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Ancient RomeAncient Rome left a high water mark on ancient civilization with its pragmatism and administrative prowess, dominating through its efficient military, engineering, and administration. At least 50 million people—a quarter of the world population—inhabited the empire, covering 5 million square miles at its height.
Ancient Rome is divided into two political epochs: the Republic (509 to 27 BCE) and the Empire (27 BCE to 395 CE). The ancient settlement of Rome stood at the heart of both the Italian peninsula and the Mediterranean Sea, an ideal location to create networks of migration, trade, and conquest within a vast empire.
As its territory grew and became difficult to administer, the empire was split into western and eastern halves in 395 CE. Within a century, the western empire would collapse amid invasion from Germanic tribes, while the eastern Byzantine Empire would endure for another millennium.Explore Ancient Rome
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Aliens have invaded ancient historyAvid fans of archaeology can sometimes fall prey to unsubstantiated claims like "aliens built the pyramids," provocative, dubious theories which fall under the category of pseudo-archaeology. Many of these claims are premised on hidden biases toward non-Western cultural heritages. This professor explores the hidden contours of pseudo-archaeology in this 12-minute TED talk. TED ConferencesThe ancient succession drama that led to the Sunni-Shia divideThe split that divided Islam into its major branches comes down to succession: after Muhammad's death, Sunnis backed an elected leader, Abu Bakr, while Shia Muslims sided with a member of Muhammad's bloodline, his cousin and son-in-law Ali. That 7th-century disagreement shapes geopolitics today, Ramadan's traditions, and communities worldwide. HISTORYEast Asian records of auroras may date back to 10,000 BCEAncient texts from Japan, Babylon, and China contain accounts of auroras dating back millennia. Because auroral activity and intensity are driven by periodic ebbs and flows in solar activity, these records allow scientists to identify patterns that may help anticipate particularly dangerous future solar storms. Smithsonian MagazineEstablishing the wind power grid required incentives, reliability, and affordabilityAlthough wind was harnessed to generate electricity for individual buildings in the late 1800s, high costs, mechanical issues with turbines, and better fossil-fuel alternatives delayed wind power's widespread growth. After the oil crises of the 1970s, governments sought alternative energy sources and, in the decades that followed, provided tax credits to expand the wind power market. Tiny MattersMultiple species exhibit convergent evolution by developing crab-like featuresVarious organisms that appear to be different types of crabs, such as porcelain crabs and coconut crabs, have been shown to belong to distinct decapod lineages whose predecessors resemble shrimp or lobsters. Environmental pressures and other factors have caused these species to develop similar characteristics, which nature has shown are beneficial to survival. PBS EonsView this timeline of polio milestones and vaccine developmentPolio has a long history in art and medicine, dating back centuries. It includes a representation of an apparent polio survivor with a shriveled leg in ancient Egyptian art. See milestones in the history of polio in this timeline. Global Polio Eradication InitiativeScholars trace existential anxiety back to early Hebrew scripturesPaul Megna, a scholar of literature and philosophy, notes that the existentialist ideas of Kierkegaard (and, to a lesser extent, Sarte and Camus) had their roots in much earlier texts, which posited that "fear of the Lord" was "the beginning of wisdom." JSTOR DailyVoltaire's writing sent him into exileIn 1717, the writer's satirical poem "La Henriade" landed him in prison for a year. By 1726, the French government's distaste for his work caused him to leave the country for England, though he returned a few years later. That would be short-lived: In 1734, his "Lettres Philosophiques" sent him packing again, moving to Champagne, then Berlin, then Switzerland, before finally returning to Paris in 1778. HISTORY22 fascinating discoveries of massive gold coin hoardsThe gallery highlights major gold coin treasures from ancient to modern times, from the Saddle Ridge hoard in California in the 1800s (now worth $10M) to finds in Baltimore, Kentucky, and more. Each discovery reveals something about the period, with some buried and others left in vaults. APMEXA particle accelerator allowed researchers to noninvasively examine a mummyThe mummy hailed from the Faiyum oasis, where Egyptian and Roman cultures intersected, and was analyzed using the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. The device used high-energy X-rays to probe the material composition of numerous objects embedded deep inside the mummy without damaging its remains. PBS NewsNail art can be traced back to 5,000 BCEArchaeologists discovered Egyptian mummies with nail art and henna-tinted fingertips. The trend would continue informally for centuries until Revlon introduced modern nail polish in 1932. the GuardianSudoku was originally called 'Number Place'While there are earlier variations on the game, the modern version appeared in 1979, though it was then called "Number Place." The game was slightly altered and renamed in Japan. SunDevil TimesWatch animations of the creation and excavation of dinosaur tracksThe discovery of a dinosaur trackway in the UK emerged from a controlled explosion that removed limestone from an Oxfordshire quarry. The footprints provide unique insights into dinosaur behavior and movement, with marine fossils suggesting a lagoon-like environment. BBCBad Ancient: a site to fact-check claims about the ancient worldPeruse popular questions about ancient Rome, Egypt, Greece, and more, from whether Greek boxers were ripped or to what extent Alexander the Great conquered the world. Bad AncientHuman records of influenza stretch back more than two millenniaAccounts of flu-like illness appear as early as 412 BCE, when Hippocrates described a sudden wave of cough and fever. Centuries of recurring outbreaks culminated in the first clearly documented pandemic in 1580, spreading from Asia into Europe and Africa. OMG Medical HistoryThe marathon’s roots can be traced back to a Greek mythLegend has it that the first marathon took place in 490 BCE, when Pheidippides, an ancient Greek soldier, ran from the Battle of Marathon back to Athens—approximately 25 miles—to inform his people they’d defeated the Persians. The story is likely apocryphal: No Greek historian mentioned it until over 500 years later. JSTOR DailyContinental drift is supported by matching evidence across disconnected continentsMesosaurus fossils are found in South America and Africa, but these freshwater creatures could not have travelled across the ocean between continents. Rock layers in the Appalachian Mountains match those seen in Europe, indicating that the mountain belts were once connected. CUNYUnique ingredients and preparations differentiate burrito stylesExamples include California burritos, which wrap french fries in with the other ingredients, and chimichangas, an Arizona specialty in which the burrito is deep-fried prior to serving. Michael Sandberg's Data Visualization BlogDinosaurs’ feathers and greater metabolism helped them survive polar conditionsStudies of dinosaur footprints alongside ice-deposited rock fragments indicate that early dinosaurs adapted to cold weather before the volcanic winters of the Triassic-Jurassic extinction event. These geological events helped dinosaurs to flourish by wiping out their amphibious competitors. Columbia Climate SchoolThe formation and breakup of Pangaea altered Earth’s geology and biodiversityComing from the Greek words for “all” (pan) and “Earth” (gaia), the supercontinent existed from about 320 million to 195 million years ago. The tectonic activity that split Pangaea into today’s continents may one day bring the continents back together, forming Pangaea Proxima. Live ScienceDragon seismometers, Baghdad batteries, and more ancient artifactsThe ancients were behind us in many ways, but some inventions from the time have not been surpassed in the modern era in effectiveness, beauty, or cleverness. This quick list of bizarre ancient inventions includes a battery from Baghdad, a Molotov cocktail-like explosive in Greece, and more. TheCollectorEnvironmental determinism links human traits and societal progress to geographyAlso known as climatic determinism, the theory states that the latitudes where people are located influence their emotional and intellectual capabilities. Originating in Ancient Greece, these ideas were used throughout history to justify racial hierarchies. UNCSanta Barbara's Channel Islands revealed the oldest skeletal remains in North AmericaIN 1959, archaeologists found a human femur jutting out from a rock face on Santa Rosa Island. Using the then-new technology of radiocarbon dating, they measured the age of the remains at 13,000 years—the oldest in the continent. Teach Channel IslandsAncient Romans took trips to the coast to beat the heatWhen the weather grew too hot in Rome, the city’s elite traveled to coastal spots like the Gulf of Naples, where they’d eat oysters, drink wine, and bathe in thermal pools. DWThe ancient Greeks were known to take vacationsHistorians trace the vacation back to at least ancient Greece, where many people traveled to festivals and athletic events, including the Olympic Games. BBC BitesizeThe Astronomical Congress designated 88 groups of stars as official constellationsThis 1928 decision helped distinguish important groups of stars used in navigation, calendars, and mythological storytelling from miscellaneous collections of stars called asterisms. The Big Dipper is a famous asterism in the constellation Ursa Major. Royal Museums GreenwichAncient Greek gymnasium: Where philosophy met fitnessIn ancient Greece, gymnasiums were not just places of physical training, but centers of intellectual life. This article explores the ways in which exercise, philosophy, and education were deeply intertwined, reflecting a cultural belief that physical fitness was essential for mental development. World History EncyclopediaHow did doctors operate before anesthesia?For most of history, surgeries were rare and extremely painful. Patients had to be held down while surgeons operated. Lucky patients were given herbal cocktails, opium, or alcohol to take some of the edge off. It wasn't until 1846 when the first anesthetic was developed: ether. HISTORYAncient Greek Antikythera shipwreck continues to reveal history
Sponge divers first discovered the 2,000-year-old shipwreck near the island of Crete in the Mediterranean in the early 1900s. As diving tech has advanced, researchers have gleaned lessons on ancient culinary techniques, shipbuilding methods, and more from the shipwreck, including the world's oldest known analog computer. Artnet NewsThe colorful history and medieval origins of tarotTarot cards originated in 15th-century Italy as a sophisticated card game for the wealthy, notably the Visconti-Sforza decks commissioned by Milanese nobility. A standard tarot deck has 78 cards with mysterious characters like the Fool, Death, and the Hermit. Each card is imbued with symbolic imagery, often difficult to interpret fully today. Smithsonian MagazineAncient Romans helped develop modern cheese production techniques The ancient Romans loved cheese and experimented with different processes to elevate its flavor, like aging. Some of their innovations, like Pecorino Romano, you can still find today. Others, like the smoked goat-milk Caseus, we only know about through historical records. UNRV.comThe Easter Bunny traces to German folklore, not ancient paganismThe rabbit's connection to Easter is well-documented from the 17th century onward, but the deeper origins remain unclear (particularly why a mammal that does not lay eggs became the egg-loving holiday's secular mascot). German immigrants brought the tradition in the 1700s, introducing the mythical egg-laying rabbit known as the "Osterhase," whose nests became the Easter basket. Reader's DigestEvidence of cancer has been found in a 1.7-million-year-old fossilCancer has existed as long as humans have, with some of the earliest evidence found among fossilized bone tumors, human mummies in ancient Egypt, and ancient manuscripts. The oldest example was uncovered in a toe—millions of years old—from an ancestor of modern-day humans. BBC NewsDeath taxes have helped fund wars since the 1860sDeath taxes date back to 700 BCE and were used in Ancient Rome and Ancient Egypt. In the US, they've been used to finance wars since the Civil War, and have been levied on both the estate and beneficiary. The estate tax created during WWI to help finance war efforts is still in effect today. HowStuffWorksMedical recognition of strokes stretches back to ancient GreeceEvery minute, 750 milliliters of blood flows to the brain, supplying 20% of the body’s oxygen. A sudden disruption—whether from a clot (ischemic stroke) or a bleed (hemorrhagic stroke)—can be life-threatening. From ancient Greek theories to modern CT and MRI scans, here’s how stroke science has evolved over time. 1440Watch Mediterranean power shift over millennia with this animated mapThe ancient Mediterranean holds a vast amount of history; from Egypt to Rome, the coasts of this sea are home to some of the most advanced ancient civilizations. This video displays on a map the many different civilizations that rose and fell around the fertile region, from the year 2500 BCE to 0 BCE. Frisco DojeniaThe essential facts to know about ancient EgyptAncient Egypt spanned three millennia—more than 10 times the history of the US—but disappeared from the world's consciousness until the 18th century when it was rediscovered by Napoleon's army. Take a trip through the dynastic periods in this three-minute video. 1440Roman roads have lasted for millennia and were key to its military mightKnown for their almost absurd straightness, Roman roads connected the empire's armies, messengers, and traders as imperial administrators sought to keep down rebellion and build up Roman wealth. Rome's highways were expertly engineered, well-patrolled, and easy to navigate. HistoryWealthy Egyptians slept on woven beds to allow air circulation in hot climates The history of beds is a fascinating look at economics, social science, and cultural beliefs around what takes place during sleep. This brief survey of the history of bed-making begins roughly 5,000 years ago and runs through ancient Egypt and Rome to modern Europe. Take a look here. BBC NewsThe strange endurance of consuming blood for healthBlood's importance to humanity is best summarized this way: without it, we die. This importance naturally begets assumptions about its medicinal properties, many of which appear accessible through drinking or eating the fluid connective tissue. This article details the history of blood drinking, from ancient Roman gladiators to modern-day sanguinarians. Atlas ObscuraThe history of blood, as told by a hematologist Since ancient times, blood has been seen as a semi-magical substance. Alchemists theorized it was a mixture of the four elements. Others proposed it was one of four bodily fluids whose balance dictated health. This 2019 essay by a hematologist reviews blood's reputation across cultures and centuries. The New YorkerA history of China's ancient hidden tombsLike many ancient cultures, the Chinese had a tradition of burying the dead in elaborate tombs, which would serve as both burial places and residences for the deceased. Archaeological evidence of these tombs, including those of former emperors, provides insights into the country's cultural evolution. The PastTour the ancient world via beerWhat did the people of yesterday make of beer, and how exactly did they make it? Explore the timeless beverage in this guide to ancient beers from around the world. Archaeological evidence suggests the rise of beer brewing may have coincided with humanity's shift from hunters to farmers. According to this article, beer was first enjoyed in ancient Mesopotamia, where paintings, poems, and myths glorified the porridge-like brew. World History EncyclopediaThe history of ancient Rome: an extended deep diveAncient Rome was founded by a pair of twins reportedly nursed by a wolf and adopted by a farmer—but then what? The legend actually starts with the fall of Troy and a refugee prince who fled to the shores of Italy, where he married into a local Latin tribe and ultimately welcomed the twins who would go on to found the city of Rome. This 11-minute podcast episode starts a nearly 200-episode series that details Ancient Rome. AppleWhere were ancient societies based?Ancient civilizations were found across the globe, though modern media may lead some to believe that ancient societies were limited to Egypt and Rome. This interactive map and timeline show viewers the location of ancient civilizations, starting from about 6,500 BCE. Map users can click on the names of societies and archaeological to access articles about the cultures and findings. One such entry details the Altamira, a prehistoric cave dating back to the Paleolithic Period that holds a wealth of archaeological evidence, including cave paintings and objects made of flint, bone, and horn. World History EncyclopediaFrom bartering to banking, temples to electronic transactions, here’s banking has evolved significantly since ancient timesA few historical facts about banking (like that one day, not long ago, certificates of deposit were physical pieces of paper) may not surprise you. But did you know that the church was the original lender? And that Julius Caesar himself invented foreclosure? InvestopediaSearching for the history of cancer in ancient human bonesNestled under archaeology lies bioarchaeology, which involves the study of bones, human or animal. This subfield recently birthed another field of study: paleo-oncology. Paleo-oncology looks for cancer and related biomarkers in bioarchaeological remains. This TED article explains how this nascent multidisciplinary field challenges the idea that cancer is modern. TED Conferences,The long history of an ancient Andean beer made from cornAnd often chewed before brewed. From dank chicherias in small towns to gourmet big-city restaurants catering to tourists, the traditional fermented-corn beverage chicha is still being drunk throughout the Andes. Read more here. NMAI MagazineThe winter solstice has been celebrated globally for millenniaFrom gatherings at Stonehenge in the UK to celebrations of the triumph of Mithra in Iran, cultures around the world have marked the shortest day of the year in a variety of ways for a very long time. Here are eight known to us today that endure. HISTORYA timeline of key events during each period of Egyptian historyThis timeline shows the dates, periods, dynasties, and significant events in the history and art of ancient Egypt from the Predynastic Period (before 3100 BCE) to the end of the Roman Period (395 CE). Australian Museum