Wherein the Library of Alexandria is torched again and again because a burned book is an (allegedly) dead idea. Libraries and schools in the United States recently observed Banned Books Week, described as “an annual event celebrating the freedom to read.” Unfortunately, this list of most challenged books shows a wide array of books being … Read More
I Dig Hyporchema Music
Wherein the ancient Greeks enjoyed tasteful music, but wished the kids would turn their noise down. I love music—not enough to invest in a good sound system, or to have built up an enviable library of recordings, but enough that I’m almost constantly listening to streaming music. While my tastes are fairly eclectic, what you’ll … Read More
An Hour in the Shower
Wherein the ancient Egyptians knew King Tut could only get funky by spending eternity being squeaky clean. My first article for this blog was about the sudsy ins-and-outs of medieval baths, so it’s only fitting that I mark the first anniversary of the site with another article about bathing (okay, it’s less a case of … Read More
Take My Breath Away
Wherein the ancient Chinese know nothing is as breathtaking as elephant bile oral care products. Bad breath—comics and cartoons feature a multitude of ways to demonstrate the painful effect halitosis can have on others: flowers shriveling and dying as a person breathes on them; faces puckering as people inhale the stench; even stink fumes gushing … Read More
