Viking
The Most Famous Last Stand of All
“They attacked harder than every, thrusting at Gisli with their spears until guts spilled out. Gisli gathered the guts up together in his shirt, and bound them with a cord.” […]
Regions
Greek and Roman
Enemies both Foreign and Domestic
“In fact, if I killed you, there are plenty of nobles and politicians in Rome who would thank me for it” […]
Humor
Crabs in a Bucket
“I was seated on the ground, taking in those delicious draughts, my face turned up to heaven, my eyes half closed the better to enjoy the toothsome liquor, when the wicked blind man took his revenge. He raised the jug with both hands, and, with all his might, sent it crashing down on my mouth.” […]
Medieval Mentality
Torn Between King and Pope
“It seemed as if we were being tossed about on a wild sea without any oar. Unsure as to what would happen, we were indeed worried and very deeply disturbed.” […]
Human Affairs
Fashion Styles of the Oooold School
“In spite of the fact that you bore me, and his mother only adopted him, his mother loves him, while you, you do not love me!” […]
Britons and Celts
The Hairy Men of Ireland
“It had the human shape, however, in every detail, both as to hands and face and feet; but the entire body was covered with hair as the beasts are, and down the back it had a long coarse mane like that of a horse.” […]
Greek and Roman
The World Doesn’t Revolve Around Us
“The universal nature has no external space; but the wondrous part of her art is that though she has circumscribed herself, everything within her which appears to decay and to grow old and to be useless she changes into herself, and again makes other new things from these very same, so that she requires neither substance from without nor wants a place into which she may cast that which decays.” […]
Supernatural
Competing Prayers to Capricious Gods
“Frea gave counsel that the women of the Winnili should take down their hair and arrange it upon the face like a beard, and that in the early morning they should be present with their husbands and in like manner station themselves to be seen by Godan.” […]
Britons and Celts
An Ancient Toast Explained
“Vortigern immediately said the words “drinc hail” and ordered Renwein to drink. Then he took the goblet from her hand, kissed her and drank in his turn.” […]
History
The Gift of Nothing
“So he shewed it to the messenger, and the shrewd varlet said to him off hand, ‘Nought is there, and nought shalt thou have! therefore look for nothing!'” […]