Kingdoms of the North

[steepholm]

Funny how one's mind can dig secret passages from one bit of information to another, isn't it? I've just realized that, for years, I've associated Urien of Rheged (fl. late 6th century AD) with Sargon of Akkad (fl. 23rd century BC). Consequently, whenever I think of Urien (which is, admittedly, not often) I see this image in my mind's eye.

I'm fairly sure that's not what Urien looked like.

Perhaps one day I should spring clean and reorganize my brain in order to iron out these anomalies? I suppose - but I think I'd miss the old place.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

Goodness. No, I'm sure he was nothing like that. How did you get that connection. (I'm not sure I have one specifically for Urien, other than the 'oh, cool stuff I meant to write a paper about but have never got round to' one.)

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

I don't know for sure, but have my theories...

a) They're both important kings about whom not that much is known, considering their eminence
b) I learned about them at around the same time, at an age (my mid-teens) when I was soaking up everything without much discrimination
c) they're both rulers of "that place to the north of where I'm really interested in", so somewhat on the periphery of my mental vision
d) and Rheged and Akkad sound a little similar...

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

I can see that. (Except maybe d.) For me, of course, Urien is in the middle of my research interests, so... Sargon not so much, though again, a fascinating period and figure.

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

I fully understand a), b) and c), because I'm sure I have strange and extraneous links like that too. Point d) is a bit more dodgy, though I suppose they are both two syllable words ending in D with a consonant in the middle. :)

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

Okay, but also, Urien and Sargon both end with an 'n'!

[shark-hat.livejournal.com]

Well, they do have the same middle name.

[ashkitty.livejournal.com]

Huh. Yeah, not how I picture Urien at all. ;)

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

I don't claim to make sense, merely to make an accurate record of my inanities. :)

[ashkitty.livejournal.com]

I think it's kind of cool!

[ashkitty.livejournal.com]

Also, I love that I have friends who have opinions on things like whether Urien Rheged looked like an ancient Akkadian king or not. ;)

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

If you're more pleased that I have an opinion than saddened that my opinion (if we can dignify it with the name) is kind of ridiculous, then I'm happy!

[ashkitty.livejournal.com]

I DO INDEED. :)