This etched landscape, created by the French artist Claude Lorrain (c. 1600-1682), features the ancient Greek myth of Europa, a princess from the lands...
This rather abstractly painted artwork, by the Norwegian artist Christian Krohg (c. 1852–1925), was inspired by the storied life of the historical figure, Olaf...
Constantine IV was a son and successor of Emperor Constans II of Constantinople (r. 641-668/669). Constans II, like many emperors of Roman and European...
Dante Alighieri (c. 1265-1321)
"He listens to good purpose who takes note."
Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy (Inferno, Canto XV), translated by Henry F. Cary in the Harvard...
This artwork, by the Norwegian artist Gerhard Munthe (1849–1929), is a depiction of the Norse god, Odin. The print features several key iconographic details...
This etched landscape, created by the French artist Claude Lorrain (c. 1600-1682), features the ancient Greek myth of Europa, a princess from the lands...
This painting, by the German artist Hans Thoma (c. 1839-1924), was inspired by the Sirens of ancient Greek myth. These mythological creatures were characterized...
Lucian of Samosata (c. 120-180+), in his satirical work Timon the Misanthrope, envisioned Wealth as a personified god. Wealth, as the account told, was...
In this painting, the French artist Merry-Joseph Blondel (c. 1781–1853) envisions the mythical or legendary King Numa Pompilius of Rome, traditionally dated to have...
This painting, by the American artist Samuel Finley Breese Morse (c. 1791–1872), was inspired by stories of the death of the mythical hero, Hercules...
(Arthurian Knight, by Charles Ernest Butler (1864–1933), via Creative Commons)
The History of the Kings of Britain, completed in 1136 by a man known...
Aeschylus (c. 525-456 BCE)
"What good are the oracles to men? Words, more words,
and the hurt comes on us, endless words
and a seer's techniques have...
Constantine IV was a son and successor of Emperor Constans II of Constantinople (r. 641-668/669). Constans II, like many emperors of Roman and European...
Virgil (c. 70-19 BCE)
"Man and beast, each and every race of earth,
creatures of the sea, domesticated animals, and birds in all their
finery,
all of them...
Lucian of Samosata (c. 120-180+), in his satirical work Timon the Misanthrope, envisioned Wealth as a personified god. Wealth, as the account told, was...
This rather abstractly painted artwork, by the Norwegian artist Christian Krohg (c. 1852–1925), was inspired by the storied life of the historical figure, Olaf...
Winston Churchill (c. 1874-1965)
"Fearthought is futile worrying over what cannot be averted or will probably never happen. Forethought is taking the best means at...
The Buddha (this saying recorded in the 3rd century)
"A seeker will master this earth,
this world of death and radiant beings.
A seeker will gather a...
Several figures described in the Icelandic sagas had very gruesome and cruel childhoods involving abuse and violence. Perhaps the darkest childhoods belonged to the...
Two Roman Catholic inquisitors, Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger, wrote a lengthy text that encompassed the church’s view of witchcraft and other demonic forces...
Grettir's Saga (14th century Icelandic text)
"The old saying is true, people seldom live up to their reputations."
Spoken by the character, Ali, in chapter...
