The Legendary Origins of Merlin the Magician

The Legendary Origins of Merlin the Magician

Most people today have heard of Merlin the Magician, as his name has been popularized over the centuries and his story has been dramatized in numerous novels, films, and television programs. The powerful wizard is depicted with many magical powers, including the power of shapeshifting and is well-known in mythology as a tutor and mentor to the legendary King Arthur, ultimately guiding him towards becoming the king of Camelot. While these general tales are well-known, Merlin’s initial appearances were only somewhat linked to Arthur. It took many decades of adaptations before Merlin became the wizard of Arthurian legend he is known as today.

It is common belief that Merlin was created as a figure for Arthurian legend.  While Merlin the Wizard was a very prominent character in the stories of Camelot, that is not where he originated.  Writer Geoffrey of Monmouth is credited with creating Merlin in his 1136 AD work, Historia Regum Britanniae – The History of Kings of Britain. While a large portion of Historia Regum Britanniae is a historical account of the former kings of Britain, Merlin was included as a fictional character (although it is likely that Geoffrey intended for readers to believe he was a figure extracted from long-lost ancient texts). Merlin was paradoxical, as he was both the son of the devil and the servant of God.

Merlin was created as a combination of several historical and legendary figures. Geoffrey combined stories of North Brythonic prophet and madman, Myrddin Wyllt, and Romano-British war leader, Ambrosius Aurelianus, to create Merlin Ambrosius. Ambrosius was a figure in Nennius' Historia Brittonum.  In Historia Brittonum, British king Vortigern wished to erect a tower, but each time he tried it would collapse before completion. He was told that to prevent this, he would have to first sprinkle the ground beneath the tower with the blood of a child who was born without a father. Ambrosius was thought to have been born without a father, so he was brought before Vortigern. Ambrosius explains to Vortigern that the tower could not be supported upon the foundation because two battling dragons lived beneath, representing the Saxons and the Britons. Ambrosius convinced Vortigern that the tower will only stand with Ambrosius as a leader, and Vortigern gave Ambrosius the tower, which is also the kingdom. Geoffrey retells this story with Merlin as the child born without a father, although he retains the character of Ambrosius.

Illumination of a 15th century manuscript of Historia Regum Britanniae showing king of the Britons Vortigern and Ambros waching the fight between two dragons

In Geoffrey’s version of the story, he includes a long section containing Merlin’s prophecies, along with two other stories, which led to the inclusion of Merlin into Arthurian legend. These include the tale of Merlin creating Stonehenge as the burial location for Ambrosius, and the story of Uther Pendragon sneaking into Tintagel where he father Arthur with Igraine, his enemy’s wife. This was the extent of Geoffrey’s tales of Merlin. Geoffrey does not include any stories of Merlin acting as a tutor to Arthur, which is how Merlin is most well-known today. Geoffery’s character of Merlin quickly became popular, particularly in Wales, and from there the tales were adapted, eventually leading to Merlin’s role as Arthur’s tutor.

                     A giant helps Merlin build Stonehenge. From a manuscript of the Roman de Brut by Wace

Many years after Geoffrey’s Historia Regum Britanniae, Robert de Boron composed a poem called Merlin. Boron’s Merlin has the same origins as Geoffrey’s creation, but Boron places special emphasis on Merlin’s shapeshifting powers, connection to the Holy Grail, and his jokester personality. Boron also introduces Blaise, Merlin’s master. Boron’s poem was eventually re-written in prose as Estoire de Merlin, which also places much focus upon Merlin’s shapeshifting. Over the years, Merlin was interspersed through the tales of Arthurian legend. Some writings placed much focus upon Merlin as Arthur’s mentor, while others did not mention Merlin at all. In some tales Merlin was viewed as an evil figure who did no good in his life, while in others he was viewed favorably as Arthur’s teacher and mentor.
Eventually, from the various tales emerged Merlin’s downfall, at the hands of Niviane (Vivien), the king of Northumberland’s daughter. Arthur convinces Niviane to stay in his castle, under Merlin’s encouragement. Merlin falls in love with Niviane. However, Niviane fears Merlin will use his magical powers to take advantage of her. She swears that she will never fall in love with him, unless he teaches her all of the magic he knows. Merlin agrees. Merlin and Niviane depart to return to Northumberland, when they are called back to assist King Arthur. As they are returning, they stop to stay in a stone chamber, where two lovers once died and were buried together. When Merlin falls asleep, Niviane places him under a spell, and traps him within the stone tomb, where he dies. Merlin had never realized that his desire for Niviane, and his willingness to teach her his magical ways, would eventually lead to his untimely death.

Merlin and Vivien dated 1867 by Gustave Dore

om Merlin’s inception through the writings of Geoffrey, the wizard appeared in many subsequent tales, stories, and poems. Today, Merlin is most well-known for being the wizard who tutored and taught the young Arthur, before he grew to become the King of Camelot. It was under Merlin’s counsel that Arthur became the king that he was. While this legend continues on today, it is interesting to see the many variations of Merlin, from an evil wizard, to a shapeshifter, to one who met his downfall from teaching his powers to the woman he loved. This powerful and versatile character caught the attention of many people centuries ago, and continues to play a prominent role in today’s storytelling.

The Love Story of Romeo and Juliet

The Love Story of Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet is an enduring tragic love story written by William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. Shakespeare borrowed his plot from an original Italian tale.  It is believed Romeo and Juliette were based on actual characters from Verona.

The Montague and Capulet families are feuding.  The Prince of Verona intervenes and declares that any further fighting will be punishable by death.

When the Count of Paris approaches Lord Capulet about marrying his daughter, Juliet, he is wary of the request because she is only thirteen.  Capulet asks the Count of Paris to wait another two years and invites him to attend a ball.  Lady Capulet and Juliet's nurse urge Juliet to accept Paris' courtship.

In the Montague house, Benvolio talks with his cousin Romeo, Lord Montague's son, about Romeo's recent melancholy.  Benvolio discovers Romeo's unrequited infatuation for a girl named Rosaline, a niece of Lord Capulet's nieces.  Persuaded by Benvolio Romeo attends the ball at the Capulet house in hopes of meeting Rosaline.  But it is not Rosaline who sweeps him off his feet - it is the fair Juliette.

After the ball, Romeo sneaks into the Capulet courtyard and overhears Juliet on her balcony vowing her love to him in spite of her family's hatred for his family.  Romeo makes himself known to her and they agree to be married.

Juliet's Balcony in Verona

With the help of a friar, who hopes to reconcile the two families through their children's union, they are secretly married the next day.

Juliet's cousin Tybalt, incensed that Romeo had crashed the Capulet ball, challenges him to a duel. Romeo, now considering Tybalt his kinsman, refuses to fight.  Romeo's friend, Mercutio is offended by Tybalt's insolence, as well as Romeo's "vile submission" and accepts the duel on Romeo's behalf. Mercutio is fatally wounded when Romeo attempts to break up the fight.  Grief-stricken and wracked with guilt, Romeo confronts and slays Tybalt.

Montague argues that Romeo has justly fought and killed Tybalt for the murder of Mercutio.  The Prince exiles Romeo from Verona and declares that if Romeo returns, he will be executed.   

Romeo secretly spends the night in Juliet's chamber, where they make love for the first and last time, consummating their marriage.  In the morning, he prepares to leave and kisses her one last time. 

Lord Capulet, misinterpreting Juliet's grief, agrees to marry her to Count Paris and threatens to disown her when she refuses.  Juliette pleads for the marriage to be delayed, but her mother rejects her.

Juliet visits Friar Laurence for help, and he offers her a drug that will put her into a death-like coma for forty-two hours.  The Friar promises to send a messenger to inform Romeo of the plan, so that he can rejoin her when she awakens.  On the night before her wedding to the Count, Juliet takes the drug and, when discovered apparently dead, she is laid in the family crypt.

The messenger, however, failed to reach Romeo and, instead, he learned of Juliet's apparent demise from his servant.  Heartbroken, Romeo buys poison from an apothecary and goes to the Capulet crypt.  There, he encounters Count Paris who has come to mourn Juliet privately.

Believing Romeo to be a vandal, Paris confronts him and, in the ensuing battle, Romeo kills Paris. Still believing Juliet to be dead, Romeo drinks the poison. 

The feuding families and the Prince meet at the tomb to find all three dead.  The Friar recounts their story.  The families are reconciled by their children's deaths and agree to end their violent feud.

Facts SCP 169, Giant Sea Monster Leviathan

Facts SCP 169, Giant Sea Monster Leviathan

SCP 169 or also known as "giant sea monster Leviathan" is one of the plots in the project SCP Foundantion (Secure, Contain, Protect) a body of secret organization of non-profit government's duty to investigate the existence of ancient animals prehistoric, technology biological weapons, cloningan humans as well a wide variety of experimental artificial living beings. Unknown until now secret documentation Foundantion SCP has been able to collect the sample in 2999 and still continues to research development for the advancement of science.

On sighting SCP 169 Leviathan itself a lot of people who judge that the figure SCP 169 is just a myth, or the result of an imaginative essay. But researchers from the organization SCP Foundantion bold claim, that monster of the primeval ocean predators have already managed to find its existence though they are often on the move.

The last sighting was successful they found in the Atlantic Ocean (the boundaries of the northern United States) using satellite imagery and analysis eccentric orbit trajectory.

Statistical data recording imaging illustrates how super the magnitude of the ancient creature's SCP-169. Body length reaches 2000 to 8000 kilometers. Can you imagine the size of his body like an island in which we live. Age Leviathan or SCP-169 is also expected to come from the beginning of the first life on Earth, from the pre-Cambrian era dinosaur civilization.

Animal Sightings Photo Ancient Giant SCP 169

Too often users access Facebook Can Make Passion

Too often users access Facebook Can Make Passion

Spend time lingering on Facebook for just curious about something seems to be likely to cause misery.

More recently, a team of researchers at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, found that social media users active and passive can reduce the level of life satisfaction as well an emotional condition.

The use of passive in question is a user only sees what he uploaded by other users without any interaction.


Previous participants to follow the pre-test given by the researchers to see how they use Facebook for this and find out if the user falls into active or passive.

"The participants were istrirahat for one week from Facebook recorded a higher level of life satisfaction and emotional state better," says researcher

Meanwhile, research carried out with the involvement of 1,095 participants in Denmark are divided into several groups.

So, should you stop using Facebook? The answer is, it is not necessary. The reason, according to the results of the study, all of it is concerned with how people use Facebook.

Facebook users categorized as "heavy users", "passive users" and "user envious". Each of them has a different impact when you're not using Facebook for one week.

Having explored further, heavy users of Facebook needs to reduce its activity on Facebook to improve his living conditions.

"If someone tends to frequently envious when using Facebook, he should avoid seeing certain things, (such as specific friend) that causes the user's envy," says the study.

Meanwhile, for the passive Facebook users should avoid this behavior. When you change the behavior on Facebook is quite difficult, passive users are advised to stop using social networking made by Mark Zuckerberg.

Research like this is not the first time performed. Earlier, in 2013, a study found that Facebook has a negative influence on the behavior of early adult age. While in 2014, a study said, the use of Facebook could lead to depression.

Penampakan UFO `Piramida Raksasa` Tertangkap Melayang di Brazil

Penampakan UFO `Piramida Raksasa` Tertangkap Melayang di Brazil

UFO `Payung Raksasa` di Sao Paulo (Mirror)

Sao Paulo - Fenomena penampakan Unindentified Flying Objects (UFO) terbang di Bumi memangmenjadi isu menarik. Meski memang belum bisa dipastikan kebenarannya, sebagian besar orang (khususnya kalangan UFO enthusiast) percaya bahwa beberapa dari banyaknya foto penampakan benda luar angkasa yang terbang melintasi langit di berbagai wilayah Bumi itu memang benar-benar ada.

Terkini, penampakan UFO kembali tertangkap melayang di langit Sao Paulo, Brazil. Penampakan tersebut diabadikan secara tidak sengaja oleh kamera Nikon milik seorang warga setempat bernama Denis Deco. Ia baru menyadari setelah ia mencoba zoom in beberapa foto yang ia abadikan, terdapat sebuah objek janggal menyerupai payung raksasa terbang di langit.

Menurut informasi yang tim Tekno Liputan6.com kutip dari Mirror, Jumat (23/10/2015), Denis mengambil foto pemandangan langit di daerah Mogi das Cruz, sebuah kota kecil di Sao Paulo pukul 09.00 waktu setempat.

"Saya menggunakan kamera Nikon P600, dan saya telah melakukan zoom in sebanyak 60 kali. Barulah saya menyadari ada objek yang saya pikir sebuah burung. Namun setelah saya zoom in lebih dekat lagi, objek tersebut tampak seperti payung raksasa. Teman saya justru bilang objek itu terlihat seperti piramida," tuturnya.

cott Waring, pengamat objek luar angkasa dari UFO Sightings Daily mengatakan bahwa tampaknya objek misterius tersebut bisa saja merupakan UFO. Ia mengatakan penampakan tersebut tidaklah baru, ia pernah melihat penampakan serupa namun lebih cenderung tampak seperti piramida raksasa yang melayang di langit.

"Bentuk UFO ini pernah terekam sebelumnya. Pada 5 Oktober 1996, saya mendapatkan rekaman dari seorang pilot di Pelotas, Brazil yang merekam sebuah objek piramida raksasa melayang di langit dan bahkan terdapat beberapa pesawat kecil lainnya yang mengikuti UFO tersebut," pungkas Waring.

Sebelumnya, objek misterius yang diklaim UFO juga sempat melayang di wilayah Rusia. Penampakan tersebut dirilis oleh sebuah sebuah kelompok peneliti kehidupan luar angkasa yang mereka juluki dengan nama `SecureTeam10`. Jika di-zoom lebih dekat, bentuk pesawat luar angkasa tersebut seperti makhluk reptil.

Sejauh ini, memang belum bisa dipastikan rangkaian penampakan objek angkasa aneh ini merupakan UFO atau tidak. Bagaimana dengan Anda, apakah memang objek-objek misterius tersebut merupakan `kendaraan` para Alien?