New Biography: Horace de Vere Cole—The Great Prankster of Britain

(Photographs of Horace de Vere Cole in 1910, around the time of his Dreadnaught prank, [Public Domain] via Creative Commons)

Horace de Vere Cole, born in 1881, came from a prominent and prosperous Anglo-Irish family with powerful connections. His sister, Anne, married Neville Chamberlin, the British Prime Minister who, unfortunately, would be forever associated with the appeasement of Nazi Germany. Yet, even with a controversial figure like Neville Chamberlin as his brother-in-law, Horace de Vere Cole’s own reputation for scandal, in many ways, is the more prominent of the two. By the time of his death in 1936, Horace had cemented himself as one of the greatest pranksters of the modern age.

Continue reading about Horace de Vere Cole's life of pranks and mischief, HERE.

New Article: The Marriage Fiasco of Cleisthenes, Tyrant of Sicyon

(Painting of a ancient festival to Demeter, by Francis Davis Millet  (1846–1912), [Public Domain] via Creative Commons)

The tyrant, Cleisthenes, is thought to have ruled the city-state of Sicyon from approximately 600-570 BCE. Sicyon was located somewhere in the northern Peloponnesus, between ancient Corinth and Achaea. Cleisthenes was a member of the Orthagoras family (or the Orthagorids), and his reign was the climax of his dynasty’s rule in Sicyon.

Cleisthenes successfully ushered Sicyon through the political and military conflicts of ancient Greece. He sided with the Oracle of Delphi in the First Sacred War (around the 590s BCE), which led to the destruction of Crisa. He was also a patron of athletics and sports, both in Delphi and at home in Sicyon.

It was around this time, after emerging victorious from the First Sacred War, that Cleisthenes began thinking of arranging a marriage for his daughter, Agariste. The tyrant, however, did not want just any marriage for his daughter; he wanted to marry his girl to the greatest man in all of Greece. To make sure the most accomplished men in Greece would hear of his daughter’s marriage eligibility, Cleisthenes made an announcement at one of Greece’s most prestigious events—either the Olympic or Pythian Games. According to the historian, Herodotus, he made his declaration after having won fist place in an Olympic chariot race. Yet, others think his announcement came after participating in the 582 BCE Pythian Games. Either way, the most athletic and affluent Greeks heard that Cleisthenes was accepting suitors for his daughter’s hand in marriage. As with most stories recorded by Herodotus, the tale of Cleithenes’ marriage fiasco is likely highly exaggerated and filled with folklore, but nonetheless, it remains incredibly entertaining.

Continue reading about the bizarre story of the tests and trials that Cleisthenes of Sicyon put his daughter's suitors through, HERE.

New Article: U. S. General William T. Sherman Was Shipwrecked Twice In One Day During One Odd And Unbelievable Adventure

(General William Tecumseh Sherman from 1865 in front of a sinking ship painted by painting by Willy Stöwer (* 1864; † 1931), [Public Domain] via Creative Commons)

In early 1853, William Tecumseh Sherman was a captain of the United States Commissary Department, but he was looking for a change in profession. Around this time, some buddies sent Sherman an invitation to join a banking venture named Lucas, Turner & Co. Sherman enjoyed, and was comfortable in, his military life, but admitted that he would not mind a higher wage. Therefore, he petitioned his superiors for leave to journey to California to meet with his potential business partners and assess their banking operation.

From his location in New Orleans, Sherman boarded a steamship heading toward Nicaragua. Once he had arrived there, the passengers took smaller boats across the Nicaragua River and Lake, and made the rest of the voyage to San Juan del Sur by mule.

Now the passengers were ready to depart Nicaragua for California. Sherman boarded the propeller ship, S. S. Lewis, which Sherman later remembered was commanded by Captain Partridge. For the voyage, Sherman was given his own stateroom with three berths located on the deck of the ship. Little did Sherman know, however, just how dramatic his sea voyage upon the S. S. Lewis would turn out to be.

Continue reading about General Sherman's unbelievable journey, HERE.

New Article: Mythology Madness—The Norse Gods And The Giant, Skrymir

The humorous talent contest in the land of giants.

Norse religion and mythology has some intriguing differences from Rome and Greece. The Norse gods (or Æsir) are arguably the most human of the old gods. They were described as not inherently immortal—they had to eat magical apples to live their long lives. Many of them were not born with their powers, but rather gained their abilities through the weapons they wielded and attire they wore. Also, while most religions claim their gods reign supreme, and will continue to do so forever, many of the most powerful Norse gods were prophesied to die in Ragnorak.

Stories of Norse mythology often emphasize the mortality of the Æsir, or at least recount ways the divine can be thwarted, fooled or embarrassed. This is one such story where three of the Norse gods find themselves in an embarrassing situation in the land of giants.

Thor Meets His Match

("I am the giant Skrymir" by Elmer Boyd Smith. Thor, with his hammer Mjolnir, confronts the jötunn Skrymir, c. 1902, [Public Domain] via Creative Commons)

Continue reading our article, HERE.

The Misadventures of Publius Clodius Pulcher

The Odd, but Awesome, Story of Julius Caesar’s Popular Hooligan of the People:

In 62 BCE, a hilarious event brought Publius Clodius Pulcher into the service of one of the greatest leaders of Rome. Clodius was a patrician of populist political standing, and his notorious antics gained him great popularity among the masses. This is the story of Clodius’ unpredictable participation in the transformation of Rome from a republic to an authoritarian state.

Read more about the strange life of Publius Clodius Pulcher, here (or click the above picture).

Ten Strange Things John Calvin Banned in 16th Century Geneva

 

The Protestant leader and reformer, John Calvin (1509-1564), was exiled from France and found refuge in Geneva, Switzerland. Calvin took it upon himself to turn the city of Geneva into the Godliest community of his age. While the idea was noble and virtuous, Calvin's method of bringing his vision about could be considered extreme, and his punishments were sometimes brutal. 

Read more about what John Calvin banned in Geneva here at historybuff.com. 

A single horse led to the Byzantine Empire's massive defeat in the Battle of Achelous.

Byzantine commander, Leo Phokas 'the Elder' had the Battle of Achelous won. His opponent, Tsar Symeon of Bulgaria, was retreating and slowly withdrawing his men from the battlefield. How did a horse and water drastically change the battle, leading to Symeon's overwhelming victory over the Byzantine Empire?

Read more about this strange occurrence here in my article at warhistoryonline.com.

Did you know you graduated dressed as a clergyman?

 

No matter how much drinking and partying you did in college (unless you were expelled), you graduated emulating a 'man of the cloth.' While there are many connections between religion and universities, the cap and gown is one of the most visible traditions left over from the clerical origins of university. 

Read about how the cap and gown descended from religious garb here at historybuff.com and look at some pictures of famous religious figures wearing early versions of your graduation garb.

Why does Michelangelo's "The Moses" have horns?

If you travel to Rome, Italy, visit the church of San Pietro in Vicoli. There you can find Michelangelo's "The Moses" which astounds viewers, not only with its artistic mastery, but with its set of horns. There is actually a historical justification for the horns on "The Moses." The horns of Moses trace all the way back to St. Jerome in the year 405 C.E.

Read about why Moses had horns here at historybuff.com.

The Ancient Doaist philosopher, Chuang Tzu, used really strange character names.

Chuang Tzu was an ancient Daoist philosopher. His writings are filled to the brim with insight and wisdom, but teachings of humanity and morality are not all that you can find in his works. You will also discover an abundance of peculiar, bizarre and down-right funny names throughout his writings. Get ready to have an epiphany after reading about Shu-Shan No-Toes and Uncle Lack-Limb.

Learn of Chuang Tzu's unique style of naming here at historybuff.com.