Tacitus: The Master Chronicler of Ancient Rome

Publius Cornelius Tacitus, better known as just Tacitus, is arguably one of the most illustrious figures in Roman historiography. His writings cast a profound light on the intricacies and nuances of ancient Rome, establishing him as a historian of great significance. Born around 56 or 57 AD into a distinguished provincial family, Tacitus rose to […]

The Garamantes, Ancient Masters of the Hostile Sahara

In the heart of the Sahara desert, an arid wasteland the size of the US, it seems nothing can survive. But there were some who mastered this most inhospitable of landscapes, and turned an empty land into their home. The ancient Garamantes flourished here, in what is now modern-day Libya. Emerging around the 1st millennium […]

Euclid and the Birth of Geometry

It’s no secret that many of us are not too fond of mathematics and geometry, and that it is often too complex. But even so, it can be pretty mind-blowing to look back in history and discover the ancient thinkers who were way ahead of their time, and have come up with complex theorems, innovations, […]

Caesar’s Gambit: Reliving the Drama of the Gallic Wars

One of the principal aspects of growing empires is  war. Throughout history, great kingdoms and realms were born at the expense of neighbors who were weaker and ripe for plunder. That is what happened to Gaul, a Western European region that was directly bordered by the ever-expanding Roman Republic. To satisfy their thirst for more land, […]

Badbury Rings, the Ancient Legacy of Dorset

One casual stroll through the English countryside is enough to tell you that this is a land brimming with history. Its fields, valleys, and plains are all dotted with the ancient remnants of all the people who called it home in the centuries past. Situated in Shapwick, Dorset, the Badbury Rings Hill Fort is one […]

Maximinus Thrax’s Turbulent Rule: Rome’s Unsuccessful Soldier-Emperor

The history of the vast and powerful Roman Empire was defined by its many rulers. After all, talented emperors were responsible for maintaining that venerable and very complex social machine. However, not all emperors were skilled, and some were terribly flawed. What is more, many of Rome’s Emperors hailed from the ranks of the army […]

The Battle of Lake Poyang and Its Pivotal Impact on China

The Battle of Lake Poyang stands as one of the largest naval engagements in recorded history, showcasing the might and strategic prowess of warring factions during the tumultuous period of the rise of the Ming Dynasty in Medieval China. Spanning from late August to early October in the year 1363 AD, this monumental clash took […]

The Harakbut Face: Man-Made Monument or Natural Phenomenon?

One of the most enigmatic places on the Earth, South America has captivated researchers for centuries. At its core, the vast Amazon rainforest, an ancient and almost endless expanse of dense nature, is teeming with unexplored regions and hidden treasures. The Amazon is home to numerous native tribes, some of which remain isolated to this day, […]

Do the Runes on the Negau Helmet B Really Date Back Over 2,000 Years?

The exact origin of the runic alphabet is still an enigma for scholars, who continue in their efforts to deduce when it first appeared. Because of this, every new archaeological excavation that bears a runic inscription is closely studied and scrutinized. When the Negau helmets were discovered in 1812, a crisp and clear runic inscription […]

The 8 Worst Roman Emperors and Their Dastardly Deeds

The history of the Roman Empire is filled with tales of grandeur, conquests, and the rise and fall of mighty rulers. From a small city-state, it rose in power, became a kingdom, a republic, and ultimately the world’s largest empire. And to keep such an empire alive, it had to have powerful leaders. However, amongst […]