🟤 THE BATTLE OF PHILLIPI The Battle of Philippi pitted Brutus and Cassius, who had assassinated Julius Caesar and represented the Republican cause, against Mark Antony and Octavian, who sought revenge for Caesar's death. In the initial fighting, Brutus was successful against Octavian's forces. Cassius was defeated by Antony and, mistakenly believing Brutus had also lost, took his own life. Although saddened by Cassius's death, Brutus continued the fight. After weeks of stalemate, Antony and Octavian managed to draw Brutus into a final, decisive battle. Despite fierce resistance from Brutus's forces, the Triumvirs' army was ultimately victorious. Faced with capture, Brutus also chose to die by his own hand. The victory at Philippi marked the end of the Republican resistance and paved the way for Octavian's eventual rise to become the first Roman Emperor.

“For the mind, when freed from the bonds of the body, being always filled with tireless movement, from the underlying thoughts and worries which torment the minds of mortals, conjures up the nocturnal visions to which we⁠ give the name of phantasies.” Amelianus Marcellinus

Eating lots of fruits and lots of meat works best for me

28🔶 MESSAGE FOR TIGRANES “Appius, however, was not frightened or astonished at all this pomp and show, but as soon as he obtained an audience, told the king plainly that he was come to take back Mithridates, as an ornament due to the triumph of Lucullus, or else to declare war against Tigranes. Although Tigranes made every effort to listen to this speech with a cheerful countenance and a forced smile, he could not hide from the bystanders his discomfiture at the bold words of the young man. It must have been five and twenty years since he had listened to a free speech. That was the length of his reign, or rather, of his wanton tyranny. However, he replied to Appius that he would not surrender Mithridates, and that if the Romans began war, he would defend himself. He was vexed with Lucullus for addressing him in his letter with the title of King only, and not King of Kings, and accordingly, in his reply, would not address Lucullus as Imperator. But he sent splendid gifts to Appius, and when he would not take them, added more besides. Appius finally accepted a single bowl from among them, not wishing his rejection of the king's offers to seem prompted by any personal enmity, but sent back the rest, and marched off with all speed to join the Imperator.” Plutarch

"Talk also unto me of woman," said she; "I am old enough to forget it presently." And I obliged the old woman and spake thus unto her: Everything in woman is a riddle, and everything in woman hath one solution—it is called pregnancy Man is for woman a means: the purpose is always the child. But what is woman for man? Two different things wanteth the true man: danger and diversion. Therefore wanteth he woman, as the most dangerous plaything Man shall be trained for war, and woman for the recreation of the warrior: all else is folly Too sweet fruits—these the warrior liketh not. Therefore liketh he woman;—bitter is even the sweetest woman Better than man doth woman understand children, but man is more childish than woman In the true man there is a child hidden: it wanteth to play. Up then, ye women, and discover the child in man! A plaything let woman be, pure and fine like the precious stone, illumined with the virtues of a world not yet come Let the beam of a star shine in your love! Let your hope say: "May I bear the Superman!" In your love let there be valour! With your love shall ye assail him who inspireth you with fear! In your love be your honour! Little doth woman understand otherwise about honour. But let this be your honour: always to love more than ye are loved, and never be the second Let man fear woman when she loveth: then maketh she every sacrifice, and everything else she regardeth as worthless Let man fear woman when she hateth: for man in his innermost soul is merely evil; woman, however, is mean Whom hateth woman most?—Thus spake the iron to the loadstone: "I hate thee most, because thou attractest, but art too weak to draw unto thee." The happiness of man is, "I will." The happiness of woman is, "He will." "Lo! now hath the world become perfect!"—thus thinketh every woman when she obeyeth with all her love Obey, must the woman, and find a depth for her surface. Surface, is woman's soul, a mobile, stormy film on shallow water Man's soul, however, is deep, its current gusheth in subterranean caverns: woman surmiseth its force, but comprehendeth it not.— Then answered me the old woman: "Many fine things hath Zarathustra said, especially for those who are young enough for them Strange! Zarathustra knoweth little about woman, and yet he is right about them! Doth this happen, because with women nothing is impossible? And now accept a little truth by way of thanks! I am old enough for it! Swaddle it up and hold its mouth: otherwise it will scream too loudly, the little truth." "Give me, woman, thy little truth!" said I. And thus spake the old woman: