Eastern Europe
Saint Olga Outwits Her Suitor
“Then the Emperor said, “Olga, you have outwitted me.” He gave her many gifts of gold, silver, silks, and various vases, and dismissed her, still calling her his daughter.” […]
Trickery
Greek and Roman
Bedroom Subterfuge With the Kingdom at Stake
“When next he passes the night with thee, wait till thou art sure he is fast asleep, and then feel for his ears.” […]
Britons and Celts
Billions of Blistering Blue Birds
“Accordingly in some parts of Ireland bishops and religious men eat barnacles without sin during a fasting time, regarding them as not being flesh, since they were not born of flesh.” […]
Supernatural
The Gods Must Be Crazy
“Subordinating her husband’s divine honours to the splendor of her own apparel, Frigg submitted herself to the lust of one of her servants.” […]
Greek and Roman
An Extreme Act of Loyalty
“When the Babylonians saw the most well-respected man in Persia without his nose and ears and all lurid with blood from the scourging, they were quite convinced that he was telling them the truth and came as their ally, and were ready to give him all that he asked.” […]
Human Affairs
A Destructive Dance
“He was unarmed, and he went dancing like the others, until he came before the king. Then he raised his fist and punched the king in the nose so fast that three teeth flew out of his mouth.” […]
Eastern Europe
Satan Exalting
“Following the devil’s instruction, [the human race] sacrificed to trees, springs, and rivers, and did not know God.” […]
History
Swindled by a Starving Man
“When his companions met him and realized what he had done, some of his friends began to laugh at him, while other censured him, but all agreed that he was out of his mind.” […]
Human Affairs
Choosing Greed Over Victory
“You would have gazed stupefied at the loathsome nature of their greed, this extravagant exhibition of rapacity.” […]
Human Affairs
Beware Vikings at Play
“They kept pushing the other players around, hitting out at some and knocking them flat. In the evening three had broken arms, and a good many others were bruised and maimed. The Earl’s men felt they’d been given a rough time of it.” […]