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Ancient Greek mythology: The legend of Hippolytus
Posted on June 19th, 2009 2 commentsThe Greek Legend of Hippolytus
According to the legends of Greece, Hippolyte, the Amazon queen, and Theseus had a son by the name of Hippolytus. He became known as a excellent hunter and a wonderful charioteer. Phaedra, Hippolytus’s stepmother, fell in love with her stepson, but when he turned her down, she killed herself and left behind a note that said Hippolytus had tried to rape her. Theseus threw Hippolytus out, yelling at him the whole time, and begged Poseidon, his father, to kill his son.` Hippolytus was driving his chariot beside the Troezen shore, when a huge sea-monster that Poseidon had sent came up out of the water and frightened the horses. The chariot tipped and Hippolytus was thrown out, where he got caught in the reigns and was dragged to his death. Read the rest of this entry »
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Feast of Dedication: Hanukkah menorah and holiday decorations
Posted on June 19th, 2009 No commentsLearn About The Feast of Lights{Hannukkah|The Feast of Lights|Chanukah}
The Jewish festival known by most as Hannukkah is also called the "Feast of the Maccabees" or the "Feast of Lights" and historically beginning twenty-five days into the ninth month, called Kislev, according to the Hebrew calendar, and continues over an eight day period. This commemoration was instituted in response to Judas Maccabaeus purification the Jerusalem temple because Antiochus Epiphanes, the Syrian Ruler, contaminated it in the year 168 B.C. by set up a pagan shrine to the God Zeus Olympius. Read the rest of this entry »
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Medieval tournaments – Jousting Knights
Posted on June 19th, 2009 No commentsMedieval Tournaments
A style of staged combat in the Middle Ages is typically referred to as a tournament, or tourney. Roger of Hoveden gave the most definitive description of tournaments, as a way to carry out military exercises in order to sharpen one’s game and show off their skills to one another, instead of as a hostile act; it is practiced throughout the history of war. However, before the 11th century, Europe did not know the properly dictated style of tournament. A French baron called Geoffroi de Preulli seemingly invented tournaments – according to his peers’ testimonials – in 1066; multiple sources have his rather gruesome killing on record. Read the rest of this entry »
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Greek mythology – Helen of Troy history
Posted on June 19th, 2009 No commentsExploring the Various Accounts of Helen of Troy
Helen of Troy, or Helena, is a mythological figure of Ancient Greece. The wife of Menelaus, Helen is usually said to be the daughter of Zeus and Leda. However, there are different versions of the tale in which she is the daughter either Oceanus and Tethys, or of Zeus and Nemesis. She was the cause of the Trojan War, indirectly, in part due to her being the most beautiful and desirous woman in all of Greece. Read the rest of this entry »
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Ancient Weapons -The spear, pike, and jousting lance
Posted on June 15th, 2009 2 commentsA History in Ancient Weapons
The spear is an ancient offensive weapon. The word "spear" is derived from the Latin word, "sparus", which may have a relation with "spar", or a beam. The spear began as a stake with a sharp end, and in addition to the club, may be one the oldest weapons used by man. The spear was used by all prehistoric races, and savages learned to hurl or thrust it. The spear form is still used in modern day bayonets, which are spears attached to a rifle, as well as the lance and boar spear. Read the rest of this entry »