Eastern Europe
Dracula’s Breakfast
“And as the day came, in early morning, he had women and men, young and old, impaled near the chapel and around the hill, and he sat amidst them, and at his morning meal with joy.” […]
Genre
History
Lady Godiva Bares All
“Mount your horse, and ride naked, before all the people, through the market of the town, from one end to the other, and on your return you shall have your request.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Churn of Battle
“Thoas speared him as he swerved and sprang away, the lancehead piercing his chest above the nipple plunged deep in his lung, and Thoas, running up, wrenched the heavy spear from the man’s chest, drew his blade, ripping him across the belly, took his life but he could not strip his armor.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Truth About Almonds
“Almonds make one sleepy, provoke urination, and bring on a woman’s period.” […]
Greek and Roman
Choose Thy Fate Alone
“The other assented, and, by the direction of his friend, proceeded to draw blood from his right arm. “I,” said the latter, “will drink of thy blood, and thou of mine; so that neither in prosperity nor in adversity shall our covenant be broken, and whatsoever the one gains, shall be divided by the other.” The foolish knight agreed; and they ratified the treaty by a draught of each other’s blood.” […]
Medieval Mentality
One Hell of a Pinch
“Then Saint Lawrence gripped Stephen in the side and pinched him very hard.” […]
Humor
Talking Back to the Boss
“These three men are all drunkards! When they are intoxicated, nobody can make them turn their iron daggers away from an adversary.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Five Ages of Men
“Zeus the Father made a third generation of mortal men, a brazen race, sprung from ash-trees; and it was in no way equal to the silver age, but was terrible and strong. They loved the lamentable works of Ares and deeds of violence; they ate no bread, but were hard of heart like adamant, fearful men. Great was their strength and unconquerable the arms which grew from their shoulders on their strong limbs. Their armour was of bronze, and their houses of bronze, and of bronze were their implements.” […]
Supernatural
Demonic Bureaucracy
“Now thou shalt know, Fauste, said the spirit, that among us there is a government and sovereignty, just as on earth, for we have our rulers and governors and servants–of whom I am one–and we call our kingdom Legion. For although the banished devil Lucifer brought about his own fall through vanity and insolence, he raised up a Legion, nevertheless, and a government of devils, and we call him the Oriental Prince, for he had his sovereignty in Ascension.” […]
Britons and Celts
Doubter of Legends
“Indeed, he makes the little finger of his Arthur more powerful than the loins of Alexander the Great.” […]