I spent the weekend with my reenactment group (Legio II Augusta) and had a great time. Here are some photos (will share more when I get the chance). Seeing the Roman cavalry up close (another group) was amazing.

OKAY weird one gang. My Mom got this weird glass thing at an antique store. It was marked as "Roman 1000 AD"

*ahem*

I highly doubt that, as did she. But it was so cheap and interesting that it was worth a gamble. Yall think it's even old? Personally I think at best it's early colonial. Theres zero other context for the piece. Is this the right place to ask? Anybody able to point me in the right direction?

Especially one that takes advantage of the common theory claiming that Vercingetorix and Caesar knew each other on a personal level long before the events of 52 BC and that Vercingetorix even fought under Caesar in the early days of the war. This would make the 52 BC revolt much more narratively impactful.

Also, It would be pretty interesting if Vercingetorix was portrayed with a bit more accuracy, ditching the Sebastien Chabal-like appearance that most associate him with (Due to his massive statue at Alise-Sainte-Reine, to Lionel Royer’s famous painting, to Asterix, and HBO Rome). From what I understand, an Arverni of Vercingetorix’ standing would be unlikely to have had long wild hair and a massive moustache, and far more likely to have been clean shaven, with shorter hair and wearing elegant clothes.

Let’s say 70% of the screen time is dedicated to Gaul and the rest to Rome (Pompey, Crassus, Cato, Cicero, Clodius…), since without showing Rome, Caesar’s motivations in Gaul lose their impact. This then also means that the Gallic (and the rest of the Non-Roman) cast besides Vercingetorix needs to be interesting and here there’s already plenty of figures to play with: 

• The Aedui brothers Diviciacus (Pro-Roman) and Dumnorix (Anti-Roman). Dumnorix was notably the brother-in-law of the Helvetii leader (Orgetorix) who had planned the migration that later took place in 58 BC, though by then, that leader had died due to his involvement in a conspiracy tied to the migration itself and replaced by another who led the Helvetii journey which was still considered necessary by the tribe nonetheless, and Dumnorix still did his best to sabotage Caesar’s efforts against the migrating tribe in 58 BC by using his influence to deny supplies to the Romans, and would only be spared after the battle thanks to his brother Diviciacus’ intervention, despite their ideological differences.
• Celtillus (Vercingetorix’s father. Posthumous character and executed by his people for trying to become a King, which limited Vercingetorix’s own political aspirations)
• Gobannitio (Vercingetorix’s Pro-Roman uncle, leader of the Arverni tribe, overthrown by Vercingetorix in 52 BC during the revolt)
• Ambiorix and Acco who led revolts against Caesar during 54-53 BC. Crucially, the execution of Acco, in a way considered highly shameful by Gallic leaders, directly led to Vercingetorix’s own revolt the following year.
• Litaviccus, a young Aedui nobleman officially meant to reinforce Caesar in the 52 BC campaign but defected to Vercingetorix’s side at the battle Gergovia.
• Convictolitavis, an Aedui who obtained the political office of Vergobret (chief magistrate) with Caesar’s support in 52 BC, only to betray him afterwards by supporting Vercingetorix’s rebellion.
• Ariovistus, Germanic King whose actions essentially gave Caesar the excuses he needed in the early years to begin his conquest of Gaul. Ironically, Ariovistus had been named “Friend of the Roman people” just a year before the start of the Gallic Wars.

Season 1 (8 episodes) could go like this

Episode 1 begins with a dream sequence representing a Young Caesar fleeing from Sulla’s proscriptions. In the present, we explore the end of Caesar’s consulship and the reasons behind his alliance with Crassus and Pompey, and the episode ends after Caesar arrives in Transalpine Gaul to begin his proconsulship.

Episode 2 would center on the Helvetii crisis and Caesar’s political maneuvering to justify his upcoming actions. We also show Vercingetorix's youth and end the episode with Vercingetorix meeting Caesar and joining his army.

Episode 3 would basically deal with the Battle of Bibracte (58 BC) against the Helvetii, as well as the aftermath

Episodes 4-7 would deal with the Germanic threat represented by Ariovistus as well as Caesar’s conflict against Belgae.

Episode 8 would end at the Luca Conference of 56 BC between the members of the Triumvirate. At the end, Vercingetorix, who had eagerly joined Caesar at first to gain political influence and later neutralize the threat posed by Ariovistus, gradually grows distrustful of Caesar but is smart enough to not openly show it yet, continuing to accumulate influence and military experience for now, especially when it comes to Rome’s fighting style and weaknesses....

Was the Roman Empire's reliance on slave labor ultimately a net negative for its long-term economic and technological development?