What if Carthage destroyed Rome?

What would be our world like without Rome? Check out this alternate history wherein Carthage erased the Roman Empire in the face of the Earth in my article posted in Istoryadista "Carthagiensis Victoriae: A World Without Rome."

In 38 AH (210 BC), Rome was finally destroyed and the Carthaginians imposed a very crippling penalty on the Romans for waging war against them. The remnant of the Roman Republic made their final stand on southern Italy but the resistance was eventually quelled thanks to the help of Carthage's Macedonian ally Philippos V (Philip of Makedon). All territories of the Republic were incorporated to be ruled by Hannibal while his generals carved out their own domains from southern Gaul to Sardinia.

How to Enjoy Your Hotel Casino Vacation in Melbourne

If you are planning to play slot machines or earn lots of money from playing poker then you have to visit the casino. You don’t have to take a casino vacation in the bright lights of Las Vegas or Atlantic City in the United States because you can always enjoy all the sights and sounds of Crown Casino in Melbourne. Across the Yarra River, this entertainment complex houses games that gamblers and hotel guests would love: blackjack, craps, pai gow, poker, baccarat, and roulette. The complex also operates several nightclubs and luxury stores for leading brands like Prada, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, and Versace. If you want to book and make reservations, check the details at a hotel search portal.

You won’t experience gambling in Australia the way you want to unless if you visit this premiere hotel casino. Located in the heart of the central business district, Crown Casino is an establishment for those who want to try gambling while on their holiday vacation. It is very much accessible that guests can go to major boutique and high-end shopping centres and visit other tourist attractions like the first-class Melbourne aquarium, the different restaurants on the South Bank, bohemian atmosphere of St. Kilda, and the delectable Italian food on Lygon Street.

Gambling at the Casino Hotel

All gambling activities and gambling machines are regulated by the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation under the Casino Control Act of 1991. Aside from that, guests can enjoy the facility’s 2,500 poker tables and various slot machines. There are also card games from all varieties of poker including Texas Hold’em. High rollers can enjoy rewards programs called the “Signature Club” wherein members can redeem their points for goods and services, discounts, and entrance to VIP areas and events.

Accommodation

Crown Hotel targets three demographics such as the 481-room Crown Towers with its luxury suites, the 658-room Crown Metrolol, and 465-room Crown Promenade and business conference. Prominent personalities and guests have made stayed in the hotel like Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Tiger Woods, and Neil Murray. Hotel gambling would not be complete without the Palladium that hosts the premier social functions such as the TV Week Logie Awards, Brownlow, Allan Border Medal, and Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix ball.

Fun Factor

There are amazing water features inside and outside of the Crown Hotel casino complex such as the Seasons of Fortune, Southern Porte Cochere, Revelry, Brigades, and Celebration. This is a vacation casino where you can relax and unwind.

Culinary Delights

Once you’re in the confines of the casino hotel, hotel gambling is not the only activity that you can enjoy. There are culinary delights that you can partake. Enjoy delicious selection of international cuisine that includes Italian, European, American, Chinese, Indian, and Japanese food.

Hotel casinos don’t just feed in the gambling addiction in Australia, it merely gives everyone alternative on how they can enjoy their vacation in a way different than typical hotels.

Restaurant Gourmet Meal Deals for Food Lovers

We all love good gourmet food especially those made by world famous chefs. Booking for reservations at prestigious and Michelin star rated restaurants can be quite expensive and beyond our budget unless if you get meal deals online. Many restaurants are promoting their unique take on favourite ethnic meals from Japanese sushi to Indian tandoori chicken through redeemable vouchers and discount coupons. Other restaurants provide value meals and entire meal packages thereby giving customers a complete dinner experience like no other. Check for the best meal deals in Australia by checking a daily deals search portal.

Unlike the usual Subway meal deals of submarine sandwich, fries, and large tumbler full of soda, restaurant meal deals are quite classier than fast food. Depending upon your food preference and budget, search sites allow you to sort according to price and type of cuisine. Since some of the most exquisite restaurant dinner can be quite pricey, restaurants do offer discounts on a limited-time only basis. Who knows, you may be eating Gordon Ramsay’s favourite Beef Wellington or Matt Preston’s choice rack of lamb. If you prefer going ethnic, Australia is fortunate to have a long list of renowned Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Arab, and European restaurants that you can try on.

Choosing the Meal

If you prefer takeaways then you should go for value meals, although, some restaurants don’t accept discount for it. Besides, buying a single meal can be quite expensive and you can definitely save money on cheap meal deals. Who says there are no cheap gourmet meals? Take a bite on the best sushi in town with the convenient price that doesn’t strain your wallet. How about having a nice Indian dinner with your mates and enjoy Dehraduni Basmati rice with your choice of curried meal, Seekh Kabab, and Chicken Tikka.

Go for Family Meal Deals

Choose meal deals at restaurants for you and your family to enjoy. It is worth noting that some restaurants and other fine dining establishments provide free meal deals so for the price of one, you and your date can enjoy a very intimate dining experience. Family meal deals include appetizers, entrée, and desserts.

Last Minute Meal Deals

Many people may have booked for the same meal you want so never book in the last minute. Restaurant gourmet may be offered for a limited time only so you don’t want to miss the opportunity to eat authentic Thai food at your favourite restaurant just because you booked too late.

Fact or Fiction? The Common Hostel Misconceptions You Should Know

Hostels have always been the staple locale for psycho and thriller films in the Hitchcock tradition because of its portrayal as a dark, dingy and unsafe places frequented by undesirable characters from drug addicts to prostitutes. Though not all places are safe, hostels are the favourite place to crash for budget-conscious travellers, tourists, and backpackers looking to stretch their dollars. Unlike hotels and motels, young people love the communal atmosphere of the guest hostel because it is the best way to meet new friends and forge new relationships. If you want to debunk the urban legend and myth behind hostels in general then you can look for one in a hostel search provider.

Hostels have changed in response to the changing trends so it is no longer catered to the brash young teenagers. Many hostels have started to provide private rooms, dormitory beds, and all the basic amenities for someone who wants to have a personal private space. It has opened itself to shifting demographics that includes families with children, couples, and even retirees. Even the best hostels offer near hotel quality amenities and services due to the growth of budget travel. However, there are misconceptions that bring a hostel broker a bad name.

Hostels are Unsafe

Because of the communal nature of hostels, it is always a convenient excuse to condemn hostels as unsafe. Though different people and personalities are the usual fixtures in a hostel’s international environment, it is up to the person to find the best hostel in the area. The fact is that getting robbed or losing one’s personal item can happened to anyone anytime, anywhere. Try booking hostels that are equipped with luggage storage rooms and personal lockers. Consider hostels with 24-hour reception service with security guards.

Hostels have Sub-Standard Amenities

The usual concept of hostel as a small prison-like accommodation with a dirty communal shower is a thing of the past. Use hostel finder websites to compare the amenities and services, you will realise that some hostels offer outstanding rooms and facilities that even rivals motels and budget hotels.

Sex and Drugs are Daily Hostel Fixtures

Well it is said that the hostels are ultimate proving ground for teenagers and young adults because of all night parties, wild sex, non-stop drinking binges, and pot sessions. It is not usually the case because hostels have strict no drugs policy and discourage drunken and disorderly behaviour. Hostels booking may take a hit when a place is notorious for such activities.

Hostels Don’t Accept Locals

It is a misconception that local hostels don’t accept Aussie backpackers and travellers. Most hostels don’t operate on a “no locals” policy. In fact, hostel brokers are encouraging local and foreign tourists and travellers to stay in hostels anywhere in Australia.

Annoying Expat Pet Peeves

Obviously, Singapore is a small magnet that attracts people from all over the world. Foreigners and expats came in huge numbers brought about their search for greener pastures and challenging new life abroad. I, myself, am one of the many corporate adventurers that were brought into the island nation hoping to see the bright light. Unfortunately, life is tough even on this utopian society.

Drastic measures have been made to control the flood gates and to assure their citizens a better life. Are they worried that foreigners would take their jobs like ravenous piranhas? Well this multicultural country remained tolerant as ever but we can't deny that there will always be stereotypes and pet peeves directed at foreigners and expats. What are these?

Whether you are a Singaporean or not, you will always view expats either with utter contempt and suspicion or great trust like a friend you never had. Nevertheless, some negative opinions remain.

-Expats tend to think that their home is better than the host country.
-They usually exhibit "superiority complex" in various forms.
-They think that they are entitled to everything.
-They play the know-it-all card without the cultural sensitivity.
-They tend to do it their way, thus, refusing to acculturate.

Want to know the full details? Read the entire article here.

Current Trends in the Australian Aboriginal Art Scene

Australian Aboriginal art is one of the longest continuing art traditions in the world and prominent art critic Robert Hughes even said that it is the 'last great art movement'. Australian Aboriginal art is a very diverse art form that includes rock carving, woodcarving, sculpture, sand painting, ceremonial clothing and artistic decorations. Because of its unique style and form, indigenous art has been studied in recent years and gained growing international fame and recognition.

Nowadays, many art consultancy firms, art galleries, and art investors have increasingly become interested in Australian Aboriginal art. In fact, the art market has become so lucrative that it even outsold European art and contemporary Australian art in auction houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s.

Specialisation in Australian Aboriginal Art

Art consultancy firms have now ventured in the Australian Aboriginal art market in an effort to obtain the quality artists that produced quality works of art. Ever since Geoffrey Bardon started the Papunya painting movement in 1971, this art trend has spread from the rural and remote Alice Springs to the urban centres of Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth as a contemporary art of a unique style and form.

International Awards

The growing popularity of Australian Aboriginal art has propelled leading indigenous artists to win prestigious awards and have solo exhibitions in major art galleries. Following the footsteps of their predecessors William Barak and Albert Namatjira, contemporary artists like Wynne Prize winners Joanne Currie Nalingu and George Tjungurrayi, Blake Prize awardee Shirley Purdie, Clemenger Contemporary Art Award winner John Mawurndjul, and Venice Biennale representatives Rover Thomas and Yvonne Koolmatrie have gained recognition for their works.

Indigenous Art Cooperatives

These cooperatives were formed to develop and preserve Australian Aboriginal art. Unlike contemporary Australian art that requires formal education, indigenous art is created in community groups. Art style and form varies in different cooperatives like the Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative, Ikuntji, Papunya Tula, and the Aboriginal Australia Art and Culture Centre.

‘Urban Art’ Movement

Most indigenous artists have no formal training and their artworks are based upon traditional knowledge and skills passed by their elders. On the other hand, many artists who are living in the cities, many of whom have formal education in contemporary Australian and European art, have now combined the elements of mainstream art with their own. These artists have shifted their interpretations of their traditional art.

Art Investment and Exploitation

Being a lucrative market, works by prominent indigenous artists have increased in value over the past three decades. In fact, the Australian Aboriginal art sector now worth more than A$500 billion as compared to about A$100 million to A$300 million a decade ago. On the other hand, there have been growing issues of art fraud and exploitation that affected the indigenous art scene.

Industry Regulation

In an effort to protect the Australian Aboriginal art industry, laws were implemented to establish standards of practice and fair dealing. In 2006, the Art Consulting Association of Australia was established to enhance the commercial aspects of art consulting in Australia with the maintenance and establishment of a set of ethical standards.

Increased competition in the Australian art consultancy sector has facilitated a marked improvement in service. Prominent art galleries and art investors alike have now hired professional art consultants to meet the growing demands and follow the current trends and developments of the indigenous art industry.

The 10 Best Green Industries for your Ethical Investments Portfolio

Ethical investing is concerned with industries that promote affirmative environmental programs, social justice, sustainable growth, and good corporate governance. Many people still think that investors on green industries may lose their money in the long run because it is difficult to maximise financial return when taking social ethics into perspective.

However, there have been significant players in the green industries in recent years. These companies offer investors a diverse portfolio that gives them reasonable financial return and market growth potential. Here are the 10 best green industries for your ethical investments portfolio:

1. Solar Energy

There is a growing solar energy industry that includes solar cell panel and component manufacturers and solar energy providers. Prominent solar power stations are scattered throughout New South Wales, Victoria and Northern Territory.

2. Wind Power

The wind power sector not only specialised in the generation and sale of power, but also in the design and construction of wind turbines. This high-growth industry has spawned windmill farms across South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland.

3. Water Utility

There has been a growing need for alternative sources of water in Australia because many states are facing desertification and drought. Ethical investments have supported companies that operate water purification and desalination plants.

4. Waste Reduction

Ethical investments in the waste reduction and recycling sectors have led to the establishment of various recycling centres throughout Australia. The number of recycling facilities that recycle plastic, metal, and organic waste have increased after the establishment of a national voluntary recycling plan by the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council.

5. Green Retailing

The green retailing sector sells products that are either made of reused, recycled, or environmentally friendly material. Most green shops even provide recycled paper or fabric bags to their customers.

6. Organic Farming

Venturing in organic farming and sustainable agriculture are sound ethical investments because these eco-friendly methods don’t utilise harmful pesticides and chemicals but apply sustainable farming and animal management practices. Agricultural produce, livestock, and dairy products are sold fresh from the farm without the aid of preservatives and chemicals.

7. Fuel Cell and Biodiesel

Many investors are supporting ethical investments in the effort to find fuel alternatives. In this case, fuel cell technology and biofuel companies have become prime movers in the advancement of clean but reliable fuel that are now used in electric vehicles and hybrid cars.

8. Green Chemistry

In an effort to reduce the dependence of hazardous substances, the chemical industry has developed new chemical products that are safe to use and environmentally friendly.

9. Pollution Control

The pollution control industry is on the rise following the growth of companies that specialise in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Ethical investing in this industry is still a big challenge to investors because very few companies have developed cheap pollution control technologies.

10. Energy Efficiency

Few companies specialise in this field so you have to choose those who have relative success in their line of business. They help individuals and businesses become energy efficient and comply with local energy regulations.

Green industries have created a new niche market with consumers who are concerned about the environment and are willing to spend more on eco-friendly products and services. Ethical investments are encouraged by local and national government policies, non-governmental organisation initiatives, and corporate plans.