Author: Martini Fisher

Martini Fisher is an author and Ancient Historian. Her credits include "Time Maps," co-written with Dr. R.K Fisher, analyzing the world from the very beginning, examining theories of evolution and other beliefs on the subject, before discussing Biological Evolution in details.
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Love and Marriage of Berenice, the Youthful Queen of Cyrene

Shortly after his marriage, the King received word of imminent danger to his sister. In return for his safety as his marched to Syria to save his sister’s life, his loving wife promised to sacrifice a lock of her hair in return for his safety. Upon his return from the campaign, a lock of hair from the Queen’s head was cut and dedicated to the gods, only to disappear by the following day. Later, the court astronomer Conon then announced that he had discovered the lock in the night. To this day, the constellation is called Coma Berenices (“Berenice’s Lock”).

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Teuta, Roman Envoys and the Ancient Retellings of the Adventure of the Pirate Queen

Teuta acted as a regent for her step-son after King Agron’s death and rose to the Ardiaean throne. Teuta proceeded to continue her husband’s expansionist aspirations. However, Teuta’s most feared forces, probably even more than her powerful navy, were the Illyrian pirates. It was also the Illyrian pirates which would be the cause of her downfall.

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Veleda and the Ancient Germanic Seers

The Batavi surrendered to Roman rule following a defeat in 77 AD. However, this time they were made to accept humiliating terms and endure a legion being stationed permanently on their territory, at Noviomagus (modern day Nijmegen, The Netherlands). Despite the ultimate victory of the Romans, the Batavi’s early successes were notable. In fact, their victories over the Roman legions were predicted by Veleda, a seer who was worshiped as a deity by the majority of the tribes in central Germany during the latter half of the first century AD.

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The Rise of Thea Musa, the Divine Queen of the Parthians

The Parthians’ victory over Roman General Marcus Licinius Crassus at Carrhae in 53 BC was a significant event in Rome-Parthia relations, leading to Rome’s obsession with restoring its reputation. Emperor Augustus achieved this by compelling the Parthians to return the spoils and standards of three Roman armies, a triumph heavily used in imperial propaganda. In 20 BC, Augustus returned a Parthian prince and gifted an Italian slave-girl. This unusual act, possibly aimed at gathering intelligence or influencing the Parthian King, led to the slave-girl, Musa, becoming queen.

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Ancient History of Dream Interpretation

Early civilizations had a variety of ideas about what dreams were, but they always seemed to place a high value on them. Dreams were regarded as an especially important way of receiving messages from the world of power and spirit, from the gods and other powerful beings. Dream interpretation was the responsibility of those with experience in such things in these groups such as tribal elders, matriarchs and patriarchs of the family or community, priests and shamans.

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Cicero: Orator, Family Man

In modern times, Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 – 43 BC) is remembered as the greatest Roman orator. A prolific thinker, his writings include books on rhetoric, orations, philosophical and political treatises, as well as letters. Although more than 900 of his correspondence between 67 and 43 BC survive, this is only a very small portion of the letters that he wrote and received. Many of his letters did not survive, and many others were, perhaps understandably, suppressed for political reasons after his death.

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Whispers of Witchcraft: Antonina and the Byzantine General’s Destiny

Flavius Belisarius (500 – 565 AD) personified the perfect example of what a general of a powerful empire ought to have been. He was almost invincible in battle as he restored the influence of the Byzantine Empire in North Africa and Italy during the reign of the 6th century Emperor Justinian I, who reigned from 527 to 565 AD. As a man, Belisarius also cut an impressive figure as he was dashing, energetic, decisive and resourceful. However, like many powerful men before and after him, Belisarius’ one weakness had the sway to destroy men and ruin empires. His Achilles’ heel was none other than his wife, Antonina.

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Navigating Ancient Political Waters: From Riverbanks to Roman Streets

In the ancient world, the early distribution of political power was dictated by the availability of fresh water, fertile soil and a temperate climate, all of which were important for the development of organized societies. This greatly clarified the object of politics at the time which was to define boundaries. Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia were able to equip their large rivers with irrigation systems that allowed higher agricultural productivity and thus sustained surpluses and population growth. The Mesopotamians even innovated the first laws.

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Ganesha: Legendary Remover of Obstacles

Ganesha is one of the most distinctive Hindu deities. His role is to remove obstacles and ensure success as well as creating obstructions for those whose ambition has become destructive. He is also the patron of travelers, students, commerce and new endeavors. Traditionally, all sessions of bhajan (devotional chanting) begin with an invocation of Ganesha with incantations such as Aum Shri Ganeshaya Namah (“hail the name of Ganesha”).

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Stories of the Sirenas

In 1493, Christopher Columbus claimed to have spotted a few mermaids and left decidedly unimpressed, writing that they: “were not as pretty as they are depicted, for somehow in the face they look like men”. Despite their failure to impress Columbus, mermaids have been both worshipped and despised for centuries all over the globe and in different cultures.

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The Death of Drusus, Beloved Brother

When word of his younger brother’s life-threatening illness reached him, Roman General Tiberius crossed the Alps like a man possessed. Tiberius’ frantic dash across the Rhine from northwestern Italy to Germany to his brother’s bedside evolved into a legend.