Digital Map of Rome Link

I stumbled onto this link via FB, believe it or not! This is an amazing site for those, like me, who are intrigued by the Roman Era.

Enjoy ❤

http://pelagios.dme.ait.ac.at/maps/greco-roman/

Photos illustrating my novel…

Many of these I have found over the years researching and are inspiration for my novel. There are also pictures that Neil Basconcillo created for me that demonstrate the 5 different races within the novel. I hope you find these interesting and peak your curiosity!

Check out my Media links and the Gallery I have listed…I’ll try that. I may have to another post or edit this one and add each picture here, but I I’m trying to avoid that 🙂

Progressive Ideals Toward Women for Ancient Celts

I am looking forward to Nicole’s series on the complicated laws and rules of the ancient Celts, especially in regard to women. I did a post about their progressive laws earlier. The ancient Celtic women enjoyed the ability to divorce their husbands, retain and own their land, choose lovers without having to get married, etc. It is a fascinating subject, and I look forward to her posts!

http://nicoleevelina.com/2012/07/01/l-is-for-laughter-or-celtic-womens-rules/#comment-740

Concept Character Art for my Novel By Neil Basconcillo

As promised, here are the first installments of the character concepts for my novel by Neil. There are still four coming, so I’ll update later.

The races are:

Yadari (Elemental humanoids that live in tree communities called Groves–each are embued with the essence of an individual element, i.e. water, fire, air, earth)

Syar (humanoid clans, agricultural culture, not fond of fighting)

Kalos (humanoid tribes, warrior based culture, live for fighting)

Agror (worker groups, subservient to the Kalos)

Tulmara (humanoid settlements, highly devout missionaries)

Enjoy! Feedback welcome 🙂

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Interactive Map of Ancient Roman Trade Routes

For those interested in Ancient Roman history, here is a link to an interactive trade route map of the Roman empire. I found this site extremely helpful during my research. Hope it helps you as well 🙂

http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/06/2012/new-interactive-map-of-trade-in-the-roman-empire

The Courtyard Houses of West Penwith

I found this post highly intriguing. I found myself wondering the date they suspect these courtyard houses were in use and if that has any bearing on the use of the “round” type houses. I also wonder which group of people were thought to live in these. Celts? Romans? Picts? Norse? Angles? Saxons? There were many groups in Britain through the time periods stated. Interesting…..

The Heritage Journal

Found primarily west of the Hayle River in Cornwall, and on the Isles of  Scilly, Courtyard Houses as a ‘type’ have been recognised by that name since about 1933. They date from the Iron Age and were in use for several hundred years, through the Romano-British period.

Each house follows a distinctive design: a paved entrance into an area with 4 or sometimes 5 distinct ‘rooms’ leading off it. Anti-clockwise from the entrance, these are usually: a small round room, a long narrow room (sometimes divided into two), a large round room opposite the entrance, often containing a fire hearth, and finally a bay area. There may also be a smaller oblong ‘storage’ room next to the entrance. The central ‘courtyard’ also often includes a stone water channel, usually paved over. The outer walls are often quite thick in places, and the overall shape of each house is an oval.

Whilst…

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F is for Fearsome Heroines

I can’t wait to read novels by this author. Finally! Someone made Guinevere a true Celt!

Nicole Evelina - USA Today Bestselling Author

Recently, CBS Sunday Morning did a piece on how today’s heroines aren’t afraid to kick a little ass. Well, that’s not how they phrased it, but you get the point. Gone are the days of damsels in distress and princesses who sit on their perfect rear ends waiting to be rescued.

Maybe it started with She-ra. I’d like to think so. Buffy definitely helped. But if you look at the shelves of your local bookstore or turn on the television, its clear women are coming into their own as heroines. From the katana wielding main character of Chloe Neill’s Chicagoland vampire series to Snow on Once Upon a Time, wallflowers need not apply. (Sorry Bella Swan, Katniss Everdeen proved you’re irrelevant.)

In talking about the new big screen versions of Snow White, CBS Sunday Morning notes, “Like every storybook heroine these days, she FIGHTS.” And they mean that literally – swords and all. Today’s heroines rescue themselves. Now…

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Map of the Isle Ursias in my novel :)

This is the map that I created for the Island in my novel. I am no longer using the territory boundaries as I went in a different direction with the plot than I had planned at first.  Just a little teaser. More to come 🙂

Britain’s first real hero

Caractacus is lauded as being Britain’s first hero, but there was one who came before! During Julius Caesar’s second invasion (if you can call the first one an invasion–it was really more of a fact-finding incursion), the various tribes of Britain joined together and named Cassivellaunus as the leader of all British forces. He was cunning and utilized guerrilla warfare against the Roman forces. He was successful, for the most part; he might even have led them to a victory if it weren’t for the advanced weaponry of the Roman armies. Caesar wrote about the tactics of Cassivellaunus and was quite impressed.

Cassivellaunus was the first Britain with the gumption to stand up to the Roman armies on their own soil and face off with the military machinations. With a bit more time, he might have been victorious. His great-grandson, Cunobelin (Cunobelinus for the Romans) was also known for being a danger to the Romans. He was so well-known, Shakespeare wrote about him in a play (his name was Cymbeline in the play). When Cunobelin died, his two sons, Togodumnus and Caractacus, took up the call against the Romans. Both Cunobelin and Caractacus were known for utilizing Cassivellaunus’ tactics in his rebellion against the Roman occupation.

So, rather than celebrating the last of the family to fight for the independence of Britain against the Romans, perhaps the entire family should be honored!

Making progress

I haven’t been posting much because my time for research has been taken up by writing. That  is good for me, but not so good for the blog. Thank you for your patience.

But after months and months of writers block, I’m taking full advantage now! My novel re-write is taking shape and evolving in wonderful ways! I’m not really sure that I can call it a re-write anymore. The setting has changed. The characters are all different. There are hints of druidry, but no druids. There are hints of Romans, but no Romans. There is a nod to ancient Britain, but it is not set in ancient Britain. But there are dragons…sort of.

I know that is vague, but perhaps it will intrigue you enough to keep coming back!