Today, February 15, is the Festival of the Lupercalia or, at least, it would have been if we lived in ancient Rome. In fact, the Lupercalia is often cited as the true origin of Valentine’s Day. But forget about roses and romance. The Lupercalia was all about hot young men pursuing nubile young women with strips of bloody animal skins.Yeah. We’re a long way away from Hallmark, … [Read more...] about What’s this about Mark Antony Running Around in a Loincloth?
Friday Funnies–Ancient Style!
Welcome to Friday Funnies where we have fun with all things ancient (be sure to check out our earlier installments of Friday Funnies!). Thanks to Paul Darnell of Hadrian's Wall Live (http://hadrianswalllive.blogspot.com/) for this contribution, a line from the romp, Carry on Cleo, by the great Caesar himself: "Infamy! Infamy! They've all got it in for … [Read more...] about Friday Funnies–Ancient Style!
Cleopatra’s Daddy Issues
"Dad, seriously. The flute? Really?"Everyone's parents are embarrassing when you're kid. But Cleopatra's dad? Totally cringeworthy.See, her dad played the flute. All the time. In place of ruling. So people called him Ptolemy the Piper, and not in a good way, either. Turns out choosing to play a wind-instrument over taking charge of your kingdom doesn't inspire confidence. … [Read more...] about Cleopatra’s Daddy Issues
Friday Funnies–Ancient Style!
It's Friday! Time to get laughing. Want to give ancient funnies a try? Just let me know. You'll get full credit in next Friday's Funnies. I swear!Little known fact: Zeus's jealous wife Hera inventedthe phrase, "Oh, no you DIDN'T."How farming was actually invented: "Dagnabit this pooper-scooper is just too big! Hey, wait a minute...."The original … [Read more...] about Friday Funnies–Ancient Style!
Note to Disney: These Ancient Stories Came First!
Mithradates, the subject of Adrienne Mayor's excellent book, THE POISON KING, became legendary for not only taking Rome down a peg or two, but for surviving countless assassination-via-poisoning attempts throughout his lifetime. How’d he do it? By imbibing just a little bit of poison every day until his body got used to it. In modern terms, he built up a tolerance, which … [Read more...] about Note to Disney: These Ancient Stories Came First!