In 1831, under a mountain of volcanic ash in the ancient city of Pompeii, a mosaic was uncovered. This mosaic, one of the most important pieces of art to ever be rediscovered, covered the floor of one room in the House of Faun. Dubbed the “Alexander Mosaic”, it was remarkably well preserved, and while parts […]
Becephalus: The legendary horse of Alexander the Great Read More »
In ancient Egypt, the gods could be fickle masters. Drought, death, and disease were often attributed not to natural causes, but to the displeasure of divine beings. To please the supernatural forces that governed life along the Nile, Egyptians learned to build temples, make sacrifices, and worship these all-powerful deities. One of the most important
Uncovering the Mysterious Sobek: the Crocodile God of Egypt Read More »
Do these ten historical figures really deserve to be as celebrated as they are? You be the judge. 1. Spartacus A gladiator who rose up against the mighty Roman Empire. An inspiration to oppressed peoples everywhere. This is how Spartacus is often remembered. Beginning in the summer of 73 BC, a Thracian slave named Spartacus
The 10 Most Overrated Historical Figures of All Time Read More »
From the ancient realms of Persian mythology to the captivating tales of One Thousand and One Nights. From the vibrant narratives of India to the expansive landscapes of Western literature, magic carpets have transcended geographical boundaries and permeated our myths and legends. With their ability to defy gravity and carry riders through the sky, magic
From Persian Mythology to Disney: Tracing the History of Magic Carpets Read More »
Amidst the many forgotten battles and long-lost heroes of history, a tale of extraordinary warriors emerges from the beautiful Mediterranean shores of the Balearic Islands. Picture a band of audacious, fearsome men armed with nothing more than a leather pouch. With a flick of the wrist, they unleash a tempest of stones with uncanny precision
Hannibal’s Secret War Weapon: The Balearic Slingers Read More »
Rats can be a real nuisance. They get into our food, our trash, and even our homes. But when applied in the right (or rather, wrong) ways, they can turn into something far more sinister: a form of torture so cruel that the very mention of it can be enough to compel someone to spill
Rat Torture: One Of History’s Most Barbaric Torture Methods? Read More »
50 years of conquest saw Mongol armies at the gates of Hungary, Persia, and along the Yangtze facing the last remaining Chinese resistance. The Mongols thought they were invincible and with good reason. A succession of aggressive leaders started with Genghis Khan in 1211. This extended to their last truly expansionist ruler, his grandson Kublai
Cooperation vs. Chaos: The Mongolian Invasions of China and Japan Read More »
Blood, guts, and glory. The Viking Age was a time of brutal conquest and even more brutal executions. Perhaps none are more shrouded in controversy and intrigue than the notorious blood eagle ritual. Legend has it that the Vikings were ruthless to their enemies. If you found yourself at the hands of a murderous Viking,
The Gruesome History of the Viking Blood Eagle Ritual Read More »
In ancient Athens, amidst wealth and greatness, there lived a man who sought to understand the world and the human condition through formal logic. His name was Socrates. Socrates was a philosopher whose influence on ancient philosophy and the Western philosophical tradition is immeasurable. His name is recognizable to almost everyone. Despite that, Socrates wrote
The Suicide of the Ancient Greek Philosopher, Socrates Read More »
The ancient Chinese method of execution known as lingchi (or ling chi), is perhaps better known by the more descriptive, “death by a thousand cuts.” As the name implies, this was a form of torture that involved slicing into the victim over and over again until they died. It was normally saved for the very
The History of Lingchi: Death by a Thousand Cuts Read More »
