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Ancient Origins Tour IRAQ

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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.

Ancient voyages set off to discover new realities. Source: XaMaps/Adobe Stock

8 Ancient Voyages That Changed the World

Throughout human history, the call of the unknown has driven explorers to embark on daring voyages into uncharted waters. These intrepid explorers have braved treacherous seas, and unknown dangers,...
Queen Kubaba relief in the form of a goddess. Source: Left; Public Domain Right; CC BY-SA 2.0 FR

The King List and Queen Kubaba: The First Recorded Queen of the Ancient World

From Cleopatra to Razia Sultan, history is filled with powerful women who defied the norms of their time. But have you ever heard of Queen Kubaba? Reigning over Sumer around 2,500 BC, she might just...
A facial reconstruction of Alexander the Great. Source: Royalty Now Studios / YouTube Screenshot.

Is This What Alexander the Great Really Looked Like? (Video)

Alexander the Great is undoubtedly one of the most legendary figures in history, known for his military prowess and his brief but impactful life. By the age of 18, Alexander fought alongside his...
Divorce in medieval times. Source: tatyana/ Adobe Stock

7 of the Most Scandalous Divorces in Ancient History

The world has seen its fair share of scandalous divorces throughout history, from ancient Rome to modern times. Divorce, a legal mechanism that has been around for centuries, has often resulted in...
Egyptian queen Cleopatra. Source: EmotionPhoto / Adobe Stock.

A Face to the Legend: The Quest to Reconstruct Cleopatra's Look (Video)

Cleopatra , the last pharaoh of Egypt, is one of the most iconic figures in history. She was known for her intelligence , beauty, and powerful political acumen. Despite her significance , historians...
El Pedagogo, Aspasia y Pericles, by José Garnelo, 1893. Source: Public Domain

Aspasia - The Real-Life Helen of Troy? An Inspirational Courtesan’s Tale

Aspasia, who lived in ancient Greece during the fifth century BC was both admired and infamous in her time. But the truth does not lie in between: hers is a life worthy of admiration. Born in the...
English Queen. Source: Kathy / Adobe Stock.

Was Anne of Cleves Too Ugly for King Henry VIII? (Video)

Anne of Cleves , the fourth wife of King Henry VIII , has been historically portrayed as the wife who was too ugly for the king. But was she really that unattractive, or is this just a case of...
Persecuted Christian. Source: PhotoGranary / Adobe Stock.

When Faith and Power Clash: How Christianity Divided the Roman Empire (Video)

In 107 AD, the Roman Empire was at its peak under Emperor Trajan's leadership, spanning 2 million square miles and 50 million subjects. However, the rise of Christianity, which promised to undermine...

Medieval Maverick: Roger Bacon's Quest for Knowledge and Truth

In the Middle Ages, knowledge was largely limited to what could be gleaned from ancient texts and the teachings of the church. However, there were those who refused to accept the limitations of their...
African king. Source: Aleksandr Borisenko / Adobe Stock.

The Life and Times of Mansa Musa: The Richest Man in History

Mansa Musa , the ruler of the Mali Empire in the 14th century, is believed to be the wealthiest person in history, with a net worth of $400 billion in today's dollars. For reference, that’s four...
Tablet depicting Aryan warriors. Source: Justin Gauraqv Murgai / CC BY NC ND 2.0

Debunking the Aryan Race “Myth” and Separating Fact from Fiction

Today, the word "Aryan" has become synonymous with all sorts of negative connotations, including theories of racial superiority and white supremacy . This association has led to a widespread...
Mesopotamian king. Source: Francis Valadj / Adobe Stock.

Rise of an Empire: Sargon of Akkad’s Epic Story (Video)

In the annals of ancient Mesopotamian history, one name stands out as a towering figure: Sargon of Akkad , the founder of the Akkadian Empire . Sargon's rise to power was nothing short of remarkable...
Gladiator entering the Roman colosseum. Source: Noel Cook / Adobe Stock.

The Gladiator Emperor: Commodus and the Bloodlust of Ancient Rome (Video)

Commodus , one of ancient Rome's most infamous emperors , was known for his bloodlust and ruthless behavior. Despite being born into a life of luxury and privilege, he became obsessed with...
Pirate Henry Avery. Source: Dieter Holstein / Adobe Stock.

The Pirate King: Henry Every and His Ruthless Crew (Video)

Henry Every, also known as John Avery, was one of the most notorious pirates of the 17th century. He terrorized the seas, attacking and plundering numerous ships in the Indian Ocean and beyond,...
With the death of Cleopatra, the Hellenistic period was officially over. (Public domain)

Alexander's Legacy: The Hellenistic Period and the Dawn of a New Era

The Hellenistic period was a time of great change and excitement in the ancient world. Spanning from the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC to the death of Cleopatra VII in 30 BC, this era saw...
An aristocrat's Robe shows the dragon with 5 claws. (Tibet Metropolitan Museum of Art/CC0)

The Search for Z: Colonel Percy Fawcett’s Obsession with the Golden City (Video)

The legend of El Dorado has captivated the imaginations of explorers , adventurers, and treasure hunters for centuries. But for Colonel Percy Fawcett , it was more than just a myth. He believed in...
Jesus on the cross. Source: ImagineDesign / Adobe Stock.

Ye Olde Dragon Slayer: The Legend of St George (Video)

In a time long ago, in a land far away, there lived a legendary hero whose name echoed throughout the ages. He was a mighty warrior, a skilled knight , and a fierce dragon slayer. This hero's name...
Viking warriors facing the fire. Source: Hui / Adobe Stock / Insert Button Play Video by Dehweh

5 Dramatic Deaths of Viking Warriors (Video)

The Viking Age , spanning from the late 8th to the mid-11th century, was a time of conquest, exploration, and mythic heroism. At the heart of this age of adventure was the warrior culture of the...
Confucius among his pupils. (Public Domain)

The Enduring Legacy of Confucius: 10 Insights into the World's Most Influential Thinker

Confucius, the great Chinese philosopher, teacher, and political figure, is one of the most influential thinkers in human history. Born in 551 BC in the state of Lu, Confucius's teachings and ideas...
Emperor Nero fiddling while Rome burns. Source: Sunshower Shots / Adobe Stock.

Did Nero Really Fiddle While Rome Burned?

Nero , the infamous emperor of the Roman Empire, is known for his cruelty and debauchery. However, one of the most enduring tales about him is that he played the fiddle while Rome burned during the...
Ancient Greek general Alexander the Great. Source: Andrew Zimmerman / Adobe Stock.

The Greatest Speech in History? Alexander the Great & The Opis Mutiny

Alexander the Great's achievements make him one of the most exceptional figures in history. He ascended to the throne of the small Greek kingdom of Macedonia at the age of just 20 in 336 BC. In the...
Beethoven. Source: flint0010 / Adobe Stock

Beethoven Died of Alcoholism, Promiscuity and a Weak Liver

The answers to decades-long questions about the health issues suffered by famed classical music composer Ludwig van Beethoven have been found in the most unexpected of places. Thanks to in-depth...
Relief in the Karnak Temple showing Thutmose III slaying Canaanite captives from the Battle of Megiddo, 15th Century BC. (Olaf Tausch/CC BY 3.0)

Thutmose III, the Famed Warrior King of Ancient Egypt

The power that marked the rise of Ancient Egypt’s New Kingdom period rested solely on the shoulders of capable pharaohs. Such a vast realm could never thrive if it weren’t for leaders that were bold...
Sumerian king statue one of the most ancient kingdoms of the Asian monarchs. Source: Francis Valadj/Adobe Stock

10 Formidable Monarchs Who Ruled Vast Empires in Ancient Asia

Some of humanity's most ancient civilizations originated on the current continent of Asia. At the dawn of civilization, places like Mesopotamia , Harappa, China, and others saw various advance...

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