Mimir is an obscure figure from Norse mythology, more ancient than Odin himself. His name in Old Norse meant The Rememberer. Mimir guarded the Well of Wisdom that lay between the roots of the World Tree, which made up the center of their universe. Yggdrasil, also called the World Tree, is an ancient ash tree […]
Mimir: The Wise Norse God More Ancient than Odin Himself Read More »
Historically, armor has served as a critical component in the survival and success of warriors on the battlefield. Beyond its practical purpose of protection, armor has also been a powerful symbol of status. From the intricate mail of medieval knights to the ornate armor of the samurai, each piece tells a unique story about the
25 stunning pieces of armor from throughout history Read More »
It’s not a term that many people today are very familiar with because no one has been exposed to it. But, hundreds and even thousands of years ago, it was, unfortunately, one of the most barbaric and sadistic methods of torture ever imaginable. Keelhauling is a word that in the 1800s would make you shudder
Keelhauling: Taking Punishment to the Extreme Read More »
Rising up out of the water like someplace from a fairy tale, Venice is a city of extremes. A romantic destination of bridges and canals… and a moldering cesspool of crumbling buildings tilting slowly towards the mud that has supported them for a thousand years or more. It begs the question: why was this astonishing
How was the Floating City of Venice Constructed? Read More »
Golems have become ubiquitous figures in modern folklore, featured everywhere from Discworld novels to the world of Minecraft. But where did they come from? The English word comes from the Hebrew golem meaning “shapeless mass”. The word ‘golem’ is used once in the bible, and English versions translate it in various ways; it’s most often
The Role of Golems in Jewish History and Folklore Read More »
In the world of academia, there is a principle called “Occam’s Razor” (also referred to as the “Principle/Law of Parsimony”). It is the philosophy that when presented with competing hypotheses about the same prediction, one should always choose the one that requires the fewest assumptions. (This is not meant to be a method of choosing
The Man Behind Occam’s Razor: William of Ockham Read More »
What we know (or think we know) about history is only a minute sliver of what humans have accomplished and experienced over the millennia. Each year, the tireless work of archeologists adds a few more pieces to the puzzle and increases our understanding of human history. Here are some of the most important archaeological discoveries
The Most Important Archaeological Discoveries of 2023 Read More »
It is not uncommon for fires to occur underground. In fact, they are a global phenomenon, from Pennsylvania to Germany to China. The most common form of underground fire is a coal seam fire, where large underground deposits of coal catch flame. With such a large fuel source, endless oxygen, and a massive price tag
The Gates of Hell: The Darvaza Gas Crater Read More »
Those who watched the 1995 epic historical drama ‘Braveheart’ know the story of Sir William Wallace quite well. He was the warrior who led the Scots in the First War of Scottish Independence. However, Hollywood has romanticized many aspects of his life. In this article, we discuss the real story of Sir William Wallace. Who
Sir William Wallace: The Real Story of the ‘Braveheart’ Warrior Read More »
Even the most well-intentioned deed can go awry, but not many go off the rails quite as much as the meeting put together by King Henry VI in July 1184. Henry had organized the meeting, called a Hoftag, to help broker peace between two other leaders, Louis III of Thuringia and Archbishop Conrad of Mainz.
Grossest Disaster in History? The Erfurt Latrine Disaster Read More »
