Marksburg Castle: Dating the Rhine’s Unconquered Fortress
Marksburg above Braubach is the only Middle Rhine hilltop castle never destroyed. Learn its history, owners, and how historians date a medieval castle.
World History
African, Asian, and global histories beyond Europe
Neuschwanstein Castle: The Story of Bavaria’s Mad King
Neuschwanstein Castle and King Ludwig II: Wagner’s influence, construction from 1869, debts, his 1886 deposition and death, the Disney link and visiting tips.
The 13th Warrior: How Historically Accurate Is It?
How accurate is The 13th Warrior? The real Ibn Fadlan and the Volga Rus, his ship burial, the fictional Wendol, and what the film gets right and wrong.
Roman Judea and Its Prophets: Why the Jesus Movement Endured
Roman Judea in Jesus’ time: Herodian rulers, Pontius Pilate, rival prophets like Theudas and the Egyptian, and why historians think the Jesus movement lasted.
The Roman Empire in 15 BC: How Augustus Expanded Rome
The Roman Empire in 15 BC: Drusus and Tiberius conquer the Alps, Augustus reorganises Gaul, Spain and the army, and the road leads to Teutoburg in AD 9.
The Brazen Bull of Phalaris: Ancient Legend and Evidence
The brazen bull of Phalaris, tyrant of Akragas: what Pindar, Polybius, Diodorus and Lucian said, the inventor Perillos, and how historians weigh the legend.
When the World Cup Went Missing: The 1966 Trophy Theft
In March 1966 the Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen in London. Read how the ransom plot unfolded and how Pickles the dog found the World Cup a week later.
Greek Democracy vs Roman Republic: Key Differences
How Athenian direct democracy differed from the Roman Republic: Assembly and lot vs consuls, Senate and tribunes, who could vote, how each ended, and legacy.
Ancient Greece vs Ancient Rome: Key Differences Explained
Ancient Greece vs ancient Rome compared: city-states vs empire, democracy vs republic, phalanx vs legion, law, religion, engineering, citizenship and legacy.
Book Review: 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann
An honest, balanced review of 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann – what works, where it falls short, and who shoul…