Show Notes
“Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split.” Robert E. Howard.
"If he had shot me through the brain, sir, I should still have killed him." Andrew Jackson
Since the dawn of time, human beings have killed each other in all kinds of ways for all kinds of reasons. One of the most peculiar forms of violence humans have engaged in is the duel.
Far from being the most effective way to dispose of one’s enemies, the duel has been tied to issues of reputation and honor. At its core, it’s a form of highly ritualized violence that served deep cultural purposes.
In this episode, we dive deep into the history of duels, trials by combat, and jousting.
From the pages of the Old Testament to tales from Roman history, from Miyamoto Musashi to Benito Mussolini, from Germanic tribal customs to French knights invoking God’s judgment while slaughtering rivals, the vice-president of the United States killing the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, German university students and their facial scars, Caravaggio, Andrew Jackson, the death of one the greatest Russian poets, and much more.
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Government That Doesn't Suck is a Rewind Studios original podcast from the creators of History That Doesn't Suck, hosted by Professors Lindsey Cormack and Greg Jackson. Each episode digs into the surprising story of an American institution — from the origins of the internet, to the National Park Service, to the GI Bill, and so much more. You'll hear the stories behind them, plus a conversation with an expert who knows it inside and out. New episodes release every other Monday. Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or subscribe on YouTube for full video episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
“I ask you why we must tear ourselves apart for this small question of religion?” from the movie Elizabeth
"I answered him that… I, as Captain-General of these provinces, was waging a war of fire and blood against all who came to settle these parts and plant in them their evil Lutheran sect... For this reason, I would not grant them a safe passage, but would sooner follow them by sea and land until I had taken their lives." Captain Pedro Menendez de Aviles