Thomas L. Dynneson

Writing is an art that is based on certain rules and standards such as punctuation and grammatical systems. Originally, grammatical rule had to be developed over time, as the first writing systems existed without the benefit of such rules. For example writing was letters in a line, and while words existed they were not  Read More 

In my study of the long history of the formation of the Roman Republic, there is an event that respected historians claim as a turning point in Western history and in the advancement of human civilization. They cite the year 338 BCE. Rome had just fought a series of wars with various cities including cities  Read More 

Today, I completed drafting Chapter 28 of my manuscript dealing with the history of the Roman Republic. What has amazed me more and more about this work is the extent that historical events and persons were used in the creation of an inventive mind, mainly the mind of Livy, but also the gullibility of Plutarch in  Read More 

As a student of cultures past and present, I have especially been interested in a couple of ideas - one is urbanization another is political systems, which includes attempt at the assimilation of people's of diverse cultures. These ideas are connected and are difficult to study predictively. Most societies change over time and end  Read More 

My work is now centered The destruction of Rome in 390 BCE. This is fascinating work in that it is a study in arrogance, humiliation, stupidity, class conflict, and the tenents of good leadership. The problem, of course, is that it difficult to separate myth from reality or fiction from truth. The gist of the  Read More 

As Veterans Day approaches, I would like to comment on the fact that many of the original founding faculty of the UTPB were first and foremost veterans of WWII and the Korean War.

This includes both high ranking officers (such as two generals -- one marine and one Air force -- Hank Heise and Jim Colwell) some  Read More 

For several months I have been away working on various projects. Most of this last summer was spent in Minneapolis. The manuscript on Roman civism is moving along with 26 chapters in draft. I have been making timelines on some topics. Currently I am working on drafting a chapter on Camillus (see my description of  Read More 

WAS THERE EVER SUCH A FOOL AND I?

Was there ever such a Fool as I?
I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman!

Was there ever such a fool as I?
I believe that fathers should be examples to their children!

Was there ever such a fool as I?
I  Read More 

The Thomas L. Dynneson Archive is now established in the library at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin. The archive contains the professional records, materials, publications, letters, documents, and correspondence related to the professional work of Professor Dynneson. The archive was established for the use of students, scholars, and interested persons who  Read More 

I have not written for some time related to my manuscript related to civism during the era of the Roman Republic. The reason is that I have been reading and taking extensive notes on an almost shocking work authored by Richard E. Mitchell. Mitchell has written a revision on early Roman history that is  Read More