Tale is the appropriate word here. This work of literature is very short. The story is related by a great follower to his master after a successful voyage.
The follower recounts the story of a previous shipwreck and how he alone survived after washing ashore on an island. The island had everything the shipwrecked sailor needed to survive. However as he started to explore the island he is confronted by a giant snake. The snake tells him how long he will stay on the island and that he will return home in safety. The snake also sends him off with great riches when he leaves the island.
There were two parts of this tale that stuck out. First the eyes of the snake were made of lapis lazuli. This is the third piece of ancient literature I have read recently and all three included lapis lazuli. I don’t recall ever hearing about lapis lazuli prior to this. How could I forget about something with a name like lapis lazuli? It was clearly something valuable in the past and desired as a status of wealth. And yet today I don’t hear any mention of it.
The second part of the tale that stood out to me was when the snake related the tragedy of losing his family. He ends by saying “you will embrace your children, You will kiss your wife, you will see your house. It is more beautiful than anything.” Surviving tragedy and being able to return home to your family is the most beautiful thing.
Overall this is a very quick read, but there is still a valuable lesson that can be learned.
Thomas Aquinas is credited as one of the greatest proponents of natural law. During his time in Cologne he was taught by Albertus Magnus. Magnus used the teachings of Aristotle in his mentorship of Thomas Aquinas.
Samuel Adams believed in American Independence from Great Britain. He is one of the most well know Son's of Liberty. On August 1, 1776 he gave a speech to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.
“Lest the land become desolate and the Christian name be destroyed there, we exhort and command the faithful to take up the sign of the cross and bring aid to the Christians established in Livonia.”
Pope Gregory IX
During the time of Alexander Nevsky why were western Catholic powers seen as a greater spiritual threat than the Mongols?
The Golden Horde ruled the principalities of Russia. Noble Russians were still allowed to serve as the princes of the great cities, but they owed their power to the Horde. A tribute system was established and in practice in 1262.
Those who collected the tax were known as the Besermeny. The were usually Muslim merchants or tax farmers working for the Golden Horde. They were foreigners and they were collecting the wealth of the native Russians. This made them hated. Prior to 1262 the Horde conducted a census in Russia to determine exactly what tributes needed to be paid. This had been met with great hostility.
In 1262 the besermeny had great power. The Russian chronicle notes that they “created great violence among the people.” It seems clear that they were willing to abuse their power to accomplish their jobs. In addition to monetary contributions by 1262 the Russian population also had to contribute their men to fight in the wars of the Golden Horde. This further angered the local ...
