Pray for New York City: Commie v. commie debate foreshadows imminent socialist takeover.

from RT: The high-ranking Democrat accused the reporter of repeating “Republican talking points” Senior US Democratic Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi snapped at a journalist who asked about her conduct during the January 6 riot. Lindell TV’s Alison Steinberg approached the former House speaker on the steps of the Capitol, asking if she was concerned about the […]

by MN Gordon, Activist Post: Shutdown Showdown At the time or this writing, the federal funding for the new fiscal year (FY 2026) has lapsed. The federal government bureaucracy is in partial shutdown. In Washington, D.C., and in federal offices across the nation, nearly a million people are either furloughed or clocking in for work […]

Insult to injury, the billion dollar loan guarantee Biden used to bribe and extort Ukraine into firing the prosecutor investigating his son’s business was a USAID grant ? https://t.co/J0iNdsYMU4 pic.twitter.com/uvZ4P3QCNq — Mike Benz (@MikeBenzCyber) October 12, 2025

from World Alternative Media: TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/

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  Rocky coastlines and reefs are among the biggest dangers for sailors as they approach the shore. Lighthouses have helped sailors safely navigate harbors since ancient times. Initially, they were fires placed on hilltops and then on raised platforms. But the first true lighthouse was built in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, on an island called “Pharos,” which became the word for lighthouse in many languages. Standing over 110 meters (360 feet) tall, the Lighthouse of Alexandria became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.   Quick Facts Built Completed c. 280 BCE Creators Probably Sostratus of Cnidus under the orders of Ptolemy I Soter Location Isthmus of Pharos, Alexandria, Egypt Overview First known lighthouse, around 110 meters tall Destruction Earthquakes between 956 and 1323 CE   Who Built the Lighthouse of Alexandria?   Alexandria was the most important port cities in Egypt and the Mediterranean during antiquity. The area was used as a port centuries before the founding of the city by Alexander the Great in 332 BCE. Its importance grew once Alexander turned it into a marine base for his fleet.   When Alexander’s Macedonian general Ptolemy I Soter claimed Egypt following Alexander’s death and founded the Hellenistic Ptolemaic dynasty, he built up Alexandria as his new capital. He ordered the construction of a gigantic lighthouse to guide ships.   Standing over 110 meters (360 feet) tall, the lighthouse was built on the nearby island of Pharos, which was later connected to the shore by a mole. Although the origins of the name “Pharos” are unknown, it soon became a synonym for “lighthouse” in Greek. Therefore, “Pharos of Alexandria” may refer either to the small island near Alexandria or to the lighthouse that was built there.   Mosaique St Marc Alexandrie, Venice. Source: Basilica San Marco   “Pharos is a small oblong island, and lies quite close to the continent, forming towards it a harbour with a double entrance. For the coast abounds with bays, and has two promontories projecting into the sea. The island is situated between these, and shuts in the bay, lying lengthways in front of it. Of the extremities of the Pharos, the eastern is nearest to the continent and to the promontory in that direction, called Lochias, which is the cause of the entrance to the port being narrow. Besides the narrowness of the passage, there are rocks, some under water, others rising above it, which at all times increase the violence of the waves rolling in upon them from the open sea. This extremity itself of the island is a rock, washed by the sea on all sides, with a tower upon it of the same name as the island, admirably constructed of white marble, with several stories.” (Strabo, Geography, Book XVII, Chapter I)   How Was the Lighthouse Constructed? Lighthouse of Alexandria, by Philip Galle, 1572. Source: Rijksmuseum   The construction of the Lighthouse of Alexandria was a remarkable feat of engineering. The tower stood over 110 meters (360 feet) tall, with the pyramids of Giza, another wonder of the ancient world, being the only taller structures at that time. It is believed to have been designed by the Greek architect and engineer Sostratus of Cnidus, although his role as an architect has been disputed. Sostratus had reportedly been observing the movements of the stars and the patterns of the waves for years to determine the best location for the tower.   “Sostratus of Cnidus, a friend of the kings, erected it for the safety of mariners, as the inscription imports.16 For as the coast on each side is low and without harbours, with reefs and shallows, an elevated and conspicuous mark was required to enable navigators coming in from the open sea to direct their course exactly to the entrance of the harbour.” (Strabo, Geography, Book XVII, Chapter I)     OTHER WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD Pyramids at Giza Statue of Zeus Olympia Hanging Gardens of Babylon Colossus of Rhodes Temple of Artemis at Ephesus Mausoleum of Halicarnassus   Lighthouse of Alexandria, by Jean Claude Golvin. Source: jeanclaudegolvin.com   Once the construction was completed around 280 BCE, Sostratus reportedly inscribed his name on the walls and then added an extra layer of plaster with Ptolemy’s name written on top. According to the satirist Lucian of Samosata, he did this knowing that the external layers would eventually fall, revealing his name as the creator of the architectural masterpiece in the years to come.   “After he had built the work he wrote his name on the masonry inside, covered it with gypsum, and having hidden it inscribed the name of the reigning king. He knew, as actually happened, that in a very short time the letters would fall away with the plaster and there would be revealed: ‘Sostratus of Cnidos, the son of Dexiphanes, to the Divine Saviours, for the sake of them that sail at sea.’ Thus, not even he had regard for the immediate moment or his own brief life-time: he looked to our day and eternity, as long as the tower shall stand and his skill abide. History then should be written in that spirit, with truthfulness and an eye to future expectations rather than with adulation and a view to the pleasure of present praise.” (Lucian, How to Write History, LXII)   Why Was the Lighthouse of Alexandria So Famous? The Lighthouse of Alexandria, as depicted in Kitāb al-Bulhān, the “Book of Wonders,” c. 1400. Source: Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford   The Pharos of Alexandria was indeed a complex structure that was built on solid blocks of limestone, sandstone, and granite. One of the oldest accounts comes from the writings of Philo of Byzantium and Antipater of Sidon from the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE, respectively. Most importantly, the addition of Pharos to the list of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World” is often attributed to these two writers.   According to the archaeologist Hermann Thiersch’s “Pharos antike, Islam und Occident,” the base was square and sturdy, made to withstand the waves crashing into it. The middle part was octagonal, and the top was cylindrical. Each level was sloping slightly inward, and a spiral ramp was built to enable people to reach the top, where the fire would burn to emit light during the night. According to some descriptions, bronze mirrors were placed on the apex that reflected the sunlight to help sailors enter and exit the port during the day. It is believed that its light could be seen over 40 kilometers (24.85 miles) away. Coins depicting Hadrian and the Pharos of Alexandria and its statues. Source: Münzkabinett, Germany Roman coins also depict some decorative items placed on top of the tower, including a huge statue of Alexander the Great or, according to some sources, of Poseidon, Zeus, or Ptolemy I, depicted as the god Helios. It is now suggested that the great statue was believed to depict different gods or mortals at different times in history. Four smaller statues, probably of the son of Poseidon, Triton, were placed at the four corners of the building. After the Muslim conquest of Egypt, the decorative items and beacons were replaced by a small mosque.   The historical lighthouse took twelve years to complete, and it cost more than 800 talents of silver, which, by today’s standards, would be worth around US$21 million. It became an important landmark of the Hellenistic period, and travelers from all over the world were encouraged to visit Alexandria to admire the tower.   How Was the Lighthouse of Alexandria Destroyed? Incendie Alexandrie, by Hermann Goll 1876, private collection. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Constructed in a seismogenic zone, the Pharos of Alexandria suffered repeated damage from earthquakes until its structural collapse in 956 CE and 1303 CE, and its complete destruction after an earthquake in 1323 CE.   The Pharos of Alexandria was in ruins by 1477 CE when Mamlūk sultan Qāʾit Bāy ordered the creation of a fort on the spot where it once stood. After many centuries, in 1968, a UNESCO-sponsored expedition led to the rediscovery of some of the ruins, but due to the lack of expertise in underwater archaeology, the exploration was put on hold.   In 1994, archaeologist Jean-Yves Empereur was able to continue the search and discovered Hellenistic statues and multiple stone blocks in the underwater area around Pharos. The blocks are believed to have been some of the masonry blocks used to construct the lighthouse, which eventually fell into the sea in 1323 CE. This discovery led to the Egyptian government’s decision to cancel the plans to build a breakwater in the area and replace it with the idea of creating an underwater museum park for divers.   The Lighthouse of Alexandria: Stories & Legends Engraving of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, by Philip Galle after Maerten van Heemskerck, 1572. Source: National Gallery of Art   The seventh wonder of the ancient world has inspired many legends and stories. One recent belief, not supported by evidence, is that the tower was used as a weapon to defend the city. According to this theory, Pharos could light enemy ships on fire, either with prismatic lenses or by spraying fire from the top of the tower.   The 10th-century writer al-Mas’udi connected the destruction of the lighthouse to a Byzantine eunuch agent who gained the trust of the Caliph and permission to enter the tower. According to this story, the eunuch wanted to search for a hidden treasure that was believed to have been buried in the foundations of the tower. The man cunningly destroyed the foundations little by little every night, which eventually caused the building to collapse.   A drawing of the Lighthouse of Alexandria by German archaeologist Prof. H. Thiersch (1909). Source: Wikimedia Commons   The Pharos of Alexandria continues to hold great significance in a historical and cultural context, inspiring architects and artists across time and space. For example, the design of minarets in many Egyptian Islamic mosques originally followed a three-stage design similar to the one of Pharos. In Abusir of Egypt and other parts of the world, similar constructions were built that were named “Pharos” but lacked the height and decorative elements of the original lighthouse.   The lost tower now stands as a symbol of the grandeur of Hellenistic years and of the cultural significance of Alexandria as a cosmopolitan hub for philosophers and scholars.

  The Byzantine Empire’s navy was revered in the Mediterranean Sea between the 7th and 11th centuries. At the time, the empire prioritized it in order to ensure its own survival by controlling the sea. This was because its capital, Constantinople, was at the heart of the regional Mediterranean and Near East trade which was the empire’s lifeblood.   The navy’s power reached its peak during the Macedonian Renaissance (from 867 to 1056). One key triumph during this period was the recapture of Crete in 961 by the general and future emperor Nikephoros II Phokas. Before the invasion, Crete had been overrun by groups of Muslim pirates for about 135 years since the 9th century and had served as a base for raiders across the Aegean.   That said, the success of the navy was the result of several key factors.   How Greek Fire Helped the Navy Maintain Dominance The Greek Fire was used for the first time at the 674-678 Arab Siege of Constantinople, illustrated by Graham Turner. Source: thebyzantine-blogger.blog   At the center of Byzantine naval power was its legendary secret weapon called Greek Fire. Before its development in the 7th century, Byzantine fleets fought on relatively equal terms with their enemies, and relied on traditional ramming and boarding maneuvers. The rise of powerful Arab navies in the 650s, however, created an urgent need for more advanced tactical and technological strategies in order to more effectively defend the empire’s territories. Greek Fire was the answer to the problem. It was a petroleum-based mixture whose formula was a closely guarded secret.   The mixture was projected from bronze siphons mounted on the front of warships. Unlike other fire weapons, it could not be extinguished with water. The properties made it a weapon of immense destruction and psychological terror and the navy’s use of the weapon was a major turning point in naval warfare. Its effectiveness was proven during the great Arab siege of Constantinople (717 – 718) in which an Arab armada of over 1,800 ships was destroyed by the Byzantine fleet.   Advantages the Dromon Provided in Naval Warfare War galley bearing the body of Saint John Chrysostomos to Constantinople, detail of an icon from Kimolos, ca. 14th century. Source: Byzantine and Christian Virtual Museum   The dromon was a type of warship developed between the 5th and the 12th centuries AD in Byzantine shipyards and had evolved from the Roman liburnian. It was designed to be the primary warship of the navy and was part of a major fleet upgrade created to counter the fast-moving raiding vessels of Saracen pirates. In battle, its dual propulsion system of oars and lateen sails gave the dromon a huge advantage, allowing it to maintain speed and maneuverability in a wide range of weather conditions.   The new design also allowed it to be used in a wide variety of situations ranging from naval battles to amphibious assault missions. The ship could also be used to fight at a distance as it featured the deadly Greek Fire. Its effectiveness in amphibious missions was showcased during the famous reconquest of Crete in 961. That year, a large fleet of dromons under the command of Nikephoros Phokas was used to transport thousands of soldiers and heavy siege equipment to the heavily fortified island.   How the Thematic System Prevented the Byzantine Navy From Collapsing The Byzantine Empire between the 6th and late 9th centuries, including the themes as of c. 900.   The Byzantine Empire faced an array of challenges in the 7th century caused by severe territorial loss. Constant military pressure rendered traditional defense systems obsolete. The Byzantine government acted strategically to the crisis by establishing new military provinces (themes) designed to prevent the state from fracturing. It granted land to soldiers in exchange for their service (stratiotika ktemata).   The new defensive approach helped to slow down widespread enemy advances and strengthen local defenses in the region. Because the central imperial fleet was often too slow to react to widespread regional attacks, regional themes provided a more effective and rapid local defense response.   Ceramic grenades that were filled with Greek fire, surrounded by caltrops, 10th–12th century, National Historical Museum, Athens, Greece   Overall, the thematic system was a self-sufficient and cost-effective system as the decentralized nature of the land grants on which the system operated also allowed the state to support a military that may otherwise have been too expensive for the imperial treasury to support.   How the Command Structure Helped the Navy to Maintain Dominance Map of the main Byzantine-Muslim naval operations and battles in the Mediterranean, 7th–11th centuries.   The Byzantine naval command was highly organized and was led by the grand admiral. He oversaw the entire force and coordinated regional squadrons. Each of them had its own admiral or strategos who kept local fleets ready for deployment. The high level of organization allowed for fast responses when countering invasions and sieges.   The Byzantines also built fortified harbors and supply stations that were used to support the fleets during long campaigns, with some naval bases also serving as repair yards. Others were also used to store supplies and weapons such as Greek Fire. Additionally, the empire operated an intelligence system made up of spies and merchant ships that monitored enemy vessels. As a result, Byzantine naval dominance lasted for centuries.