Human Affairs
A Viking Romance In Miniature
“Thvari married her, and she sat on the bridal bench with a helmet and chainmail, but they loved each other dearly. Thvari left off plundering and settled down, and they had two sons.” […]
Year: 2021
Eastern Europe
The Cruelty of Beauty
“They warm them to extreme heat, then undress, and after anointing themselves with an acid liquid, they take young branches and lash their bodies.” […]
Greek and Roman
Magic of Gnats and Scorpions
“He came to Antioch, and on being besought by the inhabitants (since Antioch was tormented with scorpions and gnats), he made a brass scorpion and buried it in the earth.” […]
Britons and Celts
Torn Between Love and Duty
“While Scotland weeps, weeps out her dearest blood,
And floats to ruin down the crimson flood.
Th’ important now, decides her future state;
And see! The scales are hung to weigh her fate.” […]
Uncategorized
Those Who Look Extra Virile
“He made a public bath in the palace and at the same time made the baths of Plautianus available to the people, so that he might thereby collect paramours from among men with large organs.” […]
Uncategorized
There’s More Than One Way to Seduce
“For love hath many avenues; the path of pleasure is opened to some by grace, to others by bravery of soul, and to some by skill in accomplishments. Courtesy brings to some stores of Love, while most are commended by brightness of beauty. Nor do the brave inflict a shallower wound on maidens than the comely.” […]
Britons and Celts
Beware the Gifts of the Adversary
“He first complained that the hawk gripped his fist rather strongly with his talons, presently he was lifted by the hand into the air, and soon after vanished altogether.” […]
History
Etiquette for the Great Khan
“Next, every baron or nobleman continually carries with him a little vessel of pleasing design into which he spits so long as he is in the hall, so that no one may make so bold as to spit on the floor; and when he has spat he cover it and keeps it.” […]
Eastern Europe
How Foreigners Get Clean
“The steam released warms the room and the inhabitants take off their clothes and live in this shelter till spring.” […]
Human Affairs
How to Talk to a King
“And if the king should happen to speak a few words to you which you did not catch, and you have to ask what he said, do not say “Eh?” or “What?” or make a fuss about it, but use only the word “Sire.” […]