The Oxford Medievalist
… just called me “incomparable.” Never been called incomparable by an Oxford medievalist before. Go take his poll on “Which figure had the greatest influence on Western civilization.” It’s a stumper.
Check his “Suetonius” link. Suetonius was a 1st-2nd century Roman writer who is a direct forebear of all tabloid scribblers, detailing the triumphs, failures and perversions of the 12 Caesars. Then ask OM where his Josephus link is. No Josephus link. You haven’t read if you haven’t read Josephus’ windy rationalization of why he didn’t off himself at Yodfat, his grovelling brilliance before Vespasian, and his buckets-o-blood account of the destruction of Jerusalem. No slouch on the Herods, either.
Anyway, I’m seeing Roman Empire, American Empire, all good, a little Renaissance. I want to know when this guy gets … you know … medieval.
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 8:45 pm on Friday, June 15, 2007
4 Responses to “The Oxford Medievalist”
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June 15th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
Mr. Crittenden, thanks for the link! You’re a must-read for me.
I haven’t found a good Jospehus link; admittedly, I haven’t looked very hard.
I’m interested - did you vote in the poll and, if so, for whom?
June 15th, 2007 at 11:57 pm
Of course. Don’t want to spoil it, will just say that laying the foundation, being the shoulders upon which others stand, is probably the most critical element.
June 16th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
Well, there are sentimental favorites, and then there’s Aristotle. I’d put his 25% in the ring with St. Paul’s 27% any day of the week. Except maybe Sunday.
Josephus’ Josephus
June 16th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Shoot, I spoiled it, didn’t I? Pls feel free to expunge my previous post.