Few understood power like Niccolò Machiavelli.

Through his highs and lows, the author of The Prince proved himself resilient.

Here are 10 of his best quotes.🧵 1. “Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.”

Ever think you’ve run into angels and had no clue?

The Bible says: 'And hospitality do not forget; for by this some, being not aware of it, have entertained angels.' (Heb 13:2)

Greek myth tells a tale of the gods secretly visiting mortals in Phrygia.🧵 It begins with Zeus and Hermes, posing as regular peasants, roamed a town in Phrygia, seeking a place to crash for the night.

They knocked on countless doors, but the wicked townspeople shut them out.

Zeno of Citium is known as the Father of Stoicism.

Born in 334 BC, he was a merchant, until he found Socrates.

Then he grew into the first 'stoic philosopher' and founded a school in Athens, 300 BC.

Here are 10 of his quotes.🧵 1. “Better to trip with the feet than with the tongue.”

Plato is one of the most influential philosophers.

He learned from Socrates, who was executed by an Athenian court.

Then he built Akedemia Platonos that shaped minds like Aristotle's.

Check out 10 of his quotes.🧵 1. “People are like dirt. They can either nourish you and help you grow as a person or they can stunt your growth and make you wilt and die.”

As a pupil of Plato's Academy, Aristotle excelled in all realms of life.

After Plato's death, he taught Alexander the Great for a few years.

To gain some of Aristotle's wisdom, here are 10 of his quotes.🧵 1. “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”

Socrates was sentenced to death for 'corrupting the youth.'

His wisdom would still be deemed corrupt today, if our overlords had their way.

In Socrates' honor, here are 10 of his quotes.🧵 1. “The greatest way to live with honour in this world is to be what we pretend to be.”

Epictetus once said,

“Everyone's life is a warfare, and that long and various.”

And he was right.

Born a slave and later a philosopher, his wisdom is fit perfect for life's battles.

Here are 10 more of his quotes.🧵 1. “It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”

Homer's writing is among history's most influential, if not the most.

His poems, The Iliad and The Odyssey, shaped Western minds like Dante Alighieri, Virgil, and Alexander The Great, since their debut.

To honor Homer and his wisdom, here are 10 quotes of his works.🧵 1. “Let me not then die ingloriously and without a struggle, but let me first do some great thing that shall be told among men hereafter.”

― The Iliad

We all hit a crossroads in life.

A crucial moment where we must choose between one path or the other.

Even Heracles, Greek myth's greatest hero, faced this.

His decision, like ours, shaped the rest of his life.🧵 2/

Heracles, seeking solitude to ponder his life's path, found a spot to sit and think.

Two women approached him.

One was beautiful and noble, in pure white robes.

The other, loose and seductive, had powdered skin and an arrogant stride that accentuated her charms.

Greek myth holds some of the richest tales ever told, filled with wisdom.

You know of The Iliad, or, The Aeneid, tales of the trojan war and after that echo through time

But beyond these, Greek myth offers even more wisdom, more acts of heroism.

These are the top 10🧵 1. Bellerophon

This was the audacious hero who tamed Pegasus. Ambition led him to challenge gods and monsters alike.

His quest to slay the Chimera, a beast breathing fire, became legendary. Yet, his hubris invited wrath, casting him to a tragic fall from his heights.

Imagine you're a mortal on Midgard,

The realm's most noble Æsir just fell, Balder, marking the winter that brings the world's demise.

The world's demons are free, arming themselves for war with your gods;

What option remains for you but to resign to the destiny of Ragnarök?🧵 2/

In Norse mythology, the gods, finite yet immortal, tread a path to a tragic end.

The Æsir's fall began with tolerating Loki, leading to dire straits.

Late realization of his malice led to his banishment, echoing his corruption in humanity.

When evil plagues a society, fear runs rampant.

Heroics of some kind are needed to free a society of such evil.

Such evil plagued Crete, instilling fear, as a Minotaur demanded 7 children every 9 years.

Theseus, son of Aegeus, emerged as a hero, ending this terror.🧵 2/

It starts in ancient Athens, a tale unfolds of Aegeus, childless and seeking an heir.

He secretly marries Aethra in Troezen, guided by oracles, hoping their son Theseus will fulfill his legacy and gain eternal fame.

Dare to face dragons?

Or what about defending your family's honor and making your father proud?

In a tale from Greek Mythos, a hero named Cadmus did both in one shot. 🧵 2/

In the ancient realm of Phoenicia, Cadmus, son of King Agenor, embarked on a desperate quest to find his sister, Europa, who had been whisked away by Zeus disguised as a bull.

His father's stern command echoed in his ears:

"Return not without her."

Embarking on a journey to undiscovered territories, a sense of exhilarating adventure permeating the atmosphere, an indomitable spirit guided by unyielding purpose...

Such were the potent emotions coursing through Hernán Cortés and his men as they set sail, their eyes set firmly on the conquest of The New World.🧵 2/

In the early 16th century, Hernán Cortés, aboard his flagship Santa María de la Concepción, gazed fervently towards the horizon. His experienced navigator, Antonio de Alaminos, a Columbus veteran, suggested they anchor at Cozumel if weather turned foul.

Indeed, storms had scattered their fleet since departing Cuba, and Cortés found himself trailing, searching for stray vessels. The voyage's outset was grim with possibly five ships lost overnight.

According to Saint Augustine of Hippo's City of God,

'The Roman Empire was ordained by the true God, who is the source of all power, and by whose providence the universe is governed'

In this 🧵, we dissect his rationale. 2/

In the wisdom of Saint Augustine, he reminds us that it is solely the divine power of the true God that grants kingdoms and empires. He wisely states, "we must ascribe to the true God alone the power to grant kingdoms and empires."

He acknowledges that earthly dominions are bestowed upon both virtuous and wicked individuals as per God's will. As he eloquently puts it, "He grants earthly kingdoms both to the good and to the evil, in accordance with his pleasure."

In history, the meeting between the devout Spanish Empire and the formidable Aztec dominion unfolds as an epic saga.

Here's an intro to the clash of Hernán Cortés and Montezuma as the faith of the Spanish Empire clashes against the weight of the Aztec Empire. 🧵 2/

In 1519, a driven and ambitious conquistador, Hernán Cortés, set sail from Cuba to Mexico with grand intentions of empire expansion, religious conversion, and plunder. Upon his arrival, Cortés encountered a civilization far more advanced than anticipated— the Aztec empire at its zenith.

In honor of Lent,

I thought I'd put together a list of some of my favorite paintings depicting The Temptation of Christ🧵

Here are the top 10:

1. by Jan Brueghel the Elder, c. 1600 2. by Matthias Gerung, c. 1530-1532

Within the most well-known part of the Elder Edda, there lies a timeless tale steeped in heroism, passion, and the inescapable grip of fate.

I give you, The Sigurd Saga of the Völsunga Saga 🧵 2/

Elf, the Viking

Amidst Hiordis' grief over Sigmund's, father of Sigurd, lifeless body, her handmaiden's warning of approaching Vikings prompted a quick exchange of garments. They met the Viking Elf, who honored Sigmund and offered them asylum.

NORSE MYTHOS

Ragnarök, the apocalyptic battle prophesied in Norse mythology, weaves a tale of divine turmoil and cosmic upheaval that continues to enthrall generations.

What ancient wisdom and foreboding prophecies lie within the harrowing saga of Ragnarök?

Why does the concept of 'end times' hold such a profound allure for humanity?

This is what we're here to find out.🧵 2/

The Decline of the gods

In the distinctive world of Northern mythology, the gods were believed to belong to a finite race, destined for both physical death and spiritual immortality. This belief gave rise to a dramatic narrative, a cosmic saga where every step led inevitably to the tragic climax. The gods, embodying virtue and peace, faced the insidious influence of Loki, whose cunning led to their ultimate downfall.

The gradual rise and decline of the Aesir unfolded amidst their tolerance of Loki's presence, which ultimately led to their entanglement in dire predicaments. They belatedly realized the malevolent nature of Loki's spirit, but the damage had been done. Banishing Loki to earth was an act of redemption, yet its repercussions echoed through the mortal realm, where humanity, mirroring the gods' actions, fell prey to his corrupting influence.

Who doesn't love a good challenge?

When someone says 'You can't do this' or 'You can't do that'

Doesn't it add fuel to the fire?

Well, it definitely did for Thor and his friends. 🧵 2/

In the ancient Norse myth, the saga unfolds with Thor and his companions encountering the colossal giant Skrymir, whose incessant snoring vexed the gods. Enraged, Thor delivered three thunderous blows with Mjolnir, only to receive dismissive comments likening his strikes to trifles such as fallen leaves or twigs.

🧵

THE FIRST CRUSADE

Holy War, Holy Land

In the cold of November 1095, Pope Urban II, a beacon of hope and strength, called forth the might of Latin Europe from Clermont, France. His stirring sermon echoed across the field, casting a vision of a besieged Christendom that needed its faithful warriors. He depicted the Holy City of Jerusalem under Muslim control, inspiring thousands to rise as soldiers for Christ, determined to free Jerusalem and their Eastern brothers from servitude. This marked the beginning of the First Crusade, a monumental journey fueled by the promise of spiritual salvation.

Pope Urban and The Idea of Crusading

Urban II, a noble son of France and a former Cluniac monk, ascended to the papacy during a tumultuous time. Despite the challenges, he exhibited remarkable resilience and strategic acumen, gradually restoring the papacy's influence and reclaiming Rome's Lateran Palace, the heart of papal authority.

In 1095, an opportunity arose. Ambassadors from Byzantium arrived with a plea for military support from Greek Christian Emperor Alexius I Comnenus, who was under threat from the Turks. This plea resonated with Urban, aligning with his own ideas of defending Eastern Christendom and improving relations with the Greek Church.

Urban envisioned a grand plan - an armed pilgrimage to the East, a 'crusade'. Far from being an unwitting instigator, he recognized the potential magnitude of this endeavor. He saw it as a chance to channel the fervor of Latin Christians towards a noble cause and reaffirm Rome's authority.

In July 1095, Urban embarked on a preaching tour, visiting influential monasteries and securing key allies. By November, he was ready to unveil his grand plan in Clermont. As ecclesiastical dignitaries gathered in numbers never seen before, Urban delivered his transformative sermon, igniting a holy war that would forever mark the pages of history.

The Sermon at Clermont

In Clermont, Urban II issued a rallying cry that echoed throughout the Latin West. He crafted an urgent narrative of Christendom's eastern borders under threat, appealing to his audience's sense of duty towards their Byzantine brothers against the advancing Turks. Yet, this was just one facet of his grand vision. He astutely revealed an expeditionary goal that would resonate profoundly with the Franks – a crusade to reclaim Jerusalem, the 'center of the world', and the heart of Christian faith.

Faced with the task of instilling a sense of immediate danger and righteous indignation, Urban turned to vivid descriptions of the enemy. He painted a picture of Turks wreaking havoc on God's kingdom, committing atrocities against Greeks, defiling churches, and subjecting Christian pilgrims to horrific cruelties. His words were potent, stirring fear and hatred, and igniting a desire for justice.

Urban’s portrayal of Muslims, while not entirely accurate, served a crucial purpose - it unified Christian Europe against a common enemy, fostering unity where there had been discord. Yet, it's important to remember that Urban's primary vision was not one of conflict with Islam, but a devotional expedition to reclaim sacred territory. The choice of Islam as the enemy was more a matter of circumstance than inherent animosity.

Before 1095, neither the Latins nor their Greek allies viewed the Muslim world as a sworn adversary. Urban II's call to arms was less about vilifying an 'other' and more about rallying Christendom around a common cause, a shared mission to protect and reclaim their holy land.

Urban's call to arms was not simply a cry for vengeance against the Muslims. It was, more importantly, a divine summons offering an unparalleled spiritual reward. Medieval Christians, constantly living under the shadow of sin and damnation, found a beacon of hope in Urban's promise - the remission of sins for those willing to embark on this sacred expedition.

Urban, in his divine wisdom, fused familiar religious practices with the noble concept of fighting for God. The crusade was no mere war; it was an armed pilgrimage, a journey of faith marked by trials and tribulations, but with the promise of enormous redemption - the Holy City of Jerusalem.

His words painted a vivid picture of reclamation, spiritual salvation, and God's command, successfully rallying the faithful to his cause. Thus, Pope Urban II did not merely instigate a holy war; he breathed life into a movement that would reshape Christendom and leave an indelible mark on world history.

Urban's sermon at Clermont sent shockwaves through the crowd, leaving some in tears and others trembling. In a dramatic show of commitment, Bishop Adhémar of Le Puy was the first to pledge his support, subsequently becoming the papal legate for the expedition. News of Count Raymond of Toulouse's endorsement soon followed. Urban's message resonated deeply, sparking a wave of fervor that rippled across France in the subsequent months.

While Pope Urban II was indeed the catalyst for the First Crusade, it's important to recognize that he built upon the foundation laid by predecessors such as Pope Gregory VII, who first propagated the concept of holy war. Furthermore, the First Crusade wasn't a rigid idea birthed completely at Clermont. It was an evolving enterprise that adapted organically throughout the expedition, and even continued to develop in retrospect.

Post-Clermont, the march towards Jerusalem wasn't a cohesive movement, but rather a series of fragmented departures. The 'main armies' were, in reality, loose alliances of smaller groups, each guided by common objectives. This organic response to Urban's call was further amplified by popular preachers across Europe. They distilled complex promises of spiritual rewards into simple assurances of divine salvation. This gap between the official doctrine and popular interpretation of the crusade shaped the understanding of these holy wars for centuries.

In essence, while Urban II may not have single-handedly crafted the crusading concept, his leadership and vision were pivotal. He harnessed existing ideas, gave them direction, and inspired action. His impact was profound, shaping perceptions of holy wars for centuries to come and leaving an indelible mark on Christendom.

Interestingly, Urban never coined the term 'crusade'. His mission was so novel that it defied existing terminology, marking the inception of a new epoch in history still being understood and interpreted today.

The term 'crusade' did not exist during the First Crusade. Instead, it was seen as an 'iter' (journey) or 'peregrinatio' (pilgrimage). Only by the late twelfth century did the term crucesignatus, 'one signed with the cross', emerge, eventually evolving into the French term croisade, or 'way of the Cross'. Historians use the term 'crusade' for clarity, but it's important to remember that this gives a misleading sense of uniformity to these early holy wars.


THE FIRST CRUSADE (pt. 2)

The Call of the Cross

In the aftermath of the Council of Clermont, a fervor like no other swept across Western Europe. Pope Urban's call to arms echoed far beyond France as bishops, having attended his sermon, disseminated his message. The crusading cause was also championed by charismatic preachers, most notably Peter the Hermit. This enigmatic figure from humble origins in Amiens became an unlikely hero, admired for his austere lifestyle and revered as a prophet among the lower classes.

Peter's charisma was so potent that within six months, he rallied an army of over 15,000, primarily composed of the poor. This force, christened the "People's Crusade," began their journey to the Holy Land in spring 1096, ahead of any other contingent. Their path was marred by violence, and ended in utter defeat upon crossing into Muslim territory.

Despite this initial failure, larger armies were amassing in the West. Public rallies stirred up widespread recruitment, and the crusading spirit spread through familial and religious networks. An estimated 60,000 to 100,000 Latin Christians embarked on the First Crusade, an unprecedented mobilization that astounded the medieval world. At the forefront of these forces were the knights, the emerging martial elite of the Middle Ages, who now found in the holy wars a new path to salvation.

Pope Urban's conception of an armed pilgrimage was a strategic masterstroke, designed to resolve the spiritual conundrum that plagued the knightly aristocracy. It offered them a chance to attain spiritual grace without renouncing their secular lives. Before Urban II, violence lead to damnation but with his new interpretation, violence for a purpose became justified in the eyes of the church; therefore salvation would then be attainable to the knights and contemporaries of the time. This proposition appealed to the nobility, triggering a domino effect of recruitment. Every noble who pledged to the cross became a beacon, inspiring others to join the cause.

Even though no monarchs joined the crusade, occupied with their own political intrigues, it attracted the cream of Western Christendom’s nobility. These were men of substantial influence, often bearing the titles of count or duke, who commanded respect and loyalty from their followers. Their ranks were bolstered by bands of followers, bound together by shared ethnicity, language, and fealty.

A notable figure among these crusaders was Count Raymond of Toulouse, the most powerful secular lord in south-eastern France. A steadfast ally of the papacy, he led the Provençal-Southern French armies. His rival for overall command was the formidable Bohemond of Taranto, a seasoned warrior with an unmatched military pedigree. Their rivalry would shape the course of the crusade, setting the stage for a dramatic clash of wills and tactics in the Holy Land.

Bohemond, a man whose physical stature was praised even by his Byzantine adversaries, stood out in the Roman world. His presence commanded admiration, and his name stirred fear. His towering height, broad shoulders, and strong arms were complemented by a skin tone that was unusually fair for his time. Yet, beneath the charm that his looks exuded, there was an undercurrent of raw savagery that could be felt in his eyes and even his laugh.

Despite his formidable appearance, Bohemond lacked wealth, having been disinherited by his half-brother in 1085. Driven by ambition, he saw the crusade as a chance to attain personal advancement. He dreamed of establishing his own Levantine lordship. Joining him was his nephew, Tancred of Hauteville. Despite his youth and lack of military experience, Tancred displayed an unquenchable dynamism. He quickly rose to become second-in-command of the small but formidable army of southern Italian Normans.

Among other influential figures was Godfrey of Bouillon; he demonstrated unwavering dedication to the crusading cause. His brother, Baldwin of Boulogne, also emerged from obscurity during the crusade, showing tenacity in battle and a relentless desire for advancement. Their lives and actions would intertwine to shape the course of the crusade.

As the call to crusade spread, five princes - Raymond of Toulouse, Bohemond of Taranto, Godfrey of Bouillon, Tancred of Hauteville, and Baldwin of Boulogne - stepped into the spotlight. These men, leading three main Frankish armies, would etch their names into the annals of history. An additional northern French contingent, commanded by Robert, Duke of Normandy, Stephen, Count of Blois, and Robert II, Count of Flanders, joined the campaign. For these nobles, their followers, and even the common folk, pledging to the crusade was a dramatic and emotional ceremony.

Bohemond's reaction to the call was immediate and fervent. He had his most valuable cloak cut into crosses, inspiring many to follow suit. Some went to extremes, branding their flesh with the symbol of the cross or marking their bodies with blood. This visible symbol not only identified them as crusaders but also granted them legal protections.

The decision to embark on this dangerous journey was not made lightly. Many crusaders, motivated by devotion, put their affairs in order before leaving. Bertrand of Moncontour, for instance, returned lands he had unlawfully seized from a monastery, believing it would hinder his spiritual journey. The crusade was an intimidating and costly endeavor, but the shared sense of purpose and unyielding spiritual resolution among the crusaders fueled their determination.

Byzantium

In November of 1096, the main armies of the First Crusade began to converge on Constantinople, the ancient gateway to the East and capital of the Byzantine Empire. Over the next six months, the various contingents journeyed through this magnificent city, their eyes set on Asia Minor and the frontier with Islam. The city was a natural gathering point - it stood on the traditional pilgrim route to the Holy Land and the crusaders had committed to aiding their Greek brethren.

The Byzantine Emperor, Alexius I Comnenus, watched the procession with a mix of dread and suspicion. His daughter Anna Comnena painted a vivid picture of his concerns, describing the crusaders as 'all the barbarians of the West'. Yet, her account, written decades later, was tinged with hindsight. Indeed, there were tensions, but they were often overshadowed by constructive cooperation.

In the 11th century, the center of civilization was in the East, in Byzantium. The emperor's lineage traced back to Augustus Caesar and Constantine the Great, lending an almost mystical aura of majesty to him and his realm. This was the world the First Crusaders stepped into, a world of awe and apprehension, as they journeyed towards their destiny.

As the crusaders beheld the mighty walls of Constantinople, they could not help but feel awed by its imposing grandeur. This was no ordinary city; it was a metropolis that dwarfed any in Latin Europe, populated by half a million souls and adorned with architectural marvels like the majestic Basilica of St Sophia. A treasure trove of sacred relics - from Christ's crown of thorns to the bones of the Apostles - further elevated the city's spiritual stature.

Emperor Alexius I Comnenus, who had initially sought Pope Urban's aid against the Seljuq Turks, welcomed the Franks with cautious hospitality. He saw them not as unruly barbarians, but as potential allies whose martial prowess could be harnessed for the empire's defense. Yet, the seeds of discord were sown amidst this hopeful collaboration. The Franks expected Alexius to lead them personally to Jerusalem, while the emperor had no intention of jeopardizing his empire for a distant campaign. This clash of expectations and objectives would later lead to tragic consequences, the reverberations of which would echo through the chambers of history.

In Service to The Emperor

Emperor Alexius I Comnenus, the master of Byzantine diplomacy, crafted a strategy to assert his authority over the Franks. As the crusader armies arrived in his glorious capital, he dealt with each prince individually, exploiting their fragmented leadership. The first to face this cunning ploy was Godfrey of Bouillon, who was summoned to an audience with the emperor on 20th January 1097. Inside the grandeur of the imperial Palace of Blachernae, Godfrey found Alexius seated on his throne, a figure of power and majesty. The emperor demanded that Godfrey swear to return any former Roman territories he might conquer. In exchange, Godfrey could expect imperial aid and counsel. Godfrey balked at the initial request, but throughout thick tension with a memory, he acquiesced. With the deal sealed, Alexius quickly moved Godfrey's forces across the Bosphorus Strait, preventing a Latin buildup outside the city. Over the following months, nearly all the crusaders followed suit. Only three initially resisted, but eventually, they too submitted to the emperor's will. Each oath taken was another victory for Alexius, another step in securing his control over the crusade.