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purple motes

Artifacts to help you imagine more.

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Highlights

  • Abelard castrated
  • Byzantine wife saves husband
  • Amphitryon & Geta duped
  • Chastelaine de Vergi tragedy
  • Aristotle’s advice to Alexander
  • Empress Theodora: woman leader
  • Tristan & Isuet
  • Xanthippe & Socrates
  • New Modern Sexism Scale

Ruodlieb

Ruodlieb is a narrative verse romance parody written in Latin in present-day southern Germany. Ruodlieb was probably written between the years 1050 and 1075. The author was a sophisticated poet writing in leonine hexameters, but also a keen observer of actual human behavior. Within eleventh-century feudal culture, Ruodlieb shows men’s deference to women, figured as mother and obnoxious bride.

matriarchy in 11th-century Germany: the case of Ruodlieb

Ruodlieb’s mother presided at his home and prevailed upon him to marry. A courageous, noble night in 11th-century Germany, Ruolieb was under matriarchy. … Read the post matriarchy in 11th-century Germany: the case of Ruodlieb

dwarf romance & deceit in Ruodlieb’s marriage proposal

The cruel deceits of Ruodlieb’s marriage proposal are followed by a scene of noble dwarves. The artistic poet has turned from romance to parody. … Read the post dwarf romance & deceit in Ruodlieb’s marriage proposal

Ruodlieb questioned romance of sexual symmetry

Invigorating humane romance might start with better understanding Ruodlieb. The sexually symmetric love pair offers dire portents in the wedding ceremony. … Read the post Ruodlieb questioned romance of sexual symmetry