HomeAncient History
Marching deep into Asia, Alexander decided on the Jaxartes River as the border of his empire. His choice was contested at the Battle of Jaxartes.
Did ancient Greeks misinterpret dwarf elephant fossils as Cyclopes? Exploring myth, science, and fossil origins.
In 330 BC, Alexander the Great destroyed Persepolis. The reasons why include vengeance, strategy, appeasing his allies, drunkenness, and the whim of an Athenian courtesan…
Why did the ancient Persians elevate their dead in Towers of Silence instead of burying them in graves? How Zoroastrian purity beliefs shaped practice.
The Greeks frequented oracles for guidance from the gods. But in a world where gods could be deceitful, did the Greeks believe their oracles could lie?
The Persian messenger system of Cyrus the Great set the precedent for efficient communications across vast territories, inspiring future postal services.
Roman emperors were often deified after death, but during the dying days of the Republic, Julius Caesar was made a living god, creating a taboo.
Thousands of years ago, local traditions evolved into organized religion, shaping history as they developed, and leaving a lasting legacy on humankind.
