March 20

Ovid, born Publius Ovidius Naso, was a leading poet of the Augustan period. His work Metamorphoses is a mythological narrative in fifteen books that has influenced Western art and literature for centuries. He also authored the Amores and the Ars Amatoria, exploring themes of love and seduction. Exiled by Emperor Augustus to Tomis in AD 8, he spent his final years on the Black Sea coast. His style, wit, and innovative use of elegiac couplets marked a turning point in Latin poetry. Ovid’s legacy endures in countless adaptations across literature, painting, and music.

Born into Mon royalty, Magadu later took the regnal name Wareru upon seizing power. In 1287, he established the independent kingdom of Ramanya, which became known as Hanthawady. Under his leadership, Pegu grew into a center of trade and culture in Lower Burma. He skillfully navigated alliances and conflicts between Mongol invaders and local rivals. His reign set the stage for decades of Mon dominance in the region. Wareru’s legacy is remembered in the chronicles of Myanmar as a model of statecraft and autonomy.

Laurence Hastings inherited the earldom of Pembroke in 1324 at a young age. As a powerful marcher lord, he held strategic lands along the Wales-England border. He participated in King Edward III’s military campaigns against the Scots and French. Hastings was known for his courtly presence and patronage of religious institutions. He died in 1348, leaving the title to his young daughter, creating a succession crisis. His tenure helped shape the governance of the Welsh marches during a tumultuous period.

Born in 1469 to King Edward IV, Cecily of York lived through the height of the Wars of the Roses. As a member of the Yorkist royal family, she endured the downfall of her uncle Richard III and the rise of the Tudors. Her marriages were arranged to secure political alliances, reflecting the era’s shifting loyalties. Cecily was known for her piety and patronage of religious houses in England. She spent her later years overseeing family estates and navigating Tudor court politics. Her life offers a rare female perspective on late 15th-century English dynastic struggles.

Jerome Emser was a leading Catholic reformer and theologian in 16th-century Germany. He initially embraced humanist ideals and studied under prominent scholars of the time. Emser became a vocal critic of Martin Luther, engaging in public debates over doctrine. He authored numerous tracts defending traditional church teachings against Protestant reforms. His works influenced the Catholic response to the growing Protestant movement. Emser’s intellectual legacy reflects the complex interplay between humanism and religious orthodoxy.

Born into the ducal family of Ferrara in 1479, Ippolito d’Este became a cardinal at an early age. He served as papal legate to various Italian states, shaping political alliances. Ippolito was a patron of the arts, commissioning works from Michelangelo and Leonardo. He played a key role in the papal politics of Alexander VI and Julius II. Despite his ecclesiastical status, he maintained close ties to his ruling family in Ferrara. His blend of political acumen and cultural patronage left a lasting mark on Renaissance Italy.

Pierino Belli combined his experience as a soldier with legal scholarship to shape early military jurisprudence. In 1563, he published De re militari et de bello, one of the first treatises on the laws of war. Belli served under the Gonzaga dukes of Mantua and the Spanish Habsburgs in Italy. His writings addressed the conduct of armies, treatment of prisoners, and wartime customs. The work influenced later thinkers like Hugo Grotius and laid foundations for modern international law. Belli’s legacy endures in studies of military ethics and the regulation of armed conflict.

Juan de Ribera served as Archbishop of Valencia from 1568 until his death in 1611. A staunch defender of Catholic orthodoxy, he founded schools and charitable institutions. He implemented reforms of the Council of Trent, focusing on clergy education and discipline. Ribera was created a cardinal in 1599 by Pope Clement VIII. He played a central role in the Counter-Reformation efforts in Spain. Canonized as a saint in 1960, he is remembered for his pastoral zeal and social works.

Anne Bradstreet emigrated from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630 with her husband and parents. Her 1650 collection, The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America, was the first volume of poetry published by a colonial American. Her work blends personal themes—family, faith, and loss—with reflections on the New World. Bradstreet navigated Puritan norms, finding subtle ways to express her intellect and emotions. She remains a pioneering figure in American literature and women’s writing. Her poems influenced later poets and continue to be studied for their historical and literary value.

Dara Shikoh was the eldest son of Emperor Shah Jahan and heir apparent to the Mughal throne. An accomplished scholar, he translated and interpreted Sufi and Hindu texts, including the Upanishads. He advocated for religious tolerance, coining the term 'Din-i-Ilahi' for a syncretic faith. Dara commissioned Persian translations of Sanskrit classics, promoting cultural exchange. After losing the war of succession to his brother Aurangzeb, he was executed in 1659. His intellectual pursuits and tragic end have inspired later debates on freedom and pluralism.

Born in 1639 in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Elected Hetman of the Ukrainian Cossack Hetmanate in 1687. Negotiated treaties with Muscovy and Sweden to defend Ukrainian interests. Allied with Charles XII during the Great Northern War. Spent his final years in exile after the Battle of Poltava. Remembered as a symbol of Ukrainian resistance and statehood aspirations.

Born in 1680 in Sicily, Italy. Studied music at the Neapolitan conservatories under prominent masters. Gained fame for his oratorio 'San Sepolcro' and 'Il Paride'. Traveled through Spain and France, influencing the Baroque style. His works blended dramatic flair with devout religious themes, leaving a mark on 18th-century music.