Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : The Environmentalist Thread -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: LindyBill who wrote (9939)	2/26/2007 4:26:56 PM
From: Wharf Rat	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 36917

Computer generated animated battles?

To: LindyBill who wrote (9939)	2/26/2007 4:45:34 PM
From: Snowshoe	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 36917

Speaking of barbarians and Rome, have you noticed that none of those riders in the HBO series "Rome" have stirrups on their saddles? It turns out that stirrups were invented relatively late in history, and did not arrive in Europe until about 500-600 years AD. I recently saw a TV show about the history of cattle that laid out the following controversial hypothesis, as best I can remember. The point of the story was to highlight the critical role that cattle have played in human history... 1) There was a tribe of horsemen called the Avars on the Asian steppe that used stirrups, who were able to dominate their neighbors militarily due to the advantage provided by stirrups. 2) An extended period of cold climate came along during which their horses suffered from poor pasture. However, the neighboring tribes grew cattle which thrived much better under than horses under the prevalent conditions. Because they are ruminants, cattle can live on rougher forage than cattle. 3) The tables were turned and now the Avars became oppressed by their neighbors. The Avars started migrating west and eventually brought the stirrup to Europe, where the new technology upset the military balance and may have helped cause the downfall of Rome.