The Daily Teaser — 18-9-2014: The Empire

You know, the world could change, today.

Scotland’s voting in the independence referendum.

I’m … 

Concerned.

Well, maybe ‘concerned’ isn’t the word.

But I’m very aware that Independence influences the taxes we pay: and how much gets spent where.   If I’ve understood it correctly, the formula the UJK government uses to determine how much of its tax income is spent where, tends to favour Scotland and Northern Ireland.

If Scotland votes for independence, central Government will be spending nothing on Scotland.   But would also be getting a lot LESS than you’d think.   It would, quite frankly, be losing the revenue from any oil taxes.

On a personal level?

Well, on a personal level, the romantic in me thinks Scotland should vote Yes in the referendum.

I’m also hoping Scotland doesn’t.

Frankly, I was born in the United Kingdom.

I’d like to die in the United Kingdom.

But I’m very aware I don’t get a say in this.   I don’t live in Scotland.   I don’t think any ‘Yes’ voters are going to be listening to an Englishman living in suburban Essex.

Understandably.

Personally, though … ?

Personally, I can only hope the people of Scotland make the right decision for Scotland.

Regardless of what England, Northern Ireland and Wales think.

I can only ask one thing that’s been bugging me.   

What happens if it’s a draw … ?

~≈Ø≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting her answers: and scoring five out of five.

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s rather Imperial questions, shall we?   Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) 18th September saw Tiberius confirmed as Roman Emperor.   By which Roman body?

Q2) In which year did that body finally collapse: 603, 604 or 605 AD?

Q3) Was Tiberius the second, third or fourth Roman Emperor?

Q4) Who was his predecessor in the post?

Q5) Many Roman Emperors were called Princeps.   Which meant what:  prince, first or noble?

Q6) The word Emperor comes from the Latin word Imperator, which (roughly) meant what: duke, commander or king?

Q7) Another title used by Tiberius was Pontifex Maximus, or High Priest.   Who is that title usually applied to, in modern times?

Q8) How many legions would Tiberius have inherited from his predecessor: twenty-five, twenty-eight or thirty-one?

Q9) More to the point, how many troops were in each legion: 3000, 4000 or 5000?

Q10) Finally … Who was Tiberius’ successor as Emperor?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 17th September, 1976, saw NASA unveiling the original Space Shuttle.   What was its name … ?

A1) The Enterprise.

Q2) That shuttle was designated the OV 101.   OV stood for Orbital … what … ?

A2) Vehicle.

Q3) Was the OV 101 capable of spaceflight … ?

A3) No: she was a test model.   The Enterprise was used for Approach and Landing Tests.

Q4) The OV 101’s flight test were in 1977, and involved it being launched from which aircraft: an Airbus A380, a Boeing 747 or the FA Merlin?

A4) A Boeing 747.

Q5) Finally … name any of the Space Shuttles that took operational flights …

A5) The Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour.

I’ll leave you with this thought …

“Boni pastoris est tondere pecus, non deglubere.”

(“A good sheperd shears his sheep: he doesn’t flay them.”)

Words ascribed to Tiberius, by Suetonius’ Twelve Caesars.

And this tune … 

Have a good day.

*        Oh, I think everybody enjoys a bank job, Debbi.   Apart from the banks.   I don’t know if they count …