OT: Anyone watch Sparticus - blood and sand?

[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