Turmae: Troop or Squadron

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It does get a bit silly at times. But the popularity of Harry Sidebottom suggests that it's not an absolute killer (although he has toned down the latinism in his recent books). Christian Cameron uses stacks of Greek words, and even 'Scythian' terms, and it works fine because he does it with confidence and authority. I think the worst offenders are novelists trying to cover up their lack of understanding by sprinkling their stories with undigested latin terms, to fake an appearance of authenticity...

Nope; it still irritates me. I don't like feeling patronised when I read and most of the time it is pretentious - "aren't I clever I know more than you"

But then, I could never see why Pressfields books were popular. Gates of Fires is no where near as good as Tell Them in Sparta (Roderick Milton).