Showing posts with label bow and arrow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bow and arrow. Show all posts

Friday, March 7, 2014

What makes a good superhero? And why would Zenobia be a strong superhero?

See our full article on what-makes-a-good-superhero 

Below we've added why we think Zenobia would be a strong superhero. 


 Katrina Law Mira


Zenobia trains as a warrior in Zenobia – Birth of aLegend and becomes elite with her bow and arrow andextremely skilled with a sword.




     In Zenobia – Challenging a Legend, Zenobia disguisesherself to get up close and personal with her enemies.





Zenobia should have been put to death at birth justbecause she was a girl. She was raised pretending to be aboy. That gave her plenty of motivation to prove a girlcan be just as useful as a man.  


 


Zenobia – a true historical figure from 3rd centurySyria, led her armies against Rome. She rode onhorseback wearing full armor.

 

warriorwoman


  •   Real or fictional superheroes show us how to stand up for what it right.


Zenobia is a great example of what a super hero is andthe world needs to learn about her amazing story. 


Tune in next week as we explore female super heroes.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Weapons that changed everything in history

Unfortunately, war is a big part of Zenobia's life. Zenobia uses the ancient formations and weapons (seen below) to challenge Rome. Author Russ Wallace has Zenobia's choice of weapon as a bow and arrow but Zenobia is trained in all forms of weaponry. 
All through Zenobia- Birth of a Legend and Zenobia - Challenging a Legend, Zenobia is continually learning and training and with these skills Zenobia turns into a deadly warrior. 

Weapons that Changed Everything


The Greek Phalanx (750 BCE)
Technically the Phalanx is the formation.  The individual soldiers were armed with the “Sarissa,” a long heavy spear, and a shield, but a phalanx is most notable for being greater than the sum of its parts.  The Greek soldiers would stand in rigid formation, their shields interlocked to protect not just themselves, but perhaps most importantly the man to their left.  The phalanx conquered the Mediterranean by moving as a single unstoppable armored unit.  It was in many ways, the tank of its day, and the fact that we still use the word in modern speech is a testament to its effectiveness.


The Gladius (400BCE - 300AD)
Roman Legionary’s Sword – If the Greeks mastered uniformity of movement, the Romans mastered standardization of equipment.  The short bladed Gladius made up part of the arsenal of every Legionary, along with a shield short throwing spear and dagger.  By ensuring that every soldier had well-made equipment, usable in a variety of situations, the Romans created an empire that, at its peak, stretched from England to North Africa, from the tip of the Iberian peninsula to the Middle East.

"The Roman Gladius is one of the most famous sword designs, wielded by one of the most formidable fighting forces known in history. Reflecting the close ties between the military and the Arena, the word gladiator comes from the word gladius: the sword used by both the legionairies, the fighting might of the Roman Empire, and some of the gladiators who re-enacted Rome's military successes."


Here's a scene from Chapter 6 in  Zenobia - Birth of a Legend :
"She gripped her long spear with her right hand, its butt end resting in the sling and boot that hung from her saddle. As with most of the cavalrymen, she wore a circular shield on her left forearm... The line began to trot forward in unison."


“Zenobia governed Syria from about 250 to 275 AD. She led her armies on horseback wearing full armor and during Claudius' reign defeated the Roman legions so decisively that they retreated from much of Asia Minor. Arabia, Armenia and Persia allied themselves with her and she claimed dominion over Egypt by right of ancestry." - Kathleen O’B.- http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Zenobia celebrates "Talk like a pirate day" on Sept. 19th


Disney's "Yo Ho, a Pirates life for me." Musical arrangement by http://www.timothymcgaw.com/


We are counting down  the days to "Talk like a Pirate day" on September 19th. Every Thursday for the month of September we will be sharing excerpts from Zenobia – Challenging a Legend, book two of the Zenobia saga.


In honor of pirate day, we will share from Chapter 28th where Zenobia trades in her bow and arrow for a sword and takes on piracy. She doesn't do it for the gold but to rescue slave girls who have been kidnapped and also to get revenge.
 

     The Syrians conferred at their house. Initially Zenobia was upset, but she rapidly decided how to adjust their strategy. “You men have a new slave that Hasshel wants added to his cargo on the ship. Simple.”
     “But will the captain believe our ruse?” asked Salim. “If he is suspicious, we could take a lot of casualties. Let’s attack in the dead of night instead.”
     “Let me think,” she replied. After a while she said, “My plan should be safer for us. We will kidnap Zacharias and use him to fool the captain of the Minerva.”
     “Will he cooperate?”
     “He will if he wants to live. He is part of this evil business.”
     Zelina spoke up, “It would be better if Zacharias has a reason to not be at work. I have a suggestion.” She outlined her plan.
     Although the Minerva, a coaster, anchored each night, the pursuing sloop did not.  Its captain, experienced in piracy and smuggling, was an expert at night sailing.  He knew right where the Minerva should be, and he estimated they were three hours behind it at sunup.  They overtook it the middle of the morning.

Check back next Thursday as Zenobia 

Commandeers the ship.


You too can celebrate "Talk like a Pirate day" on September 19th.

Team Pirate has ports o'call on the most popular social media sites:
  • Facebook: Check out our Facebook Page - more than 76,000 fans strong!
  • Twitter: Cap'n Slappy tweets, under "thecapnslappy" - and ye can now read his latest tweets over on the Ask Cap'n Slappy page, too!
  • Flickr: We have both a gallarrrry o' photos our fans have sent us and a Flickr group where ye can post yer own.
  • Curious about how a middle-class family from Oregon is livin' the pirate's life? Follow the adventures of the Chumbucket clan in their renamed blog, Bayou Time.
  • YouTube, via the Official Wench's channel (see below)
  • And fer the retro amongst ye, MySpace. Although we don't do much with that page any more.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Who is your favorite HOLLYWOOD character who uses a bow and why?


Emma is my favorite



In promoting Zenobia, I find others who love archery. I found a company that makes wooden bow and arrows. They travel the circuit of Renaissance Festivals and I'm pleased to see they will be coming to the Arizona Renaissance Festival this year, starting February 9th. They also will be at Norman Medieval Fair (Oklahoma).... Muskogee Ren Fair (Oklahoma)... Bristol Ren Fair (Wisconsin).... Ohio Ren Fair (Ohio).... North Carolina Ren Fair (North Carolina) and Louisiana Ren Fair (Louisiana). http://stickbowarchery.com/


On a Facebook post, Stick Bow Archery asked a great question.

"In recent times Hollywood has used archery in movies. what is your favorite Hollywood character that uses a bow and why?"




I wanted to ask the same question for our Tuesday Teaser as we share a sentences from Zenobia - Challenging a Legend. Zenobia is being ambushed and her bow and arrow is her weapon of choice to save her life.



Read from Zenobia - Challenging a Legend Chapter 7:



"Her contemplation was interrupted by a soft noise in the thicket nearby. Instantly her mind commanded her senses to high alert. She slung a quiver over her shoulder and picked up her bow. Of course, she was already wearing her sword and dagger. She crept stealthily toward the sound. It was difficult to see in the thicket with only the stars for light, and it required a patience she did not feel to maintain her caution."

 
Tell me who is your favorite Hollywood character who uses a bow and arrow and Why?

 
Here's a few Hollywood archery characters I've enjoyed over the years.





















Thursday, January 24, 2013

Thinking Thursday - Are you happy with who you are?





   As you read and learn about Zenobia hopefully you can see her uniqueness and how she embraces who she is. She is not ashamed of being different, she loves who she is. In Zenobia - Birth of a Legend , read below from chapter twelve.




 "Master Zeriah, this is Zenobia, your pupil for the day, and hopefully longer if you so decide. I believe you will find her to be one of the most dedicated students you will ever have, though possibly a bit challenging."
    ...
     He had not been told his pupil was a girl, and a very young one at that. If he had, he might not have accepted the job. He glanced at Cam and raised his eye brow in a mild rebuke, but Cam simply stated, "You won't believe it until you see it."
     Turning back to the pretty girl before him, he smile inwardly and thought, This ought to be different  "It is a pleasure to meet you Zenobia. Walk with me." He began strolling across the desert as if he were surveying it for some future purpose. She fell in alongside him. "Ah, the desert," he proclaimed, "ever changing, yet somehow the same, dependable. A seemingly simple environment, but deceptively so. Have you found it so? Do you love it?" He now looked directly at her. 
     "Yes," She said simply. "But then, I love the forest and mountains also."
He nodded and continued strolling. Presently he asked, "And what is your favorite weapon, Zenobia?"
     "I like all weapons, my Lord, though I am most proficient with the bow."
      ... He had never met a girl like this one..." You know more wisdom than one would expect in someone your age. He turned and walked back toward the training area. 
     "Thank you. May I say that I never would have expected this kind of beginning to a lesson on the use of a sword."
     "You may. It is because I train the whole person, not just the physical skills. People who excel in any skill or sport or intellectual pursuit always have one characteristic in common. Do you happen to know what that is?"
     She did not, but she decided that an educated guess was called for. "Desire?"
     "No, though that does feed it. It is the ability to concentrate. Now that it's been emphasized, you should be able to recognize it over and over again in highly successful individuals." He paused to allow this concept to sink in for several minutes before continuing. 
     "The discipline of the mind with the ability to concentrate and maintain that concentration are the key to master of any skill. But you must have discerned that in your progression in archery."
     She had, now that he spoke of it, but she could not have previously expressed it that way. At least, she thought, his views are unusual and stimulating. 
...
     "Why do you want to become a warrior?" he asked
     "Why did you become one?' She replied
     He laughed and responded,  "I was sort of forced into it at the start, since I grew up in a violent society and my stature was smaller than most. I recognized that I needed to be faster and deadlier to survive. Eventually I realized it could be exciting and profitable profession. Obviously, it's a useful skill for men, but no a common one for a women."
     "I am not a common girl, and I will not be a common woman," she said simply. 




Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Tuesday Teaser



Today we share a scene of Longinus, the critical thinking Professor and Zenobia discussing the Gods. There were lots of different beliefs and all interested her. Read  below from book two, Zenobia - Challenging a Legend as they discuss the Gods.


Longinus became pensive, wondering how she would react to his argument. “Let us look at Zeus, the chief god to the Greeks. He supposedly was a creator. However, Greek theology teaches that he was also a rapist, taking on the shapes of animals and forcing himself on women. A superhuman deity with subhuman morals or ethics. I simply cannot believe that such a god, if he were real, would care about making things for us to enjoy. It is inconsistent.”
“I had not thought about that side of it,” Zenobia confessed, “but your analysis makes sense, as usual. Plus, a god who so misbehaves certainly does not merit our worship.”
“Since we humans have a capacity to enjoy such a variety of things, it seems that we were designed that way. Whoever created us must have wanted us to delight in our lives. In no way does that fit with the descriptions of the gods of the nations. I have concluded that there has to be a creator, or creators, that truly care about mankind. The other gods appear to be merely the imaginings of men, who have envisioned their gods in their own likenesses, with their own weaknesses. Those gods I can never believe in.”
“Then why” Zenobia pressed, “do most people believe in all these gods?”
“Habit. Community pressure. Fear. Lack of an alternative. Certainly not logic.”



The Goddess who was know as a huntress and proficient with her bow and arrow was compared to Zenobia. When she won an archery contest with her new bow and arrow, Brutus who took second said, "“Well done, Diana!” Brutus told the victor. “I am not sure that even seeing it I believe it!” (http://geodepress.com/thinking-thursday-zenobia-wins/)


In Roman mythology, Diana was the goddess of the woodlands, of wild animals, and of hunting. Artists usually portrayed her as a virgin hunter, often with a bow and quiver, accompanied by maidens, hunting dogs, or deer.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Zenobia's archery contest



Zenobia thrives in her warrior training with her bow and arrow. When an archery competition is happening during one of her visits to Tadmor she decides to participate. It’s unheard of to have a girl in the competition and so the crowd is even more shocked when Zenobia makes it to the final round. 

Read the excerpt from Zenobia – Birth of a Legend in chapter 22:

 The announcer shouted, “the final match for the championship: Zenobia representing the House of Komari and Brutus representing the legions of Rome!

      It was her turn to start. She knew that she needed every arrow well into the gold to have a good chance at the victory. It would likely be decided by the tie-break. She concentrated and the arrow struck just over a finger length from the center. There was some soft clapping. Brutus’ first arrow hit a little further out than hers had, and she thought that the clapping was nevertheless stronger for him.

      Her second shot was a trifle wide to the right, just past the halfway point of gold. "Scorpions!" She said under her breath.  

      Brutus drew and concentrated for a long time. His arrow struck almost dead center! He had the advantage.

      She felt an unusual tension. As Cam had taught her, she took a deep breath and slowly let it out. It’s not life and death, and it’s not war, she told herself. If you lose, so be it. You can only do your best. Make sure you do it. Once again she shrunk her universe to herself, a bow, and arrow, and a target.

 For the outcome of the contest you’re going to have to read the book.

      Archery has been around for a long time, for war and survival.  Zenobia from a young age was a natural with the bow and arrow. Her skills improve with training and the contest provided a place to hone her talent. As you read the life story of Zenobia you will find that her bow and arrow will save her life and those she protects many times. 


Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Zenobia demonstrates gravity with her bow and arrow. Read all about it.


Tuesday Teaser Zenobia – Challenging a Legend 

In book two, Zenobia - Challenging a Legend, Zenobia's favorite class is Critical Thinking. Not only because she loved to expand her knowledge but also because she found her Professor, Longinus very intriguing. Here are some sentences from Chapter 11. 


     When there were no more hands, Longinus said, “Smells and sounds and sights all exert an influence on us, which we might call a type of power or force.  However, we today will concern ourselves with physical forces that are invisible to our eyes.  I asked Zenobia to bring her bow today for a demonstration.  Let’s go outside.”  

     He led them to a nearby park. When they arrived he asked, “How far can you shoot an arrow, Zenobia?” 

     “Normally, 100 paces is considered maximum range. Farther and the accuracy drops off quickly. I can shoot farther, but I am not skilled at that distance.”

    “Good.  Shoot an arrow straight out, please, horizontal, no lift to it.”  He pointed in a direction for the moment devoid of people.  She strung her bow and made the shot.  He noted her professional stance and release.