All  

Iraq Banner Desktop

Store Banner Mobile

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.

Tree rings. Source: tomeyk / Adobe Stock.
28 October, 2023 - 02:00 Robbie Mitchell

Can Tree Rings Explain the Demise of a Lost Civilization? (Video)

In the quest to uncover the mystery behind the fall of the once-vibrant Cahokia , archaeologists have turned to an unexpected source: tree ring records, aka dendrochronology. By 1150 AD, Cahokia,...
Detail of ‘The Love Potion’ (1903) by Evelyn de Morgan. Unlike the creation of this woman, Locusta of Gaul’s potions were made in hatred. Source: Public Domain
27 October, 2023 - 22:59 Joanna Gillan

Mithridatism is An Ancient Method to Become Poison-Proof

Defying death one sip at a time, mithridatism is the audacious ancient art of self-immunizing against poisons . Named after its most famous proponent, King Mithridates VI of Pontus , this practice...
Chinese empress. Source: dreampicturestud / Adobe Stock.
27 October, 2023 - 20:52 Robbie Mitchell

How a Chinese Empress Built the Largest Palace in the World (Video)

In 662 AD, as Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty’s health waned, Empress Wu Zetian quietly assumed the reins of power, navigating a realm dominated by men. Wu's ambition knew no bounds, and she...
Left; Statuette depicting a worshipping baboon, Right; Baboon mummy. Source: Left; Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0, Right; CC BY SA 2.0
27 October, 2023 - 14:59 ancient-origins

Origin of Ancient Mummified Baboons in Egypt Found and Points to a Location for Punt

University of Konstanz Primatologists are using genetic analysis to determine the geographic origin of ancient, mummified baboons found in Egypt. In doing so the evidence points to an astonishing...
The nativity story depicting the birth of Jesus. Source: Eric Wilcox / CC BY-NC 2.0)
26 October, 2023 - 22:57 Sadie Smith

The Nativity Story’s Timeless Message from Ancient Writings to Modern Day

Believe it or not, the Christmas holiday season is fast approaching, when homes will be adorned with twinkling lights and the spirit of giving fills the air. A timeless narrative unfolds—one that has...
Paying tribute in ancient Egypt. Source: Esignd ® / Adobe Stock.
26 October, 2023 - 20:57 Robbie Mitchell

How Ancient Cultures Paid Tributes to their Gods (Video)

Ancient civilizations, in their devotion to the divine, created enduring tributes that stand as evidence of their unwavering faith. Among these, the intricate carvings adorning the walls of Angkor...
A young knight illustration, representative of Mordred. Source: warmtail/Adobe Stock
26 October, 2023 - 19:00 Aleksa Vučković

Deciphering Mordred: The Enigma at the Heart of Arthurian Legend

In the vast realm of Arthurian legend, few characters evoke as much intrigue and controversy as Mordred. Described as the treacherous nephew of King Arthur, Mordred's role in the Arthurian saga is...
Body collector during the plague. Source: YouTube Screenshot / Weird History.
26 October, 2023 - 01:58 Robbie Mitchell

What It Was Like to Be a Body Collector During the Black Death (Video)

Amid the Black Plague's devastating sweep from 1346 to 1353, a daunting profession emerged: that of the body collector. Their grim duty was unambiguous - to clear the streets and homes of the...
Constantine the Great. Source: SVasco / Adobe Stock.
25 October, 2023 - 20:53 Robbie Mitchell

Constantine's Death Threatened to Split the Roman Empire (Video)

Constantine's demise in 337 AD marked a turning point in the Roman Empire's trajectory . After his death, the city of Constantinople, which he had fostered, thrived while Rome, the former capital in...
Chinese female warriors in the Shang Dynasty. Source: YouTube Screenshot / Smithsonian Channel.
25 October, 2023 - 16:57 Robbie Mitchell

The All-Female Shang-Era Troops Led by Queen Fu Hao (Video)

In ancient times, during the Shang Dynasty , there existed an extraordinary force led by the remarkable Queen Fu Hao . This troop, composed primarily of skilled soldiers, occasionally reinforced by...
Creating a Moroccan Court Inside the Met. Source: YouTube Screenshot / The Met.
25 October, 2023 - 01:56 Robbie Mitchell

Building a Moroccan Court Inside the Met (Video)

In 2011, the Metropolitan Museum of Art unveiled the Patti Cadby Birch Court, an extraordinary Moroccan court nestled within its walls. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this architectural...
Pressing execution. Source: YouTube Screenshot / Weird History.
24 October, 2023 - 20:59 Robbie Mitchell

Pressing: One of History's Most Painful Deaths (Video)

Throughout history Europeans have come up with some of the most excruciating and slowest methods of torture . Of them all pressing to death might just be the worst. Dating back to the 13th century in...
Thomas Cromwell, Chancellor of Henry VIII. Source: (Ann Longmore-Etheridge / Flickr)
24 October, 2023 - 02:00 Robbie Mitchell

Thomas Cromwell: Henry VIII's Partner in Crime (Video)

In 1536, a pivotal year in the reign of Henry VIII , Thomas Cromwell's fortunes took a significant turn. His influence within the court was on the rise, marked by his successful persuasion to remove...
Naki Sumo Baby Crying Festival. Source: lensonjapan / Flickr.
23 October, 2023 - 18:51 Joanna Gillan

Sumo Wrestlers Make Babies Cry at the Ancient Naki Sumo Festival

History is replete with oddities and peculiar rituals that have stood the test of time, and Japan, with its rich tapestry of culture and traditions, is no exception. Enter the "Naki Sumo Baby Crying...
In the Altai-Sayan Mountains in Siberia, the owner of the Chinese Palace has remained a mystery. Source: henvryfo/Adobe Stock
22 October, 2023 - 22:52 aprilholloway

What Was an Ancient Chinese Palace Doing in the Enemy Territory of Siberia?

Located in the majestic Altai-Sayan Mountains in the south of Siberia, the city of Abakan has a long and rich history going back thousands of years. But in the 1940s, archaeologists found something...
10 Deadly Martial Arts of the Ancient World. Source: wojciech / Adobe Stock
22 October, 2023 - 18:53 Aleksa Vučković

10 Deadly Martial Arts of the Ancient World

The need for self-defense has always been present in history, especially in the ancient world. Sometimes, however, the common folk were not provided with adequate weapons or sufficient training,...
King Louis XIV had many mistresses. Source: Archivist / Adobe Stock.
22 October, 2023 - 16:57 Robbie Mitchell

King Louis XIV Had At Least 20 Mistresses (Video)

In French history, it was a common expectation that monarchs, like King Louis XIV, maintained intriguing love lives . Louis, known for his insatiable desires, fathered over a dozen illegitimate...
A Roman wearing Tyrian purple. Source: AI generated.
21 October, 2023 - 22:57 Joanna Gillan

Roman Citizens Could Be Punished with Exile for Wearing Purple

The ancient Roman Empire was not only a marvel of architecture, politics, and warfare but also a hub of societal regulations and fashion statements. One might believe that the color of a garment...
British Library document reveals Thomas Cromwell engineered Anne Boleyn’s demise. Source: YouTube Channel / Smithsonian Channel.
21 October, 2023 - 16:54 Robbie Mitchell

Shocking Papers Prove Anne Boleyn Conspiracy (Video)

In the year 1536, a pivotal event in history unfolded as Henry VIII ordered the execution of his second wife, Anne Boleyn , at the Tower of London. This act, notorious for its brutality , stands as...
Kushite warrior queens were formidable. Source: McKinney Photography / Adobe Stock.
21 October, 2023 - 01:55 Robbie Mitchell

Crazy Life of A Warrior Queen In The Kingdom of Kush (Video)

In the depths of Africa's history, the Kingdom of Kush and its warrior queens emerge as captivating enigmas. Unlike many ancient civilizations, the Kushites held their female children in high regard...
Evidence shows dingoes like these were held in high esteem by Australia's First Peoples. Source: Aaron/Adobe Stock
20 October, 2023 - 22:56 Gary Manners

Dingoes Elevated to 'Almost-Human' Status in Pre-Colonial Australia

Dogs have often been referred to as "man's best friend," but in the case of the wild dingo in Australia, it has endured a somewhat less favorable reputation. However, new research suggests that...
Human remains of bones and skulls at a traditional cannibal site. Source: simanlaci / Adobe Stock.
20 October, 2023 - 14:50 Joanna Gillan

Fiji’s Rampant Cannibalism for 2,500 Years Earned it the Name ‘Cannibal Isle’

Fiji , the idyllic paradise in the South Pacific, carries a dark historical secret. Long before it was renowned for its scenic beauty, early European explorers knew it as the foreboding 'Cannibal...
Tribes in Britain gave allegiance to the Romans. Source: Bernard GIRARDIN / Adobe Stock.
19 October, 2023 - 16:51 Robbie Mitchell

Britons Gave Allegiance to Romans in Exchange for Protection (Video)

In ancient Roman Britain , business practices took a unique turn, driven by the empire's strategy to establish dominion over the region. The native tribes' constant discord presented an opportunity...
Facial reconstruction of Joan of Arc. Source: YouTube Screenshot / Royalty Now Studios.
19 October, 2023 - 01:55 Robbie Mitchell

Joan of Arc: How Did She Really Look? (Video)

Despite her fame Joan of Arc’s appearance remains shrouded in mystery due to the absence of contemporary depictions. Efforts to digitally reconstruct her likeness based on a statue from Orleans and...

Pages