Plutarch

On dappled deer

On dappled deer

A deer darted across the trail. It was small, stocky, and grayish-brown in color. It belonged to the family of European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), the most common cervid in the Mediterranean basin.

King-makers and king-breakers

King-makers and king-breakers

“When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him” (Matt 2:3).

The response of Herod and Jerusalem (and potentially Rome itself) may be best appreciated in a wider geopolitical context. This is all the more significant given the reputation of the magoi as royal puppeteers in texts outside the Bible.

The Woman who would be King (apologies to R. K.)

The Woman who would be King (apologies to R. K.)

For reasons I cannot fathom, people delight in scaring themselves on Halloween. It is bewildering. If I ever felt the need to recalibrate my terror-o-meter, I would simply drive to the local grocery store. Life in Central Florida is surreal enough.