Decorative horizontal headpiece featuring ornate scrolling foliage and floral motifs with a central stylized element.

Fragment

History of the Kings

Scheschian. Scheschian is a fictional kingdom used by the author, likely Christoph Martin Wieland, as a setting for political and social satire.

Small floral vignette divider.

— If anyone should complain that this is more biting than is proper for a Christian — not I, but Democritus said it. — original: "Si quis calumnietur mordacius esse quam deceat Christianum — non ego, sed Democritus dixit." This is a quote from Erasmus of Rotterdam's preface to "The Praise of Folly," where he defends his use of wit. Democritus was known as the "Laughing Philosopher" of Ancient Greece.

---

"What then are these Rosicrucians: A secret society of mystics and alchemists that claimed to possess ancient esoteric wisdom. In the 18th century, they were often the subject of both fascination and ridicule.?" asked Shah Gebal — addressing the philosopher Danischmende who was sitting before him.

Danischmende: "They are banishers of devils and makers of gold, Your Majesty."

"Oh, do tell us something about them," the curious, black-eyed Nurmahal interrupted him