Berea High School - Prima Luce Yearbook (Berea, NC)

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’■ Although one of the greatest of soldier poets, Archilochus proved himself a coward on’the battle-field, afterward proclaiming the fact in a kind of apologetic bravado thus : “The foreman glories o’er my shield, I left it on the battlefield. I threw it down beside the wood, Unscathed by scars, unstained with blood And let him glory ; since from death Escaped, I keep my forfeit breath. I soon may find at little cost As good a shield as that I lost.” When he afterward visited Sparta, the authorities, taking a different view of shield-dropping, ordered him to leave the city in an hour. 4. Alexander The Great: Alexander always retained a warm love for his mother, Olympias. She, however, was a violent woman. Antipater, who was left Governor of Macedon durino- Alexander’s absence, wrote a letter complaining of her conduct. “Ah,” said the King, “Antipater does not know that one tear of a mother will blot out ten thousand of his letters.” Just before the battle of Issus Alexander was attacked by a fever in conse- quence of bathing in the cold water of the Cydnus. While sick he was informed that his physician, Philip, had been bribed by Darius to poison him. As Philip came into the room Alexander handed him a letter containing the warning, and then before the doctor could speak, swallowed the medicine. His confidence was rewarded by a speedy recovery. Porus, an Indian, held the banks of the Hydaspe. The Indians being defeated, Porus was brought into Alexander’s presence. When asked what he wished, Porus replied, “Nothing except to be treated like a king.” Alexander, struck by the answer, gave him his liberty and enlarged his territory. One dav while passing through the Arabian desert Alexander’s throat was parched with thirst. A drink of water was given him, but he threw it to the ground, lest the sight of his pleasure would aggravate the suffering of his men. 5. Diogenes: Probably there is no greater cynic or rationalist philosopher than Diogenes. He would wander on the streets of Athens shabbily clad, making fun of those who rode by in carriages. “You have a carriage to worry about,” said he “while I have none.” Alexander The Great heard of his fame and decided to reward him. One day the king paid Diogenes a visit. “I have heard of your fame, vour wisdom, your understanding,” Alexander began, “and I want to reward you. Which shall I give you, the governorship of a province, a position at court, or a sum of money?” It was a bright sunny day and Alexander was blocking the sun light from Diogenes and the latter answered, “Stand aside, please, you are blocking the sunlight from me.” [ Page 103 ]

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Character Sketches 1. Cyrus The Great : Aftei Cyrus held conqueied Lydia,, he, in adherence to the spirit of the age, intended to put to death its King, Croesus. Croesus was so rich that his name has become proverbial, lie was now doomed to die. Mountin 0- the funeral pile, he explained, Solon ! Solon ! Cyrus, wondering, inquired the reason. The captive replied that the Greek philosopher had once visited him and made light of his riches, saying, that no man should be judged happy until the manner of his death was known.” Cyrus, struck by the reply, released Croesus and made him a confidential friend. 2. Homer: T Tomer was an Asiatic Greeek, whose name has become immortal. The Iliad and the Odyssey art the greatest epics ever written. The first contains the story of the seige of lioy, the second narrates the wanderings of Ulvsses king of Ithaca, on his return from the Trojan Conquest. Homer’s style is simple, artistic, clear and vivid It abounds in sublime description, delicate pathos, pure domestic sentiment, and noble conceptions of character. His verse strangely stirred the Grecian heart. The rhapsodist Ion describes the emotion it produced : “When that which I recite is pathetic, my eyes fill with tears ; when it is awful or terrible, my hair stands on end and ™y .heart leaps The spectators also weep in sympathy, and look aghast with terror. 9 According to tradition Homer was a schoolmaster who wearying of con- finement, began to travel. Having become blind in the course of his wanderings he returned to lus native town, where he composed his two great poems After- wards he roamed from town to town, singing his lays, and adding to them as his inspiration came. Somewhere on the coast of the Levant he died and was buried. His birthplace is unknown, and according to an old Greek epigram, “Seven rival towns contend for Homer dead Through which the living Homer begged his bread.” 3. Archilochus : Archilochus was a satirical poet of great reputation among the ancients, his birthday being celebrated in one grand festival with that of Homer, and a single double-facel status perpetuating their memory. He invented many rhythmical forms, and wrote with force and elegance. His satire was so caustic that he is said to have driven a. whole family to suicide by his venomous pen used in revenge for his rejection by one of the daughters. He likened himself to a porcupine bristling with quills, and declared. “One great thing I know, The man who wrongs me to requite with woe.” I 9 [ Page 102 ]

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PRIM A LUCE 6. Cincinnatus: One day news came that the Aequians had surrounded the Roman Consul and Ins army m a deep valley, whence they could not escape. There seemed no one in Z Cur S fVeT ™us Quinstius, surnamed Cincinnatus or the Curley haired, (Perhaps Howard Daniel’s hair will make him famous vet) was declared dictator. The officers who went tn ... «■ , . i,; n . n i nuf : n(r i ; . 1; .., t , , ' ' v 10 went to announce his appointment found him plowing on his little farm of four acres, which he tilled himself. He called for toga ’ hat he receive the commands of the Senate with due respect when he was at once hailed dictator Repairing to the city, he assembled fresh troops, collected a new army and defeated the enemy. Cincinnatus, on his return was S m ffif n “ Sr? Sav tn d COUntry ’ he resig - d his office and watt back to his plow again, content with the quiet of his rustic home. 7. Fabricius: SKSKSSr M » H ma k at »s had ever possessed, ’ if he would enter bis t H , . ? , , m c “Poverty, with a good name, is better than wealth ” Aft r 5 p ' . e 4 tia j: p u. offered tn nnimn i • w , Afterwards the physician of iyrrhus ottered to poison the king. But the indignant Roman sent back the traitor in irons. Pyrrhus, not to be outdone s ( uacK llle saying that “it is easier to turn the sun from i!T i? all . hls : captlv f ’ path of honor.” Course than Fabricius from the 8. Hannibal: Hannibal was the son of Hamilmr Carthage for Spain, he took with him ’ Hannibal ien aal j lcar l eft first made him swear at the altar of Baal alwiv - t i ° y nme 7 ears having The childish oath was never forgo tin and Hnnnib i r , a ° f thc RomanS ‘ purpose — to humble his country’s rival Fnr flft ’ 1 ] 1S ut one untiringly, defeating them in the memorable battles o Treh -T 1 R ° ma1 Cannae. After the last named battle Pffinn i l ? Ma ’ 1 rasimenus ’ and taken from the fingers of the Roman KnRbt abushel of S okl rm S s Romans ceased to fight him in ttTn field wber Henceforth the them. 1 where hls enius wa s so fatal to While Hannibal was ravaging the rich nlm ' nc rv. ■ , ■ seized the passes of the Apennines, through which Han ’TT’ the Wary FablUS Samnium with his booty. The Carthaginian ,In=l H d)a! must recross into But his mind was fertile in devices. He fastened Ppar , ent y ca | 1 S kt in tke tra P- thousand oxen, and sent men to drive them un thf nVab 0 - the , ho . r V s of 1 V ° Romans at the defiles thinking the Carthaginians f gbbonn g heights. r be hills, ran to the defence. Hannibal quickly feized the J ' t ' ying escape over the with his army. ' -eizcd the passes, and marched through [ Pace 104 ]