Musings 4: The Ayes have it

This morning i experienced one of my all time dreams: to vote in an election archaic style! The proctor asked the room to say Aye if they wanted a certain candidate to win. The room was almost unanimous. It was awesome, totally raised my spirits. This ancient from of voting, while less efficient than ballots or held up hands, is incredibly fun. And it makes me feel like I'm in a grand hall. I have no idea why it invokes that emotion but it does. The only way it could have been better in Latin!

This has been the 4th installment in a series of many. Until next time...

Musings 3: Toast

Do you think that people would freak out if Greek gods started showing up on toast? I mean whenever someone goes to the media with a food product that Jesus apparently signed with his face, they go crazy! Its ridiculous, there is no point in going nuts over a coincidence. But since the burnt cheese image of Jesus brings in big bucks maybe the same would apply to Zeus or Venus. Plus I think it would give the religion a huge boost. Conversions have been down since the early 300's.

This has been the 3rd installment in a series of many. Until next time...

Musings 2: Nero definitely couldn't play the Fiddle

This is the second in a series of my Musings. This time I wish to disperse a rumor about one of the most notorious Roman Emperors. Shall we get started?

Nero was not really a people person. He wasn't a family man either. But if there was one thing Nero was good at, it was creating Chaos. He could make even the calmest summer day into a firestorm of nightmarish proportions. But while Nero was great at doing things like killing and arson, he was not a fiddler. There is a popular myth which says that Nero played a fiddle while Rome burned. But Wait! The fiddle wasn't invented until 10th century Europe. So that begs the question: what did Nero play while Rome burned?

Something the think about, well at least for me. Check back soon, you never know what might cross my mind. Until next time...

Musings: Caesar VS the Lion

This is a new feature on Rancor. In these posts, some of the final posts i shall be making, I have decided to share my thoughts and musings with the populace, thus the title. Now, shall we begin?

Caesar is one of the, if not the most, known Roman leaders after the republic was disestablished. He was a masterful fighter and perhaps the greatest general Rome has ever known. But how would Caesar stand up against a lion? The ruler of the savanna, the the most iconic image of royalty. Could the great dictator of Rome possibly wrestle a lion into submission? The answer is undoubtedly yes. With his warrior mentality and years of experience, had Caesar encountered one of these vicious beasts on his travels he could have easily had an intense stare-down, followed by him rushing at the beast Sparta-style, then putting it in a headlock and pinning it to the ground. Of course Caesar would have let the beast go, with both parties realizing the ammount of respect the other deserves.

This has been part one in a series of many. Check back soon, you never know what might cross my mind. Until next time...

Catullus 5 Scanning 5/27

Latin Pratice exam 5/22/09 continued...

Hor 1.1
tollere- 2nd singular present passive infinitive to lift
manet- 3rd singular present active subjunctive of manere to remain.
cohibet- 3rd singular present active indicative of cohibere to contain

Hor 1.11
carpe- 2nd singular present active imperative of carpere to seize
dederint- 3rd plural perfect active subjunctive of dare to give
erit- 3rd singular future active indicative of esse to be
debilitat- 3rd singular present active indicative of debilitare to weaken
fugerit- 3rd singular perfect active subjunctive of fugere to flee

Hor 1.22
eget- 3rd singular present active indicative of egere to need
lambit- 3rd singular present active indicative of lambere to lick
fugit- 3rd singular present active indicative of fugere to flee
generat- 3rd singular present active indicative of generare to beget, father
urget- 3rd singular present active indicative of urgere to urge.

Hor 1.37
libet- 3rd singular present active subjunctive of libere to sip
depromere- 2nd singular present active infinitive to fetch
parabat- 3rd singular imperfect active indicative of parare to prepare
erat- 3rd singular imperfect active indicative of esse to be
conbiberet- 3rd singular imperfect active subjunctive of conbibere to drink completely.

Job
erat-3rd singular imperfect active indicative of esse to be
sunt- 3rd plural present active indicative of esse to be
fuit- 3rd singular perfect active indicative of esse to be
faciebant - 3rd plural imperfect active indicative of facere to make
comederent- 3rd plural imperfect active subjunctive to eat

In Taberna
properamus- 3rd plural present active indicative of properare to hurry
bibunt- 3rd plural present active indicative of bibere to drink
vivunt- 3rd plural present active indicative of vivere to be alive
ludunt- 3rd plural present active indicative of ludere to play
insudamus- 1st plural present active indicative of insudare to sweat

Galileo
fuit- 3rd singular perfect active indicative of esse to be
vindicare- 2nd singular present active infinitive to claim
tutari- 2nd plural present passive infinitive to guard
consecrarunt- 3rd plural perfect active indicative of consecrare to hallow
fecerunt- 3rd http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=7895384902051375952&postID=8596161665529532108plural perfect active indicative of fecere to make

2. Relative clauses

Hor 1.1
si mobilium turba Quiritium

si proprio condidit horreo

ut trabe Cypria Myrtoum

nunc uiridi membra sub arbuto

nunc ad aquae lene caput sacrae.

Hor 1.11
Vt melius quicquid erit pati

Dum loquimur

quam minimum credula postero

scire nefas

quem tibi finem di dederint

Hor 1.22

siue per Syrtis iter aestuosas

siue facturus per inhospitalem

sub curru nimium propinqui

nec Iubae tellus generat

et ultra terminum curis uagor expeditis

Hor 1.37

Nunc est bibendum

nunc pede libero pulsanda tellus

nunc Saliaribus ornare puluinar

ut atrum corpore conbiberet uenenum

Sed minuit furorem

3. Literary divices

1. LVGETE, o Veneres Cupidinesque- Apostrophe
2. o factum male! o miselle passer!- hyperbole
3. deinde centum, dein mille altera, dein secunda centum, deinde usque altera mille,- Anaphora

4. Catullus 3
Mourn, o Venus and Cupid,
And of all the lovely people that exist:
The sparrow is dead my girl,
The sparrow, my delicate girl,
Which you loved more than your own eyes
For he himself was honey-sweet and
Himself as well as a girl’s mother,
But circumstances at one time or point that at another
To the alone mistress constantly chirping:
For now that road has become dark,
From which they refuse to return.
But speak of bad, Dis of the evil darkness,
Who devours all good:
So keep away my good sparrow.
O evil deed! O poor little sparrow!
You my girl now eye the work of
This red swollen fledgling.


5. Hor 1.37
Now we drink, now her feat
are free to beat the ground, now is the time to prepare
a feast for the gods
upon the sacred couch, companion.
Previously ancestral crimes produced the
Wine cellar of Caecubum, while the mad queen
Of the Capitolium prepared the ruin of death
And foul power with a company of sick men,
Whatever you please the weak hope for
Fortune and sweet drunkenness;
But they weaken madness
hardly one ship was safe and sound from the fire,
the chin and from Mareotis frenzied they Caesar willingly drives the fearful men from Actium
their oars pressing hard, the hawk just as
the dove is gentle or the hare is swift from the hunter
on the snowy plains of Thessaly, give so that the deadly monster is chained,
who nobly perished neither like a woman being frightened of the look of a sword,
nor hidden to recover from politics on a swift shore,
and look at the ruin in the face of the stern king,
strong and fierce he who handles the serpent,
that he drinks up that black poison of the body,
he deliberately brings on death:
rage for your private warship surly envies you as it is lead away
beyond this non human woman’s triumph.

Latin Pratice exam 5/22/09

1. Cat 1
dono- 1st person singular present active indicative of donere to give
solebas- 2nd singular imperfect active indicative of solere to become accustomed to
habe- 2nd http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=7895384902051375952singular present active imperative of habere to have
maneat- 3rd sinular present active subjunctive of manere to remain


Cat 2
solet- 3rd singular present active indicative of solere to become accustomed to
lubet- 3rd singular present active indicative of lubere to be pleasng
possem- 1st singular imperfect active subjunctive of posse to be able
curas- 2nd singular present active indicative of curare to take care of


Cat 3
lugete- 2nd plural present active imperative of lugere to mourn
amabat- 3rd singular imperfect active indicative of amare to love
mouebat- 3rd singular imperfect active indicative of mouere to move
pipiabat- 3rd singular imperfect active indicative of pipiare to chirp
negant- 3rd plural present active indicative of negare to deny

Cat 5
vivamus- 1st plural present active subjunctive of vivere to live
amemus- 1st plural present active subjunctive of amare to love
aestimemus- 1st plural present active subjunctive of aestimare to value
possunt- 3rd plural present active indicative of posse to be able
occidit- 3rd singular present active indicative of occidere to fall

Cat 64
dicuntur- 3rd plural present passive indicative of dicere to talk
viderunt- 3rd plural perfect active indicative of videre to see
proscidit- 3rd singular perfect active indicative of proscindere to cut
imbuit - 3rd singular perfect active indicative of imbuere to soak
fertur- 3rd singular present passive indicative of ferre to bring

Hor 1.1
sunt- 3rd plural present active indicative of esse to be
uerritur- 3rd singular present passive indicative of verrere to sweep clean

Horace Ablative Quiz 5/22/09

de Libycis- Ablative of place
et dulce- ablative of manner
euitata- ablative of separation
honoribus- ablative of absolute
agros Attalicis condicionibus- ablative of instrument
dis miscent superis- ablative of manner
et lituo tubae- ablative of instrument
de die spernit- ablative of manner
ad aquae lene caput sacrae- ablative of manner
et oppidi laudat- ablative of manner
euehit ad deos- ablative of manner
est catulis cerua fidelibus- ablative of manner

Ablative Cases from Horace

de Libycis- Ablative of place

et dulce- ablative of manner

euitata- ablative of separation

honoribus- ablative of absolute

agros Attalicis condicionibus- ablative of instrument

Pratice Final Exam 5/18/09

Latin final exam practice
Finish for homework due Mon
1. Parse each verb in Cat. 1, 2, 3, 5.

2. Translate: Horace 1.11

3. Translate: Job 1

4. Parse each verb in first paragraph of Heloise to Abelard.

5. Choose and translate one paragraph from Galileo.

Essay: Compare and contrast the use of mythological imagery in three poems by Catullus to three poems by Horace. You must cite the Latin (and translate your citations) at least six times for each poet.
Catullus 1
Dono- 1st person singular present active indicatie of donere to present
Putare- 3rd person singular present active infinitive of putare to think
Explicare- 2nd person singular present active infinitive of explicare to unfold
Habe- 2nd person singular present active imperative of habere to hold
Maneat- 3rd person singular present active indicative of maneo to remain
Catullus 2
Ludere- 3rd person singular present active infinitive to praise
Tenere- 3rd person singular present passive infinitive to hold
Dare- 2nd person singular present active infinitive to give
Solet- 3rd person singular present active indicative of soleo to be in the habit of
Incitavere- 3rd person plural perfect active infinitive of incite to enrage
Ludere- 2nd person singular present active infinitive to play
Possem- 1st person singular imperfect active subjunctive of posse to be able
Levare- 2nd person singular present active infinitive to lift.
Catullus 3
Amabat- 3rd person singular imperfect active indicative of amare to love
Mouebat- 3rd person singular imperfect active indicative of movere to move
Pipiabat- 3rd person singular imperfect active indicative of pipiare to pipe
Negant- 3rd plural present active indicative of negare to deny
Rubent- 3rd plural present active indicative of rubere to be red

Catullus 5
Vivamus- 1st plural present active subjunctive of vivere to live
Amemus- 1st plural present active subjunctive of amare to love
Aestimemus- 1st plural present active subjunctive of aestimare to value
Occidere- 2nd singular present active infinitive to fall
Possunt- 3rd plural present active indicative if posse to be able
Da- 2nd singular present active imperative of dare to give
Fecerimus- 1st plural perfect active subjunctive of facere to make
Conturbabimus- 1st plural future active indicative of conturbare to confuse
Inuidere- 2nd singular present active infinitive to envy.

Horace 1.11
Truly you that (knows of sin), who I, that you
Gave up boundaries, Leuconoe, not the Babylonian
Who tempt with numbers. That evil, which is, suffers!
Many storms, which are finally assigned to Jupiter,
Which now oppose to the evil of weakening the pumice stone,
Tyrrhenian; have haste, strain wine and our time is short
And long restrained. Speak, hateful time having fled
Seize the day, which is small with such a credulous future.

JOB 1
There lived a man in the land of Hus named Job and he was a simple and righteous man and fearful of God and receded from evil, he had seven sons and three daughters, and in his possessions he had seven thousand sheep and three thousand camels five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys and many things in his house and he was the greatest man of the east, and his sons made banquets in their houses on a day and they sent word to the three daughters that they may eat and drink there, it was on one of these days they sent for Job and the sacrifice to take and offer in holocaust for the single speaking to take to offer to God in accordance and so Job made the journey that day, however on that day God looked down at Job and his sons when God was approached by Satan. God saying, “from whence have you come?” he responded, “walking about and circling the earth.” And God said, “Have you considered my servant Job who sins not and is the most simple and humble and fearful of God man in the land and recedes from evil? Satan responded, “Job respects God because he fears God. See all the good things in the universe he possesses which make him praise your name, but extend your palm less and he shall be good no longer and curse you.” So God said to Satan, “You have permission to take from him all he has in the world but spare his health and so I extend my palm less.” So Satan left God. However during this day his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of the first son, when a messenger came to Job saying that the ox and donkeys were stolen and that all the shepards had been slain by the sword by Sabi and none but he had survived, then another came to Job saying the Chalderi made off with the camels and sheep and none had survived but he, when Job saw this sons and daughters dining in the home of the oldest son, then a great desert wind came in and pushed on the four walls of the house and broke them killing all those inside. Now Job fell to his knees and ripped his robes and tore at his hair in grief, and he cried out to God in sadness and wondered why God byt Job did not curse the name of God.


4. A and H
Legere- 2nd singular present active infinitive to read, gather
Perdidi- 1st singular perfect active indicative of perdere to ruin
Referebant- 3rd plural imperfect active indicative of referre to carry back


5. Galileo
Magna equidem in hac exigua tractatione singulis de natura speculantibus inspicienda contemplandaque propono. Magna, inquam, tum ob rei ipsius prêstantiam, tum ob inauditam per êvum novitatem, tum etiam propter Organum, cuius beneficio eadem sensui nostro obviam sese fecerunt.
Truly a great purpose in this small treatment each from nature is watched, observed, and inspected. Great, however, for the excellence of the affair, moreover the newness of this is unheard, now too on account of the instrument, that we make the same good in our own way.

Mythology By Catullus and Horace
There is no dispute that Catullus and Horace are two of the greatest writers of Antiquity. But how do they fare when put against each other? Now the subtle nuances of each can be debated forever but one aspect of both writings is the use of mythology. How do both Horace and Catullus use mythology and who uses it better? This is a query that can be answered. Catullus is the poet who has mastered the use of mythology for he connects the reader to the tale as well as the deeper meaning he infers through it.
To begin this look into ancient writing, it is best to start with the weaker of the two opponents. Horace is a master of epic poetry. Now, one would think this skill would help him with the use if mythology but his skills seem to do nothing to aid him. But his use of mythology is still present. Horace incorporates a myth about the underworld in Ode 4.7 mentioning, “infernis neque enim tenebris Diana pudicum liberat Hippolytum,” While the reference deals with a dark part of the story there seems to be nothing more to it. He goes on to write, “nec Lethaea valet Theseus abrumpere caro vincula Pirithoo.” In the same poem he mentions a famous king, “splendid Minos fecerit arbitria,” These citing of mythology are clever ways to connect an audience to something familiar but there is really nothing beyond. Horace also makes use of the underworld in Ode 2.14. He writes, “flumine languid Cocytos,” He also writes, “ Danai genus infame damnatusque,” Although powerful, these allusions do little to intensify the deeper meaning of the piece. Finally in Ode 1.24 Horace makes a valiant effort to spice up a piece. He writes, “blandius Orpheo,” Also he says, “ compulerit Mercurius gregi?” While it was well attempted Horace fails a third and final time to impress on the reader, through the mythology, his true point.
Catullus has become a somewhat infamous figure within some scholarly circles. But he uses mythological references with such ease and care that it is almost immediately identifiable his meaning. In A Little Wedding Epic, Catullus shows his skill with mythology. Within he writes, “ mortales oculis nudato corpora Nymphas.” Here he sets the scene for the world in which the tale takes place. He also writes, “Thetis Peleus incensus fertur amore,” This introduces the lovers who start the journey in the story and represent a loving couple, something Catullus wants himself to be a part of. He goes on to write, “Cecropiam solitam esse dapem dare Minotauro.” Here he introduces the first great challenge for Theseus. He goes on saying, “Theseus pro caris corpus Athenis,” Also, “ad Minoa venit sedesque superbas.” Through these Catullus shows how he blends mythology with the rest of the story. Also he writes, “liquidas Neptuni… ad fluctus et fines Aeeteos,” Through all these allusions Catullus shows that he can use different aspects from mythology to make a story better and more captivating.
While Catullus and Horace are both very strong and well known writers, the strengths of each are no the same. Horace is an epic writer. He tells stories of great battles and heroes. But he lacks the skill to blend classic mythology with modern Roman culture. Catullus was a writer of love and passion. But he was able to take that passion and fuse it with mythology to add a depth to his writings that is scarce in the world. While both are great men and writers, Catullus had the talent and the passion to work mythology successfully into his poems.

Galileo Galilei Translation test 5/13/09

Recent observations through the glass I have learned new things about the appearance of the moon, the milky white heavenly body circles and, the innumerable fixtures, the four planets called constellations, at no time visible until now, secure and announced.
Truly a great purpose in this small treatment each from nature is watched, observed, and inspected. Great, however, for the excellence of the affair, moreover the newness of this is unheard, now too on account of the instrument, that we make the same good in our own way.
The great sane exists, above the multitude of fixed stars, and the natural skill in this day is able to have the appearance, another innumerable adds over and set forth from the presence of the eye, never before this time has it been visible, and the ancients observed this much above others.
Beautiful and pleasurable is seeing thus, the body of the moon, through almost 6 by 10 each in diameter the heavenly body is far off, so we look at the neighbor, and if through two of such size stand apart they give dimension, approach that it gives the moon a quasi shape diameter on three by ten scale, the upper part in reality is not snow, however it is a solid body change whose nearest neighbor is twenty-seven thousand, appearing great, that is the eye observing the size sharply in a restrained way, from this then the intelligent certainly realize, that the top of the moon is not smooth and by no means polished or covered, but is uneven and rough, for, just as the earth is made, huge swells, a deep pit and appears bent from crowding.
Contention thrown in about the Galaxy, and Milky Way are circulating, this makes up the essence and sense, of less understanding, making visible, appearing important with little value seen and the stars above nature, one nebulous astronomers thus far call real, a finger reveals it, another who is credited to this, is pleasant and peaceful.
Truth, which has long been admired above all else, admonished to remind all astronomers and philosophers to drive to the highest degree, that is, because the four roving stars, spin for known or observed, devised from this, around the great star the manifest add up once familiarized, the counterpart seeks and Mercury travels around the sun, they hold for a period, and the method used, follows the method, never outside the fixed path does it divert. And all power contrives the glass, the divine leading with goodness, since the increase of the day, discovery and watching.
Another by chance I came upon, or for me, or to another, in a day I devised similar good mechanical devices, which were formed and prepared, and also those devised were by chance, I recall leading briefly, then I examined an observation to have for all of history.
The months since then has been almost ten, the rumor about the protest at hearing it, being exerted through the glass a position, which exposes the visible good, although by eye it was examined from far off and scattered, just as the separating were near distinguishable, this made an admirable effect to a number of experiments being carried on, such faith made another, refusing another. Only after a small day my letters for a noble Gallus Icabcus Badovere from Paris was confirmed, because at last for my cause, so that the account to examine my grounds, nor think of the middle, for a similar device came to invention, my whole cause, which after a little, the teaching from rested on refraction, thus, and the triumph of the first was dull but I prepared, in this extreme I made two glasses, both from another part of the level, from another arch came the true sphere, another true adapting pit, the eye then to the pit brought forth the objects enough to be great and drew near to look at, tripling the neighbor, the great fact was apparent, observing only the natural sharpness. Another later elaborated on my exactness, representing the great thrown objects anywhere.
Finally, the labor of none and no one spared cost, I came to be, that the instrument I constructed was so excellent, that the thing appeared to be a major seeing times a thousand, and in any for the three by ten accounts for the neighbor, which at last I watched from the greatness of nature. This instrument, because of how great a convenience it was, the thing for the maritime or land, entirely unnecessary to be counted upon. But, the mass of earth, to the heavens I discussed and brought together while watching, and the moon ahead from the relative which is considered, and if only for two diameters of earth were absent.
After this, the stars then unwavering, then wandering, the incredible mind watches the often charmed, at the time this great crowd saw, from the account, that the gap was measurable, I began to think, and the community learned. From this single thing it was fitting to be foreworn, to his method of observation I wished to approach. First it was inevitable, that the glasses would appear to be flat nosed and accurate, because the charge was transparent, distinct and not representing a gloomy cover, and the same to less the second four hundred repeat account, indeed this neighbor points out, advancing greatly in equipment, all and we observe in the chisel, they count up below me, though I handle it in vain.
That however from the multiplying instrument which pleases the little troubles which return to be fixed, the orbit by two or the square by two is made of paper and delays me, that another four hundred appear a second time, however then they are, while the great diameter to the other diameter’s longitude is closely related, then the surface of both walls are the same and long observed, reduce the second eye of the spectacles to bring things up, truly the great eye of the glasses should be unrestricted, the standard came about and is permitted alone for the time, both the eyes are wide open, then the figure being apparent in size is given, if the instrument is increased a second time the desired proportion grows. Like the prepared instrument, from the examined account distance measured out, because such art must be pursued.

New catullus 2

Catullus 2
Sparrow, the darling of my girl,
Who on each occasion she praises, who she holds in her lap,
Who gives attack to her first finger
And is accustomed to bit sharply,
When I desire your attention above all
You care for the little thing
And small consideration for my pain,
Lend then the heavy brightness to lie with me,
That you will be able to play with me as you do it
And alleviate all my pains.

Laudere- 3rd person, singular, present active infinitive, to play
Leuare- 3rd person, singular present active infinitive, to undo
Curas- 3rd person singular present active indicative

New Catullus 1 translation

To whom do I give this new charming little book
Which has just been polished smooth by the stone?
Cornelius Nepos; you, for you are in the habit
Of thinking to some extent that I am nonsense
Now then, when you intend alone to Italy
All Unfolds in time of generations of the learned maps,
Jupiter, and his labor.
Therefore you have this little book
And to what condition, that, I remain alone
Perpetual throughout the ages by the protectress of maidens.

SSALP- Star Trek edition.

That's right Trekkies the new Star Trek movie comes out today for as a special present for all you seeing the film today, like myself, here is a special Star Trek themed edition of SSALP!

Ad eundum quo nemo ante iit.
To boldly go where no man has gone before.

Orbes Volantes Exstare.
Flying saucers are real.

Me transmitte sursum, caledoni
Beam me up, Scotty

Enjoy these Tiny bits of Latin Trekinesss. As for me, I'm off to purge the galaxy of Klingons. Until next time...

A letter from Heloise to Abelard translation

God, indeed the father, indeed the brother, his slave girl, indeed the sister, his wife, indeed the sister, disapprove the wedlock of Abelard and Heloise.
This letter sent to comfort a friend, my beloved, your to chance brought to me. From one distinction your brow is examined, so great with burning that it seized me and willed me to write to you beloved, so that which destroyed our affair in word and dace at least he restored the image. They, remember, this letter to speak to each wild bite and plump wormwood, and they certainly turn upside down our wretched and your, once, they gave back the constant cross.
In completing the letter that in the beginning we were friends of promise, so that one may see in comparison your reflect no trouble even a little, where indeed you put forth before masters your sight, then in my body the highest betrayal occurred, to the other students your sight evidently about Alberici of Remensis and the accused Lotulfi Lumbardi hates and discusses the damage excessively. That indeed suggests anyone from that glorious theology of yours works, which from you as if in prison, to the abbot you fraternize and approach the deceiving machine and the removal that agitated the heavy importance you played, and the temptation multiplied and provided from the name of the orator beyond imposed experience. Finally unable to endure that and till now continuous in certainly cruel expulsions, and the worst, that the name of the son, makes a monk, brings to perfection the wretched story.
And while nobody’s eyes are dry who is able to hear gather, so great my pain is beyond to renew every careful squeeze, and the wise increase and give back in such, so that each make ready life from their collective despair, and every day thus far the rumors of your death reach me I tremble for our heart and await your beating heart. Through therefore that thus entreating Christ is our only manner of protection, to what point does a slave girl and your thick letters from this in that certified shipwreck deem dignified, so that we al least, and you become accustomed to staying behind, even sharing in having an everlasting anguish.

Abélard and Héloïse: A match made in heaven

Abelard, a medieval scholastic philosopher and theologian of the middle ages, had a very well known affair with a woman named Heloise. at the time they both lived in Notre-Dame. She lived with her uncle the canon Fulbert. Under the guise of seeking shelter, Abelard took a residence in the house of Fulbert and seduced Heloise. Abelard boasted of his conquest of Heloise and when Fulbert found out they were separated but they continued to meet in secret. Soon Heloise became pregnant and went off to Brittany to give birth to Astrolabe, their son.

To satisfy Fulbert, Abelard proposed a secret marriage to Heloise. She was initally against it but they still married. But Fulbert publically disclosed the marriage and Heloise left to join the convent of Argenteuil at Abelard's asking. Believing that he wanted nothing to do with his niece,Fulbert had Abelard castrated, ending his career. Heloise was forced to spend the rest of her days as a nun.

The two exchanged letters during their affair, and a set of 113 correspondence's were found in a fifteenth century manuscript that seem to be from the early stage of the relationship.

Newton- Its a wonderful Life

Born: January 4, 1643 in Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth in the county of Lincolnshire.
He got his education at The King's School, Grantham until 1659. In 1661, he was admitted to Trinity College, Cambridge. He graduated in 1665 and went to Cambridge in 1667. Newton also developed infinitesimal calculus parallel to a college named Leibniz. The argument about its true creator lasted until the death of Leibniz. In 1669 Newton was elected Lucasian Professor of Mathematics for his discoveries. Newton's greatest work was the Principia, in which he describes the force of gravity. He became universally know for this work. Newton continued to write up until his death in London on March 31, 1727.

Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica -mathematical principles of natural philosophy

The book states all of Newton's laws of motion, his theory of gravitation and a derivation of Kepler's laws for the motion of the planets.