Would you Survive? [Archive]

Bhruic

11-23-2004, 04:14

Well, let's see... I'd be completely unable to communicate with anyone. I'd be in a part of the world I've never been to, even in modern day. I'd either have to lose my glasses and not be able to see well, or keep them, and have a great deal of suspicion (at the least) thrown my way. And almost none of the skills that I possess would be useful in a pre-industrial setting.

It's very unlikely I'd survive long, and I wouldn't likely have any occupation worth mentioning.

Bh

YAKOBU

11-23-2004, 10:27

I think given my current abilities my chance of survival would be slim. I voted 50% and think for my best chance of survival I would have to be the local pig farmer :tomato:

amir

11-23-2004, 13:50

I would be the Emperor of Rome!
and as ill keep anyone names brutus away from me ill have a survival chance of 100%

SwordsMaster

11-23-2004, 13:58

I do think so. Unless I pick up some disease and/or get pinned on a pike somewhere.

With the skills and abilities i have now I could be a legionary, an accountant or secretary, a carpenter, a sailor.... Of course a Senator or a general. I think I would have less chances in any of the barbarian regions as they didnt have as many administrative jobs....

Jeanne d'arc

11-23-2004, 17:59

I voted GAH cause i expected it would represent the lowest chances of survival.

ah_dut

11-23-2004, 18:22

I voted 10% as I'm very short sighted, have a bit of asthma, am very unfit and have few real pre-industrial skills. That and the fact we'll all die anyway. I do understand a bit of Latin though. Occupation, dunno, I'll be dead so no occupation

mandrake

11-23-2004, 21:14

With everything I know now? I'd probably be knocking on the emperor's door with a hand-drawn map of the world in my hands and promises of much, much more to come...for a very, very reasonable price ~D ~D

Otherwise, probably get sold into slavery.

Oaty

11-24-2004, 00:57

Well lets see I'm blonde so no matter how smart I am would I be considered a barbarian in Roman eyes. As far as I know were'nt all blondes from the north or did Romans have adopted barbarians and blondes within the city of Rome. I'd try to be a gladiator as there secondary role was servicing woman and hoped I became popular enough quickly as the popular gladiators were'nt usually forced to fight to the death.

Medieval Assassin

11-24-2004, 02:00

60%, I got skills.

Lonewarrior

11-24-2004, 03:37

I don't know I just voted.

Alphidius

11-24-2004, 03:52

I gave myself 30% *LOL*

Actually I don't think I have any chance of living up to 30 if I were in Rome :no: :shame:

Shadow

11-24-2004, 04:51

I voted 70% cause I would be in the roman army fighting for my skin & slowly working my way to General then Emperor. If the Plauge or the barbarian didn't get to me first. ~D

Al Khalifah

11-24-2004, 10:31

As long as I were allowed to take certain items into the past with me, I think my chances would be pretty good.

I'd just take a load of philosophy text books and a laptop (preferably solar powered) with lots of reference software and go live in Greece and impress people with my incredibly advanced knowledge of pretty much everything. I think I'd probably have the Greek's as an industrial (possibly nuclear capable) nation in about 50 years and I probably would have been declared their god for having written the Complete Works of Shakespeare and invented the Theory of Relativity, Germ Theory and modern medical practice while at the same time composing the works of Mozart, Beethoven and Led Zeplin.

Samurai Waki

11-24-2004, 10:49

Well, that all depends. I think I might survive, but because I speak a language thats completely unkown to them and have only a rudimentary understanding of Latin, I'd probably end up a slave. Having said that, my skills and understanding of the world to them would make me superior...in fact if I could some how make my voice heard it is plausible that the entire world would be completely different. Imagine all of Europe or even the Romans knowing that a land existed across the Atlantic 800 years before the Vikings even discovered Newfound land. Or I could just be mistaken as Hibernian and killed, so I would say that I don't know for sure and just voted 50%

Sjakihata

11-24-2004, 11:59

Assuming you get a little capital to start with, a talent or two, I'd become a student of someone rather prominent, quickly learn to speak both latin and greek (no one advanced could they not speak greek, roughly) and study history, rhetoric, grammatic and geometry. Then I'd travel around, to important places, a week or so before the events began to unfold. I'd do that for ten years, still studying and learning the true culture, I'd even attend some gladitorial fights. Then I'd begin to teach marxism and create a small empire and help it take a firmly grasp of the world, so I know it will be a safe place for my (hopefully) many children to grow up in. If I didnt have children, thoguh, I wouldnt really care (beeing to selfish) and I'd probably do something stupid and radical that got myself killed...

Somebody Else

11-24-2004, 14:37

If I managed to get over the language barrier, and didn't succumb to some disease which has been wiped out, and I am therefore completely vulnerable to...

I'd probably try to gain some up and coming senator as a sponsor, who would hopefully support me in return for my sparkling conversation, outlandish appearance... and the occasional modern invention.

I'd probably find myself settling into some sort of role as an advisor to said senator, aiding him in his rise to power. Being chief advisor to, say Augustus... wouldn't be too bad.

Aurelius

11-24-2004, 15:53

I picked 10%.
If I managed to get over the language barrier, and didn't succumb to some disease which has been wiped out, and I am therefore completely vulnerable to...

Which there would be a LOT of, considering how pampered we are these days.

I suppose I'd get a gig as a carpenter, or a cook somewhere, considering I'd be able to cook things that people would have no concept of.

I don't know if 'inventor' or mad scientist would be available, if it were I suppose I'd go for it. Once you got a good grasp on the language, we could all be really good poets...

*wanders off, singing "Anyone for Tennis" by Cream in latin*

~:cheers:

Jonny Dangerously

11-24-2004, 17:35

I think I'd become an inventor. There's got to be loads of really useful stuff that these dudes would pay a fortune for: Swing Ball, Spirograph, inflatable furniture, leg warmers, those neck-cushion things you get on aeroplanes and those grippy things you use to open really difficult jam-jars lids. You've just got to use your brain.

Damn! I'd make a fortune with stuff like that......

DojoRat

11-24-2004, 18:01

I gave myself a 70%. It would all depend on whether I found a family or guild to adopt,hire,or enslave me. Twenty years ago I would've made a good soldier but now I'm a too old to start. I know the building trades and though the tools are different the principles are the same. So I could break in as a laborer and hopefully get through the language barrier (latin was 20 years ago as well) with my hands.

Just think, me, in the glory that was Rome, mixing concrete.

aw89

11-25-2004, 15:16

well, if i got take a flashlight with me that charges via solar power at day time.
i would become a god! ahhaha!

just got to learn the language, i am only 14 so i got some time i guess...

TheSilverKnight

11-25-2004, 17:12

I'd become the Emperor through use of the army, and then I'd eventually die in the true Roman Way...GETTING STABBED ON THE SENATE FLOOR!! YEAH!! ~D

doc_bean

11-25-2004, 19:34

I would have died of appendicitis at age six, of course, my mother wouldn't have gotten old enough to have had me either, and since I wasn't delivered naturally....

Big King Sanctaphrax

11-25-2004, 21:18

I would absolutely survive, I'm too cool to die. ;)

I think I'd be some kind of scholar. I'm a pretty bookish guy by nature, and I'm of too light a build to have made a good soldier. I'd quite like to have been tribune of the plebs too, because it sounds cool.

lancer63

11-26-2004, 05:48

Gah!! no modern day (literate) person would survive one week. Because of the food and water unrefined conditions of the time.
But if you take along a truckload of MREs and a cistern of sparkling water your chances of survival would improve greatly. Of course your choice complement of semi-automatic weapons, ammo and assorted selection of smart exploives would make you a living, talking, roman god of war. and while you're trying your Mars outfit don't forget to take along the Millenium Falcon so that you can play as Apollo for the Greeks. ~D

The Tuffen

11-26-2004, 12:02

I voted for 10% as i have a severe heart condition which means i prob wouldn't last a week. If that didn't stop me and language didn't i would help the british tribes repel the romans and then i'd leave writings forcasting the arrival of the next invasion after i die.

Paul Peru

11-26-2004, 12:29

Depends a lot on the location, if I were to be in my current geographical locations, it would be a clear GAH!, or perhaps with a 10% chance of being revered as some kind of deity.
My vote was 30%. If I managed to communicate, I'd probably astound the high and mighty with my knowledge, and be some kind of chief advisor to a Biggus Cheesus or I might become a respected sandwich maker.
~;)
Re some other replies: I even know how to boil water!

TosaInu

11-26-2004, 13:15

I know some Latin, but crying LUPA won't save me for long.

Ellesthyan

11-26-2004, 15:43

50% (they think im a stranger or they think Im nuts...) Occupation: slave probably, might become fortuneteller ~:)

Stefan the Berserker

11-26-2004, 18:14

RTW:

50 % chance to survive in Rome
30 % to survive in Germany

MTW:

100 % chance to survive in Germany

STW:

0 % chance unless I'm a meateating barbarian

------------

Unless I got some skills as Riding and Swordfighting, I have some chances to survive it. In Rome the problem would be the language, unless I can only speak few Latin and if I say "Germanus sum!" they'll pack out the chains.

In Medieval Germany I would rather tend to say I got 100% chance to survive.

In Japan of the Sengoku Jidai period any european not belonging to tolerated tradergroups is a dead man if he meets a Samurai. Even through I can fight with a sword, a badassed Samurai will kill me with some sweet joy.

Grumfoss

12-08-2004, 13:54

For me the idea of survival might not be a problem especially if I was back in the Roman army.

I have had training in the use of Roman weapons as well as combat with all the Celtic weapons of the time. ( I do have a set of Armour already - complete with Sword, helmet and shield ~;) )

It is a misconception to say that the people of the time were sickly and died early - in fact why on earth would people join the army for 25 yrs if there was no chance of survival.

I voted for 100% survival, as I would adapt as it is the human way.

Herakleitos

12-08-2004, 14:23

Hmmmm... I wouldn't stand a chance in those harsh times, probably end up as a slave on a trireme or in the salt mines...

Basileus

12-08-2004, 15:08

Would take time to get used to but i think alot of ppl would manage, you have to adopt as with evry change..im well built/trained so would propably join the hoplites heh or join the academy and listen to aristotle heh

m4rt14n

12-11-2004, 04:32

I'd invent gunpowder a millenia earlier and conquer the world!!!!

Har!!

Kaiser of Arabia

12-11-2004, 04:45

I'd become a very Guan Yu type figure, with a giant... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... sword, thats it, sword.
-Capo

Rurik the Chieftain

12-19-2004, 01:34

If I didn't immediately die from the diseases, parasites, etc. I might be able to survive as a slave, since i know a little latin. Other than that my chances start to look grim :skull:

Mountaindew

12-21-2004, 05:06

well...it prolly depends upon where i end up...if in barbarian lands, then, im a gonner...if in the desert, then i'll prolly die of dehydration...in roman lands well...my only chance would to become a poet, or writer, or linguist...challenge cicero!

aside from that, im toast... ~:eek:

ZIM!!

12-22-2004, 18:58

ZIM!!

12-22-2004, 19:13

I think I would survive if I could get past the digusting food they ate back then , fish paste with urine in it?? that would kill me I think I could easily find an occupation despite the language barrier , Ideally I would be rich by selling map information to governments of the time this knoweledge would be priceless letting them know about the new world ad all its untapped riches .. just generally selling or inacting ideas peope back then never dreamed of that are common place today medical ideas like cleaning wounds, soap, sickness comes from germs not wet damp areas flossing helps you keep your teeth military ideas and modern tactics, steam power( easily demonstratable... I'll survive on the map info till I learn enough latin or greek to express the ideas , I feel I would be quite rich and would have all sorts of women and slaves , an estate in the country.. go to the games.. assuming they didnt kill me outright for being a heratic or a handicap... so many comman place ideas today would make you a wealthy man back then... like just invent the "spork" you'll be rich!!

what about the suez canal you think it would of been a feasable idea back then if you could build it I think you would be owner of the most valuable land in the ancient world

mfberg

12-22-2004, 20:22

Unless I could get be a priest and get first shot at all the pig/cow pancreas I need I would die in about a month on the starvation diet, but at least they would know which disease killed me. If I did get the first choice, then it would be another 1-8 years before infections from dull (and huge) needles got me.

what about the suez canal you think it would of been a feasable idea back then if you could build it I think you would be owner of the most valuable land in the ancient world

Just land a job in the pharoahs court about 400-1600 years earlier and they would love you for it.
"Enough of those measly pyramids, we're going to dig a ditch and charge those chinese merchants buckets of money to get to the hairy barbarians."

mfberg

zelda12

12-22-2004, 20:29

6 foot one and a half 100 kilos and can punch two milimeters into sheet steel.

I think I'd survive quite well. Plus I'm pretty hairy so I'll fit right in.

king steven

12-29-2004, 23:24

i'd be a noble king

Divine Wind

12-30-2004, 02:38

I do quite a lot of sailing as a hobby so i guess id be a handy old grog in the roman navy, or a fishermen perhaps. Could even be a rich merchant trading silks and other resources around the world ~D

Mackaaan

12-30-2004, 11:31

athletic, well built, know alittle latin, good at adapting.
would be a great soldier or cook.
90% roman - soldier, greek - soldier, carthage - mercenary for carthaginean army
50% german - swedish comes from germanic either they understand a tiny bit of it or they dont and if they dont ill try speaking german, danish, norwegian. hopefully they let me learn the language instead of tie me to a horse and let it drag me to roman border or something.
egypt - hopefully a cook

JR-

01-03-2005, 13:24

100%

there is always a need for environmental managment consultantcy experts! BWAHAHA

Lemur

01-05-2005, 06:30

Physically, I'd do fine. No glasses, good hearing, no medical needs of any sort. Funny to think that anyone I know with diabetes or bad eyesight would be toast.

Don't know how bad it would be picking up the language while trying to survive. Took me six months to get any good at Spanish while living in Spain, so I guess I'm not the quickest centurion in the legion.

I'm 6'2", good reflexes and fair, so I'd probably be enslaved for not knowing the lingo, and be used in some manual capacity. Gladiator school would be a possibility, which wouldn't be at all good for my lifespan.

Of course, like somebody else said on here, gunpowder isn't hard to mix, so I might be able to impress them with my magic powder long enough to get savvy to Latin. At which point I could tell them that I'm a Very Important Magician, and if they would just hook me up with a half-decent smith ... well ... this is my BOOMSTICK!

Aelwyn

01-05-2005, 09:25

I have a unique personality and set of skills, so I voted 50%. They could either be how I survive, or how I die. I would most likely die quickly. But, I do have it in me to be very cold-hearted and uncaring. So, I could survive. I'm sure feeling melancholy as I am atm, I wouldn't do well though.