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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.

Jerusalem’s Enigmatic Golden Gate: Countdown To The End Of Days
3 January, 2022 - 18:30 Jonathon Perrin

Jerusalem’s Enigmatic Golden Gate: Countdown To The End Of Days

There is an ancient gate on the east side of Jerusalem that to this day remains bricked up and unpassable. It is believed by millions of Jews, Christians, and Muslims that it will miraculously open...
The Battle of Shiloh by American illustrator Thure de Thulstrup. Source: Adam Cuerden / Public domain
2 January, 2022 - 14:00 dhwty

The American Civil War and the Battle of Shiloh’s Glowing Wounds Mystery

The Battle of Shiloh was a one of the battles fought during the American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 9, 1865), in 1862 in southwestern Tennessee. The Union’s victory at the Battle of Shiloh...
The battle of Wadi al-Khazandar in 1299, depicting Mongol archers and the Mamluk cavalry. Source: Public domain
1 January, 2022 - 22:00 Aleksa Vučković

A Brief Overview of the Mamluks, the Elite Slave-Soldiers of the Islamic World

It is a sad fact that our ancient history was filled with slavery and injustice of all kinds. Great empires and powerful rulers often relied on their slave forces both for building of cities and for...
Assyrian relief panel, 883–859 BC. Source: Public Domain / Met Museum
1 January, 2022 - 14:01 Joanna Gillan

Mesopotamian Kings Were Slapped in the Face in the Ancient Akitu Festival

The Akitu festival was one of the oldest Mesopotamian festivals, dating back to the middle of the third millennium BC. It was during this twelve-day ceremonial event, which began at the first New...
Fireworks are popular in New Year's traditions around the world
1 January, 2022 - 00:59 Joanna Gillan

Amazing New Year’s Traditions Around the World

In many countries around the world, New Year’s Day is celebrated on January 1st with fireworks and festivities the evening before. But this is not the only type of New Year’s celebration and not...
Imperial succession in Japan is up in the air as the choices get more complicated: could be a woman or a young man. Japanese Emperor Naruhito at his enthronement ceremony in Kyoto, October 2019. Source: Imperial Household Agency / CC BY 4.0
31 December, 2021 - 22:00 Sahir

Japan’s Succession Crisis: No Male Heirs Means Ancient Monarchy May Soon Disappear!

The Japanese monarchy is the oldest continuous monarchy in the world, but it faces a clear succession crisis in the 21st century. Imperial descendance and inheritance is only passed through male...
Perchance To Dream: Oneiromancy Ancient History Of Dream Interpretation
31 December, 2021 - 20:30 MartiniF

Perchance To Dream: Oneiromancy Ancient History Of Dream Interpretation

Dreams and their ancient interpretations are documented in contemporary written sources such as official inscriptions, literature, even special dream books, called oneirocritics, from Mesopotamia and...
A firework show at the Temple of Dawn in Thailand
31 December, 2021 - 17:38 Joanna Gillan

The Ancient Origins of New Year’s Celebrations

On January 1st of every year, many countries around the world celebrate the beginning of a new year. But there is nothing new about New Year’s. In fact, festivals and celebrations marking the...
There is a myriad of mythology surrounding mirrors. Source: MiaStendal / Adobe Stock
30 December, 2021 - 18:00 Phoenix Vald

Haunted Mirrors, Bloody Mary and Superstitious Mirror Mythology

A particular genre of mythology has formed around mirrors, made up of traditions and superstitions within cultures throughout the world. Researchers have tried to get to the bottom of these legends,...
The traditional belief is that the princes, Edward V and Prince Richard, were executed under orders from Richard III. (Public domain)
30 December, 2021 - 14:00 Nathan Falde

Richard III Not Guilty of Murdering His Nephews, Researchers Conclude

Many historians have suspected the last British monarch from the House of York was responsible for the dastardly deed of having ordered the execution of his two young nephews in 1483, in an attempt...
King Roger II Of Sicily: Christian Sultan And Half Heathen King
29 December, 2021 - 19:47 Dr Marion Dolan

King Roger II Of Sicily: Christian Sultan And Half Heathen King

One of the most successful, but little known kings who reigned during the Middle Ages was Roger II (1095-1154) who controlled the island of Sicily along with Apulia and Calabria in Southern Italy...
Antarah ibn Shaddad representation from an old manuscript. Source: Public Domain
29 December, 2021 - 14:00 Abdallah Al Alfy

Antarah ibn Shaddad and the Origins of Chivalry in Pre-Islamic Arabia

When you think of concepts like honor, courtly love, and noblesse oblige, you likely conjure up images of European knights in steel-plate armor, mounted on giant destriers. European dress, European...
Mycenaean Cult Of The Dead And Burial Architecture
27 December, 2021 - 20:46 Michelle Freson

Mycenaean Cult Of The Dead And Burial Architecture

Tholos and the grave circles in the ancient citadel of Mycenae, located on a small hill, nestled between two larger hills on the fertile Argolid plain in the Peloponnese, Greece, exemplify a synergy...
Painting by John Collier, "A glass of wine with Caesar Borgia," depicting Cesare Borgia, Lucrezia Borgia, Pope Alexander, and a young man holding an empty glass. The painting represents the popular view of the treacherous nature of the Borgias: the implication being that the young man cannot be sure that the wine is not poisoned. Source: John Collier / Public domain
27 December, 2021 - 14:00 Aleksa Vučković

Lucrezia Borgia: The Misunderstood Femme Fatale of the Renaissance

Women of the Middle Ages were often sadly lacking in rights. Across the world, this period was dominated by a patriarchal society, where the might and prowess of Lords, knights, Kings, warriors, and...
Declaration of Christmas Peace in 2014 in Porvoo, Finland. Source: CC BY-SA 3.0
24 December, 2021 - 22:00 ashley cowie

Christmas Peace: Finnish Criminals, You’ve Been Warned For Over 600 Years

An ancient Finnish law promising harsher sentences for Christmas criminals was read out to an empty town square. Christmas is nearly upon us, and if you haven’t already outright cancelled family...
The Befana with sweet coal and candy on wooden background. Italian Epiphany day tradition (vetre/Adobe Stock)
24 December, 2021 - 21:20 Alessandra Filiaci

Babbo Natale And Befana: The Italian Santa Claus Duo

Christmas and Epiphany are undoubtedly two of the most popular holidays for Italian children. Children love to be told fantastic stories and excitedly await the arrival of Babbo Natale and the Befana...
Depiction of the Sea People during naval battle with Egyptians as depicted on the temple of Ramses III in Medinet Abu, Egypt. Source: AlternatHistory
24 December, 2021 - 14:00 Doug Mears

Ramses III Verses the Sea People & the End of the Bronze Age

The end of the 3,000-year-long Bronze Age was one of the most violent periods in history. Hittites and Egypt are usually cited as the last remaining major powers until a recently translated stone...
Detail of a vintage Christmas postcard showing Christkind.
24 December, 2021 - 00:48 dhwty

Christkind: How Does this Christmas Gift-Bringer Differ from Santa Claus?

Christkind is a Christmas gift-bringer in certain European countries. Like its more famous counterpart, Santa Claus, Christkind is said to leave presents for children under the Christmas tree on the...
Three wise men and star ( losw100 / Adobe Stock)
22 December, 2021 - 22:55 John McHugh

Unveiling The Star Of Bethlehem Amid The Celestial Tableau Of Jesus’ Nativity

The ‘Star of Bethlehem’ described in the Gospel of Matthew remains one of astronomy’s greatest mysteries. Matthew 2:1-12 explains how magi or astrologer-priests observed the rising of a certain star...
The Medieval Origins of The Carol: How Christmas Songs Have Survived Through the Centuries
22 December, 2021 - 00:59 ancient-origins

How Christmas Carols Have Survived the Centuries

Singing and Christmas seem to go naturally together, like plum pudding and custard. Even those who would not normally attend a choir concert or church service throughout the year might happily...
Kunta Kinteh Island in Gambia. Source: s-aznar / Adobe Stock
21 December, 2021 - 14:00 Aleksa Vučković

Kunta Kinteh - The African Island at the Heart of the Slave Trade

Not many people know of the Gambia. The smallest country of mainland Africa, this small nation can seem quite unremarkable at first glance, being confined only to the length of the Gambia River and...
The purest traditional Indian cuisine is created by following the principles of the ancient yogic saatvik diet. Source: Dash / Adobe Stock
20 December, 2021 - 22:00 Sahir

Health Concerns Drive Revival of Ancient Saatvik Foods in India

India, particularly when viewed from the Western lens, has always occupied a particular place in popular imagination. The Indian subcontinent was a land of mysticism, yoga, ayurveda, alternate...
Tracing Scotland’s Neolithic Civilization Back To Armenian And Sardinian Roots
20 December, 2021 - 21:09 Freddy Silva

Tracing Scotland’s Neolithic Civilization Back To Armenian And Sardinian Roots

Around 5300 BC a revolution occurred on Orkney. A group of unnamed astronomers and seafarers dared to sail across one of the most hostile waterways in the world to establish the earliest stone...
Saint Oswald's Church, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, England, dedicated to King Oswald of Northumbria, who became a saint. Source: Peter / Adobe Stock
20 December, 2021 - 14:01 Aleksa Vučković

King and Saint: King Oswald of Northumbria and His Lost Throne Quest

Much of English history was defined by critical wars, conflicts, and invasions. However, not everything was drenched in chaos and bloodshed. Throughout the ages, powerful rulers were there to keep...

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