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History

From the powerful civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Indus Valley, to the fearsome yet sophisticated society of the Vikings, the ancient world was a surprising and challenging place. Here we feature some of the most seminal and influential events and people throughout history, that have helped shape the world we know today.

William Shakespeare and Henry V with blue sky in background in Stratford upon Avon. Source: Paul Rushton/Adobe Stock

Henry V, the Most Capable Medieval English King?

During the 1300s AD, England was embroiled in a bitter rivalry with its neighbor across the channel, France. This generational strife saw both of these major nations vying for the ultimate power...
Painting Captives in Rome, by Charles Bartlett. Source: Public Domain

Understanding the Harsh Realities of Roman Slaves (Video)

​ The Roman slave's existence was a harrowing one, devoid of freedom or dignity. Despite the grandeur of the Roman Empire , its foundation rested upon the backs of these oppressed individuals, whose...
Colorized engraving depicting Sawney Bean. Source: Public Domain

Cannibalism in Scotland: The Dark Legend of Sawney Bean

Sawney Bean is a legendary figure from Scotland, who is said to have been a prolific cannibal. Together with his equally cannibalistic family, Sawney Bean murdered and robbed unfortunate victims from...
Old medieval torture chamber with many pain tools. Source: CL-Medien/Adobe Stock

The Most Horrific Medieval Torture Techniques Explained (Video)

Medieval history unveils a grim tapestry of torture and execution methods , each designed to inflict maximum suffering and deter dissent. Among the most notorious was "hanged, drawn, and quartered,"...
Reconstruction of Amenhotep II. Source: Cicero Moraes

Unveiling the Face of Amenhotep III: The 'Richest Man Who Ever Lived'

Amenhotep III, one of the greatest pharaohs of ancient Egypt, reigned during the height of Egypt's power 3,400 years ago. Known for his unparalleled wealth and grand architectural achievements,...
15th-century French miniature depicting Part of the Byzantine–Seljuk wars. Source: Public Domain

Unveiling The Bloodiest Medieval Battles You’ve Never Heard Of (Video)

The annals of medieval warfare are replete with epic clashes often overshadowed by their more celebrated counterparts. Among these overlooked conflicts is the Battle of Mohi in 1241 AD, where the...
Egyptian sarcophagus of Pharaoh Tutankhamun isolated on black background. Source: Anna/Adobe Stock

The Cursed Search For King Tut's Tomb (Video)

The quest for King Tutankhamun's tomb stands as a pivotal moment in archaeological history, unraveling mysteries of an ancient civilization buried beneath the sands of time. Initially, the unearthing...
The Victory Stele of Naram-Sin. Source: Left; Rama/CC BY-SA 3.0, Right; Louvre Museum/ CC0

Victory Stele of Naram-Sin: A Mesopotamian Masterpiece

The Akkadian Empire rose as one of the first great powers in Ancient Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization. Succeeding the venerable culture of Sumer, this empire was centered on the great city of...
British royal family members, present and deceased, Buckingham Palace. 	Source: Carfax2/CC BY-SA 3.0

Origins of the British Royal Family Explained (Video)

The Windsors , the reigning royal family of the United Kingdom of Britain, have a rich and complex history rooted in the House of Saxony-Coburg and Gotha. Originally, the family traced its lineage...
Painting A Glass of Wine with Caesar Borgia, by John Collier. Source:           Public Domain

The Worst Popes and Their Dirty Secrets (Video)

Throughout history, the papacy has been a beacon of spirituality and moral guidance for billions of Catholics worldwide. However, nestled within its illustrious lineage lies a trove of scandalous...
Representational image of a screaming mummy.	Source:	Sailko/CC BY 3.0

The Chilling Tale of the Screaming Mummy (Video)

The year was 1886 when Egyptologist Gaston Maspero unearthed the remains of what would later be known as Unknown Man E , a chilling discovery that sent ripples through the world of archaeology...
Caesar giving Cleopatra the Throne of Egypt. Source: Public Domain

Fascinating Facts About Julius Caesar's Love Life (Video)

Julius Caesar , renowned for his military exploits and political prowess, also possessed a rather colorful love life. His romantic escapades spanned a wide spectrum, from dalliances with concubines...
Image of medieval surgeon tools on a table.	 Source: IBRESTER/Adobe Stock

King Henry V's Life Saved by Remarkable Medieval Surgical Procedure (Video)

In the summer of 1403, amidst a rebellion threatening England's stability, two opposing English armies clashed near Shrewsbury. Among them was Prince Henry (later King Henry V), facing a perilous...
Matthias Corvinus memorial In Szekesfehervar, Hungary. Source: Munka/ Adobe Stock

The Medieval Kingdom of Hungary, a Nation Born From Christianity

The Kingdom of Hungary, spanning from 1000 to 1301 AD, stands as a significant chapter in European history, marked by a rich tapestry of political, cultural, and military developments. Its genesis in...
Remains of the castle at Bilhorod Kyivskyi in the Ukraine. 	Source: Kiyanka / CC BY-SA 4.0

The Brief but Bright Era of Bilhorod Kyivskyi

Nestled along the banks of the beautiful Irpin River, Bilhorod Kyivskyi, an ancient city-castle shrouded in the mists of history, stands as a poignant symbol of Ukraine 's diverse heritage and...
Khufu pyramid from the northeast view. Source: dynamofoto/Adobe Stock

Five More Fascinating Facts About Egypt's Pyramids (Video)

Dating back to approximately 2630 BC, the construction of the first pyramid marks a milestone nearly five millennia ago. Ancient Egypt's allure spans centuries, captivating minds with its rich...
Alexander Putting his Seal Ring over Hephaestion's Lips, by Johann Heinrich Tischbein, 1781	Source: Public Domain

An Expert’s View On the Netflix Series Portrayal of Alexander the Great As Queer

By Charlotte Dunn /The Conversation You might be surprised to learn the sex life of a long-dead conqueror is making headlines in 2024. Netflix documentary Alexander the Great: The Making of a God has...
Scottish warriors heading into battle in the highlands. Source: Jeff Whyte/Adobe Stock

The Top Three Critical Wars for Scottish Independence (Video)

The struggle for Scottish independence spans centuries, marked by pivotal conflicts that shaped the nation's identity. Three significant wars stand out in this ongoing battle against English...
The Palace of Aigai following 16 years of restoration, Vergina. Source: ververidis/Adobe Stock

Archaeologists Discover Alexander the Great’s Bathroom in Palace of Aigai

In the royal palace where Alexander the Great was crowned king of Macedonia in 336 BC at the tender age of 20, archaeologists have uncovered a space that has now been positively identified as teenage...
Artistic recreation of real potatoes just harvested between Andes mountains and a sunny day. Source: Manuel Mata/Adobe Stock

Potatoes: South America’s Gift to the World (Video)

Picture this: nestled amidst the rugged peaks of the Andean highlands , ancient civilizations unearthed a culinary gem over 10,000 years ago—the humble potato. Through centuries of trial and error,...
Roman copy of a Hellenistic sculpture of a Gallic warrior. Source: Public Domain

Gallant Gauls: A Journey Through Ancient Europe

The story of the Gauls, ancient inhabitants of modern-day France, Belgium, Switzerland, and parts of Italy, offers a fascinating journey into a civilization often overshadowed by their Roman...
Side view of the colossal head of Decebalus. Source: Cazanele Dunării/CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Colossal Head of Decebalus, King of the Dacians

In the heart of Rome stands a 38-meter tall (124.67ft) tall column built in the 2nd century AD. Carved in low relief spiralling around the monument are over 2600 figures, representing the combatants...
Shenyang Imperial Palace (Mukden Palace) was the former imperial palace of the early Manchu-led Qing dynasty and UNESCO world heritage site built 400 years ago in Shenyang, China. Source: EcoSpace/Adobe Stock

How Did the Qing Dynasty Fall? (Video)

The collapse of the Qing Dynasty was a culmination of internal turmoil and external pressures spanning centuries. Established in 1644, it succeeded the Ming Dynasty , and the Qing rulers initially...
Pirate Henry Avery looking into the ocean at a pirate ship. Source: Dieter Holstein/Adobe Stock

Legacy of the Fancy: Henry Every's Iconic Flagship Powerhouse (Video)

The Fancy, Henry Every's formidable 46-gun flagship, stood as a symbol of pirate prowess during the era. Leading a formidable armada, it struck fear into the hearts of adversaries. Every, an English...

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