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Famous People

In this section, we shed light on some of the most famous and infamous people known throughout history, from powerful pharaohs, to emperors and empresses, acclaimed military leaders, or just regular civilians who’ve been thrown into the spotlight for great crimes or for heroic actions, leaving an indelible mark on the world.

Marble statue of Antonia Minor.

Antonia, Life and Death of the Matriarch of Rome

In 40 BC, Mark Antony married Octavia , sister of Octavian (later known as Emperor Augustus). It was a political marriage approved by the Roman Senate to strengthen the alliance between Octavian and...
Sardis, the Ancient Capital of Lydia Made Famous by Croesus

Sardis, the Ancient Capital of Lydia Made Famous by Croesus

The region of Anatolia in Asia Minor was once a vibrant hub of Hellenistic culture, filled with many bustling cities that were formed by Greek colonists in the dawn of their civilization or...
Constantine XI And The Final Days Of The Byzantine Empire (Video)

Constantine XI And The Final Days Of The Byzantine Empire (Video)

Constantine XI Palaiologos, the last Byzantine emperor , was born on February 8, 1405, into a dynasty struggling to maintain control over a crumbling empire. By the time of his birth, the Byzantine...
Portrait of Gustav Vasa.

Gustav Vasa: The Rebel Who Founded Modern Sweden

Gustav Vasa, often hailed as the father of modern Sweden, is one of the most distinguished figures in the nation’s history. Born into Swedish nobility in 1496, his leadership was instrumental in...
Henry VIII Portrait, 1539-40, Hans Holbein the Younger

How Henry VIII Accidentally Changed the Way We Write History

By Raphaëlle Goyeau /The Conversation In 1534, King Henry VIII infamously broke away from the Catholic Church, becoming the head of the Church of England. Following this, two lesser-known acts were...
‘Locusta Testing Poison on a Slave’ (1870-1880) by Joseph-Noël Sylvestre.

Locusta: The World's First Serial Killer? (Video)

Locusta , often referred to as the world’s first serial killer , is a figure shrouded in mystery and controversy, her life intertwined with the dark intrigues of ancient Rome's Imperial Court. Her...
Napoleon Bonaparte before the Sphinx.

Invasion of Egypt: How Napoleon's Desert Campaigns Birthed Egyptology

A long while before Indiana Jones was depicted discovering the Ark of the Covenant in Cairo in that famous franchise, a young, ambitious, French soldier by the name of Napoleon Bonaparte invaded...
Did King Henry VIII’s Jousting Accidents Make Him A Tyrant? (Video)

Did King Henry VIII’s Jousting Accidents Make Him A Tyrant? (Video)

King Henry VIII's transformation from a charismatic and athletic monarch into a feared tyrant has often been attributed to his infamous jousting accidents. A pivotal moment occurred on January 24,...
Thracian, warriors, Bulgaria, Balkan, weapons, military warfare

Warriors of the Balkans: The Military Strategies and Weapons of the Thracians

The Thracians, an ancient group of tribes inhabiting the Balkans, were infamous for their exceptional warrior culture and distinctive military strategies. With a fierce reputation that struck fear...
Royal Monument of King Naresuan, Tha Pho, Thailand

Warrior King of Thailand: King Naresuan's Remarkable Life (Video)

King Naresuan, often hailed as one of Thailand's greatest warrior kings, played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's history during a turbulent period of conflict and foreign domination. Born in...
King William I ('The Conqueror') portrait.

William the Conqueror's Savage Subjection of England (Video)

William the Conqueror's brutal subjugation of northern England in 1070 stands as one of the darkest episodes in English history. After his decisive victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William...
Lysander: The Spartan who conquered Athens (Video)

Lysander: The Spartan Who Conquered Athens (Video)

Lysander, a formidable Spartan general, played a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the Peloponnesian War , which saw the long-standing rivalry between Athens and Sparta culminate in a decisive...
AI image of Alexander the Great in battle.

Alexander the God

It is no wonder that Alexander the Great (356 BC–323 BC) was often mistaken for a god; he modeled his life on nothing less. Instilled in him from an early age was the belief that he was the product...
AI image of ancient Greek woman looking over the city

Women in Power in Ancient Times

The narrative of history often celebrates male rulers, warriors, and thinkers, yet the annals of ancient times are also adorned with the tales of formidable women who wielded significant power and...
Marie-Antoinette en grand habit de cour - 1778 - Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun.

What Life Was Like for Marie Antoinette's Children (Video)

Marie Antoinette's children lived under immense scrutiny and pressure at the lavish palace of Versailles. Their lives, heavily controlled by royal protocol, were drastically altered by the French...
Remains of Bishop Teodomiro, Discoverer of St. James' Tomb, Likely Identified

Remains of Bishop Teodomiro, Discoverer of St. James' Tomb, Likely Identified

An international research team has made a groundbreaking discovery by likely confirming the identity of remains believed to belong to Bishop Teodomiro, the 9th-century cleric credited with...
AI image of a beautiful woman with a gladiator.

The Three Husbands of Fulvia, the Leading Lady of the Ancient Roman Elites

Modern readers perhaps know Fulvia primarily as the cuckolded wife of Mark Antony and Cleopatra's love rival. But this description falls far short of her figure. In fact, Fulvia was one of the most...
A sea fight with the Barbary corsairs.

Barbary Corsairs, the Infamous Seaborne Plunderers

In ancient times, life on the open seas and the coasts was far from peaceful as it is today. For all the open waters were ripe for plunder - by pirates thirsty for loot. One of these pirate groups of...
The Wentworth Brothers: Defenders of Free Speech and Parliamentary Rights

The Wentworth Brothers: Defenders of Free Speech and Parliamentary Rights

Peter and Paul Wentworth were notable figures in Elizabethan England, remembered for their staunch defense of parliamentary privileges, in particular the protection of free speech. Peter, the elder...
Didius Julianus: The Man Who Bought the Roman Empire

Didius Julianus: The Man Who Bought the Roman Empire

Didius Julianus , born Marcus Didius Severus Julianus, is infamous for purchasing the Roman Empire. His rise to power followed the tumultuous reign of Commodus, who was assassinated in 192 AD,...
The Life and Legend of Yamato Takeru

Divine Warrior: The Life and Legend of Yamato Takeru

Divine Warrior: The Life and Legend of Yamato Takeru Yamato Takeru is a name strongly associated with bravery and heroism in Japanese folklore. Renowned for his daring exploits and unstoppable spirit...
Relief of Thracian Warriors from 6th-5th century BC, Reign of Darius I.  Source: Kmrakmra/CC BY-SA 3.0

The Mysterious Thracians: Unveiling Their Unique Culture and Legacy 

Historians have had a tough time piecing together what they know about the Thracians, a mysterious civilization that once thrived in the regions encompassing modern-day Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey...
Montage of three medieval queen portraits. 	Source: Authors Provided/The Conversation

Medieval England Loved Rumors, Conspiracies and Fake News About Queens

By Gordon McKelvie & Gabrielle Storey If you enjoy a good bit of gossiping, England in the 15th century would have been a great place to live. The kingdom was awash with rumors and conspiracy...
AI image of Hannibal crossing the Alps with his army.

The Carthaginian Military and the Punic Wars

The Carthaginian military, renowned for its strategic ingenuity and formidable prowess, played a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of ancient Mediterranean history. Central to this historical...

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