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ANCIENT HISTORY
View All PostsHan Chinese armies marched across Central Asia to besiege the remnants of a Greek kingdom. The reason? The fabled Heavenly Horses of Ferghana.
The Theben Cycle of epic poems explains much of the mythical history of Thebes. What do we know about this lost literature?
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HISTORY
View All PostsIn the 12th century, Frederick Barbarossa and the papacy vied for authority in a conflict that shook the Holy Roman Empire’s foundations and its hold over Italy.
For almost a millennium, the Carnival of Venice has dazzled millions with its opulence, mystery, and hedonism. What sparked this masked tradition of gilded indulgence?
PHILOSOPHY
View All PostsSpinoza argued that true freedom stems from knowledge and reason, not free will. His philosophy shapes how we understand autonomy today.
Why did Dante call his epic poem a comedy? Philosopher Giorgio Agamben reveals hidden cultural and theological meaning in the title.
ART & ARTISTS
View All PostsWhat was Wagnerism, the trend in late-19th-century music, art, literature, and more, spawned by Richard Wagner’s music dramas?
On publication in 1857, Charles Baudelaire's Les fleurs du mal caused a scandal. Its influence spread far beyond France and far beyond the 19th century.
TRAVEL & CULTURE
View All PostsOttawa was selected as the capital of Canada as a compromise between French and English Canadians and because it was safe from an American invasion.
Newfoundland narrowly voted to join Canada in 1948 because it seemed like the only way to overcome the economic challenges facing the colony.

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View MapsReligion
View All PostsThe Mennonites and Amish share the same origin, but soon, seemingly small differences resulted in a split into these two distinct groups.
China's native religion, Taoism, emphasizes the importance of balance with oneself and with nature and the universe in order to find happiness.
Stories
View All PostsDespite how the title may read, this incursion refers to a musical invasion, starting in 1964, when British bands jumped “the pond,” changing American musical tastes.
Mata Hari’s name is surrounded by mystery and intrigue; was she really a Word War I spy, or merely a dancer who became embroiled in scandal?




























