When people talk about war, they immediately relate it to the use of guns and other available weapons at the time. While this is not necessarily incorrect, war is not limited to one type of physical violence. Guns and ammunition are just one element of war. It also involves complex political strategies and intricate tactical […]
11 Cases of Psychological Warfare Throughout History Read More »
People have always gone to great lengths to look attractive through the centuries. All different cultures and eras have seen their fair share of truly bizarre, not to mention dangerous, beauty trends. Some are weirder than others. For example, the Renaissance era saw women using leeches to achieve a pale, “ghostly” appearance. Women in 19th-century
Six of the Most Peculiar Beauty Trends Throughout History Read More »
Jeanne d’Arc – anglicized as Joan of Arc – is a famous French military leader born in 1412 and canonized by the Roman Catholic church in 1920. She is best known for rallying French troops and helping to turn the tide of the Hundred Years War. In doing so, she saved France from English rule.
The life and death of Joan of Arc Read More »
Can a gentleman be a pirate? There was one man who went against these seemingly opposite stereotypes and became both: Stede Bonnet. Born a gentleman, he turned to piracy in his later years. Bonnet was born to moderately wealthy English landowners in Barbados in 1688. He was educated like most English scions and was even
The Fascinating Tale of Stede Bonnet: The Gentleman Pirate Read More »
Do these ten historical figures really deserve to be as celebrated as they are? You be the judge. 1. Spartacus A gladiator who rose up against the mighty Roman Empire. An inspiration to oppressed peoples everywhere. This is how Spartacus is often remembered. Beginning in the summer of 73 BC, a Thracian slave named Spartacus
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By the early 20th century, England had ruled Ireland for the better part of 400 years. Henry VIII began the conquest of Ireland and his daughter Elizabeth I finished it. England’s attempts to subjugate Ireland were never fully successful despite periods of relative calm. Ireland remained stubbornly Catholic despite efforts to colonize it with Presbyterians.
The Fight for Irish Independence: A Historical Perspective Read More »
Rats can be a real nuisance. They get into our food, our trash, and even our homes. But when applied in the right (or rather, wrong) ways, they can turn into something far more sinister: a form of torture so cruel that the very mention of it can be enough to compel someone to spill
Rat Torture: One Of History’s Most Barbaric Torture Methods? Read More »
We all know the dunce cap – that basic cone hat that no student ever wanted to bear. Of all of education’s curiosities and odd trends, the dunce cap stands out for its unique blend of notoriety and negativity. It evokes visions of mischievous schoolchildren and reckless troublemakers. This conical headpiece has a history much
The Dunce Cap: Symbol of Smarts to Hall of Shame Read More »
Pope Boniface VIII went down in history as one of the most controversial popes of all time. His conflicts with the state, particularly the French King Philip IV, led to a posthumous trial against him for heresy. Here, we delve into the events that laid the groundwork for his trial, the accusations levied against him
The Most Controversial Pope In History: Pope Boniface VIII Read More »
In the darkest, weirdest corners of folklore, a phenomenon known as the ‘rat king’ emerges. It is a fascinatingly disturbing creature composed of many squealing, wiggling rats held together by a bunch of tangled tails. It is both captivating and repulsive, a visual representation of nature’s ability to create chaos. Historically, rat kings are considered
Rat Kings: Untangling their disturbing legend Read More »
