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Astérix #17
Osiedle Bogów
Kiedy mimo wielokrotnych prób legionom Juliusza Cezara nie udało się podbić Galów z jednej jedynej armorykańskiej osady, władca Rzymu postanowił zmienić taktykę. Doszedł do wniosku, że skoro Galów nie można pokonać, należy ich ucywilizować, czyli „odgalizować”. Temu celowi ma służyć wspaniałe, nowe osiedle wybudowane w bezpośrednim sąsiedztwie osady Asteriksa i Obeliksa. Stąd rzymskie obyczaje, prawo i kultura będą się udzielać Galom, stopniowo zmieniając ich w obywateli Rzymu i dobrowolnych poddanych Cezara. Pewnej nocy rozpoczyna się wyrąb lasu pod plac budowy…Czy plan Juliusza Cezara ma szansę powodzenia, skoro nawet pies Obeliksa, Idefiks, nie znosi, kiedy ktoś „krzywdzi” drzewa w puszczy?
48 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 1971
About the author
René Goscinny
2,012 books1,181 followersRené Goscinny (1926 - 1977) was a French author, editor and humorist, who is best known for the comic book
Asterix
, which he created with illustrator Albert Uderzo, and for his work on the comic series Lucky Luke with Morris (considered the series' golden age).
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 176 reviews
March 2, 2023
With all the COVID news, I almost missed that Albert Uderzo, the artist of Asterix, passed away on March 24, 2020. I spent some time yesterday looking through my collection. In my opinion, the volumes beginning with Asterix bei den Briten through Das Geschenk Cäsars (in German translation) are the best. Goscinny, whose writing was never funnier, and Uderzo, whose artistry matched every written joke, were in their prime. These volumes are as important to me as any book in my personal library.
And when considering that range of works, this one is close to being my favorite, both visually and by how the various subplots weave seamlessly together. Caesar can't conquer one small village in Gaul, so this time he decides to build a luxury apartment building near it, knowing that the Gauls will never attack civilians. In turn, the presence of the new neighbors will weaken the defenses of the village...or at least he thinks so. The story of picking a site, dealing with the desire for freedom for the slaves who have to build it, the underhanded way people are recruited to live there, and then the effects of commerce and mercantilism on the villagers all build to a hilarious conclusion. The real star of this volume is Uderzo. Virtually every frame bursts with humor and color and fits the dialogue like a glove. If you're familiar with the world of Asterix, this is as good a time as any to renew your love and appreciation of Goscinny and Uderzo. What else you gonna do the next few weeks or months?
And when considering that range of works, this one is close to being my favorite, both visually and by how the various subplots weave seamlessly together. Caesar can't conquer one small village in Gaul, so this time he decides to build a luxury apartment building near it, knowing that the Gauls will never attack civilians. In turn, the presence of the new neighbors will weaken the defenses of the village...or at least he thinks so. The story of picking a site, dealing with the desire for freedom for the slaves who have to build it, the underhanded way people are recruited to live there, and then the effects of commerce and mercantilism on the villagers all build to a hilarious conclusion. The real star of this volume is Uderzo. Virtually every frame bursts with humor and color and fits the dialogue like a glove. If you're familiar with the world of Asterix, this is as good a time as any to renew your love and appreciation of Goscinny and Uderzo. What else you gonna do the next few weeks or months?
September 24, 2015
Caesar has a plan to defeat the rebel Gaulish village once and for all - if they won’t fall in line, he’ll build Roman civilization around them and force their culture upon them! His brilliant young architect Squareonthehypotenus will build... The Mansions of the Gods!
I always liked Mansions of the Gods but re-reading it today I didn’t realise how damn funny it is! The characters’ reactions are very extreme which helps. The centurion tasked with helping the architect is superstitious and terrified of the Gauls so he demands the slaves only work at night - except all of them sing LOUDLY while they work. He becomes a nervous wreck as one group of slaves bursts into their nation’s music after the other and he’s so scared the Gauls will be woken up and punch him!
Getafix has magic acorns for re-growing the trees the slaves uproot in the night (poor Dogmatix - he loves trees and hates seeing them uprooted!) so night after night the Romans work and the next night discover the trees have regrown. The architect slowly becomes a nervous wreck and it’s glorious! And later on in the book, Cacofonix, the village bard… oh, big belly laugh on his scene!
There’s some subtext I didn’t notice when reading this as a kid: Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo appear to be criticising trade unions as they’re portrayed here as greedy and encouraging laziness in workers. The influx of Roman tenants nearby turns the Gaulish village into a gaudy tourist trap, the creators criticising modern tourism and what it does to beautiful rural communities.
There are A LOT of racist caricatures here so heads up for that. It’s a comic from 1971 and it’s so good - well written, wonderfully drawn, and so, so funny and clever - but, yeah, it’s kinda racist and that’s a shame. I don’t think the creators meant it in any hateful way and black people aren’t portrayed any more negatively than other slaves but there’s no escaping those red, red lips. Le sigh.
The Mansions of the Gods is another great Asterix comic that reads just as well - maybe better? - to grown-up audiences as it does to kids. It’s a good laugh and an excellent comic. If, like me, it’s been a while since you read these books, they’re well worth a re-read. New readers are in for a treat!
I always liked Mansions of the Gods but re-reading it today I didn’t realise how damn funny it is! The characters’ reactions are very extreme which helps. The centurion tasked with helping the architect is superstitious and terrified of the Gauls so he demands the slaves only work at night - except all of them sing LOUDLY while they work. He becomes a nervous wreck as one group of slaves bursts into their nation’s music after the other and he’s so scared the Gauls will be woken up and punch him!
Getafix has magic acorns for re-growing the trees the slaves uproot in the night (poor Dogmatix - he loves trees and hates seeing them uprooted!) so night after night the Romans work and the next night discover the trees have regrown. The architect slowly becomes a nervous wreck and it’s glorious! And later on in the book, Cacofonix, the village bard… oh, big belly laugh on his scene!
There’s some subtext I didn’t notice when reading this as a kid: Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo appear to be criticising trade unions as they’re portrayed here as greedy and encouraging laziness in workers. The influx of Roman tenants nearby turns the Gaulish village into a gaudy tourist trap, the creators criticising modern tourism and what it does to beautiful rural communities.
There are A LOT of racist caricatures here so heads up for that. It’s a comic from 1971 and it’s so good - well written, wonderfully drawn, and so, so funny and clever - but, yeah, it’s kinda racist and that’s a shame. I don’t think the creators meant it in any hateful way and black people aren’t portrayed any more negatively than other slaves but there’s no escaping those red, red lips. Le sigh.
The Mansions of the Gods is another great Asterix comic that reads just as well - maybe better? - to grown-up audiences as it does to kids. It’s a good laugh and an excellent comic. If, like me, it’s been a while since you read these books, they’re well worth a re-read. New readers are in for a treat!
April 25, 2020
Εύκολα από τα καλύτερα Αστερίξ της σειράς, άψογο δείγμα του πως προσάρμοζε ο Γκοσινί την μοντέρνα πραγματικότητα στο γαλατικό χωριό, τίγκα στο χιούμορ και τις ατάκες. Και το animation που βασίστηκε σε αυτό εξίσου εξαιρετικό.
June 29, 2023
Seit Jahren versucht der große Imperator Julius Cäsar, das letzte unbeugsame gallische Dorf niederzuschlagen. Nun hat er eine neue Idee: er möchte eine römische Stadt rings um das Dorf bauen. Irgendwann, so seine Theorie, wird diese neue moderne Stadt, der zivilisatorische römische Gipfel, das Barbarendorf einfach schlucken. Super Idee!
Schon bald beginnen die Rodungsarbeiten rings um das gallische Dorf, dann kommt das erste Haus, dann ziehen die ersten Siedler ein. Doch mag Cäsars Idee auch gut sein, sind die Gallier bei Weitem nicht so hilflos, wie man sich das in Rom so ausmalt…
_________________________
Einer der ganz großen Asterixe! Hab ihn in meiner Kindheit hundertmal gelesen und auch jetzt hat er wieder große Freude gemacht.
Ich habe übrigens neulich erst ein Interview bei der Süddeutschen Zeitung mit Gudrun Penndorf gelesen, der Übersetzerin der deutschen Asterixausgaben. Sie hat über Jahrzehnte echt einen Wahnsinnsjob gemacht und erhält gefühlt kaum Credits dafür. Klar, die Geschichten stammen von Goscinny, aber diese ganzen superkultigen Sprechblasen (z.B. „Die spinnen, die Römer“) stammen von Penndorf. Ehrenfrau hoch zehn!
Schon bald beginnen die Rodungsarbeiten rings um das gallische Dorf, dann kommt das erste Haus, dann ziehen die ersten Siedler ein. Doch mag Cäsars Idee auch gut sein, sind die Gallier bei Weitem nicht so hilflos, wie man sich das in Rom so ausmalt…
_________________________
Einer der ganz großen Asterixe! Hab ihn in meiner Kindheit hundertmal gelesen und auch jetzt hat er wieder große Freude gemacht.
Ich habe übrigens neulich erst ein Interview bei der Süddeutschen Zeitung mit Gudrun Penndorf gelesen, der Übersetzerin der deutschen Asterixausgaben. Sie hat über Jahrzehnte echt einen Wahnsinnsjob gemacht und erhält gefühlt kaum Credits dafür. Klar, die Geschichten stammen von Goscinny, aber diese ganzen superkultigen Sprechblasen (z.B. „Die spinnen, die Römer“) stammen von Penndorf. Ehrenfrau hoch zehn!
November 1, 2020
First published in French in 1971, as Le domaine des Dieux
This album was first published in English in 1973.
Julius Caesar comes up with a new plan to try and bring the little village, on the Armorican coast, that we know so well, to heel.
He decides that the forest surrounding the village will be destroyed and replaced with blocks of flats, inhabited by well to do Romans.
He commissions Rome's most talented young architect, Squareontheyhypotenus, for this task.
A battle of wills ensues between the Gauls and Romans until wise old Druid Getafix comes up with a plan, which will teach the Romans a lesson, after making it, seem like they have got what they wanted.
Asterix and Obelix get up to some really fun tricks again, and as in `Asterix and The Normans'; Cacofonix the Bard is instrumental in saving the day.
Once more we are treated to an amusing satire on both Ancient Gaul and Europe at the time the book was written.
As the Romans bring in a multi-national force of slaves to cut down the forest and build the flats, we get to meet Iberians (Spaniards), Lusitanians (Portuguese), Numidians (North Africans) , Belgians and Goths (Germans).
An essential part of your Asterix collection!
This album was first published in English in 1973.
Julius Caesar comes up with a new plan to try and bring the little village, on the Armorican coast, that we know so well, to heel.
He decides that the forest surrounding the village will be destroyed and replaced with blocks of flats, inhabited by well to do Romans.
He commissions Rome's most talented young architect, Squareontheyhypotenus, for this task.
A battle of wills ensues between the Gauls and Romans until wise old Druid Getafix comes up with a plan, which will teach the Romans a lesson, after making it, seem like they have got what they wanted.
Asterix and Obelix get up to some really fun tricks again, and as in `Asterix and The Normans'; Cacofonix the Bard is instrumental in saving the day.
Once more we are treated to an amusing satire on both Ancient Gaul and Europe at the time the book was written.
As the Romans bring in a multi-national force of slaves to cut down the forest and build the flats, we get to meet Iberians (Spaniards), Lusitanians (Portuguese), Numidians (North Africans) , Belgians and Goths (Germans).
An essential part of your Asterix collection!
June 7, 2023
Funny facts:
Caesar speaks in the third person.
The Gothic slaves insist on singing Silent Night (the German carol).
The slaves and the Roman legionaries form Trade Unions.
Romans are given a two-page promotional brochure/slab about the Mansions of the Gods with modern estate-agent jargon.
A Vestal-Virgin is a hostess on the raffle to pick the new estate's first residents.
Cacofonix again saves the day with his extraordinary talent. His song "On the First Day of Solstice" earlier version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas", the Christmas carol. He gets rewarded Cacofonix is duly awarded a place at the feast.
The family of birds re-appear and (and Dogmatix)laments about cutting down trees.
Here's the puzzle: The freed slaves are revealed as pirates! I don't get it. Other than that, this is one of the best!
Caesar speaks in the third person.
The Gothic slaves insist on singing Silent Night (the German carol).
The slaves and the Roman legionaries form Trade Unions.
Romans are given a two-page promotional brochure/slab about the Mansions of the Gods with modern estate-agent jargon.
A Vestal-Virgin is a hostess on the raffle to pick the new estate's first residents.
Cacofonix again saves the day with his extraordinary talent. His song "On the First Day of Solstice" earlier version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas", the Christmas carol. He gets rewarded Cacofonix is duly awarded a place at the feast.
The family of birds re-appear and (and Dogmatix)laments about cutting down trees.
Here's the puzzle: The freed slaves are revealed as pirates! I don't get it. Other than that, this is one of the best!
January 12, 2020
Brilliant - As always! This movie was great too!
May 12, 2020
Vuonna 1971 ilmestyneessä Asterix-sarjakuvassa irvistellään muun muassa modernille rakentamisvimmalle ja ammattiliitoille. Monet pitävät tätä yhtenä sarjan parhaista albumeista, mutta enpä nyt tiedä.
May 13, 2024
A profound study of urban planning.
June 16, 2016
Ceasar never seems to run out of ideas to conquer the last Gaulish village not yet conquered by the Romans. This time, his idea is actually incredibly smart. He plans to civilize the village with the Mansions of the Gods: instead of a forest, there shall be a Roman settlement surrounding the village. The architect in charge is the young and talented Squareonthehypotenus.
Trouble starts as soon as the architect begins his project in Gaul. Neither Asterix nor Obelix like the thought of Romans hanging out in their forest. As soon as Squareonthehypotenus touches the first tree, though, it’s Dogmatix who can’t restraint himself anymore – never hurt a tree while this little brave dog is watching, or you’ll be in trouble.
After some days fooling the Romans, Getafix decides that Squareonthehypotenus shall finish the first building. The building is inhabited by Romans, and they love visiting the Gaulish village and buy all kinds of stuff there. Instead of disliking that, the Gauls enjoy their Roman visitors and want to please them. Furthermore, the once peaceful village starts to change entirely. Getafix has not foreseen that, and Ceasar’s plan seems to work…
Trouble starts as soon as the architect begins his project in Gaul. Neither Asterix nor Obelix like the thought of Romans hanging out in their forest. As soon as Squareonthehypotenus touches the first tree, though, it’s Dogmatix who can’t restraint himself anymore – never hurt a tree while this little brave dog is watching, or you’ll be in trouble.
After some days fooling the Romans, Getafix decides that Squareonthehypotenus shall finish the first building. The building is inhabited by Romans, and they love visiting the Gaulish village and buy all kinds of stuff there. Instead of disliking that, the Gauls enjoy their Roman visitors and want to please them. Furthermore, the once peaceful village starts to change entirely. Getafix has not foreseen that, and Ceasar’s plan seems to work…
January 28, 2018
Yksi parhaista, ellei jopa paras, Asterix!
April 7, 2020
Tributo a Uderzo RIP. Storia molto originale.
June 1, 2020
V zgodbi Domovanje bogov, ki je ena najzabavnejših, imajo večjo vlogo stranski liki. Podrobneje spoznamo kuža Idealixa in njegovo ljubezen do narave.
February 26, 2013
5 Sesterzen für einen Fisch?
Die "Domäne der Götter", so der französische Originaltitel, soll sowohl als Prestigeobjekt Cäsars als auch zur endgültigen Vernichtung seiner Feinde, das heißt unseres kleinen gallischen Dorfs, dienen: Von einem ehrgeizigen Architekten entworfen, stolpert das Projekt bald über die bekannte Sturheit und Cleverness der unbezwingbaren Gallier, sowie über die Unwägbarkeiten des Kapitalismus...
Sehr schön, wie Goscinny und Uderzo in diesem Band den Marktkapitalismus und Expansionswahn auf die Schippe nehmen - im Gegensatz zu einem Vorrezensenten stört mich der Gegenwartsbezug nicht wirklich, das war meines Erachtens bei Asterix schon immer so. Die streikenden Legionäre, die shoppenden Römerfrauen und vor allem das Highlight, der doppelseitige "Flyer" zur Bewerbung des neuen Instant-Luxusdorfs auf Granit gemeißelt, sind einfach göttlich und in der gewohnt hohen Qualität der Reihe.
Ich möchte mich auch nicht über den Preis beschweren, denn man sollte mal schauen, was der Band erst in Rom kostet!
Die "Domäne der Götter", so der französische Originaltitel, soll sowohl als Prestigeobjekt Cäsars als auch zur endgültigen Vernichtung seiner Feinde, das heißt unseres kleinen gallischen Dorfs, dienen: Von einem ehrgeizigen Architekten entworfen, stolpert das Projekt bald über die bekannte Sturheit und Cleverness der unbezwingbaren Gallier, sowie über die Unwägbarkeiten des Kapitalismus...
Sehr schön, wie Goscinny und Uderzo in diesem Band den Marktkapitalismus und Expansionswahn auf die Schippe nehmen - im Gegensatz zu einem Vorrezensenten stört mich der Gegenwartsbezug nicht wirklich, das war meines Erachtens bei Asterix schon immer so. Die streikenden Legionäre, die shoppenden Römerfrauen und vor allem das Highlight, der doppelseitige "Flyer" zur Bewerbung des neuen Instant-Luxusdorfs auf Granit gemeißelt, sind einfach göttlich und in der gewohnt hohen Qualität der Reihe.
Ich möchte mich auch nicht über den Preis beschweren, denn man sollte mal schauen, was der Band erst in Rom kostet!
November 14, 2010
Capolavoro: dall’idea di Cesare di affogare i galli nel progresso (riducendo il villaggio a una bidonville ai margini di una grande e moderna città) agli interventi urbanistici nella grande foresta, dalla caratterizzazione degli schiavi (con la sottotrama che li riguarda) alle vicende della coppia romana che va a vivere nel residence costruito accanto al villaggio, si passa da una trovata geniale all’altra, tutte funzionali alla riuscita della storia.
Le vette: il “non pieghevole” in marmo distribuito agli spettatori del Circo Massimo per illustrare i pregi del residence e il dramma degli alberi sradicati che vengono fatti ricrescere.
Le vette: il “non pieghevole” in marmo distribuito agli spettatori del Circo Massimo per illustrare i pregi del residence e il dramma degli alberi sradicati che vengono fatti ricrescere.
March 4, 2019
Me ha gustado bastante esa unión de crítica al ansia urbanística y el ecologismo. Como siempre muy divertido.
June 5, 2022
Having spent all this time in futility, trying to bring the small village of superpowered Gauls to heel, the undeterred Caesar has decided to change his approach. Instead of trying to best the Gauls in the battlefield, he now seeks to use an more economical approach.
To this purpose, he commissions the architect Squareonthehypotenus to build a new city around the village, clearing out the forest, encircling the Gauls and eventually starving them out. But one thing you should know, if you try to uproot the trees, you make Dogmatix cry, and you don't want to make our cute mascot cry.
So, how will our beloved Gauls deal with this problem which cannot be simply punched away? Watch on this episode of As-Te-Rix!
---------------
I enjoy Asterix stories, where the magic potion is not the all-powerful McGuffin which can turn the tides of battle, and solve everyone's problems. This time around, the potion is more of a tool, aiding in the masterplan, as the duo, along with Dogmatix and Getafix, proceed to cultivate chaos among the Roman ranks, who are assigned to building Caesar's 'Mansion of the Gods'.
Using magical walnuts to turn the simple task of clearing a forest in a Sisyphean one.
Sharing some of the sweet sweet magical potion among the Roman slaves to incite revolt.
Terrorizing Roman tenets who have come to live in the 'mansion of the Gods'. And finally, breaking all tenets of the Geneva convention, and making Cacophanix (& his singing) your neighbor. It's seems it's not just me who considers the Bard's rating to be S rank for fear, and WMD in terms of explosive capabilities.
These are just some of the hijinks that the group has been up to. Much like best laid plans, Chaos once sowed, takes on a life of its own, and the Gauls soon find themselves entangled in the same tornado of events. But that exactly is what makes it all so fun!
A great story, surprisingly lacking in puns, but nevertheless deserving a 5 out of 5
To this purpose, he commissions the architect Squareonthehypotenus to build a new city around the village, clearing out the forest, encircling the Gauls and eventually starving them out. But one thing you should know, if you try to uproot the trees, you make Dogmatix cry, and you don't want to make our cute mascot cry.
So, how will our beloved Gauls deal with this problem which cannot be simply punched away? Watch on this episode of As-Te-Rix!
---------------
I enjoy Asterix stories, where the magic potion is not the all-powerful McGuffin which can turn the tides of battle, and solve everyone's problems. This time around, the potion is more of a tool, aiding in the masterplan, as the duo, along with Dogmatix and Getafix, proceed to cultivate chaos among the Roman ranks, who are assigned to building Caesar's 'Mansion of the Gods'.
Using magical walnuts to turn the simple task of clearing a forest in a Sisyphean one.
Sharing some of the sweet sweet magical potion among the Roman slaves to incite revolt.
Terrorizing Roman tenets who have come to live in the 'mansion of the Gods'. And finally, breaking all tenets of the Geneva convention, and making Cacophanix (& his singing) your neighbor. It's seems it's not just me who considers the Bard's rating to be S rank for fear, and WMD in terms of explosive capabilities.
These are just some of the hijinks that the group has been up to. Much like best laid plans, Chaos once sowed, takes on a life of its own, and the Gauls soon find themselves entangled in the same tornado of events. But that exactly is what makes it all so fun!
A great story, surprisingly lacking in puns, but nevertheless deserving a 5 out of 5
March 14, 2021
8/10
Very well-plotted story, one of the best Asterix that I have read. However, paradoxically, the nice plot is somehow more a minus than a plus for me, when it comes to Asterix. Because the more sophisticated plots are, the more pages are used to set the overall plot rather than for pure gag entertainment. Whereas the thinner Goscinny's plots are, the more the man can spend pages over pages to stage jokes. And in my view every page that Goscinny is not using to set up a gag is a loss for mankind. But this is my very personal preference. Overall, this is a well balanced Asterix volume, with both writer and artist at their pick, and rightfully considered one their best works.
Very well-plotted story, one of the best Asterix that I have read. However, paradoxically, the nice plot is somehow more a minus than a plus for me, when it comes to Asterix. Because the more sophisticated plots are, the more pages are used to set the overall plot rather than for pure gag entertainment. Whereas the thinner Goscinny's plots are, the more the man can spend pages over pages to stage jokes. And in my view every page that Goscinny is not using to set up a gag is a loss for mankind. But this is my very personal preference. Overall, this is a well balanced Asterix volume, with both writer and artist at their pick, and rightfully considered one their best works.
November 5, 2019
A quick read indeed. Quite illuminating and intriguing especially when one reads this comic with the perspective of theories. The comic subtly poses a mind boggling question as what is the true meaning of 'civilisation'. The struggle of the people who live in close proximity of the forest lands to protect the grounds from the Roman invasions, and thereby retaining the nature as it is, everything boils down to how one perceives as 'progress'.
December 6, 2018
Eräs parhaista. Gallialaisten taistelu edistystä vastaan on vain hillitön kaikkine markkinatalouden mekanismeineen ja orjien työehtoneuvotteluineen.
June 5, 2023
Il ne faut jamais parler sèchement à un Numide
July 16, 2024
Het woord in deze strip: bedisselen.
July 7, 2020
Cacofonix gets to join in the feast at the end.
December 9, 2021
Pero qué delicia! Un cómic muy muy acertado sobre la gentrificación, la deforestación, las políticas de recalificación de suelos, la eficacia de la huelga, la productividad cuando se paga. Empresaurios, a ver si os lo leeis y aprendeis algo, eh?... todo en clave de humor, por supuesto.
August 22, 2015
Asterix takes on the developers
14 October 2013
When I think of the theme of the Asterix's albums as being the struggle between the modern and the traditional (though traditional is probably a bad word because it is more to me like the idyllic, such as the small country town with its mum and pop businesses) this the the album that comes to mind. Basically Ceaser hatches a new plan to subdue the Gaulish village, and that is to destroy the forest and build a city around them. He then plans to move Romans into the city so that they are slowly crushed by the forces of modernity.
This idea does come to the fore, particularly the numerous references with regards to civilisation (being Rome) and the barbarians (being the villagers) though since we have read fourteen albums dealing with the villagers, we not only sympathise with them, but we also feel that the life that they are living is actually the better life. They have no money, and they do not have the conveniences that the Romans have, and they even fight among themselves, but not only are they happy, but they are also a community – in fact they are more than a community they, are a family.
However, as the album suggests, modernity has a very insidious aspect to it. This is clear in the scene where the Roman inhabitants of the new apartment block decide that they do not want to go to the Roman camps for their supplies, but to the village, and start buying swords (or rather antiques) and fish at prices that Unhygenix and Fullyautomatix have never understood. All of the sudden, the village that had no need for money decides to cash in on this new source of income and we see everybody opening up antique stores and fishmongers.
There have been suggestions that this album is writing against a wave of apartment blocks that were appearing on the outskirts of Paris at the time. This may be the case, and here in Melbourne you can see those ugly apartment blocks dominating the skyline in the inner city. On a further note even now there are numerous apartment blocks going up in the city and the inner city, with advertisements offering luxurious inner city living, and savings for buying off the plan (the average price for an off the plan apartment is around $450k). The adds are alluring, and the high rise, modern apartments are a sight to see, but one wonders whether they are actually worth it.
While this may be a point, I feel that this is only a minor point because what the writers of Asterix seem to be getting at is not so much this one particular thing, but rather the destructive nature of modernity in an of itself. We see the village existing as a community and as a family, however the Romans, who represent modernism thinly disguised as civilisation, are seen as being a destructive force. The thing is, now forty years after this album was written, those of us in the city notice the disconnect of society and the dog eat dog nature of our civilisation.
However, this album has a few other things as well. It comments on slavery, on fair work practices, and on the union movement. It also has Ceaser speaking in the third person, and even a comment on that – something that I suspected related to his war diaries which are written in the third person, though others have pointed to the Shakesperian play where he also apparently speaks in the third person.
14 October 2013
When I think of the theme of the Asterix's albums as being the struggle between the modern and the traditional (though traditional is probably a bad word because it is more to me like the idyllic, such as the small country town with its mum and pop businesses) this the the album that comes to mind. Basically Ceaser hatches a new plan to subdue the Gaulish village, and that is to destroy the forest and build a city around them. He then plans to move Romans into the city so that they are slowly crushed by the forces of modernity.
This idea does come to the fore, particularly the numerous references with regards to civilisation (being Rome) and the barbarians (being the villagers) though since we have read fourteen albums dealing with the villagers, we not only sympathise with them, but we also feel that the life that they are living is actually the better life. They have no money, and they do not have the conveniences that the Romans have, and they even fight among themselves, but not only are they happy, but they are also a community – in fact they are more than a community they, are a family.
However, as the album suggests, modernity has a very insidious aspect to it. This is clear in the scene where the Roman inhabitants of the new apartment block decide that they do not want to go to the Roman camps for their supplies, but to the village, and start buying swords (or rather antiques) and fish at prices that Unhygenix and Fullyautomatix have never understood. All of the sudden, the village that had no need for money decides to cash in on this new source of income and we see everybody opening up antique stores and fishmongers.
There have been suggestions that this album is writing against a wave of apartment blocks that were appearing on the outskirts of Paris at the time. This may be the case, and here in Melbourne you can see those ugly apartment blocks dominating the skyline in the inner city. On a further note even now there are numerous apartment blocks going up in the city and the inner city, with advertisements offering luxurious inner city living, and savings for buying off the plan (the average price for an off the plan apartment is around $450k). The adds are alluring, and the high rise, modern apartments are a sight to see, but one wonders whether they are actually worth it.
While this may be a point, I feel that this is only a minor point because what the writers of Asterix seem to be getting at is not so much this one particular thing, but rather the destructive nature of modernity in an of itself. We see the village existing as a community and as a family, however the Romans, who represent modernism thinly disguised as civilisation, are seen as being a destructive force. The thing is, now forty years after this album was written, those of us in the city notice the disconnect of society and the dog eat dog nature of our civilisation.
However, this album has a few other things as well. It comments on slavery, on fair work practices, and on the union movement. It also has Ceaser speaking in the third person, and even a comment on that – something that I suspected related to his war diaries which are written in the third person, though others have pointed to the Shakesperian play where he also apparently speaks in the third person.
January 10, 2008
Interestingly, Goscinny helped Marx in the writing of the communist manifesto. At #17, this is another clear attack by the writers on social and political issues.
Wiki states:
"The book represents a particularly potent satire of 1970s France. Following the explosive riots of May 1968, Goscinny took Asterix in a direction with increasing content referring to current political events in France. This album represents both his dig against technocracy (the young urban planner), the gigantic "villes nouvelles" (new cities) of high-rises which were being created around Paris and especially advertising — the promotion of the Domain of the Gods which reads like a parody of soon-to-be erected golden real estate investment opportunity."
Wiki summary:
"With the intent to wipe out the Gaulish village by any means necessary, Caesar concocts a plan to absorb the villagers into Roman culture by having an estate built next to the village to start a new Roman colony. The colony is to be called the Mansions of the Gods..."
Other Wiki points:
"-Squaronthehypotenus' drive-in amphitheatre for chariots is based on the drive-in theater.
-The quizmaster in the Circus Maximus who coerces the reluctant winner to accept his prize is a caricature of the French television entertainer Guy Lux."
Wiki states:
"The book represents a particularly potent satire of 1970s France. Following the explosive riots of May 1968, Goscinny took Asterix in a direction with increasing content referring to current political events in France. This album represents both his dig against technocracy (the young urban planner), the gigantic "villes nouvelles" (new cities) of high-rises which were being created around Paris and especially advertising — the promotion of the Domain of the Gods which reads like a parody of soon-to-be erected golden real estate investment opportunity."
Wiki summary:
"With the intent to wipe out the Gaulish village by any means necessary, Caesar concocts a plan to absorb the villagers into Roman culture by having an estate built next to the village to start a new Roman colony. The colony is to be called the Mansions of the Gods..."
Other Wiki points:
"-Squaronthehypotenus' drive-in amphitheatre for chariots is based on the drive-in theater.
-The quizmaster in the Circus Maximus who coerces the reluctant winner to accept his prize is a caricature of the French television entertainer Guy Lux."
September 30, 2020
I have a 1975 paperback reprint from Hodder and Stoughton in English. Much as this was a treasured childhood classic, it’s not one of the best episodes.
The storyline is lacking, as Getafix had a plan at one point and then seemed to forget it, becoming overtaken and confused by events. The story is wrapped up with the traditional punch up rather than any cleverness.
Nevertheless, the research into Roman architecture and urban culture is impressive, the social commentary about tourism destroying local communities is as relevant today as it was almost fifty years ago, the mocking of labour relations is on point but less recognisable today, and finally Dogmatix’s love of trees becomes a source of jokes and an environmentalist cultural phenomenon in France.
Although the Numidians are depicted as the cleverest amongst all the caricatured tribes, there is a glaring racist joke at least in the English translation that reminds the reader this was very much a book from the seventies. Unpleasant.
Overall, this is a good read, but it’s not an episode I’d return to in preference to others.
The storyline is lacking, as Getafix had a plan at one point and then seemed to forget it, becoming overtaken and confused by events. The story is wrapped up with the traditional punch up rather than any cleverness.
Nevertheless, the research into Roman architecture and urban culture is impressive, the social commentary about tourism destroying local communities is as relevant today as it was almost fifty years ago, the mocking of labour relations is on point but less recognisable today, and finally Dogmatix’s love of trees becomes a source of jokes and an environmentalist cultural phenomenon in France.
Although the Numidians are depicted as the cleverest amongst all the caricatured tribes, there is a glaring racist joke at least in the English translation that reminds the reader this was very much a book from the seventies. Unpleasant.
Overall, this is a good read, but it’s not an episode I’d return to in preference to others.
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July 27, 2021Le Domain des Dieux
Cesar has a new plan to defeat the unwavering gaules.
If he can’t defeat them by force, he’ll build his Roman Empire around them, forcing them into extinction - by eliminating their source of food (the forest) and by forcing the Roman culture, literally, upon them.
It’s a brilliant plan and Cesar has a new architect Anglaigus, that has plan the new city - Le domaine des Dieux.
This book is funny, because it’s the first time we see our heroes kind of at lost and navigating the wheels of fortune in the moment.
The characters reactions are really extreme, from the architect, to the soldiers, to even the slaves, this book takes a new approach at a well known narrative and storyline.
Cesar has a new plan to defeat the unwavering gaules.
If he can’t defeat them by force, he’ll build his Roman Empire around them, forcing them into extinction - by eliminating their source of food (the forest) and by forcing the Roman culture, literally, upon them.
It’s a brilliant plan and Cesar has a new architect Anglaigus, that has plan the new city - Le domaine des Dieux.
This book is funny, because it’s the first time we see our heroes kind of at lost and navigating the wheels of fortune in the moment.
The characters reactions are really extreme, from the architect, to the soldiers, to even the slaves, this book takes a new approach at a well known narrative and storyline.
November 29, 2020
Read for Graphic Novels class.
I think this was extra funny for me thanks to having taken Latin in high school. I immediately understood some of the more subtle jokes that involved Roman culture or language as a result. Plus as a fan of puns I really enjoyed the silly character names, especially Squareonthehypotenus.
I think this was extra funny for me thanks to having taken Latin in high school. I immediately understood some of the more subtle jokes that involved Roman culture or language as a result. Plus as a fan of puns I really enjoyed the silly character names, especially Squareonthehypotenus.
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