Empires & Civilizations

Discover the remarkable history of the Phoenician Civilization… As the tee-shirt slogans say, “If you can read this, thank the Phoenicians.” The Phoenician achievements include creating the world’s first alphabet, which consisted of 22 consonant letters. If you’re sipping wine as you read, that’s another reason to thank the Phoenicians. From their travels, they learned […]

Discover the remarkable history of the Minoan Civilization… The Minoan Civilization has, since its rediscovery in the early twentieth century by archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans, been a source of fascination for the modern world. Some have claimed it represents evidence of a matriarchal society given its progressive treatment of women; others believe it to be

Discover the remarkable history of the Eastern Han Dynasty… If the history of the Eastern Han dynasty were limited to the accomplishments of its scholars, scientists, and inventors, it would be a glorious saga of the innovation and creativity of the human mind. Anesthesia was first used during surgical procedures in the years of the

Discover the remarkable history of the Western Han Dynasty… The history of the Western Han dynasty reveals a time of magnificence for China: a time when the country expanded its territory, perfected the weaving of silk to such an extent that a trade route extending from China all the way to Rome would take its

Discover the remarkable history of the Persian Empire… The history of the Persian Empire (or Empires) stretches from ancient times well into the twentieth century. Through biblical events, to the dawn and spread of Islam, to the revolutions of the twentieth century, Persia—or Iran—has played an integral role in nearly all major events of world

Discover the remarkable history of the Swedish Empire… “When historians discuss the great European empires of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Sweden is sometimes not included in their conversations. Despite this omission, Sweden amassed a wealthy, prosperous empire during these years. Their territory spanned several regions of Europe and even included colonies in North America,

Discover the remarkable life of Pocahontas… The name Pocahontas is one of the most recognized in the world, and many think they know the story of how she met and fell in love with a European colonist meddling in her Native American affairs. But is this really what happened? It certainly has been a popular

Discover the remarkable life of Hernán Cortés… Hernán Cortés, the famed Spanish conquistador, had always dreamed of becoming the next Christopher Columbus. Little did he suspect that he would surpass his hero as he settled various islands and marched into the heart of Mexico to conquer the Aztec empire for Spain. Cortés discovered more gold

Discover the remarkable history of the Aztec Civilization… The Aztec Empire dominated Mesoamerica for a relatively short time—less than one hundred years—but it is remembered today more than other ancient cultures in the region which sustained for much longer. Partly that is because this was a relatively recent culture which was widely reported by the

Discover the remarkable history of the Mughal Empire… For more than two hundred years, the Mughal Empire dominated the Indian subcontinent. It became one of the largest empires on the planet with an army of almost one million men at arms and an economy that was stronger than any other at the time. The Mughal