The Achaemenid Empire, also known as the First Persian Empire, was founded by Cyrus the Great in 550 BC. It endured for over two hundred years and was eventually conquered by Alexander the Great in 330 BC. During the reign of Darius the Great (522–486 BC), this empire became the largest that the world had […]
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Some parts of the world have constantly been embroiled in conflict, and wars have been going on for millennia. You would think that people would have learned from the casualties and economic losses of all these wars–but no. As long as there is power to grab, territories to conquer, and resources to control, the world
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Ancient Rome was celebrated for its significant contributions to architecture, literature, and politics. It was also a society where certain aspects of sexual expression and relationships exhibited a degree of openness and complexity that still shocks people today. During the reign of Emperor Nero, homosexuality, though not openly discussed or embraced, could still be found
Sporus and Nero: The Controversial Union in Ancient Rome Read More »
‘Ain Ghazal houses the remains of an ancient culture that thrived there for thousands of years. It is one of the largest Neolithic settlements ever found. The site is in modern-day Jordan and is best known for the ʿAin Ghazal statues that were discovered there in the 1980s. Some of the archeological remains found at
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There isn’t much that represents ancient Rome quite like the Colosseum. This iconic architectural marvel is instantly recognizable, even in its fractured present form. Images of gladiatorial battles come to mind when the Colosseum is mentioned. But it was also host to another strange sort of spectacle loved by the ancient Romans–naval battles. In a
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Cleopatra is known to be one of the most beautiful monarchs in history. However, it must be noted that she was more than just her beauty. She was an influential leader and the last Hellenic ruler in Egypt. After her reign, Egypt became a province of the Roman Empire. Cleopatra was both loved and hated
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Ancient Egypt may have lacked many things that we take for granted today, such as wheels and coins. But that civilization spawned countless inventions and innovations that shaped the ancient world. This article will move chronologically through the most important inventions of Ancient Egypt. Prehistoric Egypt The area around the Nile has been inhabited for
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If every piece of a ship is replaced over time until none of the original components remain, is it still the same ship? The Ship of Theseus is a thought experiment rooted in the story of Theseus, the founder-king of Athens who took a certain ship on a pilgrimage each year to honor the god
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In ancient Greece, Nike was worshiped as the goddess of victory. Her favor graced the victors of all kinds of contests, from foot races to great battles. She could also grant people success in the arts. Nike was associated with both Zeus and Athena. She was often shown with huge wings on her back and
Mythology of the Ancient Greek Goddesses Nike and Athena Read More »
Cats were famously well-regarded in ancient Egypt, but what about dogs? Dogs in ancient Egypt held much the same status as dogs today. Some were working dogs, and many were beloved pets. Some strays haunted graveyards and cowered on the fringes of society. Some were status symbols, decked out in precious metals and embalmed to
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