Month: October 2019

Maenads

Also called bacchantes, maenads were female followers of the Greek wine-god Dionysus. The name “maenad” comes from a Greek word meaning “mad” or “demented.” During the rites of Dionysus, maenads roamed the mountains and forests performing frenzied, ecstatic dances and were believed to be possessed by the god. While under his influence, they supposedly had extraordinary strength, and it was said they could tear animals—or people—to pieces. This was the fate met by what mythological figure? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Middfest International

Middletown, Ohio, is home to the annual festival of international culture known as Middfest. Designed to promote world understanding, friendship, and peace, the festival highlights the culture of a different country each year. Performers, artists, and dignitaries from the featured country come to Middletown and stay with local families. Included in the celebration are museum-quality exhibits, ethnic dances, and menus from all over the world. Lectures, workshops, films, and special interest activities are also scheduled throughout Middfest weekend. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Taiping Rebellion

Perhaps the most important event in 19th-century China, the Taiping Rebellion was a large-scale revolt against the Qing dynasty. The rebellion was led by Hong Xiuquan, a self-proclaimed visionary who garnered many followers among the poorer classes, who were discontented with the government after having suffered floods and famines in the late 1840s. The rebels captured Nanjing in 1853 and made it their capital but were later defeated. The rebellion resulted in how many millions of deaths? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Festival of the Nine Imperial Gods

As celebrated today in Singapore, the Festival of the Nine Imperial Gods begins with a procession to a body of water. There a Taoist priest prays for the spirits of the Gods to enter an urn of burning incense. The procession then carries the urn to a temple, where worshippers can bring offerings. Outside the Tou Mu Kong temple, near Kangkar, Singapore, people are informed of the Gods’ presence by the raising of nine oil lamps dangling from a bamboo pole. On the ninth day, the urn is placed in a small boat to carry the Gods back to the heavens. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

H.M.

Henry Molaison, better known as H.M., was an American memory disorder patient whose case played a key role in the development of theories regarding the link between brain function and memory. In 1953, after parts of his brain were removed to treat his otherwise intractable epilepsy, it was found that he was unable to form new long-term memories. He thus became the subject of numerous studies on brain function and amnesia. What did scientists learn about memory by studying H.M.? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Saint George and the Dragon

The patron saint of England, Saint George is regarded as an early Christian martyr and one of the most prominent military saints. His historical existence is uncertain, but from the 6th century onward he was the subject of legends brought back from the East by returning Crusaders. According to tradition, George was a soldier and a priest in the Guard of Diocletian who rescued a Libyan king’s daughter from a dragon, which he killed in return for what promise from the king? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary