According to Plutarch, ancient Greeks sometimes purified themselves by "rub[bing] around with puppies." There was even a name for it: periskylakismos or "puppifrication."Puppifrication, people! Ritual purification by puppies!See, this is why I love history so much. You COULD NOT make this stuff up if you tried! How awesome is that? I want to be purified by puppies? Where … [Read more...] about In the You Can’t Make This Stuff up Dept: PURIFICATION BY PUPPIES!
Ancient World
The Bloody-Weird Origins of Valentine’s Day
Today's diabetic-shock inducing Valentine sweetness is a looooong way from its roots in an ancient Roman love festival. In mid-February, the Romans practiced a ritual so old and strange, even they couldn't tell you what it meant and how it started.Actor Charlie Hunnam @ http://www.worldoffemale.comIt went like this: During the Lupercalia (usually February 15), a group of … [Read more...] about The Bloody-Weird Origins of Valentine’s Day
Getting Kids Excited About Ancient History
My friend and fellow docent Conway Bracket teaches Latin and ancient Greek in Atlanta. This pastsummer, she joined us at Little Shop of Stories in Decatur for our week-long Camp Half-Blood, based on the best-selling Percy Jackson series. She taught the kids ancient Greek because that's what they do at Camp Half-Blood. For the first time, she also taught Latin because Rick … [Read more...] about Getting Kids Excited About Ancient History
Why yes, those ARE bug wings on my necklace!
After storytelling at the Decatur Library on Saturday, I stopped by one of my favorite places, Mingei World Arts (www.mingeiworldarts.com), where I came across these charms:Owner Ann VanSlyke confirmed that they were beetle wings, collected in Thailand. Women attach the wings to their mourning shawls, and the gentle clickety-clack music they make as the women move serves as a … [Read more...] about Why yes, those ARE bug wings on my necklace!
What’s this about Mark Antony Running Around in a Loincloth?
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?
