The Roman legion is known to history as one of the elite fighting forces of all time. Its compact legions of 4000-5000 men dominated the ancient world for 800 years. However, these forces were not invincible, and in the Second Punic War, they met their match in Hannibal Barca. In what was perhaps the single […]
Hannibal’s Pyrrhic Victory at the Battle of Cannae Read More »
For centuries, the Cayuse tribe inhabited the lands of what is now eastern Oregon and southeastern Washington. Their way of life was intimately connected with the natural world and the cycles of the seasons, and their culture was rich with unique traditions and customs. However, their history is not without tragedy, as the arrival of
History and Culture of the Cayuse Tribe Read More »
Many Native American tribes throughout history had a reputation for doing things on their own and living separately from other tribes. The Arapaho tribe, however, has the opposite reputation. While they had no problem doing things on their own and were self-sufficient in every way, the Arapaho tribe had a tendency to align themselves with
History and Culture of the Arapaho Tribe Read More »
The Arikara tribe, also known as Sahnish or Ree, are a Native American people whose traditional homeland is in present-day North Dakota. Historically, they were semi-nomadic people who primarily lived in earth lodges along the Missouri River. If you’re curious and want to know more about the Arikara tribe, their history, and their culture, continue
History and Culture of the Arikara Tribe Read More »
The Renaissance was a period of major intellectual, artistic, and cultural innovations from about 1350 AD to 1630 AD. The word “renaissance” is French for “rebirth,” but it would probably be more appropriate to use the Italian “Renascimento” since it was on the Italian peninsula that these transformations really first took root. You’ve no doubt
Why Did the Renaissance Begin in Italy? Read More »
The summer of 1916 was a time when Americans were concerned with politics and war. The Great War was raging in Europe. Pancho Villa led the Mexican revolution in New Mexico, and U.S. Marines invaded the Dominican Republic. So, as July 1916 began, people were looking forward to a relaxing summer that would give them
The Matawan Man-eater: The real-life inspiration for Jaws Read More »
In 1945, World War II was still raging in the Pacific. Though Germany surrendered to the Allies on May 8 and the Italians on April 29, Japan still fought in the Pacific Theater. It was a brutal effort that tested the mettle of ordinary soldiers. The Americans wanted a quick end to the war, and
The Tragedy of the USS Indianapolis: The Worst Shark Attack in History Read More »
As famous as Edgar Allan Poe is, the mysterious circumstances surrounding his passing have never been solved. As for Poe’s young wife, Virginia, there is no doubt about how she passed. What’s less well known is what her tragically short life was really like. Virginia married Edgar Allan Poe, her first cousin when she was
Who Was Virginia Clemm, the Wife of Edgar Allan Poe? Read More »
Hara-kiri translates to “belly cutting” or “stomach cutting.” As the name implies, it involves slicing your stomach with a knife. It’s a horrific, agonizing way to go. So why would anybody willingly do it to themselves? The answer concerns the strict samurai code of conduct, which placed honor above all else. For a samurai, death
The Brutal History of Seppuku and Hara-kiri Read More »
Over 55,000 prisoners of the Buchenwald Concentration Camp never made it out alive. Buchenwald was one of the Third Reich’s largest camps, with over 280,000 prisoners serving time there. Death lurked around every corner, and many killings were never recorded in the camp’s books. Walter Gerhard Mart Sommer, who earned the title “The Hangman of
Martin Sommer: The guard too cruel for even the Nazis Read More »
