Discover the remarkable history of the Russian Empire… What would become the Russian Empire began as territory acquired by Scandinavian settlers, the Rus, in the ninth century. In 1682, a new tsar took over the throne of the nation that had by then become known as Russia. Peter I, remembered as Peter the Great, transformed […]
Discover the remarkable history of the Mongol Empire… The Mongol Empire, founded by Genghis Khan and continued by his heirs, was one of the largest and most powerful the world has ever seen. Modern China was created from the remnants of the Mongol Empire, and at its peak, this empire controlled one-sixth of the total
Discover the remarkable history of the Mitanni Empire… The Mitanni Empire came to prominence at a time when the Egyptians, the Hittites, and the Assyrians were all angling for supremacy after the fall of Babylon in the sixteenth century BCE. Mitanni made alliances and conquered other lands, excelled at the military art of charioteering, suffered
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
