilization. An ancient, advanced society is desperately in need of help only these modern day friends can provide......will they risk their lives to help? Gettysburg Passage, $2.99, from Amazon. Click on the following link to read the rave reviews or sample a free chapter.  http://www.amazon.com/Gettysburg-Passage-ebook/dp/B00408AOMW
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Sunday, May 1, 2011

Iron Age Girl Had to Die by the Roman Sword

Legio II AugustaImage via Wikipedia
Beginning in 55 B.C., restive Iron Age Britain was toyed with by list of famous Romans, including Caesar, Augustus and Caligula. But around 43 A.D., nearly 2,000 years ago, Emporer Claudius readied his Roman Legions to mount a large invasion and a permanent occupation of the restive region. Led by the crack Legio II Augusta, commanded by the future emperor Vespasian, some 40,000 troops and auxilaries began a nearly continuous brutal campaign of conquest lasting decades.

Much of this is of course so much dry history. But this weekend the BBC reports that archaeologists in north Kent, UK, have discovered the 2,000 year old grave of a young woman, thought to be 16 to 20 years old. She had been most likely wounded in the head while kneeling, mostly likely executed by Roman soldiers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-13211331

This discovery, the intact skeleton, the obvious visual evidence of violent trauma to the skull, most definitely brings to life that long ago invasion and occupation. Was she a spy, a picket, a bushwhacker, or simply innocent and in the wrong place at the wrong time? What was her name? Did she cry as they killed her or did she face her captors with stoicism?

Invasions and occupations are disruptive, violent, degrading and life changing. The Romans were ruthless and did their best to wipe out native tribes that continued to resist. Vigilance was a way of life for the occupiers, as the native population was ready to erupt at any time. Perhaps the best visual that illustrates the tension of the occupier versus the subjugated is the Vallum Aelium, known to most as Hadrian's Wall, the defensive fortification in northern England used to keep the dangerous nothern tribes at a safe distance.

Just as the unnamed young woman gave her life in some kind of hostilities involving the invading Romans, the Amazon novel Gettysburg Passage has, deep in its narrative, a thread that involves a lost civilization that is also being overrun, occupied, and in danger of annihilation by the boot of an invading army.

http://www.amazon.com/Gettysburg-Passage-ebook/dp/B00408AOMW

The Romans felt they were on the side of civilization and progress and were opposed by the forces of tribal barbarism. An academic argument could be made either way. But in Gettysburg Passage, there can be no doubt that a superior civilization is in danger of being wiped out by an invading army of savages.

Ironically, a group of friends living in contemporary Washington, D.C. find an ancient artifact that potentially lures them into the conflict. As they explore the possible history of the ancient mace, history comes alive -- in startling ways! To read book reviews or to sample a free chapter, go to Amazon today! Gettysburg Passage, just $2.99!
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