Pope Formosus and Stephen VI (the “Cadaver Synod”)
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Pope Formosus and Stephen VI (the “Cadaver Synod”)
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Last edited by Diocle; December 18, 2018 at 10:16 AM.
Exactly! In early 897, the body of poor Formosus (who held the Holy See until 896) was exhumed under the orders of Pope Stephen VI. His legal defense was apparently not stellar, so the skeleton was harshly condemned). Unfortunately for the side of the prosecutor, the position of Stephen was rather fragile, so he was eventually overthrown and strangled in prison. The remains of Formosus were credited with many miracles, until he was allegedly acquitted by Theodore II, in a decision that annuled the proceedings of the Cadaver Synod. The true nature of these macabre events remains very mysterious, but the general bloody context, points towards the political instability in the Italian peninsula, where Franks, Byzantines and the local aristocracy fought against each other for political and religious dominance. The Balkan hint was a reference to Formosus' apostolic activities in Bulgaria, while the future Pope and convict was merely the Cardinal Bishop of Porto (in Rome, not Portugal ).
Thanks Abdul! I admit I solved the mystery following the artist, I love historicist painters of 19th century.
Now guys, the event you have to guess is within another event, so, I fear you have to guess them both but .. this may be considered itself as a hint.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
I just saw a documentary on that ship. Its the Turbinia. It was the first steam turbine powered warship. It was extremely fast, and almost overnight completely changed the power dynamic of naval warfare. It made most of the ships in the British navy obsolete; though tall ships would continue to serve for some time. It allowed Germany to catch up so to speak. They didn't have to crank out 3-4 ships at a time to be competitive with the British they just needed to make one for each one the British made. It was the predecessor to the HMS Dreadnought.
The event depicted is the Spithead Navy Review in 1897. She showed up unannounced and made quite a show of things. She buzzed the other ships and drove circles around them. Noone could catch her, and the Royal Navy ended up looking like fools in front of the nobility of Europe.
Under the Patronage of the venerable General Brewster
She gatecrashed the Spithead review. Showing up unannounced, she began weaving in and out of the warships at a over of 30 knots, she was uncatchable. Nothing the Royal Navy had could match Turbina's speed. Even their fastest destroyers only managed 27 knots. Oh, and did I mention, this was in front of Queen Victoria.I don't get that: Turbinia was a British vessel, why would the Royal Navy look like fools?
Last edited by chesser2538; December 19, 2018 at 06:39 PM.
Under the Patronage of the venerable General Brewster
Sure, here is a better version of it.
And the same event depicted by another painter.
Under the Patronage of the venerable General Brewster
As it's been a while I believe a hint is in order.
Hint 1: The event depicted took place in the Philippines.
Under the Patronage of the venerable General Brewster
Aye, we have a winner. +rep and your go.
Under the Patronage of the venerable General Brewster
looking at the remains (pixelated for obvious reasons), this man probably thought: What happened?!
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Earlier:
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The same head less than one year prior:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
So guys. What happened? You have 72h or you'll be shown the rest of his body.
I promised, now I deliver:So guys. What happened? You have 72h or you'll be shown the rest of his body.
shivaji in aurangzeb's court
I Came,I Saw I Partially Differentiate
This game is now part of The Total Guess Competition.
Please refer to the linked thread for details and info on rules, medals, etc.
Under the patronage of Finlander, patron of Lugotorix & Lifthrasir & joerock22 & Socrates1984 & Kilo11 & Vladyvid & Dick Cheney & phazer & Jake Armitage & webba 84 of the Imperial House of Hader
I'm not ready to give up on this one. So let me give you a recap and then justthea tip:
Well clothing in the images should tell you 19th century. Most of the guys are obviously Europeans, and wear blue uniforms. I answered "nyet" on the last guessing attempt, so you can infer the Europeans I'm referring to ain't exactly from the US.
While the peeps are European, the location is obviously not. The architecture is pretty clear on that one. And since it's indoors, it probably doesn't exactly classify as a battle.
So here's the tip: The guy I directed you at, whose head ended up on that stake, was a huge loss for world literature. He was still somewhat young when he died this way, but he had managed to create one piece of literature that's still very much loved by his countrymen to this day. And given that his country has produced its fair share of world literature, that means something. But he had some sort of a writers block once his body had been torn to pieces. Be so kind to name both the guy and the event when you solve it.
Did I say one tip? Two tips should double the fun!
Batman made a movie about this!
Well, not about this. But almost the same event, in the same city.
Well, he appears to be wearing glasses in that last image, Nyet is Russian, his head is impaled. Perhaps it is Alexander Griboyedov, Russian Ambassador to Iran, killed by a mob after storming the Embassy in February 1829.
"First get your facts straight, then distort them at your leisure." - Mark Twain
οὐκ ἦν μὲν ἐγώ, νῦν δ' εἰμί· τότε δ' ούκ ἔσομαι, ούδέ μοι μελήσει