A collection of great stories that teach, inform, and inspire millions of readers.
Exclusively authored by academics. Trusted by scholars and classrooms.

ANCIENT HISTORY
View All PostsWhile the Hanging Gardens of Babylon are famous as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, we don’t know where they were or if they really existed.
How did Nero become emperor of Rome? A mix of blue blood and maternal machinations brought him to power, but he would then have to battle his own mother for control.
Follow your Favorite Topics.
Sign up to our Free Weekly Newsletter
HISTORY
View All PostsThis article explores the rise of Brussels as Belgium’s capital city and its role as the de facto capital of the European Union through the history of 11 iconic monuments.
Discover 15 Medieval phrases and their original meanings, some of which we still use today, and others that deserve to make a comeback.
PHILOSOPHY
View All PostsThe Trolley Problem is a moral dilemma that questions whether it’s ethical to sacrifice one life to save many others.
Here are Aristotle's eight most important surviving works that showcase the breadth of his philosophical interest and his impact on Western thought.
ART & ARTISTS
View All PostsOne of the most extensively studied old masters, works by Rembrandt are notoriously difficult to attribute and authenticate.
Museum walls shape viewers’ perception through the art of display, building context and prioritizing certain artworks over others.
TRAVEL & CULTURE
View All PostsFrom Samarkand's Registan Square to Bukhara's ancient market domes, Central Asia's most historic sites are some of the Silk Road's most extraordinary legacies.
Persepolis is one of ancient Persia’s most breathtaking treasures and a remnant of one of history’s most formidable empires.

Download Free Historical Maps
for Students, Classrooms & More!
High-Quality, Printable Cartographic Resources
View MapsReligion
View All PostsThe Bible is full of strange stories, from talking donkeys to disappearing men. This article uncovers the truth about the character Enoch.
Pope Leo X spent extravagantly on monumental building projects and art, some financed with Indulgences, leaving a bankrupt Vatican and a Reformation in full swing.
Stories
View All PostsWorld War II raged across much of the Northern Hemisphere between 1939 and 1945 in many epic battles. What historic battlefields can still be visited?
From Greek constellations to Gaelic spirits, these 15 English word origins reveal how a Germanic language evolved into a global vocabulary.




























