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

Exclusively authored by academics. Trusted by scholars and classrooms.

Why Did Canada Change its Flag in 1965? (See How It Was Before)

Canada adopted the current version of its flag in 1965 to remove references to its history as a British colony and promote Canadian national identity.

Is English Actually a Norse Language?

English has so much influence from Old Norse that the beliefs about its evolution have been called into question.

How Rome Ruled Its Vast Empire’s Population Through Provinces

As Rome conquered the lands around the Mediterranean, it created provinces as administrative units to manage its expanding territory and population.

ANCIENT HISTORY

View All Posts
code of hammurabi
How Hammurabi’s Code Invented the Concept of an Eye for an Eye
2 hours ago • Nick Scott
Minoan Procession Fresco
The Dark History of Human Sacrifice in Minoan Crete
5 hours ago • Jason Whitmarsh
How Rome Ruled Its Vast Empire’s Population Through Provinces

As Rome conquered the lands around the Mediterranean, it created provinces as administrative units to manage its expanding territory and population.

How Themistocles Interpreted a Riddle and Saved Athens From the Persians

The Athenian general Themistocles saved his city from destruction with daring decisions that marked him as one of ancient Greece’s most formidable leaders.

How Ancient Greece Really Ended and Why Its Story Didn’t Stop There

Once celebrated as one of the world’s most sophisticated civilizations, what happened to classical Greece, and how exactly did it disappear?

Follow your Favorite Topics.

Sign up to our Free Weekly Newsletter

real ritual witch marks engraved on stone
How Were Witch Marks Used to Ward Off Evil?
6 hours ago • Joslyn Felicijan
the tudors promotional poster
5 Major Historical Inaccuracies In “The Tudors” TV Show
8 hours ago • Elizabeth Morgan
Is English Actually a Norse Language?

English has so much influence from Old Norse that the beliefs about its evolution have been called into question.

How the Eastern Roman Empire Fell 1,000 Years After the Fall of Rome

The Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire, survived for a thousand years after the fall of Rome. What eventually caused its fall?

Here Are The 10 Largest Cities of the Silk Road

The Silk Road’s 10 largest cities in focus: locations, peak eras, and why these hubs drove commerce from Asia to Europe.

 
Roman Emperors
View Posts

PHILOSOPHY

View All Posts
what are nietzsche most famous quotes
What Are the 8 Most Famous Nietzsche Quotes?
a day ago • Luke Dunne
aristotle contributions to biology
What Were Aristotle’s Contributions to Biology?
2 days ago • Natalie Noland
Inductive vs. Deductive Reasoning: The Two Paths to Knowledge

What’s the best way to obtain knowledge? Inductive and deductive reasoning both have their strengths and weaknesses.

Why Giorgio Agamben Called Dante’s Divine Comedy as the West’s “Secret Thought”

Why did Dante call his epic poem a comedy? Philosopher Giorgio Agamben reveals hidden cultural and theological meaning in the title.

11 Greek Philosophers Who Shaped the World

Western thought owes much to ancient Greek philosophers, such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Here are eleven Greek philosophers you should know.

ART & ARTISTS

View All Posts
Burning books
8 Books Put on Trial for Obscenity and the Reasons They Caused Scandal
hector guimard paris metro design
The Forgotten Designer Behind the Iconic Metro of Paris
2 days ago • Anastasiia Kirpalov
The Turbulent Life of Charles Baudelaire, the Original Decadent Poet

This is the life story of French poetry's celebrated decadent dandy, Charles Baudelaire.

7 Important Baroque Paintings You Should Know

Baroque paintings made clear: seven masterpieces with quick notes on why they matter and what to look for, from Caravaggio to Vermeer.

The Short But Magical Life of John Keats

Poet John Keats, in his short life, wrote some of the most beloved poems in the English language.

TRAVEL & CULTURE

View All Posts
flag of canada
Why Did Canada Change its Flag in 1965? (See How It Was Before)
3 days ago • Stewart Cattroll
the parliament building Ottawa Canada
Why Ottawa Became the Capital of Canada Instead of Toronto or Montreal
14 days ago • Stewart Cattroll
Why Did Canada Change its Flag in 1965? (See How It Was Before)

Canada adopted the current version of its flag in 1965 to remove references to its history as a British colony and promote Canadian national identity.

10 Off the Beaten Path Historic Towns in Italy

Believe it or not, there are still plenty of historical discoveries to be made in Italy—one of the most visited countries on earth.

Italy’s 6 Top Historic Attractions & Their Fascinating Stories

These are the most famous historic attractions in Italy and their enlightening backstories.

historical map

Download Free Historical Maps
for Students, Classrooms & More!

High-Quality, Printable Cartographic Resources

View Maps
Testament and Death of Moses, by Luca Signorelli
The Final Words of Moses & Other Key Passages From Deuteronomy
5 days ago • Eben De Jager
pierre poiret dispensationalism
The Controversial Framework of Dispensationalism Behind the Rapture
5 days ago • Eben De Jager
The Mennonites vs. the Amish: Key Differences Explained

The Mennonites and Amish share the same origin, but soon, seemingly small differences resulted in a split into these two distinct groups.

4 Parables Taught by Jesus That Everyone Should Know

Whether you’re a Christian or not, there are some truths to be discovered behind some of the teachings and parables of Jesus.

Where Did the Bible Come From?

The Bible is undoubtedly one of the most popular books of all time, but its origin story and roots are shrouded in mystery.

battle of buena vista mexican american war
Why Did Mexico Under Santa Anna Lose Texas to the United States?
5 days ago • Owen Rust
beatles music group british invasion 1960s
The British Invasion, how UK Bands Rocked America in the 1960s
20 days ago • Matt Whittaker
Why Did Mexico Under Santa Anna Lose Texas to the United States?

How did Mexico, under the leadership of General Santa Anna, lose the breakaway republic of Texas to its northern neighbor, the United States of America?

Blue Fugates: The True Story of Kentucky’s Blue People

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

A Generation Later, What Does Chernobyl Look Like Today?

In 1986, the world’s worst nuclear disaster emptied towns surrounding the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Today, the scene is different.

Dr Kara Cooney, Professor of Egyptian Art and ArchitectureEgypt During the Bronze Age Collapse, an Interview With Dr Kara Cooney
karahantepe prehistoric discovery necmi karul interview“The Earliest 3D Story”, Necmi Karul on Karahantepe’s Latest Discoveries
Professor Paul Cartledge and Matt Damon The OdysseyThe Odyssey Still Matters! Dr. Paul Cartledge on Homer’s Epic

For Interview Inquiries, contact Public Relations