Frumentarii – The Roman Emperor’s Eyes and Ears
[ad_1] Throughout the world’s history, many of the kingdoms, empires, and rulers depended on some sort of a secretive assistance. Powerful realms are like intricate machines – filled with secrets. To uncover those secrets, the rulers relied on spies, secret police, assassins, and all sorts of henchmen that had to hide and use deception. The […]
Cracking the Mystery of the Decapitated Meroë Head
[ad_1] Sometimes, modern archaeology reveals something that simply baffles us. Whether it is an item with inexplicable origins, or an out of place artifact, archaeology and history combined often leave us scratching our heads in confusion. The enigmatic Meroë head had that exact same impact when first discovered in 1910. It is a marvelous bronze […]
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Unleashing the End of the World
[ad_1] Throughout the history of civilization, the notion of the apocalypse has been a recurring theme in human history, transcending cultures and religions. It represents the ultimate reckoning, a purification of the world through catastrophic means. Among the most fascinating prophecies of this impending doom are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, as depicted in […]
The Pyramid Texts: Incantations Carved in Stone
[ad_1] The ancient Egyptians were known for their elaborate funerary traditions and beliefs in life after death, with the pharaohs being the most powerful and religious rulers of their time. The Pyramid Texts, engraved with great precision in hieroglyphics, were found within the deepest walls of the pharaohs’ lavish tombs and served as protective invocations, […]
The Majestic Medinet Habu and the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III
[ad_1] Usermaatre Meryamun Ramesses III was one of the last great Ancient Egyptian pharaohs of the New Kingdom period. The second ruler of the Twentieth Dynasty, Ramesses III was a notable warrior pharaoh, who had to defend his realm against numerous new invaders. His was a rule of struggle, and Ancient Egypt slowly declined in […]
The Submerged Village of Vilarinho da Furna and Its Unique History
[ad_1] Sometimes, the need of modern development necessitates that buildings, villages, or even cities need to be abandoned, demolished, or even submerged in water. It certainly isn’t an easy decision for either the people or the officials, but progress dictates moving forward. This is exactly what the inhabitants of a peaceful Portuguese village had to […]
The Ramessid Dynasty: A Golden Era in Ancient Egypt
[ad_1] Throughout its very long history, ancient Egypt’s fate has always been decided by the great ruling dynasties. A powerful state and empire needs an equally powerful ruler, and ever since the unification of Lower and Upper Egypt and the establishment of the First Dynasty around 3000 BC, this ancient empire usually had a steady […]
Bloodthirsty Buddhists: The Sohei Warrior Monks of Feudal Japan
[ad_1] When we think of Buddhism today, we think of pacifism, being at one with the world, love for one’s neighbor and nature, and other aspects of peaceful living. Modern Buddhist monks are devoted to spreading the message of peace and love, but it was not always so. The Sohei monks of medieval Japan were […]
The Bjørnstad Ship: A Rare Window into the Nordic Bronze Age
[ad_1] Situated near Sarpsborg, Norway, the enigmatic Bjørnstad ship is a fantastic glimpse into the prehistoric, pre-Viking age of Scandinavia. Such ancient carvings are few, and often hard to discover – and each new one we study is so precious in understanding the origins of the Vikings and the cultures of modern Scandinavia. But who […]
Walk (to Work) Like an Egyptian: Nakhtpaaten, the First Commuter
[ad_1] In the modern world, traveling to and from work seems to be a relatively easy thing to do. Whether by bus, car, or metro, getting to your workplace is rarely a challenge. But what about the ancient world? In those powerful civilizations that are lost to history, there were certainly important jobs to be […]