-Caveat Lector- THE BIRTH OF BELGRADE ===================== (CNNS, 05/12/99) -- Around 600 A.D., the Mighty Chagan, King of the Magyars, cast his greedy eyes upon Sirmium, the ancient bulwark of the Illyrian provinces. The plains of the Lower Hungary were covered with the Avar horse; and a fleet of large boats was built in the Hercynian wood, to descend the Danube River, and to transport into the Save River the materials of a bridge. But as the strong garrison of Singidunum, which commanded the conflux of the Danube and Save rivers, might have stopped the passage of the Mighty Chagan and his army, and therefore baffled his designs, he dispelled the apprehensions of the Singidunumians by solemn oaths that he was not hostile to their empire. He was not an enemy of Rome, swore the Mighty Chagan. "If I violate my oath," swore the Mighty Chagan, "may I myself, and the last of my nation, perish by the sword!" "If I violate my oath," swore the Mighty Chagan, "may the heavens, and fire, the deity of the heavens, fall upon our heads!" "If I violate my oath," swore the Mighty Chagan, "may the forests and mountains bury us in their ruins; may the Save River, returning, against the laws of nature, to his source, overwhelm us in his angry waters!" A bishop of Singidunum handed to the Mighty Chagan the Gospel. The Chagan received it with devout reverence. "I swear," thundered the Mighty Chagan, "by the God who has spoken in this holy book, that I have neither falsehood on my tongue nor treachery in my heart!" Thereafter, the Chagan accelerated labor on the Save River bridge. But then, the Mighty Chagan, after his bridge had been built, dared to now proclaim what he no longer had need to conceal. "Inform Rome," said the perfidious Chagan, "that Sirmium is surrounded on every side. Surrender this city, which it is now impossible to relieve or defend." Without hope, the Sirmiums defended their city for three years; the walls remained untouched, but famine was enclosed within those walls. Finally, a merciful capitulation allowed the escape of the naked and hungry inhabitants. But Singidunum, fifty miles distant, experienced a more cruel fate: its buildings were razed, and the vanquished people were condemned to slavery and exile. Yet even so, it is the ruins of Sirmium which today are no longer visible. The advantageous position of Sirgidunum, at the conflux of the Danube and Save rivers, soon attracted a new colony of Sclavonians. And that city is still guarded by the fortifications of Belgrade, a city so often and so obstinately disputed by the Christian and Moslem arms. From Belgrade to the walls of Constantinople, a line may be measured of six hundred miles: that line has since been marked with flames and with blood. [Source: *The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire*, by Edward Gibbon. Volume IV.] -- CNNS (Conspiracy Nation News Service) is an INDEPENDENT news outlet, not owned by anyone. (But of course, we would say that, wouldn't we?) BEWARE THE CFR! BEWARE THE CIA! BEWARE THE KNIGHTS! http://www.shout.net/~bigred/cn.html http://www.shout.net/~bigred/cnns.html DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
