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Ancient Origins Tour IRAQ

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History

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.

The Nasrid Dynasty Alhambra Palace, Granada, Spain.	 Source: Jebulon / CC0.

The Nasrid Dynasty and the Birth of the Alhambra Palace

The Nasrid Dynasty was the last Muslim dynasty on the Iberian Peninsula . The Nasrids ruled over the Emirate of Granada , which was founded during the 13 th century. The Emirate was the last Muslim...
Detail of the Murder of Commodus by Fernand Pelez. (1879). (Public Domain)

Mimicking Gods and Gladiators: The Assassination Of Emperor Commodus

Commodus, the son and heir of the distinguished ‘ philosopher emperor’ Marcus Aurelius , was a failure as a Roman emperor. He was appointed co-emperor of Rome and ruled alongside his father when he...
The Hundred Years’ War was a conflict between French and English kings. Source: diter / Adobe Stock

The Hundred Years’ War: A Century of Bloodshed

As one of the key strategic regions of Europe, and a prosperous, large kingdom of the Middle Ages, France was always an area of struggle, intrigue, war, and vying for power. Ever since its emergence...
Medieval Queen. Credit: Julia Shepeleva / Adobe Stock

The Life and Times of the Notorious Medieval Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine

Eleanor of Aquitaine is considered to have been one of the wealthiest and most powerful women of medieval Europe during the 12 th century. For a start, Eleanor was Duchess of Aquitaine in her own...
Painting of astronomers located at the Ulugh Beg Observatory in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Source: LoggaWiggler / CC0

The Star-Gazing Sultan and His Ulugh Beg Observatory

The Ulugh Beg Observatory is an astronomical observatory located on a hill near Samarkand, in modern day Uzbekistan. This observatory, which is often considered to be one of the finest of its kind in...
Morning Prayers’ (circa 1936) by Otto Pliny. The Essenes were thought to have had specific prayers related to the sunrise. Source: Public Domain

The Shamanic Essenes, Keepers of the Dead Sea Scrolls And Other Secrets

On the fourth floor of the Museum of the Bible in Washington DC, there is a permanent exhibit that many thousands of people have gladly paid more than $20 to visit in order to gaze with rapt...
Much of the Radhanites' overland trade between Tangier and Mesopotamia was by camel. Source: Gaper / Adobe Stock

The Radhanites: A Glimpse into the Trade Networks of the Middle Ages

It is no secret that throughout the classical and early medieval period, trade played an immense role in the economy of the world. Trade routes were spread all over Eurasia, and effectively connected...
The 9th Tokugawa Japanese shogun visiting a newly built home in Edo.         Source: Kobayashi Toshimitsu / Public domain

The Amazing Ascent of the Japanese Shoguns from 1192 to 1867

The shoguns were the military rulers of Japan during the country’s feudal period . Although Japan had emperors, they were mere figureheads for centuries. Actual power was held by the shogun, who...
Charlemagne receiving the submission of Widukind at Paderborn in 785, by Ary Scheffer (1840) (Public Domain)

The Facts and Fiction of Charlemagne and His Paladin

In the early Middle Ages, the most eminent members who surrounded the sovereign of the empire were defined as Paladins, or Palatine Counts, who, among various other duties, served as Judges for...
Mummy of Maiherpri

Searching for a Family: The Mysterious Mummy of Maiherpri and His Special Tomb

The mummy of Maiherpri is so well preserved that it almost looks like he is in a peaceful sleep. He was buried in the Valley of the Kings, but his life is full of secrets. The mummy was unwrapped on...
The great Nile dam, at the head of the first cataract of the Nile, is 600 miles above Cairo. OSU Special Collection. (Public Domain)

Hydrologic Engineering Marvels Hidden in History

Everyone is familiar with the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but according to Scottish historical writer, stone mason, and founder of the Caithness Broch Project, Iain Maclean, while these “...
Battle of Heliopolis during Napoleon's invasion of Egypt in 1800 by Léon Cogniet. Collections du château de Versailles. (Public Domain)

IWNW The Egyptian Atlantis, City of Yah Weh and Ra

The name given by Egyptologists for the sacred City of the Sun God, Ra, in ancient Egypt was IWNW or IUNU. It is also affirmed not only by those who have studied the country of the Nile for many...
Ivan the Great tearing the khan's letter to pieces.      Source: Aleksey D. Kivshenko / Public domain

The Rise of Ivan the Great and the Birth of The Russian Empire

During the medieval period, ruling over a nation as vast and powerful as Russia was never an easy task. The numerous rulers that came to its helm always experienced their ups and downs, and so this...
Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet: Not a Shakespearean Tale After All

William Shakespeare's world renowned Romeo and Juliet (written sometime between 1591 and 1595) stands in the historical record as one of the greatest love stories ever written. It has been retold...
Vikings are most often remembered as warriors. Source: Nejron Photo /Adobe Stock

History of the Vikings: All You Need to Know

Vikings are more popular than ever. With dramas such as Vikings and The Last Kingdom the ancient Norsemen have reached new generations. Of course, there is dramatic license taken to particular...
Modern day uprising. Credit: Ciudalia / Adobe Stock

Uprisings After Pandemics: It Happened Before and May Happen Again

As a professor of medieval Europe, I’ve taught the bubonic plague, and how it contributed to the English Peasant Revolt of 1381. Now that America is experiencing widespread unrest in the midst of its...
Harran Ruins. ( Gerry Lynch/ CC BY-SA 3.0)

Harran Sanliurfa, City Of Prophets And Jerusalem Of Ancient Anatolia

The Lord said to Abram: “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name...
Viking in action. Credit: Nomad_Soul / Adobe Stock

The Life and Death of Sweyn Forkbeard and His Viking Empire

Sweyn I, known also as Sweyn Tiugeskaeg (which means ‘Forkbeard’), was a Viking chief who became the ruler of Denmark, Norway, and England. His byname, ‘Forkbeard’, is a reference to his long, cleft...
Folding Screen with Design of the Scenes from The Tales of Genji by anonymous painter. Tokyo Fuji Art Museum (Public Domain)

The Poetry Behind the Tale of Genji, A Heian Prince of Japan

Written in the early 11th century Japan, Genji Monogatari (源氏物語, T he Tale of Genji ) vividly describes the complex life and relationships of Genji, a handsome courtier, an excellent lover and a...
The glass delusion - a belief in human frailty or a desire to transcend human existence? Source: Creative Commons

Glass Delusion: Bizarre Medieval Affliction Left People Shattered

There is a story dating back to the 1960s about a man who overdosed on LSD and became permanently insane. In his insanity, he believed himself to be a glass of orange juice. He was afraid to lie down...
Tarot card reading. Credit: Benjavisa Ruangvaree / Adobe Stock

Tarot Resurgence: People Turn to Occult in Uncertain Times

Faced with the uncertainties of life under lockdown, is it any surprise that many people are turning to methods of fortune telling such as tarot cards ? Journalists are often tempted to ask whether...
Deciphering the Deities of Hinduism

Deciphering the Deities of Hinduism

There are no ancient civilizations that have not practiced some kind of religion. When we study the history of the oldest and the earliest civilizations, we do not find exact dates or traces of...
The epic force that was Genghis Khan.

Genghis Khan: What Transformed Temujin Borjigin into an Unstoppable Force Bent on World Domination?

Genghis Khan was one of the most famous conquerors in the world history. He was the founder and first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire. Although his beginnings were obscure and seemingly insignificant...
Daniel in the Lions’ Den by Thomas Agnew and Sons, (1892) (Public Domain)

Anticipating Armageddon: The Interpretation of Daniel’s Dream

“But Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal it up so that it will not be understood until the end times, when travel and education shall be vastly increased! ( Daniel 12:4). The traditional date...

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