Word: maximus
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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Against this background of gentle murmurings, Author Barry Hannah, 43, persists in making rude noises. Captain Maximus, his sixth book and second collection of stories, is full of spite, rage, booze and unregenerate boorishness. Not one of Hannah's two-fisted protagonists or narrators would perform well at a dinner party or charity bazaar. They resist gentrification. They hang around in scuzzy bars, wallowing in anarchic musings: "I thought of my books, my children, and the fact that almost everybody sells used cars or dies early. I used to get so angry about this issue that I would drag policemen...
...remind ourselves of the reason for his discomfort. Vanitas had mocked three emperors, and had supported two incursions of his followers into the Empire. The Emperor saw an opportunity to avenge one of those emperors, his father, Desperatus Maximus, whilst boosting the coffers of Rome with much needed booty. After all, bread and circuses cost money, and the senators remain reluctant to part with any of their riches. At a stroke, Nuntius Minimus could please everyone. That is, of course, other than non-Romans...
...Transfans" inhabit a shadowy world of newsgroups, webpages, chat rooms, internet relays, and (illegal) episode downloads. They hold conventions and publish newsletters, clamor for exclusive toys and get them. Like veteran antiquers, they boast of their latest finds and newest acquisitions to any who will listen. A used Fortress Maximus fetches $500, a gold-plated Optimus Prime, $3000. Three months ago, a seller on Ebay offered an almost complete mint collection of the original run. The asking price? A whopping $30,000. Joe Millionaire could live off that for a year. The Transformers toys, Hasbro's bread and butter...
...movement arrayed against the labor reforms proposed by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government. Though the crowds came, by most estimates well over a million people, the festivities were called off. Banners denouncing terrorism replaced union slogans calling for walkouts. Across the oval field at the ancient Circus Maximus, a strong wind whipped at red trade-union flags taped with the black borders of mourning. Once again in sunny Italy, a cold-blooded political assassination rained on everyone's parade...
...about theater as music. Pop stars assume fictional personalities (Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Ziggy Stardust, Johnny Rotten, Slim Shady) and audiences laugh or boo or scream at both the character and the real performer. When the multitudes lend their ears and eyes to Russell Crowe as Maximus the Gladiator, the same fusion of real star and imaginary hero takes place; its both Crowe and Maximus they've come to see, just as the people who crowd Madonna concerts go to see both the real Madge and her various fictional incarnations. Movie stars, because they are by definition...