Greek and Roman
The Prettiest Barbarian
“They bestowed the kingdom of the Visigoths on Athavulf his kinsman, a man of imposing beauty and great spirit; for though not tall of stature, he was distinguished for beauty of face and form.” […]
6th Century AD
Greek and Roman
The Power of a Song
“They bore harps and were clad in snowy robes, and chanted in suppliant strains to the gods of their fathers that they might be propitious and repel the Macedonians.” […]
Eastern Europe
The Sword of the God of War
“He rejoiced at this gift and, being ambitious, thought he had been appointed ruler of the whole world, and that through the sword of Mars supremacy in all wars was assured to him.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Downtrodden Show Their Might
“These valiant men gained the chance they had longed for–to be free to die in battle rather than to perish of hunger–and immediately took arms to kill the generals Lupicinus and Maximus.” […]
Greek and Roman
Crappy Medicine
“So first, take wolf droppings, preferably from a wolf who has eaten bones; enclose them in an earthenware vessel and bind it on the right arm or shoulder.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Kingdom of the Body
“The head is an empire, the stomach a kingdom, the belly a hovel, but the bladder is a hired hand.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Blood… ye Gods the Blood
“It was not flooded by showers, as brooks usually rise, but was swollen by a strange stream and turned into a torrent by the increase of blood.” […]
Eastern Europe
The Face of a Victor — an Ugly Victor
“Their hardihood is evident in their wild appearance, and they are beings who are cruel to their children on the very day they are born.” […]
Eastern Europe
Translation: The Huns are Trash
“There the unclean spirits, who beheld them as they wandered through the wilderness, bestowed their embraces upon them and begat this savage race, which dwelt at first in the swamps — a stunted, foul and puny tribe, scarcely human, and having no language save one which bore but slight resemblance to human speech.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Empress’ Scandalous Past
“When they wearied of the sport, she would approach their servants, perhaps thirty in number, and fight a duel with each of these; and even thus found no allayment of her craving.” […]