24 iulie 2008

Questions?

Does anyone have a question?

Because I have an answer.

17 iulie 2008

Quantum Physics Explained For Everyone's IQ

Once Upon A Time...


Two thousand years ago Roman Emperor Hadrian built what we know today as Hadrian's Wall, a fortification meant to defend Britannia against Picts (ancient Scots) attacks. Among those who built and guarded the structure were several units of Dacian soldiers. Those 1,000 Dacians were part of the first wave of Roman settlers who civilised the actual England.

What was their contribution to the future Britain? Well, firstly, the English word dagger comes from daca, a Dacian knife, and it also may be related with the medieval Romanian word daga, a kind of knife with three blades, used only for assassination.

Then, the sica. Sica was the weapon of choice of the Dacians, and can be seen all over Trajan's Column in their hands. It was originally depicted as a curved sword, with a blade about 16-18 inches long. Roman Emperor Trajan built the column to celebrate his victory against his most fierceful adversay, the Dacian King Decebal. Anyway, the sica became sickle in English.


And lastly, but most importantly, the draco. A draco was a military standard (flag) borne by a draconarius. Originated with the Dacians, it took the form of a gaping dragon's head and mouth formed from cast metal, to the end of which was attached a 'body' of cloth or silk fabric in the form of a windsock. When charging, the body would billow out behind the head. It is also thought that the draco was sometimes fitted with a whistle of some form, since there are descriptions of it making a howling sound when borne into battle. Sounds familiar? What other armies borrowed this flag in the Middle Ages?


So, my ancestors were among those who brought civilization to the savage tribes of barbarians that inhabited the actual British territory. Unfortunately their influence was not strong enough to remain in the history books...

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