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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.

Roman Emperor Elagabalus bust, with a modern photo realistic reconstruction of his likeness based on this. Source: Left, © José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro/CC BY-SA 4.0 ; Right, Daniel Voshart/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Roman Emperor Elagabalus Assigned Transgender By A British Museum

The third-century AD ruler, Elagabalus, has been declared transgender by a British Museum, which is set to relabel its display to accommodate the change. The decision has been taken by the North...
Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon. Source: Courtesy of Apple / The Conversation

Did Napoleon Really Fire at the Pyramids? The Truth Behind Ridley Scott’s Biopic

Directors of historical feature films face a difficult task. How can they make the characters familiar to an audience without reducing them to caricatures? How can they make sure that knowledge of...
Top image: Queen Elizabeth I. Source: Eduardo / Adobe Stock.

Queen Elizabeth I: Unmarried & Out for Blood (Video)

On Queen Elizabeth I's 27th birthday, she had been ruling England for just two years, a feat that stirred both support and skepticism. The notion of a woman holding such power fueled whispers of...
King Harold’s coronation sparked outrage. Source: Archivist / Adobe Stock.

Why King Harold's Rapid Coronation Sparked Outrage (Video)

In a remarkable turn of events on the 6th of January 1066 , England bore witness to a swift and controversial transition of power. King Harold's hasty coronation, occurring mere hours after the...
King Tut’s tomb was prepared in a rush. Source: Jaroslav Moravcik / Adobe Stock.

Why Was Tutankhamun’s Tomb Prepared in Such a Hurry? (Video)

King Tutankhamun's burial , typically a carefully orchestrated affair, deviates intriguingly from the norm. Anomalies emerge in the form of mysterious black mold patches adorning the tomb's walls, a...
King Henry VIII. Source: murdocksimages / Adobe Stock.

Early Warning Signs of Henry VIII’s Instability (Video)

Henry VIII's ascent to the throne marked a significant shift from his father's reign. The death of Henry VII freed the 17-year-old prince from paternal constraints, setting the stage for a...
Pirate ship on the open sea at sunset. AI generated representative image of Queen Anne’s Revenge. Sources: Zaleman / Adobe Stock

Queen Anne's Revenge, a Legendary Pirate Ship (Video)

In 1717, Queen Anne's Revenge , once La Concorde , underwent a transformative journey from privateer to pirate flagship. Captured by Blackbeard off the coast of Africa, this vessel, initially...
King Harold was killed in the Battle of Hastings. Source: Sebastian / Adobe Stock.

The Brutal Battle that Killed King Harold of England (Video)

On October 14, 1066 , a fateful clash unfolded on the fields near Hastings that shift the fate of England dramatically. William the Conqueror’s forces, having landed at Pevensey, swiftly seized...
Copper was central to King Solomon’s wealth. Source: PhotoGranary / Adobe Stock.

The Valuable Commodity Behind King Solomon's Wealth (Video)

In the quest to uncover the source of King Solomon's fabled riches, archaeologists have made a remarkable discovery in the arid landscapes of southern Israel, near Timna. These ancient mining sites,...
King Henry VIII blamed his impotence on Anne of Cleves. Source: Tony Baggett / Adobe Stock.

Henry VIII Blamed His Impotence on His Wife Anne (Video)

The marriage between Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves was sealed not in love, but in diplomatic necessity. Henry had sent his court painter , Hans Holbein, to capture Anne's likeness, and upon seeing...
Baroque man looking very surprised at royal scandals. Source: ajr_images/Adobe Stock

Top 10 Royal Scandals That Left Society Aghast

Throughout history, royal families were often the image of the nations they ruled over. They were expected to conduct themselves with grace and dignity, to be shrewd and capable monarchs, and to lead...
Cleopatra giving a speech in Egypt. Source: unai / Adobe Stock.

44 BC was a Terrible Year for Cleopatra and Egypt (Video)

In 44 BC, Cleopatra and Egypt faced a catastrophic event that would shape their destiny. A volcanic eruption , with far-reaching global consequences, struck the world, impacting Egypt severely. The...
An embracing couple in medieval dress, symbolic of ancient love stories of history. Source: Karrrtinki/Adobe Stock

7 Ancient Love Stories That Shook the World

In the annals of history, there exist tales of love that transcend the boundaries of time and society, romances that have left a permanent mark on the world. From the passionate but doomed romance of...
British Monarchy. Source: bennymarty / Adobe Stock.

How the British Monarchy Has Survived for So Long (Video)

The British monarchy's enduring legacy can be attributed to a blend of tradition and adaptability. Its remarkable longevity highlights its ability to evolve with the times, as well as its adept...
King Charles II of Spain. (Public Domain)

How Charles II of Spain’s Inbreeding Plunged Europe Into War (Video)

In the 17th century, Charles II of Spain, the last of the Spanish Habsburgs , ruled one of the world's largest empires. However, behind the façade of royal strength depicted in paintings of the era,...
This group of figures depict an early Roman victory. Marcus Furius Camillus, sometimes called the second founder of Rome, is shown in his victory over Brennus, King of the Gauls. Source: Slices of Light/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

More Than a Founder, Marcus Furius Camillus Was an Exemplar of Roman Virtue

While ancient Rome achieved many awe-inspiring feats, it is also remembered for its controversial citizens—especially its leaders—who embraced unrestrained decadence. Their conduct was so outlandish...
Facial reconstruction of Queen Nzinga. Source: YouTube Screenshot / Royalty Now Studios.

Queen Nzinga’s Life of Fighting Portuguese Colonization (Video)

Explore Queen Nzinga's remarkable life as a warrior ruler during the 17th century in Africa. Born around 1583 into the Mbundu ruling family of Ndongo (present-day Angola), Nzinga faced constant...
Aztec daily life seen in the Mural of the Aztec market of Tlatelolco by Diego Rivera. Palacio Nacional, Mexico City. Source: Diego Rivera/CC BY-SA 3.0

Daily Life of the Aztecs: A Blend of Agriculture, Hierarchy, and Culture

In the history of the Mesoamerican civilizations, the Aztecs occupy a major position. A lot of their history is known to us, mostly because of their contact with the Spanish conquistadors. But we...
Thutmose IV found the Sphinx half-buried. Source: Kreatifquotes / Adobe Stock.

King Thutmose IV, The Pharaoh Who Found the Sphinx (Video)

King Thutmose IV, a prominent figure in ancient Egyptian history, is often associated with the remarkable discovery of the Great Sphinx . Rather than being its builder, he is known as the pharaoh who...
St Patrick converting pagans. Source: YouTube Screenshot / Smithsonian Channel.

Is This the Reason Ireland Converted to Christianity? (Video)

The spread of Christianity in Ireland is often attributed to St. Patrick, but a deeper exploration of history and scientific findings dating back to 540 AD. Suggests a more intriguing perspective...
Chinese empress. Source: dreampicturestud / Adobe Stock.

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...
A young knight illustration, representative of Mordred.         Source: warmtail/Adobe Stock

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...
Constantine the Great. Source: SVasco / Adobe Stock.

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...
Thomas Cromwell, Chancellor of Henry VIII. Source: (Ann Longmore-Etheridge / Flickr)

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...

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