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Ancient Origins Tour IRAQ

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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.

AI image of a Persian warrior leader in the desert. Source: Art Gallery/Adobe Stock

The History of Xerxes I: The Great King of the Persian Empire (Video)

Xerxes I , a formidable figure in the annals of Persian history, ascended to the throne amid complex familial dynamics. Born in 515 BC to Darius the Great and Atosa, the daughter of Cyrus the Great,...
Catholics and Oriental Christians debating. 	Source: Public Domain

What Caused the Christian Church’s Great Schism? (Video)

The Great Schism, a pivotal event in Christian history during the 11th century, was primarily fueled by profound theological disagreements and longstanding political tensions. At the heart of the...
The Ayyubid Empire’s victory against the Crusaders. Image called the Battle of Cresson. Source: Public Domain

Why did the Ayyubid Empire Collapse? (Video)

The Ayyubid Empire, a Sunni Muslim dynasty of Kurdish origin, thrived in the 12th century, ruling over Egypt and the Middle East. Despite initial success under Saladin , the empire's downfall was...
AI representation of female Mongolian generals and warriors on the steppe.  Source: Hui/Adobe Stock

Khutulun: The Mongol Warrior Princess (Video)

In the 13th century, Marco Polo claimed to have encountered the remarkable Khutulun , the great-great-granddaughter of Genghis Khan. Amidst the fragmented Mongol Empire, Khutulun emerged as a...
Depiction of the Purépecha princess Eréndira in a mural entitled “the History of Michoacan” by Juan O'Gorman. Source: Lucy Nieto / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DEED

Beyond the Aztecs: The Forgotten and Formidable Purépecha Empire

When talking about the major Mesoamerican civilizations, the Aztecs and Maya tend to dominate the conversation. But Mesoamerica refers to the region in the Americas that stretches from central Mexico...
King Leonidas, standing in front of 300 Spartan soldiers. Source: Ferenc/ Adobe Stock

The Warlords: The Most Fearless Military Leaders (Video)

In the sweep of history, some figures shine as exemplars of martial prowess and strategic genius. From the ancient battlefields to the turbulent Middle Ages, fearless military leaders left an...
A night view of modern day York, Yorkshire, England.  Source: davidionut/Adobe Stock

The Ancient Roman and Viking Origins of Yorkshire (Video)

In the history of Yorkshire , the fusion of Roman and Viking legacies weaves a captivating narrative. Beyond its picturesque landscapes, this English county harbors a multifaceted history. Romans...
Christmas Pudding on a plate surrounded by candle and decorations.	Source: Sławomir Fajer/Adobe Stock

How the Christmas Pudding Became an Iconic British Dish

Troy Bickham /The Conversation As an American living in Britain in the 1990s, my first exposure to Christmas pudding was something of a shock. I had expected figs or plums, as in the “ We Wish You a...
Egypt’s Edfu temple with its passage lined by two glowing walls full of Egyptian hieroglyphs. Source: Konstantin/Adobe Stock

Who Are The Lost Gods Of Ancient Egypt? (Video)

Exploring the ancient Egyptian pantheon reveals gods manifested in wood, paint, and stone, shaping a rich tapestry of beliefs. Shifting from a myriad of deities to the revolutionary era centered on...
Catherine Parr portrait-sixth wife of King Henry VIII Tudor of England.	Source: National Portrait Gallery/ Public Domain

Catherine Parr - The Woman Who Outlived Henry VIII (Video)

Catherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII , navigated the treacherous waters of Tudor court with resilience and intelligence. Born around 1512, Parr became queen consort in 1543. Unlike some of...
Six Blackfeet Chiefs painted by Paul Kane along the North Saskatchewan River in Saskatchewan, Canada. Source: Public Domain

What Really Happened When Europeans Landed In North America? (Video)

In North American history, an 800-year saga unfolds, echoing the clash for land and wealth. Indigenous nations battled each other and the encroaching Europeans, marking a defiant struggle for...
Detail of the Triumph of Camillus (cropped) by Biagio d'Antonio c. 1470/1475. Source: Public domain By Marc Hyden

The Camillus Conundrum: Did Camillus Really Save Rome from the Gauls?

Few words evoked as much emotion in ancient Rome as vae victis or “woe to the vanquished.” They harkened back to a period when a Gallic tribe called the Senones had sacked the fledgling city of Rome...
Spiegelrei canal at sunrise, Brugge, Flanders, Belgium. Source: JFL Photography/Adobe Stock

Secrets of the Best-Preserved Medieval City in Europe (Video)

Bruges, Belgium is a living reminder of medieval splendor, stands as a UNESCO World Heritage site , its charm echoing through well-preserved buildings and winding streets. As the gateway to the North...
Artist's reconstruction of a woolly dog by Karen Carr (The Conversation) and the pelt of Mutton, a Coast Salish wool dog who died in 1859. (Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution/ Science)

Mutton’s Legacy: The Last Woolly Dogs of the Americas

By Audrey T. Lin, Chris Stantis, Logan Kistler/The Conversation Dogs have been in the Americas for more than 10,000 years. They were already domesticated when they came from Eurasia with the first...
Abbasid palace in Baghdad, Iraq. Source: pop_gino/Adobe Stock

The End of an Empire - The Fall of the Abbasids (Video)

In the 8th century Middle East, the Abbasid Caliphate rose to power, overseeing an era later hailed as Islam's golden age. However, internal strife marked its decline. Caliph Harun al-Rashid's well-...
The complete large straw-tempered Egyptian beer jars from Hierakonpolis in the background. Source:  Journal of Anthropological Archaeology

The Egyptian Beer Recipe Is the Oldest In the World (Video)

Amidst the grandeur of Egyptian history lies an enduring legacy—the art of brewing beer. Hieroglyphs within Pharaohs' chambers unveil a civilization sustained by this liquid gold. Collaborating with...
Top, an X-ray image reveals carious lesions on posterior molars. Bottom, a filed hole from the crown of the tooth into the pulp. Source: Carolina Bertilsson and Henrik Lund/PLoS ONE

Viking Age Dental Care Was Surprisingly Good, Says Study

Viking Age teeth from Varnhem bear witness to surprisingly advanced dentistry in the Norse population there. The findings of a study carried out at the University of Gothenburg reveal a complex...
Image of ancient god Akhenaten.	Source: Vlad/Adobe Stock

The Mystery of Akhenaten's Revolution (Video)

In the ancient annals of Egypt, a mysterious chapter unfolds around Akhenaten , a Pharaoh who dared challenge millennia of entrenched beliefs. Around 3,000 years ago, this audacious ruler initiated a...
Drawing of male Pict. Source: Public Domain

The Picts, the Scottish Tribe That Gave the Romans Hell (Video)

The Picts , a group dwelling north of the Forth–Clyde isthmus, in what is now Scotland, remain shrouded in mystery despite their historical notoriety. The term "Pict" emerged around the third century...
A meat and vegetable stew in a black cauldron cooking over an open fire. Source: Sunshower Shots/Adobe Stock

What Exactly Was Medieval Cuisine Like? (Video)

In the heart of Farleigh Hungerford's medieval castle , Chef Steve Ruddell revives ancient recipes, unveiling the rich tapestry of medieval cuisine . His gastronomic journey commences with a...
Traditional Hnefatafl board game, of which Tablut is a variation played by the Sami people of Lapland. Source: Berthold Photography / Adobe Stock

The Ancient Game “Tablut” Has Survived Centuries

Ancient times were not all about warfare, survival, politics or arduous work. No, our distant ancestors knew how to have fun as well, and to enjoy their free time. That is why board games have been...
AI representation of Hadi Sultan of the Abbasid Caliphate.	Source: Studio shunalamya/Adobe Stock

Islam's 'Golden Age' - Rise of the Abbasids (Video)

In the 8th-century Middle East, the rise of the Abbasids marked a significant chapter in Islamic history. Seizing control of the vast Islamic Caliphate , the Abbasids held sway for five centuries,...
Great Zimbabwe wall and tower. Source: Jan Van Der Voort/Adobe Stock

Reclaiming African History- The Lost City Of Zimbabwe (Video)

In the heart of southern Africa lies Great Zimbabwe , a silent witness to the intricate tapestry of an ancient civilization. Initially dubbed the work of a mythical white society by colonialists, the...
Queen Elizabeth I portrait, National Portrait Gallery, London. Source: Public Domain

Five Things You Didn’t Know About Queen Elizabeth I (Video)

Queen Elizabeth I, a figure often shrouded in speculation, possessed intriguing facets beyond her stoic public image. Contrary to popular belief, her preoccupation with appearance extended beyond...

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