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Venice, City in the Sea 1350 – 1590
The houses of Venice are “like sea-birds half on sea and half on land,” said Cassiodorus. An officer of a
Rome, the City of the Pope 1492-1564
In 1492, young Giovanni de’ Medici bade farewell to his father, Lorenzo the Magnificent and left Florence to take his
Gentlemen, Scholars and Princes 1400 – 1507
One day in the fifteenth century, the Turkish potentate of Babylonia decided to send gifts to the greatest ruler in
Early Civilizations to Modern Age
Fury from the North 814-1042
“. . FROM THE FURY OF THE NORTHMEN, Good Lord, deliver us.” Until recent times, this line was included in
The Castle, the Manor and the Knight 900-1300
COUNT LEON, lord of the vast domain of Grandpré, stirred and waved away his servants. As he opened his eyes,
Feudal Germany 936 -1250
THE WINTER of 1077 was one of the coldest on record in Italy. Ice and snow choked the mountain passages
Distant Past and New Challenges
Milestones of History
Attila, The Scourge of God (451 A.D.)
Attila, the “Scourge of God” was the legendary force that — curiously enough — helped to hold the tottering Roman
Old Europe Crumbles (451 – 520 A.D.)
Old Europe crumbles as barbarian waves batter civilizations. Ironically, the victory on the Mauriac Plain sealed the fate both of
St. Benedict’s Rule 520 A.D.
St. Benedict’s monks tried to poison him, on one occasion it is said – and they often disregarded his instructions,
