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Day 71 - Harvard Classics - 90 Day Challenge





Oct 11: Virgil's AENEID

Aeneas Flees from an Inconsolable Love

Aeneas, mythological founder of the Roman race, leaving Carthage
and its lovely Queen Dido, was driven by a storm to the
coast of Sicily. There the hospitality of King Acestes helped
him to forget his relinquished love.

Read from Virgil's AENEID .......................     Vol. 13, pp. 178-188



Oct 12: LETTER OF COLUMBUS


Columbus' Letter Miraculously Found

Historical documents, now priceless, were often used as wrapping
paper. Rescued by chance was a letter of Columbus telling of
his voyages—of the amazing bargains made with timid natives—
of Amazon women who fought like men and made marriage
treaties with cannibals.

Read: LETTER OF COLUMBUS.....................     Vol. 43, pp. 21-27



Oct 13: Marcus Aurelius' MEDITATIONS


Pagan Virtue Perpetuated

A man of virtue, although a pagan, Marcus Aurelius ruled with
benevolence and wisdom. Cruel in persecution of Christians as
lawbreakers, no trace of this sternness appears in his writings.

Read from Marcus Aurelius' MEDITATIONS ..........   Vol. 2, pp. 193-199



Oct 14: Adam Smith's WEALTH OF NATIONS


No Spice and Little Gold

All colonies are founded to gain territory or treasure. Spain
expected spice and gold from Columbus's expedition, but got no
spice and little gold. Adam Smith tells the true motive of the
colonizing Greeks, Romans, English, and Spaniards.

Read from Adam Smith's WEALTH OF NATIONS .........    Vol. 10, pp. 395-404