Greek and Roman
The Truth About Almonds
“Almonds make one sleepy, provoke urination, and bring on a woman’s period.” […]
Booze
Humor
Talking Back to the Boss
“These three men are all drunkards! When they are intoxicated, nobody can make them turn their iron daggers away from an adversary.” […]
Humor
Death by Celebration
“For whilst, in great jubilation of spirit, he was honouring the funeral rites of Rolf with a feast, he drank too greedily.” […]
Greek and Roman
Summertime… and the Living’s Easy
“But at that time let me have a shady rock, then also let me drink bright wine, sitting in the shade, when my heart is satisfied with food, and so, turning my head to face the fresh wind.” […]
Greek and Roman
Wisdom of the Ancients
THE SCENE: On topics as diverse as “what’s the right age to get married?” to “should I shit in a river?”, the 8th Century BC writer Hesiod has an answer to all your ancient etiquette […]
Greek and Roman
A Vision of Paradise
“All round stand great trees of pellucid crystal, whose fruit is drinking-cups of every shape and size. A guest arriving plucks a cup or two and sets them at his place, where they at once fill with wine. ” […]
Britons and Celts
History of a Strange Cup
“A certain rustic belonging to the village, going to see his friend, who resided in the neighboring hamlet, was returning, a little intoxicated, late at night; when, behold, he heard, as it were, the voice of singing and reveling on an adjacent hillock.” […]
Humor
An Annoying Devil
“The Pope crossed himself before taking meat, and at that moment Doctor Faustus did blow hard into his face. Every time the Pope crossed himself, Faustus would blow into his face again.” […]
Humor
The Sexual Adventures of a Damned Magician
“He had lain with them naked and was certainly a man in all parts, except that they had not been able to understand his tongue. The wives said he had been very kind to them and had served them masterfully, once or six times–nay, even more often–in a night.” […]
History
Too Much of A Good Thing
“An exceedingly strong drink had been prepared.” […]