The brazen bull was a horrifying torture device that originated in ancient Greece. It was essentially a hollow metal sculpture of a bull, with an entrance at the top for the victim’s head. Supposedly, the victim would be locked inside and burned to death. The brazen bull was used to execute criminals and political opponents, […]
The Brazen Bull: One of History’s Most Notorious Punishments Read More »
The Habsburgs (spelled Hapsburg as an Americanization) were one of Europe’s most powerful governing dynasties, dominating from the 13th century through 1918. Austria, Bohemia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia, were once part of the monarchy’s extensive empire, as were considerable sections of Poland, Romania, and Italy. Although their dominance in Spain began in 1516, the
The Habsburg Jaw: Inbreeding and European Royalty Read More »
Numerous clubs — the Cotton Club, the Moulin Rouge, the Copacabana — evoke a particular era. But none of them achieved the heights that Studio 54 did, where if you got in, you were a star, not just a person. Nightclub – Studio 54 was legendary folklore in the history of New York City nightlife,
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Today, the idea of homosexuality and having a private life with the same sex is normal. But it wasn’t always like this. There was a time when actors, actresses, and anyone with non-heterosexual preferences had them a secret. Those caught were treated as outcasts, and their careers suffered considerably. To ensure that no one suspected
Hollywood’s Most Famous Lavender Marriages Read More »
From 1939 to 1945, the world witnessed the deadliest war in history, as over 30 countries wound together in acrimony, strife, and bloodshed, leading to a war that claimed the lives of more than 100 million people all over the world. History reveals that the war was replete with different subplots, each significantly ravaging our
Inside Unit 731 and Japan’s Human Experiments in WW2 Read More »
Right from an early age, the myth of the midnight rider was one of the foremost and most talked about in history. However, could it be linked to the personality of Samuel Prescott, or was the myth just so fascinating to the readers? The clear truth is Samuel Prescott is not a famous historical figure
Samuel Prescott: The Lesser Known Third Midnight Rider Read More »
Tactics of war and battle have come long since the Revolutionary War. With advanced technology like radars, radios, and more, troops have several ways to determine if their enemy is approaching closer. However, during the 1700s, this technology didn’t exist, leaving many soldiers in the Revolutionary War to rely on messengers or signals to be
What did “one if by land, two if by sea” mean? Read More »
Lupercalia was a festival observed annually on the 15th of February (the Roman month of purification) in the Roman Kingdom. It was conducted under the corporation of priests called Luperci (Brothers of the Wolf) to promote health and fertility. The Lupercis were young men between the ages of 20 and 40. It is believed that
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When a man goes to prison, it can have more long-reaching effects than anyone realizes. John Dillinger was a petty criminal in 1924. He was found guilty of an attempted robbery and assault on a local grocer. Dillinger was not able to afford a lawyer, so the court was able to maximize his sentence. John’s
Who was Beryl Hovious, the wife of John Dillinger? Read More »
Many belief systems and cultural folklore around the world have always traced their values and ethos to one deity or the other. In each culture, sin and punishment are integral parts of such beliefs that help maintain peace and order. Greek mythology, in this context, is no stranger to having a cause-and-effect relationship between offenses
The Most Iconic Punishments in Greek Mythology Read More »
