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About this quote

What does it mean?
A chaotic image of a pack of dogs emerging from a barbaric bed, linked to long ships.
In plain terms
A pack of dogs bursts from a barbaric place toward ships.
What can you take from it?
Unexpected threats can arise from hostile origins.

Where it applies

  • military history
  • mythic storytelling

Putting it to work

  • interpret symbolic threats
  • study ancient naval tactics

Questions to consider

  • What modern ‘dogs’ represent sudden dangers?
  • How can societies prepare for unexpected threats?

Another view

The metaphorical language is vague.

More from Gildas

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  3. Interea non cessant uncinata nudorum tela, quibus miserrimi cives de muris tracti solo allidebantur.

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