Author: Quintus Curtius

The Dragunov Sniper Rifle (SVD)

Quintus Curtius Uncategorized , ,

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Those who follow the war in Syria on YouTube or Twitter will likely be familiar with the unique profile of the Soviet sniper rifle officially known as the SVD (Samozariyadnyia Vintokvka Dragunova). Unofficially, of course, it goes by the name Dragunov.  The weapon has a long record of reliable service, having first appeared in 1963.  It has seen action in every conflict in which the Soviet Union, Russia, and her allies have been involved since that time.  In Syria, it has seen use all over the theater of conflict, in both urban settings and in the countryside.

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Sunday Film Roundup (10/9/2016)

Quintus Curtius Film , ,

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Here’s what the cat brought in this week.  I’ve got two movies to talk about this week, and both of them are worth seeing.  This doesn’t happen very often, so I’m grateful.

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Fear Or Love? The Views Of Cicero And Machiavelli (Podcast)

Quintus Curtius Podcast , ,

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Is it better to be feared or loved?  This famous question is more nuanced than people think, and was addressed specifically by Cicero in “On Duties” as well as by Machiavelli in his “Prince” and “Discourses.”  Yet there has been much oversimplification and misunderstanding on this subject.
We also discuss whether Stoicism lends itself to passivity and fatalism.

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The Pearl Of Peroz

Quintus Curtius History, Literature, Thought , ,

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Peroz I (or Pirouz) was a Persian king who wore the royal diadem from about A.D. 459 to 484.  The Greek historian Procopius (I.4.18) relates a great fable about him and his pearl, which we will reproduce here.  As is often the case with these enchanting old tales, the reader will be asked to suspend his credulity as to the fable’s literal truth, while being mindful of its deeper purpose as a moral exemplar.

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The Genesis Of Greek Fire

Quintus Curtius History ,

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The compound known as “Greek fire” was the Byzantine navy’s secret weapon.  It was a flammable liquid hydrocarbon that could be blown through tubes, thrown in sealed pots, or poured on the heads of soldiers attacking fortifications.  Its precise composition was a state secret; and this was kept so well that even now we are not certain of its ingredients.

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Travel Advice For A Young Man. Looking For Sympathy (Podcast)

Quintus Curtius Podcast ,

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In this podcast episode we focus on two different questions.  In the first question, we look at some of the most valuable tips for a young guy in his 20s who has never traveled before.

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The Flight Of Charles Nungesser

Quintus Curtius History , ,

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Everyone has heard of Charles Lindbergh, but only the most dedicated student of early aviation history would recognize the name Charles Nungesser.  But he came close to beating Lindbergh across the Atlantic; and if we may believe the optimistic speculations of some, it is possible he may even have been the first to “cross” the Atlantic by air.

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The Seven Sleepers

Quintus Curtius Literature, Thought , ,

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We all desire to retain a sense of connection to the past.  It is part of human nature.  Too sudden a break with tradition can produce something very much like insanity; in individuals we call this a broken mind, and in nations we call it revolution.  And both of these reactions are destructive.  And at the same time, we need to feel we can project ourselves into the future, somehow.  We want to escape the limitations of this frail physical life, with its miserly duration and inconstant rewards.

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