How NOT to run a discussion forum. In the first place, there seems to be no control whatsoever about starting new threads, so you get threads like "Why did Atia send Servilia ice" . . . and I must admit, for every one poster who's thoughtful and interested in Roman history, about 9 are either (a) totally ignorant and ignorant that they are or (b) out to post provocative garbage just to get attention. It's quite a relief coming here!

Of course, one of the things that's irritated our group for years is that people tend to believe what's on TV - and so much junk has been made on TV (I still remember the Cleopatra mini-series, in which Cleo grabs her weapons and goes out to fight at Caesar's side, right) that at least if they watch this, they will LEARN a little bit about Caesar. The hits on my own site have doubled, which suggests a lot of people out there are trying to understand the history - which I find encouraging!

But trying to find it at the HBO forums is a bit like wading through a swamp - too bad!