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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 Fall of Hera: Demoted from Autonomous Goddess to Wife of Zeus
4 December, 2019 - 23:15 MartiniF

The Fall of Hera: Demoted from Autonomous Goddess to Wife of Zeus

Constantly battling with Zeus’ infidelity, Hera the ancient Greek goddess of family and marriage, often took swift and cruel revenge - not on her philandering husband, but on his conquests and the...
he Earth endured a cataclysm that caused a mass extinction of many large mammals. Source: James Thew / Adobe Stock.
4 December, 2019 - 23:04 Dr Pat Hanratty

Cataclysm, Mass Extinctions, and the Consequent Myths

According to geologists, in the interval from 10,000 to 8,000 BC, some 35 to 45 species of large mammals became extinct. This is called a mass extinction . Mass extinctions can be defined as species...
England’s Medieval law and order in the. Source: Anneke / Adobe Stock.
4 December, 2019 - 19:00 Aleksa Vučković

Caught Red-Handed! Law and Order in Medieval England

In medieval societies , it was always quite important to preserve law and order, and to rightfully dispense justice. A just ruler secured himself an obedient populace, and often enough, justice was...
Roman wine was sweetened with toxic 'sugar of lead'
4 December, 2019 - 14:16 dhwty

Savoring the Danger: Romans Loved Toxic 'Sugar of Lead' Wine

How far did ancient people go to enhance the flavor of their food and drinks? Would they consume toxic substances if it made things a little more appetizing? The Romans did, by adding a sweet version...
Grace O’Malley, the Pirate Queen of Ireland
3 December, 2019 - 00:51 Joanna Gillan

Grace O’Malley, The 16th Century Pirate Queen of Ireland

Grace O'Malley was Queen of Umaill, chieftain of the O Maille clan, a rebel , seafarer, and fearless leader who challenged the turbulent politics of 16th century England and Ireland. While Irish...
Thesmophoria by Francis Davis Millet, 1894-1897 (Public Domain)
2 December, 2019 - 20:16 Mary Naples

Thesmophoria: Feminine Consciousness in Ancient Greece

In the most highly anticipated religious festival of the year, women came from far and wide to gather in their cities to celebrate the Thesmophoria, the oldest and most widespread of all ancient...
King Diomedes leader of the troops and unsung hero. Source: serhiibobyk / Adobe Stock.
2 December, 2019 - 14:04 B. B. Wagner

Diomedes, the Unsung Hero of Troy

Any Greek epic by the poet Homer should never be read quietly to one’s self but spoken out loud to all who wish to listen, especially if it has to do with the Trojan War. His epic poems sing praises...
Many prosthetic dentures were composed of Waterloo Teeth . Source: Museum of London Archaeology
30 November, 2019 - 17:49 Aleksa Vučković

Waterloo Teeth: Wearing A Dead Man’s Grin

Toothaches are the worst. We all get them, and we all hate them. Going to the dentist can often seem like a very unpleasant necessity. But in the 21 st century, it is often taken for granted –...
The Golden Godheads of Human Death Rites
30 November, 2019 - 00:13 ashley cowie

The Golden Godheads of Human Death Rites

Masks are well ingrained in the social zeitgeist and while their use in ancient rituals and ceremonies across the ancient world is well documented, it is generally their protective applications in...
: “The First Thanksgiving 1621, oil on canvas by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1899). The painting shows common misconceptions about the event that persist to modern times: Pilgrims did not wear such outfits, and the Wampanoag are dressed in the style of Native Americans from the Great
27 November, 2019 - 16:40 lizleafloor

American Thanksgiving Origins and Roots in the Old World

As the leaves turn beautiful golden and fiery red hues, the weather gets colder, and people prepare for the oncoming winter in the Northern Hemisphere, Americans enjoy the annual celebration of...
27 November, 2019 - 15:42 Willem McLoud

The House of Uruk, Greatest of Sumerian Heroes

The greatest of all Sumerian heroes were said to have belonged to the first House of Uruk. For the Sumerians, this House of Uruk was not just another royal house, for them it was one of the greatest...
Moses and Joshua bowing before the Ark, by James Tissot, (c. 1900) (Public Domain)
26 November, 2019 - 00:52 Roberto Volterri

Was the Ark of the Covenant an Instrument of Anachronistic Technological Knowledge?

Somewhere in the Negev Desert, Mount Sinai , at dawn on a day of the 13th century BC: "Moses, go and speak to the children of Israel! Tell them that they must make a wooden Ark of Acacia, its length...
Mark Antony's oration at Caesar's funeral
24 November, 2019 - 13:52 Aleksa Vučković

The Life and Times of Mark Antony, Caesar's Trusted Aide

The final, turbulent days of the Roman Republic are some of the most thrilling pages of the world’s history, and also very important. In this period, many influential figures had their role to play...
Drawing of Omitlan by W Niven (Design deriv by Liz Leafloor Ancient-Origins)
22 November, 2019 - 23:31 Marco M. Vigato

Omitlàn: In Search of a Lost City in Mesoamerica

In 1891, the American geologist and antiquarian William Niven set off on a journey of discovery and exploration through the Mexican state of Guerrero. What he found would change the course of his...
Greek troops rushing forward at the Battle of Marathon. Source: पाटलिपुत्र / Public Domain.
21 November, 2019 - 18:13 dhwty

The Battle That Inspired The Marathon

The Battle of Marathon was a pivotal battle in the Graeco-Persian Wars. This battle took place in August or September 490 BC. During the battle, the Athenians and their Plataean allies successfully...
Group portrait of the Piltdown skull being examined by John Cooke in 1915. Back row: (left to right) F. O. Barlow, G. Elliot Smith, Charles Dawson, Arthur Smith Woodward. Front row: A. S. Underwood, Arthur Keith, W. P. Pycraft, and Sir Ray Lankester. Note the painting of Charles Darwin on the wall. (Public Domain).
21 November, 2019 - 01:06 ashley cowie

The Hucksters and Suckers of Archaeological Scams

Hidden among the exhibits of the world’s finest museums and in some of the most famous private archaeological and art collections are forgeries, manufactured supposedly ancient arts and artifacts...
Detail of a self-portrait of Raphael, aged approximately 23.
20 November, 2019 - 16:20 dhwty

Did Iconic Renaissance Artist Raphael Die From Too Much Sex?

Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (known more commonly as Raphael) was a painter and architect who lived in Italy between the late 15th and early 16th centuries, during a period known as the High...
A scene from the Books of the Dead (based at the Egyptian Museum) shows the ibis-headed god Thoth recording the result of “the final judgement”. Source: Wasef et al. - PLOS ONE / CC BY-SA 4.0.
20 November, 2019 - 13:59 ancient-origins

Holy Bin Chickens: Ancient Egyptians Tamed Wild Ibis for Sacrifice

These days, not many Aussies consider the ibis a particularly admirable creature. But these birds , now colloquially referred to as “ bin chickens ” due to their notorious scavenging antics, have a...
Julius Caesar on Horseback, Writing and Dictating Simultaneously to His Scribes by Jaques de Gheyn II (1629) (Public Domain)
18 November, 2019 - 23:44 Cam Rea

Did Caesar’s Ambition to Conquer Parthia Lead to His Assassination?

In 56 BC, Julius Caesar invited Marcus Licinius Crassus and Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus to Luca in Cisalpine Gaul (modern-day Lucca, Italy) in an effort to repair their strained relationship, which had...
A mysterious Indian king. Bengal king Sashanka has long been a historical mystery as well. Source: venkatvasa/Deviant Art
17 November, 2019 - 23:01 Saurav Ranjan Datta

King Sashanka: Unifier of the Bengal People and Lands

The region and state of Bengal in India is situated in the East of the country and is primarily known for its rich culture, literature, history, and heritage. This region has also been quintessential...
King Solomon is most famous for his wisdom in the story of The Judgment of Solomon. Source: Dcastor / CC BY-SA 3.0.
17 November, 2019 - 19:08 dhwty

As Wise as Solomon: The Powerful King Who Magically Ruled Israel

King Solomon was the fourth (or third) ruler of the United Kingdom of Israel . He is remembered primarily for his wisdom (hence the English idiom ‘as wise as Solomon’), though he was also a wealthy...
King Henry VIII. (Ann Longmore-Etheridge / Flickr)
16 November, 2019 - 22:45 dhwty

The Complicated and Disturbing Life of King Henry VIII

King Henry VIII was the second monarch of England and reigned during the 16th century . Henry ruled his kingdom for almost 40 years, and he seems to have had a promising start at the beginning of his...
Moses striking the rock by Murillo after Bartolomé Esteban Perez (style) – (1666-1670) (Public Domain)
16 November, 2019 - 13:13 Roberto Volterri

Hit the Rock and Water Must Come Out of It: Was Moses a Dowser?

" Then Yahweh said to Moses: 'Pass before the people and take with you some of the elders of Israel and your rod with which you struck the river Nile. Take it in your hand and you must walk. Behold,...
King Leonidas and the Epic Battle of the 300 at Thermopylae
16 November, 2019 - 02:01 dhwty

King Leonidas of Sparta and the Epic Battle of the 300 at Thermopylae

Zack Snyder’s 2007 fantasy historical film, 300 , has probably made the Battle of Thermopylae one of the most famous battles of the ancient world. However, the film has more fantasy than history in...

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