Reign and Family of King Ling of ZhouKing Ling of Zhou, born Ji Xiexin, was the twenty-third king of the Zhou dynasty. He reigned as the eleventh king of Eastern Zhou. His reign ended with his death in 545 BC. Notably, Confucius was born in the twenty-first year of King Ling’s reign.King Ling’s successor was…
History
Fleur-de-lis
The fleur-de-lis, often associated with the French monarchy and heraldry, is a stylized design of a lily or iris that has been used in numerous symbols and coats of arms across Europe and beyond. Its name, derived from French, translates to “lily flower,” indicating its original association with purity and chastity, which in Christian symbolism is often linked to the Virgin Mary.
Socrates
Socrates, born around 470 BC in Athens, is a seminal figure in the history of Western philosophy. Despite leaving no written records of his thoughts, his intellectual legacy was preserved through the accounts of his students, notably Plato and Xenophon, and through the works of later philosophers. Socrates’s contributions to philosophy, particularly in ethics and epistemology, have cemented his status as a foundational figure in Western thought.
Homer
Homer, an iconic figure in ancient Greek literature, is traditionally credited with composing the Iliad and the Odyssey, epic poems that have significantly influenced Western culture. Born around the 8th century BC, Homer’s works are among the earliest and most important in Greek literature, embodying the ideals of heroism, honor, and glory.
Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, born on 26 April 121 AD, reigned as Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD. His tenure marked the end of the Pax Romana, an era of relative peace and stability for the Roman Empire that had persisted since 27 BC. A member of the Nerva-Antonine dynasty, he was the last of the rulers traditionally known as the Five Good Emperors. Marcus Aurelius is also celebrated for his contributions to Stoic philosophy, notably through his work “Meditations”.
Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar was born into the patrician gens Julia on 12 July 100 BC. Despite their ancient lineage, the Julii Caesares were not particularly influential in Roman politics during the middle republic. Caesar’s early career was marked by a series of ambitious military and political maneuvers. His marriage to Cornelia, the daughter of Cinna, aligned him with the Populares faction. Following the death of his father in 84 BC, Caesar’s refusal to divorce Cornelia at Sulla’s command marked the beginning of his defiance against the established order.