One Arabian Night . . .
Saturday November 29, 2003
In the eighth century, one caliph was particularly renowned for
the splendor of his court. It is believed that Harun
al-Rashid and his fabulous lifestyle became the
inspiration for the earliest tales in ... Read More
Timeline - the Movie
Wednesday November 26, 2003
Michael Crichton's SF novel Timeline -- a time trip into
the fourteenth century -- has been made into a movie and it opens in theaters
today. Directed by Richard Donner (who directed ... Read More
Call to Crusade
Wednesday November 26, 2003
On November 27, 1095, Pope
Urban II made a stirring speech at the Council of Clermont
exhorting Christian knights to take up arms and travel to the Holy
Land. Soon word spread throughout ... Read More
Doctor Mirabilis
Monday November 24, 2003
Centuries ahead of his time, Roger Bacon took empirical approaches
to scientific study that would have a significant influence on future
scientists. He devoted his life to the pursuit and dissemination of
knowledge, ... Read More
Fra Angelico
Saturday November 22, 2003
Known for such extraordinary works as The
Annunciation, Fra Angelico was a monk whose artwork reflects the
artistic trends of his times and illustrates that he did not stay
cloistered in the monastery. ... Read More
Charlemagne's Pope
Wednesday November 19, 2003
As soon as he was elected, Pope Leo III threw his support behind the
King
of the Franks, beginning one of the most significant alliances
between Church and State in medieval Europe. In ... Read More
Thomas Aquinas
Monday November 17, 2003
In the thirteenth century, the philosophy of Scholasticism
dominated medieval theological studies. Thomas Aquinas, the
foremost medieval Scholasticist, created a synthesis of the most
significant philosophies of the day that became known as ... Read More
From Viking Raider to French Duke
Wednesday November 12, 2003
In the early tenth century a Viking raider, said to have been too
tall to comfortably ride a horse, led his band into France.
The French king, Charles the Simple, unable to ... Read More
Belisarius
Saturday November 8, 2003
One of the greatest commanders in Byzantine
history served Justinian
I all too well. He helped suppress the Nike Rebellion, won
extraordinary victories in Italy and Mesopotamia, and remained
staunchly loyal in spite of ... Read More
Kingmaker
Wednesday November 5, 2003
Mention the Wars
of the Roses and one name is sure to spring to mind. He helped
Edward
IV achieve the throne and, later, replaced him temporarily with
the deposed Henry
VI. His career seemed ... Read More
The First Muslim Caliph
Monday November 3, 2003
Abu Bakr was the closest friend and companion of Muhammad and the
first Muslim caliph. He was one of the first men to convert to Islam,
and was chosen by the Prophet ... Read More