Greek and Roman
Insults from the Battlements
“Did those pygmy Romans, they asked, wither their feeble hands and muscles, imagine that they could mount such a heavy tower on top of a wall?” […]
Crafting
Britons and Celts
Chariot of the Britons
“Thus they combine the mobility of cavalry with the staying power of infantry; and by daily training and practice they attain such proficiency that even on a steep incline they are able to control the horses at full gallop, and to check and turn them in a moment.” […]
Human Affairs
The Arrogance of Metalworkers
” The king bade them do so, and they then made a knife and brought it to the king. He tried it on his beard, and took off the beard as well as the skin, so that it took hold in the flesh.” […]
History
The Honesty of a Goldsmith
“The goldsmith on hearing this remained silent as if it were no great moment. But when the job was finished and delivered, he asked for and obtained a few days off. He met the duke, and standing in his path as he was going to the affair, he related to him what he had heard.” […]
Eastern Europe
Skiers of Bulgaria
“In this way, he moves over the snow at speed and if it were not for their ingenious contrivance, it would be absolutely impossible to walk, for the snow lies on the earth like sand and never hardens.” […]
Greek and Roman
Undone by a Bull of his own Making
“The king highly applauded the invention, and said, “Friend, the value of thy industry is yet untried: more cruel even than the people account me, thou thyself shalt be the first victim.”” […]
Human Affairs
A Childhood on the Run
“He had a harp made that was so large that he put the girl Aslaug inside it, along with many precious objects of gold and silver. ” […]
Eastern Europe
A Secret Weapon in Action
“They related that the Greeks had in their possession the lightning from heaven, and had set them on fire by pouring it forth.” […]
Medieval Mentality
Up Close With a Siege Engine
“A wooden bridge was attached to the towering machine; it reached out at a height that would enable it to be let down a little above the oak wall and thus provide easy entry into the castle for those coming across it.” […]
Supernatural
High-Stakes World of Smith Apprenticeship
“If the dwarfs want to murder you before I come back, take the sword and defend yourself with it, and let me find out that I have a son and not a daughter.” […]