#historical-figures

[ follow ]
fromThe New Yorker
3 hours ago

Was Raphael the Runt of the Renaissance?

Many have called him boring, a peddler of simpleminded beauty. At the Met, a blockbuster exhibition restores his standing.
Arts
History
fromWorld History Encyclopedia
3 weeks ago

Ten Great Ancient Mesopotamian Women: Monarchs, Generals, and Scribes

Women in ancient Mesopotamia held significant roles, including generals and scribes, and some even ruled, despite a patriarchal society.
Philosophy
fromNature
4 weeks ago

How the idea of human superiority over nature was invented

Humans are part of nature, not separate from it, and this relationship shapes our understanding of ourselves and other animals.
History
fromWorld History Encyclopedia
1 month ago

What Defines a Civilization?

Civilization requires a writing system, government, food surplus, labor division, and urbanization, with Mesopotamia recognized as the birthplace of civilization due to its early city construction around 5400 BCE.
fromOpen Culture
1 month ago

Who Would Be Emperor If the Roman Empire Still Existed Today?

Very rare to see this level of tailoring nowadays, even on the wealthy. Even when not attending major sporting events, the king's collars always hug his neck, his lapels are always well-proportioned, the lines of his coat always flow into his trousers, and his four-in-hand always has just the right asymmetry.
History
Philosophy
fromPhilosophynow
2 months ago

What Have the Romans Ever Done For Us?

Roman thought combined Greek philosophical influences with practical political and engineering practices, producing enduringly useful ideas rooted in pragmatism.
fromJezebel
1 month ago

The Time I Learned Greek Scholars Are Canonically Hotter Than Roman Scholars

It started with a book launch in 2021. I'd been living in London as a social media journalist when I asked my then-publication's culture editor to send me to one of these exclusive-sounding events, as 1) I'd never been and 2) I just really wanted to be a person who "has a book launch to go to." Thankfully, there was one that exact day-and he put my name on the list for the release of Mary Beard's Emperor of Rome. Huzzah.
Books
Philosophy
fromApaonline
1 month ago

Why Engage with the Past? Philosophy and Its History

Philosophy departments distinguish between contemporary theoretical and practical philosophy addressing current issues, and history of philosophy studying outdated theories from past philosophers.
History
fromWorld History Encyclopedia
2 months ago

Clothing Through History: Fashion Across Three Millennia

Clothing across centuries signaled social status, practical needs, and personal identity, varying by materials, colours, and silhouettes across cultures and eras.
Philosophy
fromPhilosophynow
2 months ago

Ancient Synergy

Roman Mithraism integrated Stoic virtues of wisdom, courage, and self-control, shaping rituals, social roles, and strong appeal among Roman soldiers.
fromWorld History Encyclopedia
2 months ago

Caligula: Rome's First Mad Emperor

Caligula (12-41 CE) was the third Roman emperor, who reigned from 37 to 41 CE. A member of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty, he came to power after the death of his great-uncle Tiberius. The ancient sources claim that he was initially a popular ruler, but, after only a few months, he gave in to his sadistic, depraved, and paranoid impulses and began ruling through terror. He was assassinated on 24 January 41 CE by disaffected members of the Praetorian Guard.
History
History
fromMedievalists.net
2 months ago

When were the Middle Ages? - Medievalists.net

The Middle Ages lack a single, natural start or end; appropriate boundaries depend on whether political, religious, economic, or cultural changes are prioritized.
History
fromWorld History Encyclopedia
1 month ago

Nero: The Artist Who Became an Emperor Who Became a Tyrant

Nero, the fifth Roman emperor (54-68 CE), combined artistic talents with tyrannical rule, ultimately losing power after the Great Fire of 64 CE and committing suicide after being declared a public enemy.
History
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

Scholar, seductress, alchemist: who was the real Cleopatra?

Cleopatra VII's legacy has been corrupted by ancient male sources portraying her as exotic and seductive, yet her name endures with greater recognition than her chroniclers, and historical evidence reveals her as a polyglot scholar interested in alchemy and healing remedies.
History
fromWorld History Encyclopedia
2 months ago

Brutus: A Defender of Liberty or a Villainous Traitor?

Marcus Junius Brutus assassinated Julius Caesar, opposed autocracy, raised forces with Cassius, lost at Philippi in 42 BCE, and committed suicide.
[ Load more ]