Michael Arnold
@michael-arnold
Michael is a contributing writer and former world traveler whose hometown is New York City. He spent the majority of 2019 exploring Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. And currently, he’s studying for a masters degree in Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology at the University of Pavia in Italy. In his spare time, Michael enjoys researching and writing about art, history, and archaeology with a focus on the ancient world.
The 10 Enduring Ideas of Plato That Still Shape Our World
The essential breakthroughs in Plato’s philosophy, from the nature of justice to the immortality of the soul.
Homer’s Iliad: The Epic Tale Of The Trojan War
Homer’s Iliad presents the Trojan War as an epic clash of gods, warriors, and kings. This seminal work of Western literature remains an essential reading even in the modern era.
Obelisks in Exile: Ancient Rome’s Fascination With Egyptian Monuments
The relocation of Egyptian obelisks to ancient Rome was a common undertaking first endeavored by Caesar Augustus. But just what did these monoliths of antiquity represent to the Romans?
4 Victorious Epic Roman Battles
Ancient Rome is synonymous with war. Here are four epic Roman battles occurring over a period of time spanning the Republic, the Empire, and the Eastern Empire.
Truths & Plots: 5 Crucial Fables of Greek Mythology
Set in a world of nymphs, gods, and monsters, the fables of Greek mythology have endured time as much for their fantastic plots as their implicit universal truths.
The Ptolemies: What Was Ancient Egypt Like Under Greek Control?
The Ptolemies were a Greek dynasty that ruled ancient Egypt in the final centuries before the Common Era. They made a lasting impact on Nilotic culture and its landscape.
Saint Augustine: 7 Surprising Insights From the Doctor of Catholicism
Saint Augustine is perhaps the most consequential figure in Christian history other than Jesus Christ himself. A prolific writer, his theology helped shape Catholic doctrine.
Banking, Trade & Commerce In Ancient Phoenicia
The kingdoms of ancient Phoenicia are remembered for maritime trading networks that made them wildly prosperous. Through banking and commerce, they maintained economic hegemony in the Mediterranean for a millennium.
Life in Ancient Sumer: 8 Facts About Sumerian Civilization
Sumerian civilization is one of the oldest and most influential in the world. Discover 8 must-know facts about ancient Sumer.
10 Roman Coliseums Outside of Italy To Visit
The ancient Romans constructed coliseums across their empire. Here are ten of the most interesting extant Roman coliseums outside of Italy.
Plato’s Philosophy: 10 Breakthroughs That Contributed to Society
Plato’s philosophy was informed by Socrates and addresses a range of topics from the metaphysical to the everyday practical. Here are ten of his best breakthroughs in ancient Greek philosophy.
Exporting Hercules: How A Greek God Influenced Western Superpowers
The Greek god Hercules was adopted by Punic and Roman colonial powers to legitimize their expansion in the western Mediterranean. His mythology linked them to the inheritance of ancient Greece.