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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 female pharaoh in a mask and desert with pyramids. Source: MiaStendal
27 December, 2023 - 19:53 Robbie Mitchell

The Pharoah Who Made Her Mark: Sobekneferu's Legacy (Video)

Sobekneferu , often overshadowed by her more famous successors, left an indelible mark as Egypt's first official female pharaoh. Rising to power during the declining years of the Middle Kingdom , she...
AI Panoramic view of the castle during the Dark Ages. Source: DIGITALSHAPE/Adobe Stock
26 December, 2023 - 17:00 Robbie Mitchell

Why the Dark Ages Weren't Really All That Dark

For hundreds of years, a period often referred to as ‘the Dark Ages’, covering the 5th to the 10th centuries, was looked down upon by historians, especially during the Renaissance and Enlightenment...
Ancient Christmas customs still held today. A door decorated with a Christmas wreath. (CC0) Snowy holly. (liz west/CC BY 2.0) Mistletoe. (CC0) A Yuletide fireplace. (Randy Robertson/CC BY 2.0)
26 December, 2023 - 13:57 Joanna Gillan

Mistletoe, Holly, and Yuletide Cheer: Weaving Nature into Ancient Christmas Customs

It is estimated 2 billion people celebrate Christmas each year. Although the popular holiday is linked to Christianity and the birth of Jesus Christ, people all over the world, Christians or not,...
Father Christmas enjoying the Christmas tradition. Date: circa 1860. Source: Archivist / Adobe Stock
25 December, 2023 - 13:40 Alicia McDermott

Favorite Christmas Traditions PLUS Those You May Never Have Heard About

Every year as December rolls in, some 2 billion people start to feel the Christmas cheer. While the celebration is now primarily a Christian one honoring the birth of Jesus, its traditions merge with...
A nativity scene showing the scene of Jesus’ birth, now taken to be December 25th. Source: itsajoop/Adobe Stock
25 December, 2023 - 01:00 ancient-origins

Celebrating Christmas on December 25 Began As Early As the Second Century AD

By Martinus Ariya Seta /The Conversation Many people, including Christians, believe the origin of the date of Christmas is related to the pagan feasts to worship the solar god Sol Invictus , Saturn’s...
AI representation of Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg in 1517. Source: Nevio/ Adobe Stock
24 December, 2023 - 19:34 Robbie Mitchell

Why did the Protestant Reformation Happen? (Video)

​ The Protestant Reformation, often attributed solely to Martin Luther's 95 theses, was a multifaceted movement with roots deeply embedded in the challenges faced by Western Christianity. Luther's...
Gladiator mosaic at a Roman villa in Nennig, Germany. Source: Carole Raddato / CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED
24 December, 2023 - 17:39 Riley Winters

Spartacus: The Rebel Gladiator and His Final Last Stand – Part 2

(Read Part 1) Led by the Roman gladiator Spartacus, the Third Servile War stretched on from 73 to 71 BC, an attempt by thousands of Roman slaves to escape the gladiatorial ring. As a Thracian, forced...
Photo of a statue of Spartacus by Denis Foyatier, on display at the Louvre, combined with a 4th-century mosaic depicting gladiators. Source: Public domain
24 December, 2023 - 17:38 Riley Winters

Spartacus: Gladiator and Leader of Slaves Against the Romans – Part 1

The Thracian born Roman gladiator known as Spartacus is now considered the stuff of legend. To this day, books, movies and TV shows have been created to highlight the strength of this heroic rebel...
Pile of gold bullion coins and bars. Argor Heraeus, Münze Österreich, Royal Canadian Mint, U.S. Mint, Australian Mint of Perth, panda and Krugerrand. Source: Zlaťáky.cz/Unsplash
24 December, 2023 - 13:47 Sadie Smith

The Human Fascination With Gold Throughout History

Gold and humans have a very special relationship, and humans still think that gold is one of the most valuable materials on the planet. In this article, you can find an overview of the history of...
Traditional Christmas tree. Source: Asad / Adobe Stock
24 December, 2023 - 01:00 Joanna Gillan

From Mithraic Mysteries to Modern Mirth: Unraveling the Evergreen Christmas Tree Tradition

The Christmas tree is probably one of the most recognizable symbols of Christmas, seen on greeting cards, advertisements, cookies, wrapping paper and in the homes of millions of people around the...
Scene of the Persecution of Christianity in ancient Rome. Source: Monsalvettstock/Adobe Stock
22 December, 2023 - 19:55 Robbie Mitchell

How Did Christianity Survive the Roman Empire (Video)

Christianity's survival amidst the stringent Roman Empire highlights the resilience of its early believers. In a time when the Roman stance against new religions was harsh, Christians faced...
A sunset at Stonehenge, perhaps not the Winter Solstice. Source: Nicholas/Adobe Stock
22 December, 2023 - 17:47 ashley cowie

Stonehenge Activates On the Winter Solstice Sunset, Not Sunrise

Today, as the northern hemisphere experiences the Winter Solstice, English archaeoastronomers remind us that Stonehenge was built to honor the sunset on this crucial date, and not just the Summer...
An artist’s depiction of the chinampas. Source: Archeomaps
22 December, 2023 - 13:48 dhwty

The Chinampas: The Ingenious Aztec “Floating” Farms of Mexico

When faced with the seemingly impossible task of feeding a huge population in the ancient city of Tenochtitlan, the Aztecs came up with an ingenious solution about 1,000 years ago. Located in the...
The Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul, originally serving as the spiritual center of Eastern Christianity, played a symbolic and historical role in the Great Schism of 1054. Source: LALSSTOCK / Adobe Stock
22 December, 2023 - 00:58 Aleksa Vučković

East vs. West: The Untold Story of Christianity's Great Schism

Christianity is one of the foremost religions in the world. It has a long history, which was often fraught with crises, struggles, and persecutions. Of course, as the centuries passed, so did...
AI image of a Persian warrior leader in the desert. Source: Art Gallery/Adobe Stock
21 December, 2023 - 00:55 Robbie Mitchell

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
20 December, 2023 - 19:54 Robbie Mitchell

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
20 December, 2023 - 01:00 Robbie Mitchell

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
19 December, 2023 - 19:53 Robbie Mitchell

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
19 December, 2023 - 17:52 Robbie Mitchell

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
19 December, 2023 - 16:07 Robbie Mitchell

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
19 December, 2023 - 00:55 Robbie Mitchell

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
18 December, 2023 - 22:00 ancient origins

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
18 December, 2023 - 19:54 Robbie Mitchell

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
17 December, 2023 - 19:57 Robbie Mitchell

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...

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