Chapter 1
The fragile mind on the throne
Chapter 2
Playing pretend in the palace
Chapter 3
Obsessive builders and magic seekers
Chapter 4
The self-declared monarchs
Ch 3 · Obsessive builders and magic seekers
misslily The First Emperor's Mercury Elixir
He drank the silver drops to live forever, but they only sealed his grave.
Glossary
alchemy (noun)
A medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of base metals into gold. In the late sixteenth century, Emperor Rudolf II gathered alchemists in Prague to seek the philosopher's stone.
A medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of base metals into gold. In the late sixteenth century, Emperor Rudolf II gathered alchemists in Prague to seek the philosopher's stone.
Fun Fact
Fairy-tale castles: King Ludwig II built Neuschwanstein Castle not for defense, but as a giant theatrical stage to escape reality.
Quiz
What mysterious, undecipherable medieval manuscript was once owned by Emperor Rudolf II, who bought it believing it held magical secrets?
Quiz
What massive defensive monument did Qin Shi Huang connect and expand to protect his newly unified Chinese Empire?
Quiz
Which legendary astronomers did Emperor Rudolf II employ at his imperial court in Prague to map the stars?
Quiz
What is the historical nickname given to Queen Maria I of Portugal due to her severe mental instability?
Quiz
How did King Ludwig II's reign end in 1886, just before his mysterious death in Lake Starnberg?
Quiz
Which famous German composer did King Ludwig II of Bavaria passionately patronize, funding his operas and building him a custom theater?
Quiz
To which South American colony did Queen Maria I and her royal court flee in 1807 to escape the invading armies of Napoleon?