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

The Teutonic Order, a religious military group, played a key role in the medieval expansion and Christianization of Eastern Europe between the 12th and 15th centuries.

Cartimandua was the Celtic queen of the Brigantes tribe in the 1st century CE, but unlike her famous contemporary Boudica, she supported the Romans.

Hobbes teaches us to seek truth, beware of manipulation, understand human nature, value science, and approach language cautiously.

Cartimandua was the Celtic queen of the Brigantes tribe in the 1st century CE, but unlike her famous contemporary Boudica, she supported the Romans.

In the middle of the Hellenistic period, the two great cities of ancient Greece, Athens and Sparta, united to free themselves from Macedonian influence.

For over six hundred years, gladiatorial games were Romes most spectacular form of entertainment. Why did these enormously popular events cease to be held?

The Teutonic Order, a religious military group, played a key role in the medieval expansion and Christianization of Eastern Europe between the 12th and 15th centuries.

Sir Percival is a famous character from the Arthurian legends closely associated with the Holy Grail. Was the virtuous knight a real historical figure?

Cats have been by our side for thousands of years, and some of them have become incredibly famous.

Hobbes teaches us to seek truth, beware of manipulation, understand human nature, value science, and approach language cautiously.

Nietzsche’s most important idea, from his most important work, rests on the idea of ‘sounding brass.’ No one knows for sure what it means.

René Descartes’ mind-body dualism, the view that the mind and body are different kinds of things, haunts cognitive science to this day.

Flying in the face of international perceptions of poverty, some parts of Africa are extremely wealthy!

From the ruins of Troy to the grandeur of the Hagia Sophia, Türkiye’s legendary historical sites recount the stories that shaped civilizations.

Less-popular Dutch cities like Breda or Groningen can provide a more authentic experience for those who wish to look beyond the glossy facade of Amsterdam.

Some depictions of Moses in western art show him with horns. Why?

Babylon destroyed the Temple at Jerusalem in 587 or 586 BCE and pillaged much of its sacred furniture. But what happened to the Ark of the Covenant?

When reading a book, one expects to find the protagonist present… Why does God appear absent from the Book of Esther in the Bible?

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

The tragedy of the whaleship Essex left horrifying scars on the minds and bodies of the men who survived but helped weave a tale that would be immortalized in literature.

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