The moniker, “father of modern medicine,” usually goes to the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. However, there is another man who predates him by nearly 2,000 years who may deserve that title even more. That man is Imhotep. He was a multi-talented ancient Egyptian who was behind some of the greatest innovations of Egypt’s Old Kingdom. …
In the desert of modern-day Iraq, a towering structure of baked bricks rises from the earth like a monument to the gods. The Ziggurat of Ur, one of the oldest and most impressive structures of the ancient world, remains a lasting testament to the ingenuity and impressive abilities of the Sumerian civilization. For centuries, this …
The Ziggurat of Ur: An Ancient Wonder of Mesopotamia Read More »
Journey back in time to the enthralling land of ancient Egypt, and you’ll find a society divided through a complex and rigid social hierarchy, which governed every aspect of its people’s lives. At the top of the social pyramid stood the Pharaoh, followed by the elite nobility, priests, and scribes who held the keys to …
From Pharaohs to Slaves: Social Classes in Ancient Egypt Read More »
When you close your eyes and imagine Jesus, what comes to mind? Most likely, it’s a white man with long brown hair, a beard, and bright blue eyes. Maybe his arms are outstretched with the sleeves of his white robe hanging down. Maybe there’s a halo around his head. This is more or less the …
According to the Gospel of Luke, three women visited Jesus’ tomb very early on the Sunday morning after his crucifixion. They brought spices with them and were planning to anoint his body before burial. They were shocked, however, to find that the giant stone that had been used to seal the entrance had been rolled …
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 »
According to Ancient Greek mythology, Hermes was known for his cunning and mischievous nature. On the day he was born, it was said that Hermes invented the lyre, stole 50 head of cattle from his brother Apollo, and then hid the cattle in a cave so well that even Apollo couldn’t find them. When Apollo …
Hygiene has been a critical aspect of human health since the beginning of time, and it is key to keeping us healthy and ensuring we avoid disease and illness. There are several similarities and differences when looking at the hygiene practices of ancient civilizations compared to the present. Among them all, the hygiene practices of …
Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, has long been heralded as the cradle of civilization. Around 6000 BC, once-nomadic peoples began settling down, farming, and domesticating animals, giving rise to settlements that eventually grew into towns, cities, and even empires. Many great civilizations would call this region home and leave behind enormous …
The notion that Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten was the first to conceive the concept of the monotheistic ideology that underlies Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Baha’i is hardly original. Renowned Father of Psychiatry Sigmund Freud presented this idea in his 1939 book, Moses and Monotheist, promoting the perspective that if the Biblical Exodus is to be taken literally, …
Did Pharaoh Akhenaten lay the foundation for Abrahamic Religion? Read More »
