World History
Drunks of War. This is an article from the July/August 2003 issue of Modern Drunkard Magazine. In it, the author (Rich English) argues that "Societies possessing a robust and realistic attitude toward intoxication have produced mightier warriors than those which censure consumption. "
This thesis in never proven in the article. However, it does provide an interesting account of the Battle of Thermopylae. In fact, this account is the majority of the article. (This is the battle where 300 Spartans held a million plus Persian army at bay for seven days and killed over 100,000 men. )
English concludes, "Spartan success at Thermopylae hinged on several important elements: Persian arrogance, Xerxes? dependence upon conscripts, the narrow terrain of the Hot Gates, wildly superior Spartan training and tactics and wine. "
Again, the wine part is not really proven even if the Spartans were known to drink before battles while the Persians were forced to fight sober. But heck, this is Modern Drunkard Magazine. It is an interesting read even if the scholarship is lacking.
- When Drunkards Revolt: The Chicago Beer Riot Of 1855
Richard English at Modern Drunkard Magazine has a fun history article titled When Drunkards Revolt: The Chicago Beer Riot of 1855. While this magazine may not be the most reliable, this article appears to be grounded in some solid history based on some...
- The 300
I am very excited about a new film opening next week. It is 300 which is an account of the famous Greek last stand at the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. At that battle, a small handful of Greeks slowed the Persians down and inflicted anywhere from 20...
- Drunkus Maximus: The Power And Purpose Of Alcohol In Ancient Rome.
Drunkus Maximus: The Power and Purpose of Alcohol in Ancient Rome. I found this article at the new issue of Modern Drunkard Magazine online. The author is someone writing under the name Rich English which I think is a pseudonym. While not perfect, and...
- You Don’t Know Jack
You Don?t Know Jack. This is an interesting history article from Modern Drunkard Magazine. I have to admit that there have been several interesting history essays (relating to alcohol of course) at this site. I haven't attempted to fact check any...
- Yo Ho Ho And A Bottle Of Rum
Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum. This is an article from Modern Drunkard Magazine on the alcoholic adventures of the pirates of the Caribbean. While I am a bit loathe to blog an article from such a source, it is surprisingly good and gives a decent account...
World History
Drunks of War
Drunks of War. This is an article from the July/August 2003 issue of Modern Drunkard Magazine. In it, the author (Rich English) argues that "Societies possessing a robust and realistic attitude toward intoxication have produced mightier warriors than those which censure consumption. "
This thesis in never proven in the article. However, it does provide an interesting account of the Battle of Thermopylae. In fact, this account is the majority of the article. (This is the battle where 300 Spartans held a million plus Persian army at bay for seven days and killed over 100,000 men. )
English concludes, "Spartan success at Thermopylae hinged on several important elements: Persian arrogance, Xerxes? dependence upon conscripts, the narrow terrain of the Hot Gates, wildly superior Spartan training and tactics and wine. "
Again, the wine part is not really proven even if the Spartans were known to drink before battles while the Persians were forced to fight sober. But heck, this is Modern Drunkard Magazine. It is an interesting read even if the scholarship is lacking.
- When Drunkards Revolt: The Chicago Beer Riot Of 1855
Richard English at Modern Drunkard Magazine has a fun history article titled When Drunkards Revolt: The Chicago Beer Riot of 1855. While this magazine may not be the most reliable, this article appears to be grounded in some solid history based on some...
- The 300
I am very excited about a new film opening next week. It is 300 which is an account of the famous Greek last stand at the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. At that battle, a small handful of Greeks slowed the Persians down and inflicted anywhere from 20...
- Drunkus Maximus: The Power And Purpose Of Alcohol In Ancient Rome.
Drunkus Maximus: The Power and Purpose of Alcohol in Ancient Rome. I found this article at the new issue of Modern Drunkard Magazine online. The author is someone writing under the name Rich English which I think is a pseudonym. While not perfect, and...
- You Don’t Know Jack
You Don?t Know Jack. This is an interesting history article from Modern Drunkard Magazine. I have to admit that there have been several interesting history essays (relating to alcohol of course) at this site. I haven't attempted to fact check any...
- Yo Ho Ho And A Bottle Of Rum
Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum. This is an article from Modern Drunkard Magazine on the alcoholic adventures of the pirates of the Caribbean. While I am a bit loathe to blog an article from such a source, it is surprisingly good and gives a decent account...