An ad hoc series of short articles about weird stuff in history, relating to toilets.Amuse your children when you recount this and the other articles in this series. Sharing fun stories like this teaches children (and young adults) about history and other important matters.
The article starts under the image of Saint Simeon on his pillar.
When looking at the illustration (an icon featuring the saint on his pillar) please notice the wine and a pot of something being winched up or lowered down to the ground. What could be in the pot? Read the article below to find out one less appetising theory...
Weird Histories – Number 4: Simeon and His Poo!
(the article starts under the image of Saint Simeon on his pillar)
An Icon featuring Saint Simeon Stylites - is there a toilet on his pillar? Answer: NO! Image fromWikipedia
Weird Histories – Number 4: Simeon and His Poo!
- Introduction
For reasons which we won’t explore here in Syria in 422 AD a Christian man named Simeon went into the desert, climbed a ladder up the side of a forty-foot pillar and got of at the top, where he stayed on a small wooden platform for 37 years. You might think that was weird enough but read on to find that it gets even weirder.
- Life on a Pillar for 37 Years
Simeon was visited regularly by people for advice and to hear him preach. All his food and water, although probably only small portions, were sent up to Simeon on a rope. In return Simeon sent down his faeces (which is a posh word for pooh). (I know what you’re thinking….YUK!)
- What happened to Simeon’s poo?
What do you think happened to Simeon’s turds (a posh term for poohs)? You wouldn’t be stupid if you supposes that the poohs were buried in a pit or disposed of in another hygienic manner but you would be wrong.
The people who handles Simeon’s pooh did something that is not normally done with pooh. They made medallions out of the pooh (round flat discs). These were stamped (presumably while still moist) with names and dates and things you might find on any medals given for winning in sports.
- Does any proof exist that this really happened to Simeon’s pooh?
For irrefutable, tangible evidence that this weird thing happened you must visit the Dumbarton Oaks collection in Washington, USA. Why? Pooh travels! The Washington collection houses a couple of original, authentic pooh medallions.
- Further Activities
Check out the story on line. Google “Simeon Stylites”
TIPS: Be prepared for some children to demand that you repeat this story time and time again. Don’t tell them in the first place to avoid this scenario.
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