tidbits cross time

In classical times, politicians loved to associate themselves with Hercules if they were somewhat maverick. After all -- blunt, plain-spoken, unrefined in manners but kind, hospitable and a good guest, fought monsters, and primarily after the pure honor of winning victory, and lots of food and drink, rather than money.

At the Battle of Lepanto, after a ramming, Don Juan of Austria ordered the convicts serving as rowers on the Christian ships be freed to fight. This was so effective as reinforcements that the Muslim commander ordered their slave rowers be freed. The slaves then promptly reinforced -- the Christians.
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