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Created February 8, 2026 12:38
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LinkedIn Post - 2026-02-08 07:38
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tough-day-at-the-office-people-used-to-drink-victory-toasts-from-their-enemys.md

Tough day at the office? People used to drink victory toasts from their enemy’s skull. Your 7 pm meeting suddenly feels… manageable.

I had my AI research agent pull primary sources and museum records. No gore, just receipts. Here are 5 documented cases where human remains turned into tools and trophies:

  • 811, Balkans - Khan Krum and Byzantine emperor Nikephoros I. A Byzantine chronicler says Krum had the emperor’s skull silver-capped and drank from it with his nobles - a power flex and public humiliation. The source hated the Bulgars, but the story stuck across traditions. (Retrospect Journal; Loyola DIR)

  • Around 567, Italy - Lombard king Alboin and Cunimund. Paul the Deacon writes Alboin used Cunimund’s skull as a cup and swears he saw it later at court under King Ratchis. Historians argue legend vs fact, but it defined the “barbarian valor” myth. (Paul the Deacon; Hodgkin via UChicago/Thayer)

  • 972, Dnieper rapids - Pecheneg khan Kurya and Prince Sviatoslav I. The Primary Chronicle says they made a drinking cup from his head and prayed for a son as brave. Only one primary source here, no hard archaeology. (Primary Chronicle; De Re Militari)

  • 19th-20th c., Papua New Guinea - daggers from human femurs. Rare and high-status, while cassowary bone was common. A 2018 study showed human-bone daggers were built stronger and kept as social capital. (Royal Society Open Science; Science)

  • New Zealand, Maori - koauau flutes from bone. Sometimes human bone from enemies or ancestors, tied to status, memory, and ritual. Museum records confirm examples and context. (Te Papa; British Museum)

Is this comfortable to read? Good. History isn’t a spa day. Also, caveats: some of this rests on chronicles with agendas, and parts may be half-legend. But between cross-referenced texts and physical artifacts, the pattern is real.

Here’s the point: modern work is still work, but the bar for “hard” has moved a long way. Be ruthless with problems and humane with people. That’s strength, not theater. ☕

Which episode surprised you most?

Sources: Retrospect Journal; Loyola DIR Roman Emperors; Paul the Deacon; Hodgkin; Primary Chronicle; De Re Militari; Royal Society Open Science; Science; Te Papa; British Museum.

#history #workculture #perspective #leadership #management #careers #historicalfacts #culture

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