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.

9 March, 2015 - 12:58 Katrina Sisowath

Sobeknefru, Powerful Pharaoh and Queen of the Dragon Court

Named after the crocodile God Sobek, Sobeknefru, whose name means ‘she who shows the beauty of Sobek’, succeeded her brother to the throne of Egypt. At the time she came to power, the cult of Sobek...

15 February, 2015 - 01:16 mrreese

Marguerite de La Rocque: 16th Century Noblewoman Stranded on the Isle of Demons

Marguerite de la Rocque was a French noblewoman who is well-known for surviving several years alone on a deserted island known as the Isle of Demons. Marguerite was marooned on the island by her...

3 February, 2015 - 11:55 dhwty

How Castaway Survivor Alexander Selkirk Inspired the Tale of Robinson Crusoe

Many people would be familiar with the novel “ Robinson Crusoe” , a story written by the 17 th /18 th century English writer, Daniel Defoe. In the novel, the eponymous character is said to have been...

Marco Polo travelling, Miniature from the Book "The Travels of Marco Polo"

2 February, 2015 - 12:01 dhwty

The Life and Adventures of Marco Polo

"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan, a stately pleasure-dome decree…" Thus begins one of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s three great poems, the unfinished “ Kubla Khan” . According to the poet, this poem was...

21 January, 2015 - 12:21 Mahbod Khanbolouki

Babak Khorramdin – The Freedom Fighter of Persia

The Umayyad- and Abbasid Caliphate of the Arabs had invaded and occupied the Sassanid Persian empire for 144 years when in 10 July 795 AD, a child was born in a village called Balal Abad situated...

Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, painting by Giovanni Demin (1789-1859)

9 January, 2015 - 11:18 mrreese

The Legendary Queen of Sheba and Her Iconic Visit with King Solomon

Originating in the Bible, the Queen of Sheba is a figure featured in the stories of many cultures and religious groups. Although her exact homeland has not been agreed upon, she is known as a queen...

A famous silk scroll, The Emperor Approach, showing the luxury in which the Chinese emperor travelled during the Ming Dynasty, more than a thousand years after Fu Sheng short and brutal rule

19 December, 2014 - 23:33 dhwty

The short and brutal rule of Chinese Emperor Fu Sheng, the one-eyed tyrant

According to Chinese historical records, the history of Chinese kingship can be traced all the way back to the Xia Dynasty at the end of the 2 nd millennium B.C. Over the course of almost 4,000 years...

26 November, 2014 - 11:44 dhwty

Theodora: From humble beginnings to powerful empress who changed history

It is often said that ‘behind every great man is an even greater woman’. Justinian I was one of the most powerful emperors of the Byzantine Empire. During his reign, he sought to revive the empire’s...

Mosaic depicting Alexander the Great fighting Darius III of Persia

19 November, 2014 - 00:44 Ashlee McCabe

Alexander the Great: Was he a Unifier or a Subjugator?

Interpreted by many historians as proof of a vision for the unison of man, much of Alexander’s dealings in Persia have come to be attributed with a policy of racial fusion. Accordingly, echoed in...

Phidias Showing the Frieze of the Parthenon to his Friends

17 November, 2014 - 12:58 mrreese

The masterful works of ancient sculptor Phidias

Phidias was a master sculptor in ancient Greece. Very little is known of his life, but his accomplishments are famous throughout the world. Phidias worked masterfully with bronze and other materials...

10 November, 2014 - 00:23 aprilholloway

Transcription of ancient manuscript suggests Jesus married Mary Magdalene and had two children

An ancient manuscript unearthed at the British Library and dating back nearly 1,500 years says that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and had two children, with their names and descendants reportedly...

1 October, 2014 - 03:14 aprilholloway

The Quest to find Nefertiti, Queen of the Nile

Nefertiti is one of the most famous queens of ancient Egypt, second only to Cleopatra. While many aspects of her life are well-documented, there are many mysteries surrounding her death and burial...

28 September, 2014 - 22:59 aprilholloway

Gilles de Rais – violent predator or political victim?

Gilles de Montmorency-Laval, more commonly known as Gilles de Rais, was a 15 th century French nobleman, Breton baron, and marshal of France. He was known as an accomplished lieutenant to Joan of Arc...

13 September, 2014 - 00:11 aprilholloway

Boudicca, the Celtic Queen that unleashed fury on the Romans – Part 2

(Read Part 1 ) Queen Boudicca had every reason to hate the Romans – by 60 AD, the lands of the Iceni clan of Britain had been captured, her people had been killed or taken as slaves, she was publicly...

19 August, 2014 - 12:45 aprilholloway

The Mysterious Disappearance of Nefertiti, Ruler of the Nile

Nefertiti was the chief consort of the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten (formerly Amenhotep IV), who reigned from approximately 1353 to 1336 BC. Known as the Ruler of the Nile and Daughter of Gods ,...

16 February, 2013 - 14:42 johnblack

Pharaoh Akhenaten

Pharaoh Amenhotep IV was one of the most puzzling pharaohs of Egypt, also mentioned as the ‘Heretic Pharaoh’ or ‘Rebel Pharaoh’. His father was Amenhotep III , the King of the 18 th dynasty when...