Knowledge
Wisdom of Dead Worlds: Ferdowsi
The wind does not obey the dust. – The Shahnameh, Abolqasem Ferdowsi
Articles by Saxo
Knowledge
Wisdom of Dead Worlds: Ferdowsi
The world was his while he remained alive,He showed men how to prosper and to thrive:But all this world is like a tale we hear–Man’s evil, and their glory, disappear. – The Shahnameh, Abolqasem Ferdowsi
Eastern Europe
Devoured by a Sea of Mice
“Deserted by everybody because of the deadly stench emanating from the multitudes of slaughtered mice, he died a most shameful death, devoured by those monsters.” […]
History
The Path of the Exile
“The whole band of warriors was obliged to escort him to a dense wood and wait on the edge of the wood while he withdrew from them and pursued his course into some dark wilderness where he was unable to hear the din of their shouting.” […]
Greek and Roman
A Burning Love
“He led the way to bed. His wife went with him. And now, while the two made love in the large carved bed, Menelaus stalked like a wild beast, up and down the lines.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Power of Onions
“Onions are said to be a soporific and, eaten with bread, to be capable of healing mouth sores.” […]
Uncategorized
To Humble the Great and Mighty
“The third annoyance was this, that free license was given, upon that day of triumph, to utter the most galling reproaches, and the most cutting sarcasms, against the victor while enjoying his triumph.” […]
Uncategorized
Origins of the Snake
“Thou shalt be a self-chosen vessel of venom and death as evidence that thou didst hide venomous envy in thy body. I declare the covenant sundered between thee and all mankind; thy head and neck shall be crushed under the heel and the tread of men in revenge for the treachery which mankind has suffered through thy slippery cunning.” […]
Human Affairs
The Mask of Civility Slips
“And then the king must not consider it a crime of mine when I will not eat with them, nor drink water with them, nor even rise before your Messenger, not inquire of him about Your Majesty’s health, when they come here.” […]
Greek and Roman
Wisdom of the Ancients
THE SCENE: On topics as diverse as “what’s the right age to get married?” to “should I shit in a river?”, the 8th Century BC writer Hesiod has an answer to all your ancient etiquette […]