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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.

St. Francis of Assisi was said to preach to animals as well as humans. Source: J. Ossorio Castillo / Adobe Stock
17 December, 2022 - 01:00 Robbie Mitchell

St. Francis of Assisi: The Transformation from Spoiled Rich Kid to Saint

St. Francis, born Giovanni di Pietro Bernadore, was a mystic Italian Catholic friar. To this day, he is one of the most revered of all the saints and is remembered as the founder of the Franciscan...
You can find beautiful, fairy-tale like Christmas markets around Europe, with many dating back hundreds of years. The picturesque Gdansk, Poland Christmas market shown. Source: Patryk Kosmider / Adobe Stock
16 December, 2022 - 18:00 Robbie Mitchell

Looking for Christmas Cheer? Six of the Oldest (and Best) Christmas Markets in Europe

If you visit any large European town or city during December, there’s a very good chance you’ll see a Christmas market. The traditional Christmas market is a centuries-old European tradition, and it...
13 December, 2022 - 21:57 Lex Leigh

Seven Famously Obscure Pets from History

Animal companionship is nothing new to humankind. Throughout history, people have sought out furry (and not-so-furry) friends to spend their days with. However, it wasn’t always just cats and dogs...
The Uushgiin Ovor deer stone site near Mörönь, Khovsgol, Mongolia. Source: Aloxe / Free Art Libre
13 December, 2022 - 14:00 Lex Leigh

The Mysterious Deer Stones of Mongolia

Mongolia is steeped in rich, ancient culture. One of the most fascinating discoveries made in Mongolia is that of their mysterious deer stones. These deer stones are estimated to be at least 2,700...
Viking runes have been an object of fascination for centuries, but we can decode their meaning. Source: La Cassette Bleue / Adobe Stock
12 December, 2022 - 21:53 Mark Brophy

The Mystery, Magic and Meaning of Viking Runes

Norse civilization has provided an enormous amount of culture to the world, from its rich history to its vast mythology. One captivating aspect of Norse culture is often overlooked: runes. Most...
Cahuachi pyramid at Nazca, Peru. Source: Daniel Prudek/Adobe Stock
12 December, 2022 - 17:56 Robbie Mitchell

Cahuachi Necropolis, Sacred Burial Ground of the Nazca

We can learn a lot about a civilization from how it treated its dead. The Nazca of Peru, for example, often carried their dead to Cahuachi, an important religious center, to be buried. Even though...
Clothing from history helps us learn more about the cultures and people who wore them. Source: Fernando Cortés / Adobe Stock
12 December, 2022 - 13:57 Lex Leigh

From Loincloths to Lingerie: 10 Unique Styles of Clothing from Ancient History

Fashion trends have changed drastically just in the last several years, so imagine how much they’ve changed since early history! Throughout history, there have been various types of clothing worn by...
St. Patrick’s Bell (left) is a simple design. The shrine (right) later designed to cover it is quite intricate. Source: National Museum of Ireland / CC BY SA 2.0
11 December, 2022 - 22:00 Mark Brophy

St. Patrick’s Bell: The Story of an Iconic Irish Artifact

Ireland is home to many iconic historical artifacts and objects, from the Book of Kells to the Tara Brooch. Many of these items are beautifully designed but shrouded in mystery. Others have a long...
11 December, 2022 - 13:58 Lex Leigh

Six Amazing Ancient Tattoo Discoveries

Getting inked has been around longer than you’d think. While the idea of tattooing certainly seems like it would’ve been a more recent development, archaeologists have discovered quite the opposite...
Ornamented Skull. The shell and pyrite insets into the sockets must bring some life back into these skulls, but the blades pushed into the nasal cavity and mouth have been suggested to cut off the human's vital breath. The skull covered with stones was probably worn by a priest as a mask. (Denis Jarvis / CC by SA 2.0)
10 December, 2022 - 17:59 Joanna Gillan

16 Creepy Masks Made from Real Human Skulls

How would you feel placing a mask on your face that was made from a real human skull? Would you feel differently if it were the skull of a family member, or perhaps an enemy? For many ancient people...
The Mary, Queen of Scots casket was purchased by the Scottish government in 2022 and is now on display.
9 December, 2022 - 13:53 Mark Brophy

The Beautiful Casket that Killed Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary I of Scotland, or Mary, Queen of Scots is one of the most iconic monarchs in British history. She had an incredible impact on both Scottish and English history, and her life was one of tragedy,...
Egyptian mummified cat. Source: Andrea Izzotti / Adobe Stock
8 December, 2022 - 00:54 Joanna Gillan

13 of the Coolest (and Creepiest!) Egyptian Animal Mummies

Ancient Egypt is well-known for its practice of mummification, but few realize the monumental scale in which they also mummified animals. A staggering 70 million mummified cats, dogs, birds, rodents...
The death of Pompey, a tragic end to an impressive life, 18th century painting by unknown artist Source: Public Domain
7 December, 2022 - 17:48 Robbie Mitchell

Is the Famous Roman Leader Pompey History’s Biggest Loser?

Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, or Pompey for short, was a high-profile politician and military leader during the Roman Empire’s fall from grace. Pompey had an incredibly successful career until his...
Krampus is a Christmas Devil. Source: Sergio Delle Vedove / Adobe Stock
6 December, 2022 - 21:55 Kerry Sullivan

Krampus: The Terrifying Christmas Devil Who Punished Naughty Children

In European folklore, Krampus is the antithesis of Santa Claus . The equivalent of a Christmas Devil, Krampus is a horrific beast that hunted down misbehaving children and whipped or terrified them...
If you think some of today’s world leaders are nuts, you’ll be surprised by some of history’s other crazy rulers. Source: Source: master1305/Adobe Stock
5 December, 2022 - 22:00 Robbie Mitchell

They Were Nuts! Seven of History’s Craziest Rulers

When one looks at the state of the world today, one could be forgiven for thinking that some, if not all of our leaders are at least a little bit loopy. Rest assured: this feeling is nothing new...
Parallels between The House of the Dragon and The Anarchy are obvious after just one season. Source: Warner Media
5 December, 2022 - 17:59 Robbie Mitchell

How House of the Dragon Mirrors The Anarchy in England

Now that the hugely successful first season of HBO’s House of the Dragon has aired, it is safe for us to do an analysis of how much and how closely the events and characters mirrored those of actual...
One of the long sides of the Hagia Triada Sarcophagus, showing Minoan burial practices Source: Deyan Vasilev / CC BY SA 3.0
4 December, 2022 - 17:58 Lex Leigh

Magnificent Hagia Triada Sarcophagus Reflects Minoan Death Culture

One of the most fascinating of the many discoveries to come from the island of Crete is the Hagia Triada Sarcophagus. This beautiful ancient artifact was discovered in 1903 in a chamber tomb in Hagia...
‘Destruction’ from Thomas Cole’s ‘The Course of Empire.’ Representation of a city destroyed in the Late Bronze Age Collapse. Source: Public domain
4 December, 2022 - 00:59 Liu Jiaxin

Civilization's Midnight: The Late Bronze Age Collapse

To the layman who is educated in the Euro-Centric tradition, history stops at the Greeks. We are all familiar with the militaristic ferocity of the Spartans and the open atmosphere of discourse in...
Ancient Greek prostitute. ‘Phryne’ by Jose Frappa (Public Domain)
3 December, 2022 - 17:59 Robbie Mitchell

Prostitution, One of History’s Oldest Professions!

Prostitution is often described as the world’s oldest profession. Although this isn’t true – hunters, farmers, and shepherds predate prostitution – the sale of sex traces back to time immemorial. The...
The little-known medieval hero known as Hereward the Wake. Source: Kathy / Adobe Stock
2 December, 2022 - 21:58 Robbie Mitchell

Hereward the Wake – Original Robin Hood or Fictional Medieval Hero?

Famous legendary figures like King Arthur and Robin Hood have one foot planted in fact and one firmly planted in fiction. This is also true for Hereward the Wake, an Anglo-Saxon nobleman who helped...
The hiring of professional mourners seems to have been a worldwide tradition in the ancient world, from Rome to Egypt to China. The Mourners, painting by Evelyn De Morgan, circa 1915. Source: National Trust / Public Domain
2 December, 2022 - 17:56 Mark Brophy

The Cost of Grief: Professional Mourners of the Ancient World

Funerals can be difficult to get through. The pain of loss can simply be too much for many. So why would anyone ever need to pay people to cry at their funeral? This didn’t just happen occasionally...
Inscribed lead Roman curse tablet. Source: British Museum / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
1 December, 2022 - 21:50 Lex Leigh

8 Hilarious Curse Tablets from the Roman World

The Roman Empire was famous for many things, but did you know they were also famous for their curse tablets? These tablets, called defixiones by researchers, were a way for ancient Romans to express...
Swastika symbol decoration of clay lamps (diya) in Varanasi, India on the festival of Dev Diwali. Source: ShishirKumar / Adobe Stock
1 December, 2022 - 00:59 johnblack

History of the 12,000-Year-Old Swastika: Origin, Meaning and Symbolism

The swastika is a symbol that was used in the 20th century by of one of the most hated men ever to have lived, a symbol that now represents the slaughter of millions of people and one of the most...
The impact of the Battle of Brunanburh is still debated today; however, the English win by Athelstan prevented additional Viking gains for a time. Source: Public Domain
30 November, 2022 - 17:50 Robbie Mitchell

Was Athelstan England's First and Greatest King?

Britain has had more than sixty monarchs over the centuries. Some have been good; some have been bad, but few are held in as high regard as King Athelstan. King Athelstan, often described as the...

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