History
To Defy a Khan
“Never in our time were so many men engaged on one battlefield, especially so many horsemen. So many died on either side that it was a marvel to behold.” […]
Regions
Medieval Mentality
To Stare in the Face of Death
“One dies from a sword blow in the midst of battle; vultures and ravening lions devour his body, spears and swords slash his head. Another dies in his bed, but it is certain that we must all die.” […]
History
Escape from the Langobards
“When the servants announced to the king that he was drinking insatiably, the king merrily answered: ‘Let that drunkard drink; but tomorrow he will spill out the same wines mixed with blood.'” […]
Human Affairs
Stubbornness of the Stable Boy
“When I was coming to you just now, the porter closed the gates in front of me. So I kicked the gate with my foot so that the iron broke to pieces, and the gate fell all to pieces.” […]
Viking
Two Against One and the Odds are Even
“Thorbjorn rushed forward and swung a blow at Grettir, who drew his buckler with his left hand to parry it, then thrust out with his sword, splitting Thorbjorn’s shield and striking him such a blow on the head that his brains spilled out and he fell down dead on the spot.” […]
Greek and Roman
War of the Deathless Gods
“Then Zeus no longer held back his might; but straight his heart was filled with fury and he showed forth all his strength. From Heaven and from Olympus he came forthwith, hurling his lightning: the bold flew thick and fast from his strong hand together with thunder and lightning, whirling an awesome flame.” […]
Eastern Europe
An Untrustworthy Archbishop
“The bishop turned back into the city with Adalbert and was released from his oath, as it seemed to him, because he had already permitted him to remain in safety in his own place.” […]
Britons and Celts
Just What Happens on a Wedding Night?
“Let, wing’d with pleasure, the soft minutes flow,
And lasting bliss no interruption know,
While with like heat, her faithful bosom warms;
For in his time he was the flower of arms.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Phalanx March
“As ravening fire rips through big stands of timber high on a mountain ridge and the blaze flares miles away, so from the marching troops the blaze of bronze armor, splendid and superhuman, flared across the earth, flashing into the air to hit the skies.” […]
History
Death of a Viking Legend
“In the thick of the fighting, Bui and Sigmundur closed on one another in single combat. Bui was the stronger man, but Sigmundur was the quicker and better with a sword. Sigmundur switched his weapon to his other hand, as he could fight equally well with either hand – something which few or no men can do – and in a blinding slash, he cut off one of Bui’s hands at the wrist.” […]