Babel: ArticlesThe multilingual, multicultural online journal and community of arts and ideasMore on Egyptian Magic- June 20, 2005 The ancient Egyptians had many different types of amulets that they used in their magic. In this posting I will give examples: Amulet of the Buckle - This one represents the buckle of the girdle worn by the goddess Isis. It is generally composed of substances that are red. These materials used to make the amulet include: carnelian red jasper red glass However, it was sometimes made of gold or substances coated with gold. E.A. Wallis Budge points out that this amulet was always associated with...http://towerofbabel.com/map/article.pl?sid=05/06/21/0623223 Egyptians and Magic- June 20, 2005 The ancient Egyptians believed that some (though not all) diseases were caused by demonic possession. They treated some illnesses with a combination of medicines and magic rituals. The Egyptians developed a considerable number of rituals for dealing with sicknesses that were supposedly caused (at least partially) by demonic entities. They gained some international prestige for it. E.A. Wallis Budge discusses their reputation in this passage from his book Eyptian Magic: Incidentally we have one..http://towerofbabel.com/map/article.pl?sid=05/06/21/0618212 Peroz I - A Sassanian King- June 20, 2005 Peroz I was a king of the Sassanian dynasty of Persia. He ruled during the years 457-484 A.D. His father was Yezdegerd II. Hormizd III, the brother of Peroz had become king when their father died. But Peroz was not willing to accept the rule of his brother. Peroz formed an alliance with the Hephthalites (White Huns), who had invaded Bactria. With the assistance of the Hephthalites, Peroz was able to defeat and kill his brother in 459 A.D. Peroz committed terrible atrocities in trying to...http://towerofbabel.com/map/article.pl?sid=05/06/21/067207 Iroquois Creation Stories- June 20, 2005 The Iroquois Nation is a league of five Native American tribes, i.e. the Senecas, Mohawks, Cayugas, Oneidas, and Onodagas. The Tuscaroras later joined them and the Iroquois became a league of six tribes. There is a legend that long ago, one of the Spirits of the Sky World came down to the earth. He saw that it was beautiful and decided to put people on it. So he created the Iroquois first. These are the gifts that he gave to the five tribes: Mohawks - corn Oneidas - Nuts and fruits of the trees.http://towerofbabel.com/map/article.pl?sid=05/06/21/063237 A Blackfoot Legend- June 20, 2005 This tale is of Native American folklore. It comes from the Blackfoot tribe. The Blackfoot were a plains tribe. Like other Native Americans of the plains, they hunted the bison, which are also called buffalo. One technique of hunting the buffalo was to drive them over a cliff. The shaman would lead a group of people at the head of a V-shaped formation. The shaman attracted the attention of the herd of buffalo, bringing them near the cliff. Then some other people, who were hiding behind the...http://towerofbabel.com/map/article.pl?sid=05/06/21/0556225 China Can Be The Big Winner- June 20, 2005 William R. Stimson writesChina Can Be The Big Winner How strange China should be undertaking such a huge military buildup, and conducting so much of it behind the scenes, in a clandestine fashion. One wonders who it perceives to be its enemy when the whole world benefits from its new prosperity and success, welcomes it with open arms, scrambles to invest in its big future and wants in on its economic miracle. Schoolchildren the world over are learning Mandarin. Everybody knows China is the...http://towerofbabel.com/map/article.pl?sid=05/06/21/0551245 Getting pimped by your friend- June 20, 2005 K. Simpson writesIts a Saturday morning and I'm sitting in a bagel shop with Vick at the West End. Vick is a friend that I knew about seven months. I met Vick on the job. He works in the warehouse and I work in the chemical-processing department. I started the job about seven months ago, and right from the start we sort of clicked. He was always inviting me to parties and stuff that he had going on. To be honest, I thought at first that he was gay, you know, trying to hit on me. I mean how many.http://towerofbabel.com/map/article.pl?sid=05/06/21/0537259 An old man living life from his window- June 20, 2005 K. Simpson writesWell, let me start by saying that this is a story that might or might not be true. One of those things that you only hear about in the inner city. It sort of makes me sad every time I think about it, the story that is. I live in a housing area that has a very foul reputation. I remember when I first moved here it was a very respectable neighborhood. We used to keep the grounds up; the people wouldnt just let any one hang out here. And if you were caught doing any illegal...http://towerofbabel.com/map/article.pl?sid=05/06/21/0531209 Crossroads- June 20, 2005 Ms. Dipali Ghosh writes CROSSROADSPrior to monsoon, Mumbai was getting hotter day by day. Shipra was stirring curry in the kitchen. A crow flew in, for a drop of water. It was Shipras habit to keep a water filled pot on the window sill, for thirsty birds to drink. She refilled the pot. Reflected blazing sun on the window glass almost blurred the vision.Phone rang!Still so much work, Shipra muttered. In a quick movement, tightened her bun a little higher, dropped onion and potato skin in the...http://towerofbabel.com/map/article.pl?sid=05/06/21/0526234 Days Like Dead Skin- June 20, 2005 jason irwin writes DAYS LIKE DEAD SKINby Jason Irwin29-11 31st Ave. 1R Astoria, NY 11106ughpughotmail.com Aimless as an abandoned rowboat, I think of her now; my thoughts like tears. I feel a sore throat coming on. I Inebrious-aye aye-I Clodhopper, son of a sullen clod, master of paradoxes and grand indecisions, expert in loitering, squandering and wandering the caged frontier of the city. Ah yes, The City! the place where fortunes are lost, where boys learn about...http://towerofbabel.com/map/article.pl?sid=05/06/21/0459217 |