Giants were here. In using the term giants, I am referring to persons at least 7 feet (2.1m) and up to 13 feet (4m) in height. Given that pre-modern man was significantly shorter on the average than we are today
Read moreSection: NewsMyths & LegendsAmericasCleopatra, a pivotal figure in ancient history, bore four children, marking a significant chapter in her legacy. Amidst the intricate web of alliances and power struggles that defined the era
Read moreSection: NewsVideosHistoryFamous PeopleSeeking to correct an 80-year-old injustice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has returned a collection of looted cultural artifacts to the people of Okinawa, Japan.
Read moreSection: ArtifactsOther ArtifactsNewsHistory & ArchaeologyIrish mythology, steeped in the ancient lore of the Celts, presents a tapestry of captivating stories that have endured through generations.
Read moreSection: NewsMyths & LegendsEuropeVideosThe mention of ancient Egypt usually conjures images of colossal pyramids and precious, golden tombs. But as with most civilizations, the invisible world of infectious disease underpinned life and death along the Nile
Read moreSection: NewsHistoryAncient TraditionsAt a time when human beings are suffering from a host of illnesses caused by stress and modern-day living, the need for ancient wisdom has never been more important.
Read moreSection: NewsHistoryAncient TraditionsThroughout history, governments have continually feared and misrepresented peaceful resistance movements, none more tragically than the misinterpretation of the Ghost Dance
Read moreSection: NewsWeird FactsSolon, a luminary among the seven sages of ancient Greece, was born in Athens around 640 or 638 BC. Hailing from a distinguished family with roots in Salamis
Read moreSection: NewsVideosHistoryFamous PeopleA complex Neolithic burial with two monumental mounds has been unearthed on the Eulenberg near Magdeburg, Germany. Dated to 6,000-years-ago
Read moreSection: NewsHistory & ArchaeologyAncient PlacesEuropeOne 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.
Read moreSection: NewsHistoryImportant EventsFamous PeopleErik the Red is one of the most interesting figures in Norse history. Epitomizing the Viking spirit of adventure and conquest
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The Himyarite Kingdom, spanning from the 2nd century BC to the 6th century AD, stands as a testament to Yemen's rich history beyond contemporary turmoil. Situated strategically along the Maritime Silk Road, Yemen emerged as a crucial nexus linking diverse regions such as the Mediterranean, East Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. This facilitated robust economic activity, evidenced by thriving coastal cities and extensive trade networks.
The kingdom's origins coincide with the flourishing trade routes along the Red Sea, fostering the growth of bustling ports and facilitating cultural exchanges with distant lands. Remarkably, archaeological discoveries, including multilingual inscriptions found in places like Socotra, highlight Yemen's integral role in global commerce.
Read moreSection: NewsAncient PlacesAsiaVideosHistoryFamous PeopleOver five millennia have passed since Ötzi the Iceman was struck down by an arrow from an unknown assailant in the frigid northern regions of the Alps.
Read moreSection: NewsHistory & ArchaeologyHistoryAncient TraditionsOne 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
Read moreSection: NewsAncient PlacesEuropeThroughout history, communication wasn’t as effortless as it is today. In today’s world, you can connect with people in every part of the world within seconds and access an almost infinite amount of information via a variety of communications tools.
Read moreSection: ArtifactsAncient TechnologyNewsHuman OriginsScienceFrom this first paragraph of the story Rabbit Boy, we can see that the aboriginal White River Sioux had a mysterious, fluid way of looking at the world.
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Confucianism, originating during the Zhou dynasty, emerged as a philosophy emphasizing moral principles and societal harmony, devoid of the supernatural elements common in many other religious traditions. Despite its lack of divine teachings, Confucianism rapidly spread throughout East Asia, leaving an indelible imprint on Chinese culture and legacy. Confucius, the esteemed philosopher behind the tradition, faced significant challenges during his lifetime, including political marginalization and personal struggles. However, his teachings resonated deeply with both commoners and eventually the ruling class, eventually becoming a cornerstone of Chinese society.
Read moreSection: NewsAncient PlacesAsiaVideosHistoryAncient TraditionsFamous PeopleFor centuries, the pale blue doors of a formidable stone Ming Dynasty tomb in China’s Shanxi Province have remained tightly shut, shrouded in mystery.
Read moreSection: ArtifactsOther ArtifactsNewsHistory & ArchaeologyWhile much appreciated by the plebeians and especially by the army, Emperor Domitian was hated by the aristocracy and the Senate, which he himself despised. His absolutist attitude, his austere financial measures and his persecuting actions perpetrated even against those close to him who were provoked by his unhealthy anxiety concerning his personal security, made him powerful enemies. When the Praetorian Guard joined the ranks of his opponents, the inevitable happened. Under the tacit approval of the Praetorians and the Senate, the Emperor’s own servants, who feared for their own lives, murdered him in September 96 AD. Domitian was 45 years old.
The death of Domitian put an abrupt end to the Flavian Dynasty of emperors. He was remembered as a ruthless but efficient tyrant whose cultural, economic, and political programs nevertheless provided the groundwork for an impending prosperous period of the Roman Empire which was to be driven by the emperors of a new dynasty. The Antonine Dynasty was thus ushered in when the senate elected the elderly Marcus Cocceius Nerva as the new Emperor.
Marcus Cocceius Nerva. Chiaramonti Museum (I, Sailko/ CC BY-SA 3.0)
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