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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.

Monte Testaccio, Rome.
27 July, 2024 - 02:39 Robbie Mitchell

Monte Testaccio - Rome's Mountain of Ancient Garbage (Video)

Monte Testaccio , an ancient Roman garbage dump, stands as a reminder of the city’s consumption and trade practices. Located on the outskirts of Rome, this massive mound of broken pottery reaches the...
Representational image of a Knights templar in silent prayer.
26 July, 2024 - 22:50 Aleksa Vučković

Top 10 Secret Societies of the Middle Ages

The Middle Ages, spanning roughly from the 5th to the late 15th century AD, was a period marked by the rise and fall of kingdoms, the spread of religions, and significant social and political...
Right; Entrance to the chamber tomb discovered near Naples. Source: Left; Italian Ministry of Culture, Right; Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio per l’Area Metropolitana di Napoli
26 July, 2024 - 19:53 Sahir

2,000-Year-Old Tomb of Cerberus Sarcophagus Opened

Ongoing investigations into the contents of the Tomb of Cerberus, discovered in October 2023 in Giugliano, Naples, led to the decision to open one of the two sarcophagi found there. The stone box had...
Portrait of Tycho Brahe
26 July, 2024 - 14:37 ancient origins

Hidden Elements Found in Renaissance Astronomer Tycho Brahe's Laboratory

In the Middle Ages, alchemists were notoriously secretive and didn't share their knowledge with others. Danish Tycho Brahe was no exception. Consequently, we don't know precisely what he did in the...
A unicorn coming out of a bible.
26 July, 2024 - 02:29 Robbie Mitchell

Wizards and Unicorns? 5 Things You Won’t Believe Are In The Bible (Video)

Even if the Bible has familiar stories known through cultural osmosis, there are many surprising elements within its pages that might be less well-known. Here are five astonishing things you might...
Representation of how Rome influenced Video Game design
25 July, 2024 - 21:20 ancient origins

Unearthing Ancient Rome's Influence on Video Game Design and Architecture

The ancient city of Rome has left an indelible mark on history, its influence extending far beyond the realm of politics and culture. One of the most modern areas where this legacy can be seen is in...
Mosaic floor depicting various athletes wearing wreaths. From the Museum of Olympics.
25 July, 2024 - 20:27 ancient origins

Nude Athletes and Fights to the Death: The Ancient Olympics

Konstantine Panegyres /The Conversation The first recorded victor at the Olympics was Coroebus of Elis . A cook by profession, Coroebus won the event called the “stadion” – a footrace of just under...
Oil on panel Dutch School painting depicting the Great Fire Of London
25 July, 2024 - 02:36 Clem1965

Unveiling the London Blaze: The Story of Robert Hubert and the Great Fire of 1666

In the annals of history, certain names emerge as symbols of tragedy and injustice, individuals who bear the weight of collective misfortune. Robert Hubert, a French watchmaker hailing from Rouen,...
AI image of ancient Egyptian temple ruins.
24 July, 2024 - 23:12 Jessica Nadeau

Fickle Sovereignty: Exploring Egypt's Third Intermediate Period

Characterized by political fragmentation and foreign rule, the Third Intermediate Period in Egypt saw a country divided among competing nations and religious adversaries, ushering in an era founded...
Miniature on a initial 'D' with a scene representing teeth ("dentes"). A dentist with silver forceps and a necklace of large teeth, extracting the tooth of a seated man. (England (London); 1360-1375
24 July, 2024 - 20:22 Robbie Mitchell

What Was Dentistry Like In The Medieval Period? (Video)

Dentistry in the medieval period was a challenging and often painful experience, reflecting the limited medical knowledge and resources of the time. Unlike today, the absence of anesthetics and...
The Star Carr site provides the earliest known evidence of British dwellings and some of the earliest forms of architecture, as seen here.
24 July, 2024 - 18:02 ancient origins

Hunter-gatherers Kept an 'Orderly Home' in the Earliest Known British Dwelling

University of York Archaeological evidence from the world-famous Mesolithic site of Star Carr in North Yorkshire has shown that hunter-gatherers likely kept an orderly home by creating ‘zones’ for...
Two men in shogun armor.
23 July, 2024 - 23:38 Robbie Mitchell

What It Was Like To Live During The Shōgun Era In Japan

Life during the Shōgun era in Japan was marked by significant social, political, and cultural transformations. This period began with the rise of the Tokugawa shogunate, established by Tokugawa...
Aethelwalh of Sussex represented on John Speed's Saxon Heptarchy map.
23 July, 2024 - 23:28 Aleksa Vučković

AEthelwealh of Sussex, A Formidable Anglo-Saxon Sovereign

Æthelwealh , King of Sussex, emerges from the mists of early medieval England as a figure of considerable interest and significance. His reign, which spanned from around 660 to 685 AD, was marked by...
Undated poster for the Theatre Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin.
22 July, 2024 - 23:00 dhwty

How Robert-Houdin Used Magic to Aid the French Government

Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin was a French magician who lived during the 19th century. Amongst other things, Robert-Houdin is commonly regarded today as the originator of the modern style of conjuring (...
22 July, 2024 - 22:14 Aleksa Vučković

The Architectural Evolution of Egyptian Temples - The Marvels of Ancient Engineering

The architectural evolution of Egyptian temples is a critical glimpse into the ingenuity, religious fervor, and artistic prowess of one of the world's oldest and most enduring civilizations...
The School of Athens, by Raphael. Source: Public Domain
21 July, 2024 - 21:17 Robbie Mitchell

Why Did Ancient Greeks Crave Knowledge? (Video)

The ancient Greeks' passion for knowledge is noteworthy for its lasting impact on Western civilization. Their contributions to philosophy and politics have significantly influenced modern thought,...
Left; Jean Dieu de Saint-Jean, Habit Noir (evening wear), etching c. 1670. Right; Inside the Pepys Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge. Source: Left; Reproduced by permission of the Pepys Library, Magdalene College Cambridge. Right; Douglas Atfield/University of Cambridge
21 July, 2024 - 21:13 Gary Manners

Samuel Pepys' Fashion Prints Reveal His Guilty Pleasure: Fancy French Clothes

Samuel Pepys, the renowned English diarist and naval administrator, is well-known for his detailed accounts of life in the 17th century. While his diary entries from 1660 to 1669 provide rich...
: A plaice, the most popular flatfish in medieval Europe. Source: slowmotiongli/Adobe Stock
21 July, 2024 - 20:00 ancient origins

Flat-out Favorites: Plaice Looks Like the Most Popular Flatfish in Medieval Times

University of York Flatfish, such as plaice, turbot and sole, were regularly consumed as part of a medieval meal, according to analysis of fishbone remains found at archaeological sites across Europe...
The House of the Vestal Virgins, Rome. Source: Bradley Weber /CC BY 2.0
21 July, 2024 - 18:44 ancient origins

The Vestal Virgins Achieved Power Most Women Were Denied – But at Great Cost

Lily Moore/The Conversation You might have heard of a group of women in Ancient Rome known as the “Vestal Virgins”. These female virginal guardians of the sacred flame of Rome could be buried alive...
The Battle of Grunwald, by Jan Matejko Source: Public Domain
20 July, 2024 - 19:27 Robbie Mitchell

Who Were Germany’s Teutonic Knights? (Video)

The Teutonic Knights , a German-origin crusading order, are often misunderstood and erroneously linked to German nationalism. Their history diverges significantly from the Knights Hospitaller and the...
The morning of the Battle of Agincourt. Source: Hohum / Public Domain
19 July, 2024 - 21:18 Robbie Mitchell

What Happened at the Battle of Agincourt, 1415? (Video)

At the end of summer in 1415, King Henry V of England initiated his campaign to reclaim the French throne by invading Normandy. The siege of Harfleur proved to be a significant challenge, taking...
The stone carvings found during a diving expedition near Aswan, Egypt. Source: © Dr Cristian Craciun/Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
19 July, 2024 - 21:11 Gary Manners

Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs Rediscovered Underwater Near Aswan

Archaeologists recently unveiled a remarkable discovery near Aswan, Egypt: rock carvings depicting ancient Egyptian pharaohs, submerged for decades due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam. This...
Semicircular tomb in Pompeii being excavated. Source: Pompeii Archaeological Site
19 July, 2024 - 20:41 Gary Manners

Roman Military Tomb Inscription Reveals Unknown Imperial Position

A recent discovery in Pompeii has provided fascinating insights into the history and network of power during the reign of Emperor Augustus. During routine construction work at the Archaeological Park...
The Borgia Family by Dante Gabriel Rossetti Source: Public Domain
18 July, 2024 - 19:52 Robbie Mitchell

Machiavellian Maneuvers Of The House Of Borgia (Video)

The House of Borgia , one of the most infamous families of the Renaissance, is synonymous with ambition, power, and scandal. Pope Alexander VI, born Rodrigo Borgia, epitomizes their controversial...

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