Greek and Roman
First in Power, Last in Anger
“All the Spaniards had been summoned to an assembly at Tarraco and were “jokingly expressing reluctance” – to use Marius Maximums’ actual words – over conscription. ” […]
Greek and Roman
Greek and Roman
Origins of Spartan Civilization
“The Lacedaemonians, by observing the laws of Lycurgus, from a lowly people grew to be the most powerful among the Greeks and maintained the leadership among the Greek states for over four hundred years, but after that time, as they little by little began to relax each one of the institutions and to turn to luxury and indifference, and as they grew so corrupted as to use coined money and to amass wealth, they lost the leadership.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Stink of Commerce
““Who ever saw a Roman emperor or his spouse indulging in commerce?” With these words, he gave orders that at that very hour, merely allowing time for the crew to disembark, the ship was to be given to the flames.” […]
Greek and Roman
A Righteous Emperor
“Nor would he appoint anyone tribune who did not have a full beard or was not of an age to assume the powers of the tribunate with prudence and maturity.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Clash of Armies
“Wildly as two winter torrents raging down from the mountains, swirling into a valley, hurl their great waters together, flash floods from the wellsprings plunging down in a gorge and miles away in the hills a shepherd hears the thunder – so from the grinding armies broke the cries and crash of war.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Many Uses of Garlic
“It heals the wounds which these animals inflict equally well whether it is applied to them, or taken in food or drink. When taken with honey, it heals the bite of a dog.” […]
Greek and Roman
Get Rich Quick or Go Blind Trying
“They all agreed that the counsel was excellent; and casting lots, the chance fell upon the contriver of the expedient; whose eyes they immediately put out.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Origin of Suffering
“Zeus bade famous Hephaestus make haste and mix earth with water and to put in it the voice and strength of human kind, and fashion a sweet, lovely maiden-shape, like to the immortal goddesses in face; and Athene to teach her needlework and the weaving of the varied web; and golden Aphrodite to shed grace upon her head and cruel longing and cares that weary the limbs.” […]
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.” […]