Supernatural
Saint Durable
” He replied to the Emperor somewhat sternly, and was cast to the beasts but was unhurt by them. Then he was cast into the midst of a fiery oven, but the flames were put out by an angel and he emerged unhurt.” […]
10th Century AD
Human Affairs
A Wedding for the Ages
“The elephants and musicians, and the various banners of red, white, yellow, and purple silk, made the earth seem like a paradise: with the blare of trumpets and the sound of harps, the squeal of bugles and the ringing of bells, it seemed as if Judgment Day had come.” […]
Humor
A Strangely Insulting Gift
“The Dalmacians, knowing that the Saxons were ready for them, threw them a very fat dog as a gift.” […]
Medieval Mentality
Wisdom Wins the Day
“The twelve tall trees, each of which had thirty branches, are the twelve months of the year; twelve times the moon is renewed in her place, like a new king seated on his thrones, and each month has thirty days; this is how time passes.” […]
History
Portrait of a Great King
“In hunting he was most keen, and on one occasion he caught forty or more wild animals; and although at the banquet he was jovial enough, he never diminished anything of his regal demeanor.” […]
Orient
Effortless Dragonslaying
“. Its spittle burned vultures’ wings, its venom scorched the earth; it snatched monsters from the sea and eagles from the air; the earth was emptied of people and flocks, every living thing retreated before it. When I saw that no one dared oppose it, I emptied my heart of fear and bound on my sword in God’s name.” […]
History
An Army of Thieves
“Hence, whenever he saw anyone who was a thief or a robber, but who was strong of arm and well-suited to warfare, he forgave him his just punishment, and sent him to the suburbs of Merseberg, where he distributed lands and arms, ordering these men to commit no depredations on their fellow-citizens but to practice their robberies upon the barbarians as much as they dared.” […]
Orient
The Light Shall Drive Out the Dark
“The sky was clouded by the cavalry’s dust, and swords glittered in the dark like lightning; it was as if the air itself caught fire, flashing like diamonds and burning the ground. The din of weapons deafened the fighters, and fire ascended to the heavens.” […]
Humor
Alternative Justice Through Jousting
“But the king listened to wiser counsel, and was unwilling that the noblemen and elders of the people should be thus inconvenienced, and so he decreed that the matter should be decided by a tourney. ” […]
Humor
The Cow’s Avenger
“‘What will make him hate me?’ The sage replied, ‘If you are wise, you will know that a man does not do evil for no reason.'” […]