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The Goths were now in possession of the Ukraine, a country of considerable extent and uncommon fertility, intersected with navigable rivers, which, from either side, discharge themselves into the Borysthenes; and interspersed with large and leafy forests of oaks. The plenty of game and fish, the innumerable bee-hives deposited in the hollow of old trees, and in the cavities of rocks, and forming, even in that rude age, a valuable branch of commerce, the size of the cattle, the temperature of the air, the aptness of the soil for every species of gain, and the luxuriancy of the vegetation, all displayed the liberality of Nature, and tempted the industry of man. But the Goths withstood all these temptations, and still adhered to a life of idleness, of poverty, and of rapine.

Lax enforcement of the border with Dacia emboldened to Goths to cross the frontier in 250 A.D. They threatened the city of Marcianopolis (Thrace), built by Trajan and named for his sister, forcing a ransom, and then retiring to the north. Decius, the Roman emperor, hearing of this, moved an army into position to pursue them. Weakened by their siege of Philipopolis, the Goths would have treated with Decius but he refused, choosing to push an attack against them as a lesson. Decius was killed and his army soundly defeated at Abrittus.

The successor, Gallus, treated with the Goths, allowed them to keep their booty, and embarrassed the Senate with his barbarian concessions, but the Goths broke that treaty and began to harass the borders once again. The Roman general in the area, Aemilius Aemilianus, pushed them back and was rewarded with the proclamation of emperor by his troops. He rushed to Rome, and killed Gallus but was assassinated himself 88 days later. It was 253 A.D.

Aemilianus’ successor, Valerian, spent his reign fighting in Syria, only to be captured and die in prison circa 260 A.D. His son, Gallienus, tasked with fighting along the Danube frontier, defeated the Juthungi tribe 259 A.D. at Milan after they crossed into Italy intent on attacking Rome.

Richard Jewell was a security guard who became widely known for his role in the harrowing events surrounding the Centennial Olympic Park bombing in Atlanta, Georgia, during the 1996 Summer Olympics. Born on December 17, 1962, in Danville, Virginia, Jewell experienced a challenging upbringing. He initially aspired to a career in law enforcement, taking on roles as a jailer and later as a campus security officer. His keen vigilance and sense of duty came to the forefront when he discovered a suspicious backpack, ultimately alerting authorities and saving lives just moments before a bomb detonated in the packed park.

Jornandes in his Getica (Gothic history) states that the Goths originated from Scandza, that place described by Ptolemy as shaped like a Juniper leaf with bulging sides that taper down to a point. Jornandes added more detail:

“It lies in front of the river Vistula which rises in the Sarmatian Mountains and flows through it triple mouth into the northern ocean in sight of Scandza separating Germany and Scythia. Here also there are said to be many small islands scattered about. If wolves cross over to these islands when the sea is frozen by reason of the great cold, they are said to lose their sight. Thus the land is not only inhospitable to men but cruel even to wild beasts.”

With respect to Roman history, we first hear of the Goths when Maximinus became emperor. He was a Thracian with Gothic ancestry – father a Goth named Micca and mother a member of the Alani tribe named Ababa. We next hear of them when they ambush and defeat Decius in 251 A.D. at Abrittus, but we will save the wars between the Romans and Goths for a later post.

acitus wrote a treatise on the German people titled Germania which, despite its biases, provides useful information about the Germans including the Goths. Selected quotes below:

The people of Germany appear to me indigenous, and free from intermixture with foreigners, either as settlers or casual visitants. For the emigrants of former ages performed their expeditions not by land, but by water; and that immense, and, if I may so call it, hostile ocean, is rarely navigated by ships from our world. Then, besides the danger of a boisterous and unknown sea, who would relinquish Asia, Africa, or Italy, for Germany, a land rude in its surface, rigorous in its climate, cheerless to every beholder and cultivator, except a native?

I concur in opinion with those who deem the Germans never to have intermarried with other nations; but to be a race, pure, unmixed, and stamped with a distinct character. Hence a family likeness pervades the whole, though their numbers are so great: eyes stern and blue; ruddy hair; large bodies, powerful in sudden exertions, but impatient of toil and labor, least of all capable of sustaining thirst and heat. Cold and hunger they are accustomed by their climate and soil to endure.

The land, though varied to a considerable extent in its aspect, is yet universally shagged with forests, or deformed by marshes: moister on the side of Gaul, more bleak on the side of Norieum and Pannonia. It is productive of grain, but unkindly to fruit-trees. It abounds in flocks and herds, but in general of a small breed.

Despite the settlements, Jewell was left grappling with the personal costs of his ordeal, including emotional and psychological damage from the intense scrutiny he faced. His legal victories, including compensation from numerous outlets, helped him regain a sense of financial security, allowing him to return to law enforcement in several communities across Georgia. Nevertheless, the legacy of his treatment at the hands of law enforcement and media left an indelible mark on his life, overshadowing his heroic image. Jewell's struggles and eventual accomplishments highlight the complex interplay between public perception and personal integrity.

  1. Did Richard Jewell receive any recognition after the incident?

Yes, Richard Jewell received various accolades after he was cleared as a suspect, including an official commendation from Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue in 2006 for his heroic actions during the Olympic bombing, recognizing his role in averting a larger tragedy.

Céline Dion's ascent to international fame was solidified with her powerful rendition of "Beauty and the Beast," the theme song for Disney’s beloved animated film released in 1992. This collaboration with Peabo Bryson showcased her exceptional vocal talent and became a massive hit, reaching No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song won both a Grammy Award and an Academy Award, catapulting Dion into the limelight and marking her transition into the English-language music market. The success of the song was complemented by the launch of her self-titled album, "Celine Dion," which achieved gold status in the United States and sold over 12 million copies globally.

When was Céline Dion born?

Céline Dion was born on March 30, 1968, in Charlemagne, Quebec, Canada. She is the youngest of 14 children in a musical family, which contributed to her early interest in singing.

What was Céline Dion's early career like?

Dion began her music career at a young age, recording her first demo tape at age 12 and signing with manager René Angélil, who promoted her debut album. By the age of 18, she had released nine French-language albums, establishing herself as a major star in Quebec and gaining international recognition.

Our chronology of the empire now skips forward to 235 A.D. and we pass over Macrinius, Elagabalus, and Severus Alexander in the process.

Macrinius, assassin of Caracalla, reigned for a year. His lack of military success against the Parthians caused dissatisfaction among the troops and that combined with his lack of pedigree caused the army to embrace the 14 year old grandson of the sister of Caracalla’s mother as emperor. His mother had put it out that he was Caracalla’s son. The boy called himself Elagabalus, the hereditary priest of the Oriental sun god and his behavior set new Roman standards for the bizarre and unconventional, recalling Caligula. Once his handlers divined where things were headed, they forced him to adopt his 13 year old cousin as backup. The boys quickly became rivals leading to Elagabalus order that Severus Alexander be put to death. No one would obey the order.

He sought to punish the disobedient, but they killed him instead. Alexander ascended to the throne and reigned for 13 years before his youth and lack of fortitude convinced the army a change was needed. Maximinus was declared emperor by the troops and Alexander was killed.

The senate was unhappy with the elevation of Maximinus but gave approval because it had to. Immediately there were two plots against his life – both foiled. He spent the two years fighting the Germans, Dacians, and Sarmatians, exhausting the treasury and using extortion to refill it. The resulting financial condition of Rome stirred up serious opposition.

The senate now sensed the return of their power and proceeded to govern in the old way. Twenty senators were selected to command the army in defense of Italy. Each was given unlimited authority to prepare for battle. At the same time dispatches were sent to the provinces begging the commanders to send help to the city.

Before the defense of Italy could begin, however, the Gordians were dead. A force from Mauritania, loyal to Maximinus, attacked them at Carthage. When the farther heard his son had been killed in battle, he committed suicide after a reign of thirty six days. It was the beginning of March 238 A.D.

As he began his march to Rome, Maximinus moved southwest out of the Balkans. After passing through the Julian Alps (see map), his army was shocked to see the landscape before them, as the locals had applied a scorched earth policy to the region. Villages had been burned, cattle driven away, and bridges destroyed. Maximinus did not realize it but the other aspect of the plan for defense was the fortification of selected cities to prepare them for the invasion.

Michel de Nostradame, later known as Nostradamus, was born between December 14 and 21, 1503, in Saint-Remy-de-Provence, France. He was one of nine children in a well-to-do family; his father, Jaume de Nostradame, was a grain dealer and notary, while his mother, Reyniere de St-Remy, was of Jewish descent. Nostradame's upbringing was influenced by his maternal grandfather, Jean de St. Remy, who tutored him in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and mathematics, nurturing his intellectual capabilities. This early education laid the groundwork for his future pursuits in medicine, astrology, and the occult.

The legacy of Nostradamus extends well beyond his lifetime. His forecasts continue to resonate with people around the globe, and various conspiracy theories link him to pivotal moments, such as the French Revolution, both World Wars, and even modern events like the September 11 attacks. His writing style, utilizing vague language and metaphor, allows for varied interpretations, contributing to the enduring intrigue surrounding his prophecies. Nostradamus remains a figure in popular culture, often referenced in discussions about fate and foreknowledge, and his influence can be witnessed in literature, film, and astrology even today.

The publication of his works, particularly "Les Prophesies," which contained his famed predictions, generated considerable sales and interest among the public and aristocrats alike. Nostradamus capitalized on the popularity of astrology and prophecy, transforming them into lucrative ventures. His writings were frequently marketed as informative resources for farmers and merchants, ensuring a steady income stream. Consequently, while he faced substantial challenges and controversies throughout his life, Nostradamus's ability to adapt and embrace varied opportunities helped him secure a noteworthy legacy in both medicine and the occult.

Alexander Graham Bell’s journey into the world of invention began in his youth, influenced greatly by his family background and personal experiences. At the tender age of 12, Bell displayed an inventive spirit by creating a machine that separated wheat from its husks while playing in a grain mill. His early exposure to sound and speech, courtesy of his father, a renowned elocutionist, firmly set the course for his future. By volunteering to assist his grandfather during illness, Bell not only strengthened family ties but also cultivated a passion for learning that would serve him well.

Alexander Graham Bell's most significant invention, the telephone, emerged from years of experimentation and a deep fascination with sound. In the early 1870s, while working on a harmonic telegraph, Bell became captivated by the idea of transmitting human voice over wires. In 1876, he successfully transmitted clear speech, leading to his historic first phone call to Thomas Watson, a skilled electrician and his close collaborator. The moment was revolutionary; Bell exclaimed, “Mr. Watson, come here – I want to see you,” forever marking the day as a turning point in communication technology.

Together, they nurtured a loving environment that valued education and creativity. Mabel played an essential role in supporting Bell’s work and promoting his inventions, contributing to the establishment of the Bell Telephone Company. They had four children: Elsie, Marian, and two sons, Edward and Gilbert, although tragedy struck the family when their youngest son, Edward, died in infancy. Mabel remained a steadfast presence in Bell's life, and their mutual support fostered not only personal affection but also professional collaboration, strengthening Bell's legacy as an inventor dedicated to improving communication for the deaf.

In addition to his chart-topping songs, Glen Campbell showcased his charm and musical prowess on television with his own variety show, "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour," which aired in the late 1960s. The show not only featured his singing talent but also comedic sketches and high-profile guest appearances, making him a household name and a beloved figure in American entertainment. Campbell’s career continued to thrive into the 1970s with enduring hits like "Rhinestone Cowboy" and "Southern Nights." Throughout his storied career, he received numerous accolades, including induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, further cementing his legacy as a pioneer of modern country music.

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