For the Empire of Constantinople, the 640s began with uncertainty and chaos. The long and stabilizing rule of Emperor Heraclius (r. 610-641) came to...
This artwork, painted by the Italian artist Gaspare Diziani (c. 1689-1767), was inspired by a curious poem called Gerusalemme liberata, written by the Italian...
James Madison (c. 1751-1836)
"The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and...
Hesiod (flourished c. 8th century BCE)
"It is a worthless man who keeps changing his friends: let your disposition not disgrace your appearance."
From Hesiod’s Works and...
Grettir the Strong (said to have lived c. 996-1031)
"Arriving at the well is one thing; drinking is another."
A saying attributed to Grettir, in the...
The Malleus Maleficarum (Published by Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger around 1487)
"The question arises whether people who hold that witches do not exist are...
King Agesilaus II of Sparta (r. 400-360 BCE)
"It isn't positions which lend men distinction, but men who enhance positions."
Quote attributed to King Agesilaus II...
This painting, by an unidentified 18th-century artist, strives to re-create the mythical birth scene of the ancient god, Bacchus—the Roman equivalent of the Greek...
This artwork by the Austrian artist, Gustav Wertheimer (c. 1847-1902), was inspired by the elaborate tales of Nero’s plots to assassinate his own mother,...
This artwork, by the French artist Eugène Delacroix (c. 1798-1863), was created as he visualized and practiced for a painting that he would produce...
William Shakespeare (c. 1564 – 1616)
"Cupid is a knavish lad,
Thus to make poor females mad."
From William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Act...
Gregory of Nazianzus (c. 329-390)
"A man's character is the most persuasive thing of all."
From Gregory of Nazianzus' Three Poems, translated by Denis Molaise...
Euripides (c. 484-406 BCE)
"Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish."
From The Bacchae (approximately line 480), by the poet Euripides. Translated...
Albert Camus (c. 1913-1960)
"All great deeds and all great thoughts have a ridiculous beginning."
From The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus, translated by...
Mencius (c. 372-289 BCE)
"Benevolence overcomes cruelty just as water overcomes fire."
From The Mencius (Book VI, Part A, section 18) by Mencius, translated by D....
Odin (from Hávamál)
"Cattle die,
kin die
self dies too;
a good name,
if you get one,
goes on forever"
This quote comes from stanza 76 of Hávamál (Sayings of the...
Sir Winston Churchill (c. 1874-1965)
"Never till now were great communities afforded such ample means of measuring their approaching agony. Never have they seemed less...
St. Augustine of Hippo (c. 354-430)
"Grant me chastity and continence, but not yet."
From St. Augustine's Confessions (Book 8, chapter 7, section 17), in...
