Hastein pulled a trojan horse at the wrong place!

United States
February 4, 2016 3:01am CST
Hastein was a viking chieftain in the 9th century. He once had the ingenious idea of gaining access to Rome by pulling a trojan horse trick (ala The illiad). He had several of his men bring him to the city gates via a stretcher, begging the gate keepers to give them access so that he may become Christian before he dies. The locals were very weary having seen the flight of ships the vikings arrived on earlier that day. Nevertheless they gave them entry. Hastein jumped up from the stretcher and raided the place. The place he thought was Rome, but only found it wasn't after he raided it. Luna, Italy is where they were, 250 miles away from Rome. Another variant has him feigning death after receiving the sacraments, only to jump from the coffin when his men in robes came to take over the burial. In this variation he cuts the head of the religious officials off. Have you heard of this VIking Tale?
6 people like this
2 responses
@Shiva49 (28380)
• Singapore
5 Feb 16
I recall a news item when a robber ran off with the trash bag kept inside a shop! siva
• United States
5 Feb 16
A trash bag? just a trash bag?
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Feb 16
@Shiva49 I bet he felt so ridiculous!
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (28380)
• Singapore
5 Feb 16
@ScribbledAdNauseum Yes, he was in such a hurry - he just grabbed what turned out to be a garbage bag and ran off for his life! siva
@celticeagle (189838)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Feb 16
You have been reading up on your ancient history haven't you?
• United States
4 Feb 16
I have just been googling randomly with keywords like "Crazy but true history" or "weird but true history". Sometimes I just get the itch to learn.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189838)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Feb 16
@ScribbledAdNauseum ....I like the weird and whacky.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Feb 16
@celticeagle I'll most likelky post more as I come across it. I know several others here appreciate a good bit of history.
1 person likes this