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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.

Vodou Ceremony
9 January, 2021 - 00:47 dhwty

The Origins of Voodoo, a Misunderstood Religion

In 64 AD, a great fire broke out in Rome for six days and devastated much of the city. According to the writer Tacitus, “Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class...
Lady Godiva
8 January, 2021 - 20:39 dhwty

The Naked Truth on Lady Godiva and Her Nude Ride to Help the Poor

Lady Godiva was an English noblewoman who lived during the 11th century AD. Although she belonged to the upper class, she had a reputation for being sympathetic towards the less fortunate and was...
Honey Liquid Gold Of The Ancient World
8 January, 2021 - 18:59 ashley cowie

Honey Liquid Gold Of The Ancient World

In Greek mythology, Melissa was a nymph who discovered and taught the use of honey and from whom bees were believed to have received their name. Regarded as nectar of the gods, honey is obviously as...
Woman of the Harem
7 January, 2021 - 22:23 Veronica Parkes

Imperial Harem of the Ottoman Empire Served the Sultan in More Ways Than One

The imperial harem of the Ottoman era was the collection of wives, servants, and concubines of the Sultan, who sometimes numbered in the hundreds. Some were mere playthings or used for the production...
Mansa Musa: The Richest Man in History
7 January, 2021 - 21:17 Kerry Sullivan

Mansa Musa: The Richest Man in History

When people think of the richest people in history , more often than not they think of industrialists from the modern era, such as the Rothschilds, the Rockefellers, or the Carnegies. Perhaps some...
Alcibiades: The Shrewd Athenian Opportunist Of The Peloponnesian War
7 January, 2021 - 18:00 Aleksa Vučković

Alcibiades: The Shrewd Athenian Opportunist Of The Peloponnesian War

The famous city states of ancient Greece were filled with capable leaders, statesmen, generals, and heroes. Athens, one of the world’s oldest named and inhabited cities, became the leading city state...
A gold Claddagh wedding ring.
7 January, 2021 - 00:19 Kerry Sullivan

Legendary Claddagh Rings: What are the True Origins of these Symbolic Irish Wedding Rings?

The Claddagh ring design of two hands holding a crowned heart is a recognizable symbol of Ireland and enduring love. It is hugely popular as a fashion accessory and a symbolic gesture. While everyone...
Painting 'Young Gypsies.' Family is key in the Romani people’s culture.
7 January, 2021 - 00:17 Riley Winters

The Real History of the Romani People and the Misnomer of Gypsies

Colloquially, and rather insultingly, known as 'gypsies', the history and culture of the Romani people is surrounded by stereotypes and misnomers, none more damningly pervasive than Esméralda from...
Traditions of Twelfth Night: Dismantling the Christmas Tree
6 January, 2021 - 21:47 Roberto Volterri

Traditions of Twelfth Night: Dismantling the Christmas Tree

Counting from December 25, using the Julian calendar , Twelfth Night – January 6 – takes place on the last night of the ‘ Twelve Days of Christmas’ , marking the coming of the Epiphany, celebrating...
A Royal Love Affair: The Mystery of Amy Robsart Dudley’s Death
6 January, 2021 - 17:55 Aleksa Vučković

A Royal Love Affair: The Mystery of Amy Robsart Dudley’s Death

Royal courts were always a hotspot for intrigues, secrets, schemes, and love affairs. Where prestige and power reign, true love is often nowhere to be found. But in those cases when royal passions...
Oliver Cromwell. Source: Soerfm / Public Domain
5 January, 2021 - 18:26 dhwty

The Life, Achievements and Atrocities of Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell was an English military leader and politician who lived during the 17th century. He is best-remembered for serving as the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland , and...
Carving of the ancient Egyptian god Thoth
5 January, 2021 - 18:23 Katrina Sisowath

Thoth Hermes Trismegistus and his Ancient School of Mysteries

Thoth Hermes Trismegistus is portrayed by the Egyptians as the moon god with the body of a man, head of an ibis, and a crescent moon over his head. His symbol was the winged serpent staff. He was the...
Pinpointing The Celestial Garden Of Eden By Hallowed Heavenly Writing
4 January, 2021 - 21:09 John McHugh

Pinpointing The Celestial Garden Of Eden By Hallowed Heavenly Writing

The historical existence of the Garden of Eden ( Genesis 2:4-3:24) remains a mystery. The Hebrew text depicts the Judaic Deity, Adam, Eve, and the villainous Serpent interacting within an intimate...
Mad Monarchs & Outrageous Emperors: 7 Crazy Rulers of the Ancient World
3 January, 2021 - 14:01 Joanna Gillan

Mad Monarchs & Outrageous Emperors: 7 Crazy Rulers of the Ancient World

Our understanding and treatment of mental illness has come a long way over the centuries – and it’s just as well! In medieval times, people suffering a bout of ‘melancholia’ or those deemed ‘mad’...
Reconstruction of a Guanche settlement of Tenerife (Wouter Hagens/ CC BY-SA 3.0)
1 January, 2021 - 21:17 Gustavo Sanchez...

The Fan Pyramid of Tenerife, A Guanche Stone Solstice Marker

A peculiar pyramid with a ‘fan structure’ stands as an ancient stone solstice marker in Icod de los Vinos, a municipality on the island of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands (Spain). The precolonial...
Gargoyles on the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris overlooking Paris, France. Source: scaliger / Adobe Stock.
31 December, 2020 - 20:19 Sarah P Young

The Grotesque World of Gargoyles

Gargoyles are an architectural feature that have existed for thousands of years. Initially designed to filter rainwater away from the edge of a building, they also have an arcane purpose – to ward...
The Fall of Constantinople
31 December, 2020 - 20:16 Mark Miller

The Fall of Constantinople: Relentless Ottoman Fire Power Finally Pulverizes the Last Vestiges of the Roman Empire

Constantinople stood against sieges and attacks for many centuries, until finally new technology—the big cannons of the Ottoman Empire —brought down the Byzantine Empire’s capital. The fall of...
New Years Fireworks over a golden temple.
31 December, 2020 - 20:07 Joanna Gillan

How Have Ancient New Year’s Traditions Influenced Festivities Today?

January 1st, New Year’s Day, is often ushered in with fireworks and festivities beginning on December 31st. Although this practice is the norm in many places around the world, not every culture has...
Boy went through 14 years of training on the journey to knighthood
31 December, 2020 - 01:22 dhwty

Journey to Knighthood: The Hidden Steps of Becoming a Medieval Knight

The knight is arguably one of the most iconic figures of the Middle Ages. Knights were essentially mounted warriors, and in the hierarchy of medieval society , were considered to be part of the lower...
The Empire of Trebizond: Byzantine Offshoot of Great Power and Wealth
30 December, 2020 - 18:00 dhwty

The Empire of Trebizond: Byzantine Offshoot of Great Power and Wealth

The fascinating and exotic history of the Empire of Trebizond, which existed between the 13th and 15th centuries AD, is a great story. This empire occupied the southern coast of the Black Sea, and...
Are Eastern Jinn, Western Faeries and Middle-Eastern Shedim Related?
30 December, 2020 - 17:56 Charles Christian

Are Eastern Jinn, Western Faeries and Middle-Eastern Shedim Related?

In normal times (and the year 2020 is definitely not normal times) the Christmas holiday season is the point in the year when, in the United Kingdom, the annual pantomime theatre shows get underway...
Finding the Grave of Nicolaus Copernicus - Heretic Turned National Hero
30 December, 2020 - 13:45 Caleb Strom

Finding the Grave of Nicolaus Copernicus - Heretic Turned National Hero

Today, Nicolaus Copernicus is hailed by many historians as the originator of heliocentrism, one of the first steps towards modern cosmology and away from the Aristotelian cosmology which had...
Is There a Right Time to Take Down Your Christmas Decorations?
29 December, 2020 - 21:55 Nathan Falde

Is There a Right Time to Take Down Your Christmas Decorations?

In this day and age, Christmas has for many become a secular holiday, associated less with the birth of Jesus than with family get-togethers and the eager exchange of presents . Therefore, many...
Elagabalus: The Hated Roman Emperor Who Was Killed And Mutilated!
28 December, 2020 - 22:04 dhwty

Elagabalus: The Hated Roman Emperor Who Was Killed And Mutilated!

Elagabalus was a Roman emperor who lived at the beginning of the 3rd century AD. He is often considered as one of Rome’s worst emperors and is routinely placed in the same league as other notorious...

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