OT: Anyone watch Sparticus - blood and sand?

[anubis88]

I can't answer the OPs question directly, but remember the origin of the word "barbarian". The Greeks used it for the not-exactly-primitive Persians, and were subjected to it in turn by the Romans. The word's little more than abuse. Though I doubt such subtleties were considered by the script writer while penning that line.

On a simmilar note, as a bit of a trivia...

The word barbaros from greek ment at first a man who talks: "br..br...".. meaning gibberish. The greeks gave them such a name because they couldn't understand their language, and all they herd was something along the lines of brbrbrbr... thus the word barbarian

[Fluvius Camillus]

I am really annoyed that some episodes show this warning:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

On the other hand, I liked the storyline. I just turn off my historical conscience and watch something that's quite enjoying. I hope season 2 get's there.

Rome will always remain my best Antiquity serie.

~Fluvius

[Skullheadhq]

Most Greeks called Macedonians 'barbarians' because they had a weird accent, yet had the same culture and language. So even if the Dacians/Thracians would have the same language and culture as the Greeks, they'd probably still be called barbatians

[Ludens]

a very good point, Ludens - although what I was trying to say (I'm not sure I said it properly) is simply that since the Thracians weren't hellenized (or Romanized) they wouldn't use the term barbarian, because it's a phrase that, afaik, is pretty specific to those cultures. -M

True. However, my (badly-made) point is that all cultures consider themselves either more civilized or more decent than their neighbours. The word barbarian may be a Greco-Roman thing, but the feeling is universal. And, obviously, Spartacus would have been considerably more Romanized than the average Thracian.

Most Greeks called Macedonians 'barbarians' because they had a weird accent, yet had the same culture and language. So even if the Dacians/Thracians would have the same language and culture as the Greeks, they'd probably still be called barbatians

It wasn't quite as black-and-white as you make out. The Macedonians were called semi-barbarous by anti-Macedonian Athenian rhetoricians. (Demosthenes, I know. Were there others?) His pro-Macedonian political rivals referred to the Macedonians as fellow Greeks.

[Mulceber]

True. However, my (badly-made) point is that all cultures consider themselves either more civilized or more decent than their neighbours. The word barbarian may be a Greco-Roman thing, but the feeling is universal. And, obviously, Spartacus would have been considerably more Romanized than the average Thracian.

I agree completely. -M