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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.

Al generated art of Cleopatra's speech to the crowd at sunset with the pyramids of Giza in the background in Egypt. Source: unai/Adobe Stock
27 April, 2024 - 00:59 Robbie Mitchell

What Type of Leader Was Cleopatra? (Video)

Cleopatra , renowned as Cleopatra VII, wielded leadership that transcended mere governance, embodying a blend of intellect, charisma, and strategic prowess. Born in 69 BC into the Ptolemaic dynasty...
AI image of Arab warrior assassin rushing through the desert with two curved sabers with which magical Arabian runes. Source: warmtail/Adobe Stock
26 April, 2024 - 23:00 Robert W. Lebling

How Arabian Script Infiltrated the Runes of Ancient Germany

Arabian archers in the Roman army had a surprising impact on the evolution of writing in ancient Germany at the dawn of our Common Era (AD). The old Germanic alphabet, known as runes – bolstered with...
AI image of a painting, showing a Pagan Christmas card of Holly King and Winter Goddess. Source: Kelly Cree/Adobe Stock
26 April, 2024 - 20:47 Robbie Mitchell

Modern Activities That Can Be Traced Back to Pagan Culture (Video)

A search for hidden pagan influence on our daily activities reveals a mix of modern traditions and customs deeply rooted in ancient belief systems. Emerging from the early Christian era, the term "...
Prehistoric Irish monuments of Late Bronze Age stone circle at Boleycarrigeen, with Keadeen cursus near the summit of the mountain in the background Source: J. O’Driscoll/Antiquity
26 April, 2024 - 01:01 ancient-origins

Prehistoric Irish Monuments Revealed As ‘Pathways for the Dead’

Archaeologists using advanced LiDAR technology have unearthed a significant discovery at Baltinglass in County Wicklow, Ireland, known as the "Hillfort Capital" of the region. This cutting-edge...
Invading Norwegian force led by Viking King Harald Hardrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Source: Public Domain
25 April, 2024 - 20:45 Robbie Mitchell

Unveiling the True Story of the Vikings (Video)

Beyond their depiction as mere raiders, the Vikings emerged as a multifaceted society encompassing various facets of life. From around 790 AD to 1066 AD, they thrived in an era marked by remarkable...
The Crowning with Thorns (c. 1603) by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610). Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum) in Vienna. Source: Adam Ján Figeľ/Adobe/Stock
24 April, 2024 - 21:01 Robbie Mitchell

Caravaggio, The Artist Who Died For His Art (Video)

Caravaggio, the charismatic artist of the Baroque era, left an undeniable mark on the art world with his revolutionary chiaroscuro technique, which brought an unparalleled depth and drama to his...
The ancient Mesoamerican board game ‘Patolli’ board from Ancient Origins. Source: Ancient Origins
24 April, 2024 - 14:45 Gary Manners

Reviving Patolli: The Ancient Mesoamerican Game of Strategy and Fortune

Patolli, an ancient game of strategy and chance, once captivated the minds and hearts of Mesoamerica. It is one of the oldest games known in the Americas, with evidence for it being found in cultures...
Left; Bust of Greek Philosopher Plato. Right; the carbonized Herculaneum papyri being studied. Source: Left; CC BY-SA 4.0, Right; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
23 April, 2024 - 22:22 Gary Manners

Plato’s Final Resting Place in Athens Revealed!

The revolutionary scanning and study of the Herculaneum papyri has revealed remarkable new details about the philosopher Plato, including the precise location of his burial. This significant...
Relief sculpture of the subject people of the Achaemenian Empire in Apadana Palace, Persepolis, Iran. Source: Mohammad Nouri/ Adobe Stock
23 April, 2024 - 20:45 Robbie Mitchell

What Pressures Caused the Fall of the Achaemenid Empire? (Video)

The Achaemenid Empire , spanning from Egypt to India, epitomized grandeur and power under illustrious rulers like Cyrus the Great and Darius the Great. Their astute governance and military conquests...
AI Image of Vikings Raids. Source: Альберт Гизатулин /Adobe Stock
23 April, 2024 - 01:01 Robbie Mitchell

The Brutal Reality of Viking Raids (Video)

In the annals of history, the year 793 marked a chilling turning point for the tranquil lands of Northumbria. Legends spun tales of ominous storms and mythical dragons hovering over Lindisfarne...
A Chinese prisoner who has tried to escape is lying on the ground while a man wearing a red jacket is cutting his ankles with a sword. Colored stipple print by J. Dadley, 1801.Source: Wellcome Collection/ Public Domain
22 April, 2024 - 22:06 Nathan Falde

Amputation Found to be Elite Punishment in 550 BC

A team of researchers recently completed a study into the origins of two ancient skeletons from China that were both missing parts of their lower leg at the time they were buried. Based on extensive...
Pantheon of Agrippa at night. Rome, Italy. Source: euclem/Adobe Stock
22 April, 2024 - 20:53 Robbie Mitchell

Exploring The Pantheon of Agrippa (Video)

The Pantheon of Agrippa , erected in 25 BC during Marcus Agrippa's consulship, exemplifies ancient Roman architectural ingenuity. Initially featuring a grand porch leading to a rotunda, its...
Image and name of Cerdic, from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Source: Paul Harper
22 April, 2024 - 14:55 Sahir

King Cerdic of Wessex’s Burial Site Claimed to be Found!

More than a millennium after its mention in an ancient royal charter, the possible final resting place of Wessex founder Cerdic has come to light. An enigmatic figure from the same era as the...
AI image of ancient Greek civilization, a Greek temple ruins with a female goddess statue.
21 April, 2024 - 20:50 Robbie Mitchell

Fascinating Facts About the Hellenistic Age (Video)

The Hellenistic Age , spanning from 336 to 31 BC, emerged in the wake of Alexander the Great's conquests, which disseminated Greek culture across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Following his demise, his...
Henry IV and Joan of Navarre, detail of their effigies in Canterbury Cathedral. Source: Nilfanion/CC BY-SA 4.0
21 April, 2024 - 14:57 Robbie Mitchell

Henry IV: Crown, Conflict, Consequence

Henry IV of England, reigning from 1399 to 1413, stands as a figure of intrigue amidst the tumultuous tapestry of English history. His ascent to the throne, shrouded in political machinations and...
King Henry and Anne Boleyn Deer shooting in Windsor Forest by William Powell Frith, 1903. Source: Public Domain
20 April, 2024 - 20:55 Robbie Mitchell

Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII: Tudor Love's Turbulent Tale (Video)

The relationship between Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII was a rollercoaster ride of scandal, ambition, and tragedy that kept the Tudor court on its toes. From the moment Henry laid eyes on Anne, despite...
Left; The excavation site at Somma Vesuviana. Credit: Right; Augustus Caesar of Prima Porta statue. Source: Left; University of Tokyo Foundation. Right; Vatican Museums/CC BY-SA 4.0
19 April, 2024 - 22:48 Nathan Falde

Villa Where Augustus Died May Have Been Excavated Near Mount Vesuvius

Archaeologists from the University of Tokyo has excavated what may be the remains of the Villa of Augustus, a first-century grand estate that was built near Somma Vesuviana, a town located in the...
Painting by Francisco Goya depicting an auto de fé, an act of public penance carried out between the 15th and 19th centuries of condemned heretics and apostates imposed by the Inquisition, based on first-hand accounts. Source: Public Domain
19 April, 2024 - 21:00 Robbie Mitchell

Dark Deeds and Divine Justice: Life of a Spanish Inquisitor (Video)

Over a span of more than three centuries, the Spanish Inquisition wielded power with an iron fist, enforcing Catholic orthodoxy and rooting out heresy with ruthless efficiency. The daily routine of a...
AI portrait of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh king. Source: Andrea Raffin/Adobe Stock
19 April, 2024 - 17:40 Aleksa Vučković

Why Did Egyptian Pharaohs Have Five Names?

Ancient Egyptian pharaohs were not merely rulers; they were considered divine beings, the living embodiments of gods on Earth. Their names were imbued with profound significance, reflecting their...
Painting by Englishman John White of Sir Walter Raleigh’s 1590 Expedition to Roanoke Island to find the Lost Colony, where they found “Croatoan” carved on a tree. This may refer to either Croatoan Island or the Croatoan people. Source: Public Domain
18 April, 2024 - 20:49 Robbie Mitchell

The Mystery of Roanoke Colony’s Disappearance (Video)

The Roanoke Colony's mysterious disappearance, led by John White, stands as a profound enigma in the annals of early American history. Embarking on multiple expeditions to the New World, White and...
Left; Carved pendant plaque of a human head from the burial. Right; Jade Mask in fragments. Source: C. Halperin/Antiquity
18 April, 2024 - 14:23 Gary Manners

Ritual Burning of Royal Remains Marked Maya Regime Change

Researchers in Guatemala have unearthed fascinating evidence of a dramatic ritual burning of royal remains, pointing to a significant political shift in the ancient Maya city of Ucanal. This find not...
The Age of Discovery, a time when Portuguese explorers journeyed across the world. Source: oleskalashnik/Adobe Stock
17 April, 2024 - 20:50 Robbie Mitchell

Portuguese Empire and the Age of Exploration (Video)

During the Age of Exploration , Portugal's strategic location and maritime expertise propelled it to the forefront of global exploration and trade. With its extensive coastline and rich fishing...
Nanzhao Tahu Temple, Weibaoshan Mountain, Dali, Yunnan, China. Source: hu/Adobe Stock
17 April, 2024 - 01:06 Robbie Mitchell

Nanzhao: A Lost Kingdom in Southern China (Video)

Nanzhao , situated in the rugged terrain of southern China, flourished as a formidable kingdom between the 8th and 10th centuries. Unified from disparate tribes, it repelled Chinese invasions and...
Samurai in Medieval Japan. Source: Public Domain
16 April, 2024 - 20:52 Robbie Mitchell

Samurais, Shoguns, Etas and the Social Pyramid of Medieval Japan (Video)

The structure of medieval Japan was characterized by a complex social hierarchy that shaped the lives and interactions of its people. Rooted in centuries-old traditions and influenced by...

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