We also just studied this and currently have a picture of Hagia Sophia on our fridge. “Respond not react” is a family mantra or was when more kids were at home. They have carried to their homes as well. Reacting breaks bonds and stifles and cuts off progress in any given situation. Responses can be built on one upon another to at least understanding, if patient, though not necessarily agreement.
Good read! (Though I'm a bit disappointed I can't know the dirt on why the boys fought in the first place!) Wasn't Theodora from rather humble beginnings? If so I could see why it was easy for her to break formal convention.
And hey. I bet the "autocrat" Justinian interfered in people's daily lives and property far less than our federal government does.
Yes, Theodora was an actress and escort. Very low on the social ladder, just like Justinian was before his uncle, Justin, got them in good with the palace guard.
The article's end reminds me of how a great deal of revolutions are put into play through half measured reactions, and not responding to the situation at hand. If one is going to do a show of force, they need to do a full Justinian - not a Bloody Sunday such as the Russians did in I think it was 1904 and the half hearted measures following. Either go full autocrat, and stack the liberal progressive bodies to defend it, or make alliances with those you must.
But the half measures go no where, make you look weak (because you are) and satisfy no one. Stop being a woman, commit to a course, and go.
When put to the test, one's instinctive reactions tell a person so much about themselves, including how our everyday conscious minds float on the surface of our selves.
I like how your instinct was to yell "what the fuck did I just say?" That was exactly the right thing to do. They transgressed and they knew it. Their refusal to break it up when you first spoke was a test. You passed.
Incidentally, many of the early Falkenberg stories , and many Slammers stories, are based on real incidents. At least one Legion story is ripped straight out of the Spanish Civil war. I strongly credit Pournelle for kindling a love of history that my high school nearly cauterized. Even Sabaton did not have such an impact, but may have if they’d been around as a band back then.
There are several SF stories based on this. Of the three I recommend two are by David Drake in his Hammers Slammers stories. My favorite was an early CoDominium/Falkenberg short by Jerry Pournelle, later collected into the Mercenary and later larger collections, which included the hand to hand slaughter at the auditorium, but a less forceful leader than Justinian leaning on Falkenberg’s mercenaries. I’d say the story aligns more with your take.
Wow! Love this article my friend! I really learned some history and have huge respect for Emperess Theodora!!! Because while you make the point about men needing to make the hard calls and respond it is in the example you yourself used here, the woman who stood up! What a speech! I am saving that because although I am not royalty my baptismal gown is my shroud and I would rather stand for Christ and my faith than eat the free bread and be enslaved by the desires of the world! Love how you weaved all of that together starting with the fight in your classroom. As you know I am a new sub ( was an RN for 38 yrs just doing the sub stuff for fun and extra money) in Fort Worth ISD. So I started in Oct 2023 and about a month ago I saw my first classroom fight it was in the last 10 mins of class. The students had done their assignment maybe only one or two hadn’t turned it in and the rest were talking quietly when two boys in the back started “ rough housing” I looked up and it didn’t seem at first to be serious but I started to walk to the back and of course I have bad balance bad arthritis and I am 65 and very aware how weak I am ( I was actually knocked down on accident by a student at the beginning of the year and had to go to the Er for skull X-rays) so I am making my way to the back and I see the hits are hard and the faces are mad and I say Stop that now! They were not in any kind of a lock hold or on the ground and they did amazingly stop and step back from each other so this little old lady did not get in between but I did get closer and say I thought you guys were friends ? What is going on? The bell rang then and I said you all stay where you are no one leaves! Unbelievably no one did then one boy said we are but he was talking some shit and I stopped him! I think they were afraid I was going to report them that’s why they decided to talk to me and I think everyone else wanted to see them get reported I don’t know but I said you guys are going have to make up and shake hands here and now in front of me or I will report this. This is crazy if you let some trash talk cause you to lose your cool and act like an animal what kinda life are you going to have? All your life you are going to be disrespected and treated like crap by all sorts of people if you are going to let it get to you and you aren’t going to be able to control yourself you aren’t going to have a good life. You just need to know who you are no matter what is said to you by anyone and forgive them for being so blind to who you are. When you have to defend yourself with violence you have already lost the fight. When you feel you have to defend yourself or attack you acknowledge you can be attacked and you are vulnerable. But you are not! You are precious in God’s eyes and so is your brother now shake hands and be friends again! ( Or words to that effect lol) I’m not exactly sure what I said but I know I stressed the fact that it was a life lesson! I can do and say stuff like that because I’m just a sub what are they gonna do fire me?
Mostly agree as usual as long as responding does not include the omission of retribution against those who have profited from their treason. If Trump and crew permit these creatures to once again fade back into the country’s political and bureaucratic nervous system, so to speak, only to reemerge again and again when they sense the opportunity like the herpes and polio viruses do to the bodies they infect then Trump’s movement will amount to nothing more than another facade covering the corruption within.
Well here’s the thing. The Hagia Sophia in its current form is that of a masque. Constantinople was conquered by the Muslims several hundred years ago and its use converted. The original cathedral did not have the marionettes and is how it should properly be reflected…if it is to tie into your story. Yes a technical “nit” but a profound difference. Pax
I'm aware of this history. As far as "properly be reflected" that is partially why I included "good or ill" in the description of the Sophia's inspirations.
We also just studied this and currently have a picture of Hagia Sophia on our fridge. “Respond not react” is a family mantra or was when more kids were at home. They have carried to their homes as well. Reacting breaks bonds and stifles and cuts off progress in any given situation. Responses can be built on one upon another to at least understanding, if patient, though not necessarily agreement.
You’re right on re masculinity!
Good read! (Though I'm a bit disappointed I can't know the dirt on why the boys fought in the first place!) Wasn't Theodora from rather humble beginnings? If so I could see why it was easy for her to break formal convention.
And hey. I bet the "autocrat" Justinian interfered in people's daily lives and property far less than our federal government does.
Yes, Theodora was an actress and escort. Very low on the social ladder, just like Justinian was before his uncle, Justin, got them in good with the palace guard.
Working class schlubs done good!
“…the royal purple is the noblest shroud.”
🔥💯🔥
The article's end reminds me of how a great deal of revolutions are put into play through half measured reactions, and not responding to the situation at hand. If one is going to do a show of force, they need to do a full Justinian - not a Bloody Sunday such as the Russians did in I think it was 1904 and the half hearted measures following. Either go full autocrat, and stack the liberal progressive bodies to defend it, or make alliances with those you must.
But the half measures go no where, make you look weak (because you are) and satisfy no one. Stop being a woman, commit to a course, and go.
Bravo
When put to the test, one's instinctive reactions tell a person so much about themselves, including how our everyday conscious minds float on the surface of our selves.
I like how your instinct was to yell "what the fuck did I just say?" That was exactly the right thing to do. They transgressed and they knew it. Their refusal to break it up when you first spoke was a test. You passed.
Still would rather make my stand in Istanbul than NE Washington
Incidentally, many of the early Falkenberg stories , and many Slammers stories, are based on real incidents. At least one Legion story is ripped straight out of the Spanish Civil war. I strongly credit Pournelle for kindling a love of history that my high school nearly cauterized. Even Sabaton did not have such an impact, but may have if they’d been around as a band back then.
There are several SF stories based on this. Of the three I recommend two are by David Drake in his Hammers Slammers stories. My favorite was an early CoDominium/Falkenberg short by Jerry Pournelle, later collected into the Mercenary and later larger collections, which included the hand to hand slaughter at the auditorium, but a less forceful leader than Justinian leaning on Falkenberg’s mercenaries. I’d say the story aligns more with your take.
Wow! Love this article my friend! I really learned some history and have huge respect for Emperess Theodora!!! Because while you make the point about men needing to make the hard calls and respond it is in the example you yourself used here, the woman who stood up! What a speech! I am saving that because although I am not royalty my baptismal gown is my shroud and I would rather stand for Christ and my faith than eat the free bread and be enslaved by the desires of the world! Love how you weaved all of that together starting with the fight in your classroom. As you know I am a new sub ( was an RN for 38 yrs just doing the sub stuff for fun and extra money) in Fort Worth ISD. So I started in Oct 2023 and about a month ago I saw my first classroom fight it was in the last 10 mins of class. The students had done their assignment maybe only one or two hadn’t turned it in and the rest were talking quietly when two boys in the back started “ rough housing” I looked up and it didn’t seem at first to be serious but I started to walk to the back and of course I have bad balance bad arthritis and I am 65 and very aware how weak I am ( I was actually knocked down on accident by a student at the beginning of the year and had to go to the Er for skull X-rays) so I am making my way to the back and I see the hits are hard and the faces are mad and I say Stop that now! They were not in any kind of a lock hold or on the ground and they did amazingly stop and step back from each other so this little old lady did not get in between but I did get closer and say I thought you guys were friends ? What is going on? The bell rang then and I said you all stay where you are no one leaves! Unbelievably no one did then one boy said we are but he was talking some shit and I stopped him! I think they were afraid I was going to report them that’s why they decided to talk to me and I think everyone else wanted to see them get reported I don’t know but I said you guys are going have to make up and shake hands here and now in front of me or I will report this. This is crazy if you let some trash talk cause you to lose your cool and act like an animal what kinda life are you going to have? All your life you are going to be disrespected and treated like crap by all sorts of people if you are going to let it get to you and you aren’t going to be able to control yourself you aren’t going to have a good life. You just need to know who you are no matter what is said to you by anyone and forgive them for being so blind to who you are. When you have to defend yourself with violence you have already lost the fight. When you feel you have to defend yourself or attack you acknowledge you can be attacked and you are vulnerable. But you are not! You are precious in God’s eyes and so is your brother now shake hands and be friends again! ( Or words to that effect lol) I’m not exactly sure what I said but I know I stressed the fact that it was a life lesson! I can do and say stuff like that because I’m just a sub what are they gonna do fire me?
Very very well stated. Well done amici.
Thanks! Means a lot from you.
Sounds like one of those boys had some ju-jitsu moves in his locker. Fascinating and informative article, Mr Phisto.
Thanks for sharing.
i am so allergic to education
i get to the end
i have learned a thing
without being educated
a rare gift friend
Mostly agree as usual as long as responding does not include the omission of retribution against those who have profited from their treason. If Trump and crew permit these creatures to once again fade back into the country’s political and bureaucratic nervous system, so to speak, only to reemerge again and again when they sense the opportunity like the herpes and polio viruses do to the bodies they infect then Trump’s movement will amount to nothing more than another facade covering the corruption within.
You should have used the original image of the Hagia Sophia .... it would have better served your point.
I just grabbed what was easiest and showed it's look more or less today. What image are you speaking of?
Well here’s the thing. The Hagia Sophia in its current form is that of a masque. Constantinople was conquered by the Muslims several hundred years ago and its use converted. The original cathedral did not have the marionettes and is how it should properly be reflected…if it is to tie into your story. Yes a technical “nit” but a profound difference. Pax
I'm aware of this history. As far as "properly be reflected" that is partially why I included "good or ill" in the description of the Sophia's inspirations.
Like everything, it's complicated.
Fair enough