A collection of great stories that teach, inform, and inspire millions of readers.

One of the most commonly produced objects in Europe during the Middle Ages was a Book of Hours, or a small personal prayer book.

Who were the most brilliant naval minds in US history? Examine the legendary admirals who secured American dominance on the high seas.

Most Romans lived in crowded insulae apartment blocks. This meant small rooms, shared facilities, fire risks, and lower-quality housing for many.

Most Romans lived in crowded insulae apartment blocks. This meant small rooms, shared facilities, fire risks, and lower-quality housing for many.

Roman expansionism brought the Romans to the doorstep of Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond, onto Lake Chad and the Sudan.

Five ancient Egyptian cities swallowed by the sand and sea have been rediscovered by modern archaeologists, shedding light on life under the pharaohs.

Who were the most brilliant naval minds in US history? Examine the legendary admirals who secured American dominance on the high seas.

In 1938, specifications for a higher-performing aircraft led to the creation of the B-24 Liberator, a warplane with cutting-edge features that outcompeted almost all its rivals.

The Renaissance was a time of massive change in Europe, and served as a foundation of growth for some of the continent’s biggest cities.

Plato uncovers a constant tension within us between our appetitive, spirited, and rational natures. The philosopher harmonizes them in service to rationality.

Does our native language have the power to shape our thoughts? According to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, the answer is firmly yes.

Lucius Annaeus Seneca (died AD 65) authored 124 Stoic letters to Lucilius, transforming ancient philosophy into a practical guide for managing anxiety and grief.

Some languages are harder to learn than others. Difficulty often depends on your first language, so here are the hardest languages for English speakers.

The world's greatest art experiences are often found in unassuming rooms. Discover seven brilliant small museums.

From stone palaces to titanium curves, these beautiful museum buildings are admired as much for their architecture as for what they contain.

Despite the patriarchal slant of scripture, several influential women in the Bible stand out among the many because of their courage, steadfast faith, endurance, or impiety.

In first-century Roman Judea, barley and taxes were characteristic of social standing, and Jesus’ miracles upset the status quo.

A desert miracle was actually a calculated political act. Jesus used the organizational blueprint of Moses to defy Roman authorities.

The Blue Fugates of Kentucky (1820-1975) were an Appalachian family whose skin turned blue due to hereditary methemoglobinemia caused by an enzyme deficiency.

The Blue Fugates of Troublesome Creek baffled science for decades, until a rare mutation that caused the color was discovered.

The sculptor and installation artist Anish Kapoor bought exclusive artistic rights to the world’s blackest black in 2016, resulting in widespread controversy and a longstanding feud with Stuart Semple.