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What horrific sight greeted English surgeon Charles Meryon one morning while travelling through the Syrian town of Latakia in 1813?

Answer: He came across a man who had recently been executed by impalement. The man was still alive but shortly after was shot. His crime was stealing a bullock and the murder of one of his pursuers. The doctor reported that Jewish, Christian, Druze and Ansary criminals are alone subjected to this horrible punishment. Turks were beheaded.

Source: Reportage by John Carey

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1908 – King Carlos I of Portugal and his heir, Prince Luis Filipe are assassinated by Republican sympathizers in Lisbon.

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“In Russia a man is a called reactionary if he objects to having his property stolen and his wife and children murdered.”

Winston Churchill (1874-1965), British statesman

Source: The Wicket Wit of Winston Churchill by Dominique Enright

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HistoryWow’s Featured Historical Figure of Note

Marcus Porcius Cato (234-149BCE)

Roman statesman, soldier and writer of virtue, simplicity and wisdom. He condemned the luxury of his time and was nicknamed “the censor”. He became Consul in 195BCE, took part in the defeat of Hannibal at Zama, held command in Sardinia and Spain, and in 191 BCE assisted the Greeks in overthrowing Antiochus III at Thermopolyae.

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