History’s greatest minds and their struggles with mental health
So often it seems genius is coupled with illness, tragedy, and premature death. Whether it was delusion, betrayal, struggles with…
Category: HISTORY
Why the Maya civilization is so fascinating
The Maya civilization emerged circa 2000 BCE, and for centuries they ruled over an extensive territory in Central America. This Mesoamerican…
11-year-old’s fossil discovery reveals ancient creature larger than a blue whale
In May 2020, Ruby Reynolds, then 11, and her father, Justin, were searching for fossils on a Somerset beach along…
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a…
Ancient DNA pulls back curtain on mysterious empire
From a speck of bone, scientists can tease out astonishing information about the past. Analysis of ancient DNA recovered from…
How Methamphetamine Became a Key Part of Nazi Military Strategy
In The Art of War, Sun Tzu wrote that speed is “the essence of war.” While he of course did not…
5 Things You Might Not Know About Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette is famous for her decadence. Or her supposed decadence, anyway. By the time she was executed at the…
Warrior Women: Who Were the Gladiatrices of Ancient Rome?
The image of a gladiator in ancient Rome is traditionally male. However, female gladiators – known as ‘gladiatrices’ – existed…
7 Facts About Joan of Arc
Martyr, saint and military leader Joan of Arc, acting under divine guidance, led the French army to victory over the…
The Devil’s Bible: What was the Codex Gigas?
The Codex Gigas is a medieval manuscript from the 13th century. It is believed to have originated in Bohemia, at the Podlazice Monastery, now part of…