History
The Gift of Nothing
“So he shewed it to the messenger, and the shrewd varlet said to him off hand, ‘Nought is there, and nought shalt thou have! therefore look for nothing!'” […]
Diplomacy
Human Affairs
Ice in Ancient Times
“There is now ice available in Ziranum, much of it. Place your servants there to watch over it so they can keep it safe for you.” […]
Humor
Pleeease Give me More Gold?
“Indeed if there is much gold (in Egypt), do send me as much as your fathers did. In case there is little gold, send me half of what your fathers did, but why in the world did you send only two pounds of gold to me?” […]
Viking
Bonds Forged Through Battle
“The next day, Haraldur called over to Sigmundur’s ship to ask if they wanted to fight again. Sigmundur answered that he had no reason to consider anything else.” […]
Greek and Roman
The Emperor’s Infinite Forgiveness
‘ You yourself know what your grandfather Hadrian said: “The lot of emperors is wretched, for they cannot be believed in cases of attempted usurpation – unless they have been killed!”’ […]
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.” […]
Human Affairs
Conversion by the Sword
“Now I’m going to present you with two extremely unequal options. The better one is that you convert to the true faith and be baptized. If you are unwilling to do this, then the other option is that we’ll kill you right here and now.” […]
Britons and Celts
A Spurned Ultimatum
“Think not, O Caesar, that thou canst entice us, like children, by the blandishments of cajolery like this – that thou canst succeed in leading us astray, leaving the pleasant and noble road of freedom, our birthright, a road wherein our fathers were ever wont to walk straight forwards.” […]
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
Destroyed with a Tablet
Why do you not write me any letters, why do you not send me any oral message? Isn’t it in reality because people might say: “Perhaps that one [i.e. the writer of this letter] is higher in rank than she.” […]