MaryAnn Bernal's Blog, page 599

History Trivia - Friday 13th

The most common explanation for the belief that Friday the 13th is unlucky is that there was a massacre of the Knights Templar on that date. The Knights formed one of the most important and most well known international organizations in the Middle Ages. Their destruction was one of the most well known events ever to fall on any Friday 13th.

The Knights Templar had been formed in 1118 to protect Christians from Muslims in the Holy Land. They were among the best soldiers of their era. They also...

Rune Cast

Rune For Today: Sowilo
The Sun Rune, denotes power and strength. That which you want may be attained. Sowilo also denotes mental clarity and added warmth to your relationships.

History Trivia

There was an old folk-belief in Norway that Christ's Cross was hewn on August 11th, and therefore the axe should not be. Also on August 11th, 117 Hadrian officially became Roman Emperor. It is claimed Trajan, his adoptive father, had not wanted Hadrian to succeed him, but was thwarted by his wife, Plotina, who covered up her husband's death until she could make sure of Hadrian's acceptance by the senate. Trajan died on the 8th of August, but Hadrian only became emperor 3 days later.

History Trivia

In 48 BC Julius Caesar and Pompey faced off against each other in the Battle of Pharsalus. Caesar had about 22,000 men and Pompey had twice that, but Caesar still won, losing only about 250 men. 24,000 of Pompey's men surrendered; the rest died or fled the battle.

History Trivia

On August 9, 48 BC Julius Caesar defeated Pompey at the Battle of Pharsalus, which gave Caesar absolute control of Rome. In 378 the Goths destroyed the eastern Roman army and killed the emperor Valens at the Battle of Adrianople and in 1119 AD, Calixtus II was crowned Roman Catholic pope.

History Trivia

On August 8, 117 a highly revered emperor, Trajan (Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus) died. In 1356 Edward "the Black Prince" began a raid north from Aquitaine and in 1588 The Spanish Armada was defeated by the English fleet ending an invasion attempt.

Ancient Quotes

The best way to keep good acts in memory is to refresh them with new.

The first virtue is to restrain the tongue; he approaches nearest to the gods who knows how to be silent, even though he is in the right.

Marcus Porcius Cato, 95-46 BC, Cato the Younger

History Trivia

Pope Sixtus II(August 30, 257 - August 6, 258)died as a martyr during the persecution by Emperor Valerian. During the persecutions,numerous bishops, priests, and deacons were put to death. Pope Sixtus II was one of the first victims of this persecution, being beheaded on August 6. He was martyred along with six deacons —Januarius, Vincentius, Magnus, Stephanus, Felicissimus and Agapitus.

Ancient Quotes

After I'm dead I'd rather have people ask why I have no monument than why I have one.

An angry man opens his mouth and shuts his eyes.

Old age isn't so bad when you consider the alternatives.

Marcus Porcius Cato, 95-46 BC, Cato the Younger

History Trivia

The lighthouse of Alexandria, a tower built in the 3rd century BC (between 285 and 247 BC), was between 115 and 135 meters (383 – 440 ft); it was among the tallest structures on Earth for many centuries. The island that it was built on, Pharos, eventually spawned the Latin word for lighthouse. The lighthouse is considered to be one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and was, unfortunately,destroyed by an earthquake.