Giles Morgan Bücher

So what's so significant about the Byzantine Empire? Modern historians are increasingly coming to recognize the role the Byzantine Empire played in the development of both Islam and Christianity, and the relationship between the two, and is recognised as having had a considerable influence on the Renaissance and a significant impact in...

The Holy Grail captivates both mainstream and fringe audiences, exemplified by the success of The Da Vinci Code, which highlights the intersection of myth and historical fact. Arthurian legends and historically inspired dramas have gained prominence through films like Lord of the Rings, King Arthur, Gladiator, and Troy. Additionally, the Glastonbury festival continues to spark interest in the area's history and its connection to the Grail. This legendary object, appearing as a magic cauldron, cornucopia, and chalice, has remained central to popular culture since ancient times. As a source of marvel and mystery, the Grail's roots in historical facts have inspired literature and the arts throughout Western Culture. From Celtic mythology to medieval romances, it has served as a nurturing vessel, providing endless inspiration for writers and artists. This volume explores the Grail's story, revealing the cultural transition from Celtic paganism to the rise of Christianity in Western Europe. The influence of Eastern mysticism in Grail romances emerged from the medieval crusades, leading to a blend of ideas. The Grail symbolizes ultimate achievement in modern thought, captivating figures like psychologist Carl Jung and poet T.S. Eliot, while artists such as Wagner, William Blake, and the Pre-Raphaelites have also been enchanted by its enduring allure.

The power dynamics of the office are never more obvious than when it comes to food: mandatory lunches with the boss, the colleague who tries to curry favour with home-baked goods, discovering the discarded remnants of someone else's late-night binge . . .In their Saitama office, Ashikawa is the kind of woman Nitani knows he will likely marry: sweet, obliging, and determined to wean him off his addiction to instant noodles. But he finds himself increasingly unable to respect her – or the sugary treats she shares around the workplace, winning their colleagues’ affection with baking rather than hard work.Oshio is bolder and uninhibited – she is Nitani's drinking buddy. In the oppressive office atmosphere, the pair grows closer, both outsiders struggling with the rigid status quo.Driven to behave in increasingly absurd ways by the workplace rules that govern their lives, they must navigate the tensions of modern life: between leisure and hard work; indulgence and restraint; the promise of delicious food, and the reality of a lonely pot noodle.