The name of the mummy of a warrior and ruler found in Sipán, an archaeological site in northern Peru, in 1987. The Lord of Sipán tomb is a Moche culture site and important archaeological discovery because the main tomb was found intact and untouched by thieves. The Moche Empire’s refinement of art and technology rivaled the Maya Empire.
The founder and Great Khan of the Mongol Empire. He conquered and massacred most of Eurasia, but also promoted religious tolerance. He unified the nomadic tribes of northeast Asia. He died on this day in 1227. Through his sons and grandsons, the Mongol Empire became the largest contiguous empire in history (and included 26% of the world population).
A Scottish knight and landowner who became a rebel leader during the Wars of Scottish Independence. On this day in 1305, a captured William Wallace was hanged, drawn and quartered for high treason by King Edward I of England. I can’t help but think of Mel Gibson’s Braveheart speech. “They may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom!”
A celebrated 19th-century American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier and politician who was born on this day in 1786. He is commonly referred to in popular culture by the epithet “King of the Wild Frontier.” He represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives, served in the Texas Revolution and died at the Battle of the Alamo in 1836.
Edward Teach was a notorious English pirate with a thick black beard who operated around the West Indies and the eastern coast of the American colonies. He was killed in 1718 after two legendary years of plundering.
To maintain the delicate balance of the Internet, I had to post a pirate today after yesterday’s 8-bit ninja character.
A peasant girl who became a national heroine of France and a Catholic saint. Claiming divine guidance, she led the French army to important victories during the Hundred Years’ War. She was burned at the stake on this day in 1431.
Leonidas I – No. 300
A hero-king of Sparta who was believed in mythology to be a descendant of Heracles. Leonidas is notable for his leadership at the Battle of Thermopylae during the second Persian invasion of Greece in 480 BC. In one of history’s most famous last-stands, Leonidas led 300 Spartans against an invading Persian army of 100,000+ led by Xerxes I.
In the midst of all these holiday characters, I chose Leonidas for today because I wanted him to be my 300th 8-bit character. This. Is. Caketown.