The Knights of the Round Table are part of the legends surrounding Camelot and King Arthur. The legends at the time were meant to give the citizens of Britain a moral code to live by, and inspiration to become brave and gentle warriors. The stories succeeded in creating a romantic view of war and knighthood. The Knights of the Round Table were the knights whose bravery had led them to the highest promotions. Some stories put the number as low as 12, and some cited over 150. The table itself was round to signify that King Arthur viewed the knights as equal.
In those days, chivalry was the most valued trait that you could look for in a person. Therefore the Knights of the Round Table were always the best example of what every man should strive to be. According to legend, there was a very strict code that they all had to live by. It included things such as loyalty to the king, respect to women, and not being overcome with greed for worldly goods. They were good rules back then, and they still bring up images of men who have their priorities set truly straight. These stories were told to children of the time in order to teach them morals.
There were many different authors that contributed to the overall legacy of the knights who resided in Camelot, but most of them built upon the previous ones. Therefore, the round table and its occupants show up quite a bit. Every time a quest needs done or a citizen needs saved, the Knights of the Round Table were able to save the day. This seems to be a romantic idea for almost anyone who hears it, and this is probably part of the reason why the stories have survived so long and have been told so many times.
While the Knights of the Round Table might be a legend that is hundreds of years old, you will still find references very prevalent today. There have been many movies based on the stories, as well as modern story adaptations. If you want to find out about some of the adventures that they became so famed for, you can get huge tomes from the library that contain modern-day interpretations of the old poems and legends.
Monday, March 19, 2007
The Iron Age: The Birth of Modern Tools
The Iron Age refers to the period of time in which humans began to use iron and other metals to shape tools and weapons. Oddly, the Iron Age also ushered in other major changes in societies, and saw the birth of civilization that we can identify with. It was when many religious beliefs and artistic styles began to emerge that have stuck around since that time. On each continent, the Iron Age occurred at a different time, consisted of different changes, and brought in different things. Here I will examine the Iron Age as experienced by each of the populated continents of the time.
Many people mistakenly think that the Iron Age ushered in the usage of advanced tools made of metal. On the contrary, humans had been using tools made of bronze for quite some time. The Iron Age is a term used to describe when technology progressed past a certain point. Iron takes a higher level of craftsmanship and more heat to melt it and craft it, so it wasn’t as easy to make iron tools as it was to make bronze tools. It took more efforts from not only the crafters, but also those who were tasked with mining the iron.
The new widespread use of iron led to changes in almost every area of life. Weapons become much more advanced as strong armor, swords, and catapults could be built. This is when the first huge impressions started to be made upon the world. The Romans were able to build their aqueducts to supply entire towns with fresh water. Huge structures began to be built with more modern construction techniques that have allowed for the buildings to survive to this day (perhaps not in their full original condition, though).
If you decide to do any further reading on the iron age, you are almost sure to be astounded by some of the leaps and bounds that were made by mankind at that time. You can find entire books telling about the different regions of the world and what sort of things they contributed to the technological advances. This was a time in history when everything was changing rapidly, and it is interesting to look back and see it. You may even get some insights into what is happening today, and how we will view our new technological advances in the future.
Many people mistakenly think that the Iron Age ushered in the usage of advanced tools made of metal. On the contrary, humans had been using tools made of bronze for quite some time. The Iron Age is a term used to describe when technology progressed past a certain point. Iron takes a higher level of craftsmanship and more heat to melt it and craft it, so it wasn’t as easy to make iron tools as it was to make bronze tools. It took more efforts from not only the crafters, but also those who were tasked with mining the iron.
The new widespread use of iron led to changes in almost every area of life. Weapons become much more advanced as strong armor, swords, and catapults could be built. This is when the first huge impressions started to be made upon the world. The Romans were able to build their aqueducts to supply entire towns with fresh water. Huge structures began to be built with more modern construction techniques that have allowed for the buildings to survive to this day (perhaps not in their full original condition, though).
If you decide to do any further reading on the iron age, you are almost sure to be astounded by some of the leaps and bounds that were made by mankind at that time. You can find entire books telling about the different regions of the world and what sort of things they contributed to the technological advances. This was a time in history when everything was changing rapidly, and it is interesting to look back and see it. You may even get some insights into what is happening today, and how we will view our new technological advances in the future.
The Holy Grail: What’s the Big Deal?
TThe Holy Grail has been the subject of stories and legends for almost 1000 years. It is said to be the cup (or dish) that Jesus used at the dinner on the eve of his death. The cup was used to start the tradition of communion that has gone down through Christian history and is still used today. In many tales separate from the beliefs of Christianity, it is said to possess magical powers which can be transferred to those who drink from it. In the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, the Holy Grail is sometimes the subject of their adventures.
Shortly after the events for which the grail is so famous, few people placed any importance in it. It wasn’t until many years later that people began to be enthralled by the grail. Sometime around the year 1180, author Chrétien de Troyes referred to the grail in a poem. Many view this as the beginning of the Holy Grail’s huge legacy in literature. Since then, it has been referred to hundreds of times, including many modern retellings. If you are a movie fan, you will remember entire plotlines based around it, such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade or Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
There is little factual evidence of the existence of the Holy Grail, or anything of that nature. The chances of an actual cup or dish surviving for so long seems very unlikely, unless it was purposely preserved. And since it didn’t become such a phenomenon for another 1000 years, it is unlikely that this is the case. However, there are many people who believe that someone might have preserved the grail in a secret place (hence all of the treasure hunting missions set upon by people intent on finding it).
No matter what the true state of the Holy Grail is today, you can still enjoy the legends and stories surrounding it. It is one of the most notoriously sought items in the history of the world, and has been written about and theorized about by some of the most influential writers. So if you feel like reading some interesting literature and learning about where the legacy of the Holy Grail came from, head to your local library today and find out what they have to offer in the way of Holy Grail stories.
Shortly after the events for which the grail is so famous, few people placed any importance in it. It wasn’t until many years later that people began to be enthralled by the grail. Sometime around the year 1180, author Chrétien de Troyes referred to the grail in a poem. Many view this as the beginning of the Holy Grail’s huge legacy in literature. Since then, it has been referred to hundreds of times, including many modern retellings. If you are a movie fan, you will remember entire plotlines based around it, such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade or Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
There is little factual evidence of the existence of the Holy Grail, or anything of that nature. The chances of an actual cup or dish surviving for so long seems very unlikely, unless it was purposely preserved. And since it didn’t become such a phenomenon for another 1000 years, it is unlikely that this is the case. However, there are many people who believe that someone might have preserved the grail in a secret place (hence all of the treasure hunting missions set upon by people intent on finding it).
No matter what the true state of the Holy Grail is today, you can still enjoy the legends and stories surrounding it. It is one of the most notoriously sought items in the history of the world, and has been written about and theorized about by some of the most influential writers. So if you feel like reading some interesting literature and learning about where the legacy of the Holy Grail came from, head to your local library today and find out what they have to offer in the way of Holy Grail stories.
The Legendary King Arthur
King Arthur is a fictional king who has been the center character of many legends throughout the history of England. He is meant to represent ideal leadership, and all the traits that a knight should have. He is brave, chivalrous, and wise in everything he does. This was the romantic idea of the age, and something that all parents tried to raise their kids with by telling them the tales of the heroic King Arthur. If you are not familiar with some of the legends of King Arthur, read on. You can find out about some of the heroic stories that originated over 1000 years ago.
The legacy of King Arther has been passed from writer to writer over the years. However, the main concept has still stayed the same. The stories have several different themes that they can follow. Arthur is first renowned as a great leader in times of battle. Therefore, a good number of stories revolve around him leading his army of brave and chivalrous soldiers into battle against the horrible enemies. The end result is to vanquish the land of the evildoers and restore peace to Camelot. Usually the Knights of the Round Table play a big role in these tales.
Other stories involve King Arthur displaying his seemingly infinite wisdom. The citizens of Camelot will be faced with some sort of conflict that seems as though it is impossible to resolve. King Arthur will not only calm down both parties, but will propose an answer to the problem that somehow satisfies both people completely. So he not only acts as the brave leader that can handle large scale battles, but he also acts as a mediator for smaller and more local problems. He is definitely a well rounded man who works well under pressure.
If you want to read for yourself some of the stories that first spawned the legends of King Arthur, you will probably be able to find them at your local library. The originals are a series of legends known as the Matter of Britain. It is not recommended that you read these because of the older style of language. However, there have been many modern adaptations or translations of the originals that are much more accessible to a regular person. Look for these, and find out what exactly made King Arthur the most popular legend of all time.
The legacy of King Arther has been passed from writer to writer over the years. However, the main concept has still stayed the same. The stories have several different themes that they can follow. Arthur is first renowned as a great leader in times of battle. Therefore, a good number of stories revolve around him leading his army of brave and chivalrous soldiers into battle against the horrible enemies. The end result is to vanquish the land of the evildoers and restore peace to Camelot. Usually the Knights of the Round Table play a big role in these tales.
Other stories involve King Arthur displaying his seemingly infinite wisdom. The citizens of Camelot will be faced with some sort of conflict that seems as though it is impossible to resolve. King Arthur will not only calm down both parties, but will propose an answer to the problem that somehow satisfies both people completely. So he not only acts as the brave leader that can handle large scale battles, but he also acts as a mediator for smaller and more local problems. He is definitely a well rounded man who works well under pressure.
If you want to read for yourself some of the stories that first spawned the legends of King Arthur, you will probably be able to find them at your local library. The originals are a series of legends known as the Matter of Britain. It is not recommended that you read these because of the older style of language. However, there have been many modern adaptations or translations of the originals that are much more accessible to a regular person. Look for these, and find out what exactly made King Arthur the most popular legend of all time.
The Legend of Camelot
Camelot refers to the castle and city that was said to be the residing place of King Arthur, and the capital city of the land which he governed. It is assumed to be fictitious since it only appears in the legends of King Arthur. It has appeared in many early stories and poems, some dating back as far as the 12th century. It is said that it was one of the grandest cities of its time, encompassed by a giant wall and home to the castle at which
King Arthur resided when he wasn't off on his grand adventures. It was also the home of the round table and the brave knights who surrounded it.
The Knights of the Round Table were the highest order of knights in the court of Arthur. The table was created without head or foot to signify equality between al of the members. Different stories have had different amounts of knights, but some of the most well known are Sir Bedivere, Sir Gawain, and Sir Lancelot. Sir Lancelot was known as one of Arthur’s best and well trusted knights, but eventually played a part in the downfall of Arthur when he had an affair with Arthur’s wife.
The legend of Camelot, King Arthur, and the Knights of the Round Table have provided storytellers and artists inspiration for thousands of years. Camelot is one of the most famous castles in Arthurian legends, and by the 1200’s it had come to be the center of the legends. Camelot is also said to be the starting point for the quest of the Holy Grail, in which Arthur and the nights of the round table searched for the grail that Christ used in the final supper. This is only one of Arthur’s famed adventures that take place in the legends of Camelot.
In 1999 a stone was found in an excavation on the island of Tintagle, which is supposedly where Arthur was born, that had the name “Artognov” on it. Could this be evidence of Arthur’s existence, or just coincidence? One legend states that Arthur became king by drawing the sword of destiny from a stone which had been placed there to determine who would become king. Arthur is also later given a sword by the lady of the lake, which has always been known as the mystic sword Excalibur.
King Arthur resided when he wasn't off on his grand adventures. It was also the home of the round table and the brave knights who surrounded it.
The Knights of the Round Table were the highest order of knights in the court of Arthur. The table was created without head or foot to signify equality between al of the members. Different stories have had different amounts of knights, but some of the most well known are Sir Bedivere, Sir Gawain, and Sir Lancelot. Sir Lancelot was known as one of Arthur’s best and well trusted knights, but eventually played a part in the downfall of Arthur when he had an affair with Arthur’s wife.
The legend of Camelot, King Arthur, and the Knights of the Round Table have provided storytellers and artists inspiration for thousands of years. Camelot is one of the most famous castles in Arthurian legends, and by the 1200’s it had come to be the center of the legends. Camelot is also said to be the starting point for the quest of the Holy Grail, in which Arthur and the nights of the round table searched for the grail that Christ used in the final supper. This is only one of Arthur’s famed adventures that take place in the legends of Camelot.
In 1999 a stone was found in an excavation on the island of Tintagle, which is supposedly where Arthur was born, that had the name “Artognov” on it. Could this be evidence of Arthur’s existence, or just coincidence? One legend states that Arthur became king by drawing the sword of destiny from a stone which had been placed there to determine who would become king. Arthur is also later given a sword by the lady of the lake, which has always been known as the mystic sword Excalibur.
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