I would guess that minorities and regligions added competition and complexity to the status-centered medieval societies, or they provided a 'stepping stone' - an object to subvert in order to ascend in status above others.
Yes, almost definitely a theatre mask, conisdering the holes on the side and the eye-holes. Not sure about the civilization, although it definitely seems ancient Greek.
Personally, I don't believe in any religion or any sort of mysticism. I realize that my perception of reality is to true reality what a map is to the actual terrain.
I do respect people who have true faith in what they believe.
I thought Jack Whyte's books were awesome. One thing I liked is that it doesn't feel like a King Arthur story... you only occasionally remember that it supposedly is...
Hmm, IMO...
A republic created by a constiution similar to the US, but with a truly laissez faire capitalist economy with an amendment to protect it, and laws only to protect physical rights.