Silvanus’s Treks
I just discovered a map Silvanus must have made, showing his treks across Ilva. How do you like it?
Actually, it was made for him by a brilliant cartographer in Russia, Polina Vorontsova.
Similar Posts
Not quite as old as Silvanus’ map
This is a copper engraving by the Dutch artists Willem Janszoon and Joan Blaeu, based on Giovanni Antonio Magini’s original of 1598. Many thanks to Paolo Ferruzzi, who keeps this map in his Academy of Works of Art in Poggio. Funnily enough, Silvanus’ map, though less elaborate, looks far more accurate to the modern eye.
Who would have thought it?
The Romans had two-story houses with door locks, underfloor heating, running hot water, private mills, and silver dishes! And toilets-for-two next to the stove in the kitchen!
Who says global warming?
AD 536 saw the most protracted episode of climatic cooling. We talk a lot about global warming. But sometimes the opposite happens. Was it caused by one or more massive volcanic eruptions? The so-called volcanic winter of AD 536 was certainly an uncanny phenomenon. The sun went dark for eighteen months throughout the Northern Hemisphere….
Pillage and Rape
I’ve come to a juicy episode, part of chapter 6. And the strange thing is that I feel deep emotion for the character I’m creating. The chapter introduces a runaway slave, whom Silvanus finds in the woods. Listen to the story and let me know what you think… “Aren’t you afraid of Jupiter and Mars…
Show or tell?
Some gleanings from from the Zürich Writers’ Workshop, 13.-14.4.2013 I was in the Storytelling Fundamentals stream with instructor Sam North, who teaches Creative Writing at Exeter University. We were about 15 participants from all over the world – Philippines, Sweden, Nigeria, India, USA, UK, Switzerland – mostly living in the Zürich area. A very interactive, stimulating group. I hope to…
Why is Cerbonius shown with geese?
Cerbonius was a colourful character. I could describe him as a priest, a refugee, a hermit, a bishop, a bear-tamer, an animal-lover, a miracle-worker. He caused a sensation as a papal visitor, but the Roman Catholic Church later canonised him. I like to remember him for his intimate relationship with God. St. Gregory the Great…
One Comment