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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.

Khufu pyramid from the northeast view. Source: dynamofoto/Adobe Stock

Five More Fascinating Facts About Egypt's Pyramids (Video)

Dating back to approximately 2630 BC, the construction of the first pyramid marks a milestone nearly five millennia ago. Ancient Egypt's allure spans centuries, captivating minds with its rich...
Alexander Putting his Seal Ring over Hephaestion's Lips, by Johann Heinrich Tischbein, 1781	Source: Public Domain

An Expert’s View On the Netflix Series Portrayal of Alexander the Great As Queer

By Charlotte Dunn /The Conversation You might be surprised to learn the sex life of a long-dead conqueror is making headlines in 2024. Netflix documentary Alexander the Great: The Making of a God has...
Scottish warriors heading into battle in the highlands. Source: Jeff Whyte/Adobe Stock

The Top Three Critical Wars for Scottish Independence (Video)

The struggle for Scottish independence spans centuries, marked by pivotal conflicts that shaped the nation's identity. Three significant wars stand out in this ongoing battle against English...
The Palace of Aigai following 16 years of restoration, Vergina. Source: ververidis/Adobe Stock

Archaeologists Discover Alexander the Great’s Bathroom in Palace of Aigai

In the royal palace where Alexander the Great was crowned king of Macedonia in 336 BC at the tender age of 20, archaeologists have uncovered a space that has now been positively identified as teenage...
Artistic recreation of real potatoes just harvested between Andes mountains and a sunny day. Source: Manuel Mata/Adobe Stock

Potatoes: South America’s Gift to the World (Video)

Picture this: nestled amidst the rugged peaks of the Andean highlands , ancient civilizations unearthed a culinary gem over 10,000 years ago—the humble potato. Through centuries of trial and error,...
Roman copy of a Hellenistic sculpture of a Gallic warrior. Source: Public Domain

Gallant Gauls: A Journey Through Ancient Europe

The story of the Gauls, ancient inhabitants of modern-day France, Belgium, Switzerland, and parts of Italy, offers a fascinating journey into a civilization often overshadowed by their Roman...
Side view of the colossal head of Decebalus. Source: Cazanele Dunării/CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Colossal Head of Decebalus, King of the Dacians

In the heart of Rome stands a 38-meter tall (124.67ft) tall column built in the 2nd century AD. Carved in low relief spiralling around the monument are over 2600 figures, representing the combatants...
Shenyang Imperial Palace (Mukden Palace) was the former imperial palace of the early Manchu-led Qing dynasty and UNESCO world heritage site built 400 years ago in Shenyang, China. Source: EcoSpace/Adobe Stock

How Did the Qing Dynasty Fall? (Video)

The collapse of the Qing Dynasty was a culmination of internal turmoil and external pressures spanning centuries. Established in 1644, it succeeded the Ming Dynasty , and the Qing rulers initially...
Pirate Henry Avery looking into the ocean at a pirate ship. Source: Dieter Holstein/Adobe Stock

Legacy of the Fancy: Henry Every's Iconic Flagship Powerhouse (Video)

The Fancy, Henry Every's formidable 46-gun flagship, stood as a symbol of pirate prowess during the era. Leading a formidable armada, it struck fear into the hearts of adversaries. Every, an English...
Ibn al-Haytham ("Alhasen") on the left pedestal of reason [while Galileo is on the right pedestal of the senses] as shown on the frontispiece of the Selenographia (Science of the Moon; 1647) of Johannes Hevelius. 	Source: Public domain provided by the author

Study Reveals the Influence of 11th Century Scientist On Modern-day Physics

By University of Sharjah Scientists from the University of Sharjah and the Warburg Institute are poring over the writings of an 11th century Arab-Muslim polymath to demonstrate his impact on the...
A Roman love scene. Mosaic found in Centocelle (1st century AD).	Source: Kunsthistorisches Museum/CC BY-SA 2.5

Silphium, The Ancient Contraceptive Herb Driven To Extinction

As an institution of spiritual authority, the Catholic Church wields much influence over the attitudes and beliefs of millions of people around the globe. From scriptural doctrine to less refined...
Representational image of Muslim achievements to science, medicine, philosophy and education. Source: mknisanci / Adobe Stock

“Historical Amnesia” Obscures Forgotten Achievements of Muslim Culture

In an article authored by Craig Considine and published in The Huffington Post , the veil is lifted on a profound historic oversight in some educational curriculums: the neglect of Muslim...
The Taj Mahal. Source:EugeneF/Adobe Stock

How Long Famous Landmarks Took to Build (Video)

From the monumental Great Pyramid of Giza to the mesmerizing Taj Mahal, the construction timelines of these iconic landmarks offer insights into the ingenuity and perseverance of ancient...
Comanche Feats of Horsemanship (1834-1835) by George Catlin. Source: Public Domain

The History of the Comanche Tribe is One of Conquest

The history of the Native American Comanche tribe includes their move from ancestral homelands in Wyoming to more southerly parts - and conquering new lands. They were then in turn conquered, after...
Norman Victory: An Iconic Scene from the Battle of Hastings. Source: Mr. Bolota/Adobe Stock

The Impact of the Battle of Hastings on British History (Video)

The Battle of Hastings in 1066 stands as a watershed moment in British history, reshaping the trajectory of the nation for centuries to come. Prior to this pivotal clash, England was a patchwork of...
Reproduction of the Old city of Jerusalem.		Source: Alessandro/Adobe Stock

Cosmic Rays, Tree Rings, and the Real Story of the Building of Jerusalem

A new archaeological study of ancient Jerusalem is forcing experts to reevaluate some of their past assumptions about the history of that holy city. New research has presented evidence that Biblical...
Photo of an Aztec warrior in imagined armor. Source: Superhero Woozie/Adobe Stock

History's Most Dreaded Warriors (Video)

Throughout history, formidable warriors have etched their names into the annals of warfare, leaving behind legacies of terror and conquest. Among them, Genghis Khan and his Mongol horde stand out as...
"Certosa di Pavia - Medallion at the base of the facade". The Latin inscription tells that these are Romulus and Remus.           Source: Public Domain

The Seven Legendary Kings Who Built Rome (Video)

The era of Rome's seven kings , spanning from approximately 753 BC to 509 BC, marks a critical period in the city's history. Romulus , the legendary founder, is said to have established Rome's...
Su Nuraxi - a nuragic archaeological site in Barumini, Sardinia, Italy. Source: robnaw/Adobe Stock

Lost Civilizations: Delving into the Forgotten Past of Sardinia (Video)

Ancient Sardinia ’s history reveals a saga of resilience and adaptation spanning millennia. Situated strategically in the central Mediterranean, its dry, mountainous landscapes and labyrinthine...
Landscape with ruined city and stone columns in Persepolis. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Source: radiokafka/Adobe Stock

What Contributed to the Downfall of Persepolis? (Video)

Persepolis , the jewel of the Achaemenid Empire, rose to prominence under the reign of Darius the Great in the late 6th century BC. Strategically located in a mountainous region, Persepolis served as...
Ann Bonny and Mary Read convicted of Piracy November 28th, 1720, in a court of Vice Admiralty held at St. Jago de Vega in ye island of Jamaica. Source: Public Domain

The Exploits of Eight Notorious Pirates (Video)

The exploits of eight infamous pirates from the Golden Age of Piracy have captivated generations. William Kidd , a Scottish privateer turned pirate, met his end on the gallows amid speculation about...
A limestone panel depicting two Maya Mesoamerican ballgame players. Usumacinta River area, Guatemala.  Source: Ada Turnbull Hertle Fund; Art Institute Chicago/CC BY 3.0

Hallucinogens Found In Ancient Yucatán Ball Courts Betray Maya Offerings

New research has shed light on the rituals surrounding the construction of a ballcourt in the ancient Maya city of Yaxnohcah. A collecting of botanicals, subjected to environmental DNA analysis, has...
Leaning tower of Pisa at sunset, with cloudy blue skies.  Source: sugar0607/Adobe Stock

5 Surprising Facts of the Leaning Tower of Pisa (Video)

The Leaning Tower of Pisa stands as an enduring emblem of Italy, drawing millions of tourists annually. Yet, amidst its renown, lie intriguing details often overlooked. Firstly, while globally...
Letter of marque given to Captain Antoine Bollo via the shipowner Dominique Malina from Genoa, owner of the Furet, a 15-tonne privateer, 27 February 1809. (Right) Drake viewing treasure taken from a Spanish ship, print courtesy New York Public Library. Source: Public Domain; New York Public Library/CC BY 3.0

The Enigmatic Letter of Marque: Legal Piracy Revealed (Video)

Privateering , often glamorized in tales of the high seas, was far more complex than popular narratives suggest. At its heart lay the elusive "Letter of Marque," a document laden with opportunity and...

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