Knights Templar Fact Fourteen

The Knights Templar had an initiation ritual which drew on their Christian roots by having the initiate act out a symbolic death and resurrection. A skull and two crossed thigh bones were used in the ritual and they became an important symbol for the Templars. The symbol could be found on the tombstones of Templars and on their flag.


Knights Templar page

Viking Fact Fourteen

Vikings were very clean and well groomed. They had many bath houses, used wash basins and those that settled in Iceland often took advantage of the natural hot springs. Fine tooth combs were used made of either bones, antlers or walrus ivory. 


Viking page

American Civil War Fact Fourteen

United States Senator John J Crittenden of Kentucky had two sons that served in the Civil War but on opposite sides. His eldest George Crittenden started the war as a colonel in the Confederate Army and had been promoted to brigadier general and major general. Yet he was later demoted back to colonel after charges of drunkenness. Thomas Crittenden started the war as a brigadier general in the Union army and was later promoted to major general.


American Civil War page

Ancient Egypt Fact Fourteen

There were several gems mined and traded in Ancient Egypt. They included:

• Agate
• Amazonite
• Amethyst
• Carnelian
• Emerald
• Fluorite
• Garnet
• Hematite
• Malachite
• Peridot
• Serpentine
• Turquoise

Ancient Egypt page

Pirate Fact Fourteen

Pirate treasure sometimes included precious metals such as gold and silver, rare gems like diamonds, rubies and emeralds or jewelry or artifacts made with combinations of these. Coins were also very welcome because they were easy to share among the crew. Silver coins were more common because far more silver was mined in America than gold. 


Pirate page

St Clement I Fourth Pope

Saint Clement I was the fourth Pope from 88 to 97. He had converted Sisinnius and over 400 persons of rank in Rome. In response the Roman Emperor Trajan banished Clement to the Crimea. There Clement converted thousands and had 75 churches built. Learning of this Trajan ordered him executed by having him thrown into the sea while tied to an iron anchor. After dying as a martyr in exhile his body was returned to Rome for burial. His Feast day is celebrated on November 23.

Ancient Seven Wonders of the World Fact Thirteen

Herostratus was the arsonist who tried to gain fame when he set the Temple of Artemis ablaze. Yet the townspeople made great effort to foil that plan by passing a law which allowed anyone who said his name to be put to death. Yet his name was recorded by Greek historian Theopompus.


Ancient Seven Wonders page