Human Affairs

A Model Viking Wife

“I want to make a deal with you, Aud,” he said. “You tell me where Gisli is and I will give you three hundred pieces of silver, which I have received as the price on his head. In addition, I will arrange a marriage for you that will be superior in every way to this one.” […]

Human Affairs

Respect Thy Elders

“It is always a great comfort to me that I shall leave much wealth for my own true son to enjoy after my days but should scarcely regard him as a son, though I had begotten him, if he were a fool.” […]

Human Affairs

Marriage in the Afterlife

“They give the dead girl to the dead boy as a wife and draw up a deed of matrimony. Then they burn this deed, and declare that the smoke that rises into the air goes to their children in the other world and that they get wind of it and regard themselves as husband and wife.” […]

Greek and Roman

The Downsides of Kingship

At night he entered the bed-chamber, and beheld a very superb couch, full of sharp razors. “What!” exclaimed he, “am I to sleep in this bed?” “Even so, my lord,” replied the attendants; “for in this bed all our kings have laid, and have perished.” […]