Nigel Hillpaul ن ‘A Colourful Welshman’
@thehillpaul
Rural Antiquary, Byzantinist, Z' Troop veteran & Varangjar for the σκρίνιον τῶν βαρβάρων and a Curator. A Byron Rogers Enthusiast. ‘Did I mention I rowed a Trireme?’
He won’t or can’t finish it. The kindest thing he can do to his readers is sit down with some aspiring young writer and tell them how he sees the series progressing and finishing, and hand it over.
For some reason, I find this immensely heartening.
A generous and fair review of Anthony Kaldellis’ 1453 by @pratinavanil.bsky.social (and a good read on its own account). I got my copy back in May and managed to scribble notes all through it. I also forgot to press ‘send’ on this last weekend.
I had a headmaster once who told me he shouldn’t be surprised one day to see my name in print. I don‘t think he meant it as a compliment. Gratia @theresthistory.bsky.social
Time for the first one of the season with Mrs TheHillpaul #Limoncello
Who will play Antony and offer POTUS a crown three times?
I haven’t seen the #Odyssey yet, but I have to congratulate Christopher Nolan for the massive focus he’s generated in such a canonical and readable piece of literature. So many translations, so many choices, so much interest.
I’ve been wondering for years when we’d start seeing something like this
With today’s #Odyssey discussion about the hue of the ocean, may I offer my own view of the ‘wine-dark sea’. Looks like last night’s Merlot.
They’re here, and they’re searching for aliens, mutants and heretics.
And lastly, a better class of graffiti. This mural is part of the ‘Wasted Love’ series by Fikos.
A modern take on SS Nicholas, Jeremiah and Eirene
The verger was not keen on pictures being taken and I (almost) feel guilty about taking advantage when he was distracted. Here, the third aisle, which is dedicated to the Assumption of the Theotokos
Continuing my (intermittent) thread on the churches of Naxos, I’d like to bring up Panagia Pantanassas in Chora Built on the site of the 8thC monastery of the Holy Trinity during the reign of Leo the Isaurian, it took its current form in the 11th-12thC.
An afternoon chewing my knuckles well-rewarded.
Stands up and shouts ‘God Save King Charles!!!’
Monday. Again. Gratia @lojuncosauroide on TwiX
The past when we had a future. Gratia @hushkit.bsky.social
I’ve spent more years than I care to remember at airports watching the raindrops bounce off the concrete in the summer to the smell of petrichor after smelling it coming. @brianroemmele.bsky.social
Runciman’s The First Crusade and the Foundation of the Kingdom of Jerusalem when I did my O’ Levels. It introduced me to Byzantium and I’ve been down the rabbit-hole ever since.