02 Jan 2017 Little Emperors and Their Regents: Child Rulers & the Supportive and Destructive People Behind Them By MartiniF History & Tradition 0 Some babies shake rattles and others shake up kingdoms. We hear many stories of the unhappy lives and ends of child rulers. Most recently, in 1908, Puyi became the last emperor of China at only two years old. As the crowning ceremony began, the... Read More
21 Nov 2016 Seers, Women of Action: The Sibyls of the Ancient World By MartiniF History & Tradition 0 Virgil, in his Aeneid, describes Deiphobe, better known as the Sibyl of Cumae, as coming from “a hundred perforations in the rock, a hundred mouths from which the many utterances rush” (43-5, 163). He further describes “her terrifying... Read More
30 Sep 2016 The Birth of Arthashastra: Ancient Handbook of Science of Politics in India, and Those Who Wielded It By MartiniF History & Tradition, Politics & Social Structure 0 In 1904, a copy of an ancient book which had been lost for more than 1400 years was discovered in India. A modest book written on palm leaves, its outward appearance was proven to be deceiving as the book contained surprisingly detailed information... Read More
04 Jul 2016 From Temujin to Genghis Khan: Battling Friends and Enemies in Life of Conquest – Part II By Cam Rea History & Tradition 0 [Read Part I]After his young wife, Borte, and family members were kidnapped by a rival clan, Temujin quickly used his new ally, Ong Khan. After entering Ong’s yurt, Temujin said, “We have come to ask you, Qan my father, whether you can restore... Read More
01 Jul 2016 From Temujin to Genghis Khan: Hard Life Leads to Path of Vengeance – Part I By Cam Rea History & Tradition 0 It is obvious that Genghis Khan needs no introduction. Most know who he was. However, it would be unfitting not to provide some details concerning his early life and rise to power.According to the oldest surviving Mongolian literary work, the... Read More
30 Jun 2016 The Unusual Life and Death of Julia: A Woman Trapped in the Empirical Intrigues of Ancient Rome By MartiniF History & Tradition 0 Although they could not officially hold public offices, there were many women who were able to influence the course of Roman history from a position behind the scenes. Julia, the only daughter of Emperor Augustus, was not one of them. In fact,... Read More
22 Jun 2016 From Piso to the Baby Drusilla: The Legal Aspects of Damnation Memoriae - the Punishment of Non-Existence By MartiniF History & Tradition 0 The ancient Roman decree of damnatio memoriae (“damnation of one’s memory”) was a mark of great disgrace and a punishment, deemed worse than execution, for an ancient Roman. The object of the punishment was to cancel every trace of the... Read More
20 Jun 2016 Germanicus and Agrippina: The Golden Couple, Parents of the “Mad” Emperor Caligula By MartiniF History & Tradition 0 Roman Emperor Caligula fell severely ill six months into his rule. When he recovered, he abandoned the toga for silk gowns and often dressed as a woman. He also declared himself as a living god. Caligula’s illness was widely credited by... Read More
04 May 2016 Soldier of Fortune: Glory Days for Sir John Hawkwood, King of Mercenaries By Cam Rea History & Tradition 2 Sir John Hawkwood was born into a life on the English countryside that was business and rebellion. From an early age, he sought power and influence outside of England’s borders. He showed off his battle skills in the Hundred Years War and won a... Read More
29 Mar 2016 The Violent Life and Times of Roger Bigod – A Medieval Player of the Game of Thrones? By Charles Christian History & Tradition 1 For almost 250 years, from the time of the Norman Conquest of England in AD 1066, one of the most important families in the Eastern Counties were the Bigods. In later years they would become the Earls of Norfolk and so powerful they could defy the... Read More