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This book describes the adventures of ten Kumaras, i.e., young men, (all of whom are either princes or sons of royal ministers), as narrated by the men themselves. These narratives are replete with accounts of demigods, ghosts, gamblers, intrigues with voluptious women, astonishing coincidences, cockfights, anthropophagy, sorcery, robberies, murders and wars....

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Ancient Texts, Children, Fairy tales, Myths/Legends

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Contra Gentes is the first of a two volume work published by Athanasius of Alexandria prior to the outbreak of the Arian controversy (ca. 319). It focuses especially on pagan beliefs and worship concluding with a defense of the Christian view of God and creation -- especially creation by the eternal Word. In this way, the ground is prepared for the second volume of his work, now published separately under the title De Incarnatione Verbi. (Summary by Jonathan Lange)...

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Ancient Texts

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Η Ιστορία του Θουκυδίδη εξιστορεί τα πρώτα 20 χρόνια του πολέμου μεταξύ της Αθήνας και της Σπάρτης, που κράτησε από το 431 μέχρι το 404 π.Χ. και είναι γνωστός ως Πελοποννησιακός Πόλεμος. Είναι έργο ζωής ενός καλλιεργημένου, ευσυνείδητου και δραστήριου ανθρώπου, που προσφέρει μια διεισδυτική ματιά στα γεγονότα της εποχής του και την ανθρώπινη φύση. Το αρχαίο κείμενο διαβασμένο με σύγχρονη νεοελληνική προφορά. Βιβλίο 5 από τα 8. Thucydides' Histories is the history of the first 20 years of the war between Athens and Sparta, which lasted from 431 until 404 B.C., also known as the Peloponnesian War. It is the life's work of a very sophisticated, efficient and active man which gives us a deep insight to the occurences of his time and human nature. Ancient text read with contemporary Greek pronunciation. Book 5 of 8. (Summary by olorou)...

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Ancient Texts, Classics (antiquity), Sea stories, War stories

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Eurpides' tragedy tells of Theseus' chaste son Hippolytus, who refuses to worship Aphrodite in favor of Artemis. Aphrodite gets revenge by causing Hippolytus' stepmother Phaedra to fall in love with him, unleashing a chain of tragic events. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett)...

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Ancient Texts, Play, Classics (antiquity), Tragedy

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In this, the only extant tragedy from Aeschylus' trilogy about the House of Oedipus, Thebes is under siege from Polynices, a former prince of Thebes. After King Oedipus left his city and cursed the princes, Polynices and his brother, Eteocles, decided to rule alternately, switching at the end of every year. However, at the end of his year as king, Eteocles refused to turn power over to his brother and exiled him, fulfilling his father's curse that the two brothers could not rule peacefully. In the action of the play, Polynices and a group of Argive soldiers are attacking Thebes so that he can take his place as ruler. Eteocles must combat both the foreign forces outside the walls and the crazed, frightened women within. Note: The ending of this play is suspect. The lines Antigone and Ismene's entrance to the end may have been added later, either after Sophocles' Theban plays became popular or in the Middle Ages. (Summary by Libby Gohn)...

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Ancient Texts, Play, Tragedy, Classics (antiquity)

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The Kama Sutra, or Aphorisms on Love, has survived at least 1400 years as a dominant text on sexual relations between men and women. Vatsyayana claimed to have written the Kama Sutra while a religious student, “in contemplation of the Deity” - but references to older works, shrewd disputations by Vatsyayana of those authors' recommendations, and careful cataloging of practices in various of the Indian states indicate much more emphasis on kama, or sensual gratification. Part of the book discusses the 64 arts of love employed by masters of coitus. Learning each of these and when and how to practice them, Vatsyayana affirms, not only leads to the best gratification, but makes the artist a person of great desirability. Once the means of sexual congress are discussed, the many types of male-female relationships and their proper prosecution are covered. Some of these have small relevance to the modern world, such as how to sneak into the King's harem, but are interesting nonetheless. Others, such as how to get money from a lover, will probably remain useful as long as there are humans in the world. The translator's concluding remarks cal...

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Ancient Texts

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After the death of the Arian Emperor Valens, the synod of Antioch in 379 asked Gregory to help resurrect Constantinople to Nicene orthodoxy. While the most important churches were still headed by Arian bishops, Gregory transformed his cousin's villa into the Anastasia chapel. From this little chapel he delivered five powerful discourses on Nicene doctrine, explaining the nature of the Trinity and the unity of the Godhead. These are called the Theological Orations. By the time he left Constantinople two years later, there did not remain one Arian church in all of the city. (Jonathan Lange)....

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Ancient Texts, Religion

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The Book of The Judges is a record of the Israelites' pattern of continuing disobedience to God, and their salvation by God through judges chosen to lead the people. (Introduction by Mark Penfold)...

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Ancient Texts, Religion

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In this late second century treatise, Hippolytus gives an excellent summary of Early Christian thinking on the subject of the antichrist. Familiar texts from Daniel and Revelation are treated together with his own current events to give a unique perspective. (Summary by Jonathan Lange)...

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Religion, Ancient Texts

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Not just a big book of geneaological lists, it is a record of things not mentioned in the Books of Samuel and Kings. It tells us of the kingdom of David and his life, but also gives us incredible spiritual truths. (Introduction by Mark Penfold)...

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Ancient Texts, Instruction, Religion

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How to maintain a tranquil mind amongst social upheaval and turmoil, addressed to Serenus. (Introduction by Jonathan Hockey)

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Ancient Texts, Classics (antiquity), Advice

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Jesus of Nazareth, a Biography, by John Mark, recognizes the author of the second Gospel as that John, whose surname was Mark (Acts 15:37), whom Barnabas chose as companion when he sailed for Cyprus on his second missionary journey. In making use of the new title, the plan of the Editor is to present The Gospel: According to Mark as it would be printed were it written in the twentieth rather than the first century. (Introduction from Forward, by D. Appleton & Co, Publishers, 1922)...

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Ancient Texts, Biography, History, Religion

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The history of the Israelites from the death of Moses to the death of Joshua. (Summary by Joy Chan)

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Ancient Texts, Religion

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The Epistle of Paul to the Romans, usually referred to simply as Romans, is the sixth book in the New Testament. Biblical scholars agree that it was written by the Apostle Paul to explain that Salvation is offered through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is by far the longest of the Pauline epistles, and is considered his most important theological legacy....

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Ancient Texts, Religion

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Also known as Song of Songs , Solomon's Song of Songs , or as Canticles . The protagonists of the Song of Songs are a woman (identified in one verse as the Shulamite) and a man, and the poem suggests movement from courtship to consummation. Additionally, the Song includes a chorus, the daughters of Jerusalem. In spite of the lack of explicitly religious content, the Song is often interpreted as an allegorical representation of the relationship of God and Israel, or for Christians, God and the Church or Christ and the human soul, as husband and wife. Readers: Beloved: /newcatalog/people_public.php?peopleid=123 Ezwa Lover: /newcatalog/people_public.php?peopleid=4705 Algy Pug Friends: /newcatalog/people_public.php?peopleid=3157 TriciaG...

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Religion, Ancient Texts

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Written to aid those returning to Israel after the exile to understand how to worship God. 1 Chronicles covers the ascent and reign of King David. (Summary of Joy Chan)...

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Ancient Texts, Religion

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Antiquities of the Jews was a work published by the important Jewish historian Flavius Josephus about the year 93 or 94. It is a history of the Jewish people, written in Greek for Josephus' gentile patrons. Beginning with the creation of Adam and Eve, it follows the events of the historical books of the Hebrew Bible, but sometimes omits or adds information. Volume 1 contains Books 1-5 and ends with the dedication of Samuel and death of Eli the priest....

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Ancient Texts, History

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The Gospel According to John, commonly referred to as the Gospel of John or simply John, is an account of the public ministry of Jesus. It begins with the witness and affirmation by John the Baptist and concludes with the death, burial, Resurrection, and post-Resurrection appearances of Jesus. This account is fourth of the canonical gospels, after the synoptics Matthew, Mark and Luke....

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Ancient Texts, Literature, Religion

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The book of Ecclesiastes is a wonderful book. It tells how all man's doing is futile, if it is done in his own strength. The last two verses sum it up quite nicely: Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (Summary by GabrielleC)...

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Ancient Texts, Religion, Instruction, Literature

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An Epistle of the New Testament, author unknown. The primary purpose of the Letter to the Hebrews is to exhort Jews and Christians to persevere in the face of persecution. The central thought of the entire Epistle is the doctrine of the Person of Christ and his role as mediator between God and humanity....

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Ancient Texts, Religion