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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.

King Louis XIV had many mistresses. Source: Archivist / Adobe Stock.
22 October, 2023 - 16:57 Robbie Mitchell

King Louis XIV Had At Least 20 Mistresses (Video)

In French history, it was a common expectation that monarchs, like King Louis XIV, maintained intriguing love lives . Louis, known for his insatiable desires, fathered over a dozen illegitimate...
A Roman wearing Tyrian purple. Source: AI generated.
21 October, 2023 - 22:57 Joanna Gillan

Roman Citizens Could Be Punished with Exile for Wearing Purple

The ancient Roman Empire was not only a marvel of architecture, politics, and warfare but also a hub of societal regulations and fashion statements. One might believe that the color of a garment...
British Library document reveals Thomas Cromwell engineered Anne Boleyn’s demise. Source: YouTube Channel / Smithsonian Channel.
21 October, 2023 - 16:54 Robbie Mitchell

Shocking Papers Prove Anne Boleyn Conspiracy (Video)

In the year 1536, a pivotal event in history unfolded as Henry VIII ordered the execution of his second wife, Anne Boleyn , at the Tower of London. This act, notorious for its brutality , stands as...
Kushite warrior queens were formidable. Source: McKinney Photography / Adobe Stock.
21 October, 2023 - 01:55 Robbie Mitchell

Crazy Life of A Warrior Queen In The Kingdom of Kush (Video)

In the depths of Africa's history, the Kingdom of Kush and its warrior queens emerge as captivating enigmas. Unlike many ancient civilizations, the Kushites held their female children in high regard...
Evidence shows dingoes like these were held in high esteem by Australia's First Peoples. Source: Aaron/Adobe Stock
20 October, 2023 - 22:56 Gary Manners

Dingoes Elevated to 'Almost-Human' Status in Pre-Colonial Australia

Dogs have often been referred to as "man's best friend," but in the case of the wild dingo in Australia, it has endured a somewhat less favorable reputation. However, new research suggests that...
Human remains of bones and skulls at a traditional cannibal site. Source: simanlaci / Adobe Stock.
20 October, 2023 - 14:50 Joanna Gillan

Fiji’s Rampant Cannibalism for 2,500 Years Earned it the Name ‘Cannibal Isle’

Fiji , the idyllic paradise in the South Pacific, carries a dark historical secret. Long before it was renowned for its scenic beauty, early European explorers knew it as the foreboding 'Cannibal...
Tribes in Britain gave allegiance to the Romans. Source: Bernard GIRARDIN / Adobe Stock.
19 October, 2023 - 16:51 Robbie Mitchell

Britons Gave Allegiance to Romans in Exchange for Protection (Video)

In ancient Roman Britain , business practices took a unique turn, driven by the empire's strategy to establish dominion over the region. The native tribes' constant discord presented an opportunity...
Facial reconstruction of Joan of Arc. Source: YouTube Screenshot / Royalty Now Studios.
19 October, 2023 - 01:55 Robbie Mitchell

Joan of Arc: How Did She Really Look? (Video)

Despite her fame Joan of Arc’s appearance remains shrouded in mystery due to the absence of contemporary depictions. Efforts to digitally reconstruct her likeness based on a statue from Orleans and...
50 BC coin bearing the name Esunertos, a previously unknown Iron Age British king. Source: Spinks Auctions
18 October, 2023 - 22:57 Gary Manners

A New Iron Age King in Britain? Gold Coin Found Stamped with the Name 'Esunertos'

Britain’s history may have just undergone a significant addition, thanks to the remarkable discovery of a coin bearing the name of a forgotten Iron Age ruler. The coin was unearthed by a metal...
Roman colosseum. Source: phant / Adobe Stock.
18 October, 2023 - 16:54 Robbie Mitchell

Roman Emperor Vespasian Built the Colosseum to Boost Morale (Video)

Roman Emperor Vespasian's decision to construct the Colosseum in ancient Rome was a strategic move aimed at fostering unity and lifting the spirits of the populace. Drawing on his experience as a...
Representational image of a diver discovering ancient clay vessels. Source: underocean / Adobe Stock.
18 October, 2023 - 14:56 Aleksa Vučković

Dokos, The Oldest Shipwreck in the World

The cultures and civilizations of the ancient world were not as lonely and isolated as we might think. They were connected by the world’s waterways - the oceans, rivers, and seas. Sailing and...
The Sertorian War saw Roman generals and forces clash with the rebel leader Sertorius in a prolonged struggle for control. Source: Hui / Adobe Stock
16 October, 2023 - 22:55 Aleksa Vučković

The Sertorian War: How Rebels Nearly Toppled Rome from Within

Even the greatest of empires and kingdoms can be weakened by internal strife and civil war. The formidable power of Rome was no exception. Throughout its history—from the Republic to the Empire days—...
Emperor Nero Killed His Own Mother. Source: CEVmemories / Adobe Stock.
16 October, 2023 - 21:00 Robbie Mitchell

Even Emperor Nero's Own Mother Wasn't Spared His Cruelty (Video)

Nero’s relationship with his mother wasn’t what you’d call healthy. Agrippina, a woman of remarkable political acumen in a society where women were typically excluded from political roles, played a...
Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon. Source: Sergii Figurnyi / Adobe Stock.
16 October, 2023 - 16:59 Robbie Mitchell

Stratford-upon-Avon is a Magnet for Shakespeare Lovers (Video)

Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of England's revered playwright, William Shakespeare , exudes a magnetic charm for enthusiasts of his timeless works. While Shakespeare's authorship has faced its...
Top image: Moche pottery depicting copulation. Museo Larco – Lima, Perú
15 October, 2023 - 18:31 Aleksa Vučković

Sexuality and Nudity in Ancient Mesoamerica

The ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica left behind a rich artistic legacy that continues to captivate and intrigue modern scholars and enthusiasts. Among the myriad of themes that Mesoamerican art...
hah Abbas I of Persia and his page boy interacting and sharing wine, circa 1627. Public Domain.
15 October, 2023 - 16:49 Robbie Mitchell

Life of a Male Concubine in the Ottoman Empire (Video)

Male concubines in the Ottoman Empire were symbols of wealth, power, and masculinity. These young men, chosen for their looks and talents, served the sultan and his court in various roles. The...
Persian Queen Atossa was a prominent figure of the Achaemenid Empire. Source: kharchenkoirina/Adobe Stock
15 October, 2023 - 14:48 Aleksa Vučković

Queen Atossa, Daughter of one Emperor, and Wife to Another

The famed Achaemenid Empire was an ancient Iranian empire that was founded by the renowned Cyrus the Great in 550 BC. It quickly arose as one of the leading global powers of the time, and swept...
The starboard toilet on the beakhead of the warship Vasa, displayed in the Vasa Museum in Stockholm, Sweden. (Peter Isotalo / CC by SA 3.0)
14 October, 2023 - 20:53 Robbie Mitchell

Toilets on a Pirate Ship and the Sorry Guy Who Cleaned Them... (Video)

Sanitation aboard a pirate ship was far from ideal. Bathing was a rarity, and clean clothes were scarce, often stolen from other ships. Hot baths were a luxury reserved for the sick, usually onshore...
5,500-Year-Old Neolithic Cranial Amulets Shed Light on Ancient Belief System
14 October, 2023 - 18:58 Joanna Gillan

5,500-Year-Old Neolithic Cranial Amulets Shed Light on Ancient Belief System

In 1914, a Swiss amateur archaeologist, Ernest Roulin, approached the Museum of Science and Art in Ireland with an incredibly rare discovery – two ancient amulets made from fragments of human cranium...
Medieval serf. Source: Demian / Adobe Stock.
13 October, 2023 - 20:54 Robbie Mitchell

How Much It Sucked to Be a Medieval Serf (Video)

Medieval serfs endured a harsh existence, occupying the lowest rung of society . Unlike peasants, they couldn't sell themselves, though they weren't technically slaves. Lords in some regions could...
Chinese emperor. Source:
13 October, 2023 - 17:00 Robbie Mitchell

Weird Things That Were Normal for Chinese Emperors (Video)

In the rich tapestry of Chinese imperial history , the idiosyncrasies of emperors present a captivating tableau. These divine sovereigns, reigning over China for millennia, engaged in customs that...
A Roman emperor with his wife or mistress. AI generated.
13 October, 2023 - 01:59 Robbie Mitchell

Roman Emperors and Their Scandalous Love Lives (Video)

Roman emperors, often celebrated for their military prowess and political achievements, also had fascinating love lives that add depth to their historical personas. Julius Caesar , the iconic figure...
19th-century painting depicting the act of Sati (Wellcome Images / CC by SA 4.0)
12 October, 2023 - 21:01 Robbie Mitchell

Shocking Things That Were Normal in Ancient India (Video)

Ancient India's history is marked by practices that, by today's standards, appear bewildering. One such practice was baby dropping, where infants under 2 years old were shaken and dropped from...
Pharaoh Senebkay was different to other Egyptian kings
12 October, 2023 - 16:47 Robbie Mitchell

This Abydos Pharaoh Was Unusual in Many Ways (Video)

The discovery of Pharaoh Senebkay‘s remains offers a unique glimpse into an unconventional Egyptian dynasty. Unlike typical pharaohs, Senebkay was a modest ruler, and his life was far from the...

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