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...
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 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...
Christine de Pizan (1364-1430)
"There's nothing like a whole range of different experiences and activities for expanding the mind of any rational creature."
From The...
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...
Many ancient philosophical writers from Greece and the Roman Empire had reservations and questions about the worldview that was proposed to them by their...
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...
Hsün Tzu (c. 312-230 BCE)
"The gentleman uses things; the petty man is used by things."
From Hsün Tzu’s Basic Writings (chapter/section 2), translated by...
(Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519), via Creative Commons. Modified with diaper.)
In the Middle Ages, there was a fancy fabric called diaper....
Al Ghazālī (Sufi Theologian and Philosopher, c. 1058-1111)
"The final end of the creatures' ascent is the kingdom of singularity. Beyond it, there is no...
(Wild Boar by Walter Heubach (German, 1865-1923), via Creative Commons mixed with The Ancient City of Agrigento, by Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes (1750–1819), ...
Geoffrey Chaucer (1342-1400)
"There was a Knight, a most distinguished man,
Who from the day on which he first began
To ride abroad had followed chivalry,
Truth, honour,...
(St John the Evangelist, by El Greco (1541–1614), via Creative Commons)
The Acts of John
According to Christian teachings, after the crucifixion of their...
The Malleus Maleficarum (Published in 1487 by Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger)
"Hence follows the Catholic teaching, that in order to bring about evil, a...
(St John resurrecting Drusiana, c. 1487-1502, in the Fresco Strozzi Chapel, Santa Maria Novella, Florence, via Creative Commons)
The tale in question is supposedly...
