By Janric van Rookhuijzen/The Conversation  The Acropolis of Athens, the rocky hill in the Greek capital that is home to the iconic Parthenon temple, is one of the world’s most visited and well-known archaeological sites – but new insights about it are still emerging.  Read moreSection: NewsHistory & ArchaeologyAncient PlacesEuropeRead Later 

The history of the Roman Baths in Bath, England, unveils a narrative rich in intrigue and cultural significance. Bath, known for its elegant Georgian architecture today, has a murky origin tale dating back to 863 BC. Legend has it that Prince Bladderd, afflicted with leprosy, stumbled upon the healing properties of hot, muddy water while in exile with a herd of pigs. Witnessing the miraculous cure of his companions, Bladderd bathed in the springs and was healed, prompting the founding of the city of Bath.  Read moreSection: NewsVideosHistoryAncient TraditionsRead Later 

In mythology, the serpent symbolizes fertility and procreation, wisdom, death, and resurrection (due to the shedding of its skin, which is not akin to rebirth), and in the earliest schools of mysticism, the symbol of ‘The Word’ was the serpent. The ‘light’ that appeared was metaphorically defined as a serpent called ‘Kundalini’, coiled at the base of the spine to remain dormant in an unawakened person. Divinity or awakening one’s godhood and latent abilities came with the rituals and teachings brought by the serpent people.  Slithering Through the Stories of Ancient Snake Deities: Serpent Gods of Ancient Mythology  Read moreSection: NewsMyths & LegendsRead Later 

Recent genetic studies reveal young boys as the primary sacrificial victims at Chichén Itzá, not girls as was thought. Read moreSection: NewsAncient PlacesAmericasHistoryAncient TraditionsRead Later 

The earliest manuscript of the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, dating to the 4th-5th century, has been discovered, with implications for early Christian studies.Read moreSection: ArtifactsAncient WritingsRead Later 

For decades, a papyrus fragment with the inventory number P.Hamb.Graec. 1011 lay unnoticed in the archives of the Hamburg Carl von Ossietzky State and University Library. This fragment has recently been identified by papyrologists Dr. Lajos Berkes from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Prof. Gabriel Nocchi Macedo from the University of Liège, Belgium, as the earliest surviving copy of the Infancy Gospel of Thomas.  This significant discovery dates the manuscript back to the 4th to 5th century AD, offering new insights into early Christian writings and their transmission.  Read moreSection: ArtifactsAncient WritingsNewsRead Later 

As queen to Zeus’s king, it is ironic that, Hera, the Olympian goddess of marriage, should herself be a miserable one. With a predilection for inciting vengeance against her husband’s innumerable paramours and their hapless offspring, a neglected Hera plays the quintessential jealous wife to the ever-unfaithful Zeus—Olympian lord of the gods. Never mind that Zeus’s paramours more closely resemble victims than lovers, she never let justice stand in the way of divine retribution. Unloved and unloving, Hera is easily the most unlikable of all the Olympian gods, which is why it is surprising that for all her savagery, she was also one of the most celebrated and piously revered of deities throughout the ancient Greek world. As the only wedded of the Olympian goddesses, she is regarded as the patron goddess of marriage as well as the goddess of women and childbirth. Because she presided over lawful unions, at weddings her presence loomed large. Moreover, Hera holds an exalted place in the Olympian pantheon, not only is she the wife of Zeus but she is also his sister. In Hesiod’s Theogony, Hera was the eldest daughter of the king and queen of the Titans: Kronos and Rhea. Given the numerous accolades she has received—to the exclusion of other more benevolent deities—it is difficult to come to terms with Greek literature's depiction of the vengeful and cruel Hera with the benevolent deity who is worthy of celebration. Why was Greek literature unkind to Hera? Moreover, what could account for the stormy relationship between Zeus and Hera? While examining the causes behind her character development, archaeological finds—- particularly her temples— will be reviewed to help determine the historical beginnings of Hera and her worship. Read moreSection: NewsMyths & LegendsEuropePremiumPreviewRead Later 

The Lombards were a Germanic people who played a significant role in shaping the history of Europe, especially during the early medieval period. Originating from the lower Elbe River region, the Lombards migrated southward and eventually established a powerful kingdom in Italy. Their history is marked by periods of warfare, migration, and eventual settlement, culminating in the establishment of a realm that would endure until the late 8th century AD and beyond. But ruling this newly made kingdom was a task cut out only for the most capable rulers. So let us explore the lives and reigns of ten of the most important Lombard kings, highlighting their contributions to the legacy of the Lombard people and their influence on European history.  Forged Medieval Charters: How To Rewrite History In The Middle Ages  Read moreSection: NewsHistoryFamous PeopleRead Later 

The Scientific Revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries marked a transformative period in human history, characterized by profound conceptual shifts and unprecedented scientific progress. It began with seminal works like Copernicus' "De revolutionibus orbium coelestium" in 1543 and culminated in Newton's "Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica" in 1687. While these milestones heralded monumental advancements, the era's impact was not universally felt, with many Europeans continuing their agrarian existence amidst societal stagnation.  Read moreSection: NewsHistoryImportant EventsRead Later 

House Republicans sent subpoenas to 15 top Biden officials on Thursday over concerns over concerns that the administration is concocting a “scheme” to “tip the scales” in favor of Democrats in…