A collection of great stories that teach, inform, and inspire millions of readers.
Exclusively authored by academics. Trusted by scholars and classrooms.

ANCIENT HISTORY
View All PostsThough not as well-known as some of its rivals, the Greek city-state of Thebes played an important role in Greek history and cultural development.
Did the Oracle of Delphi side with Persia in 480 BC? Discover the truth behind the "medizing" prediction, the Wooden Wall, and the politics of prophecy.
Sign up to our Free Weekly Newsletter
HISTORY
View All PostsThe Grimké sisters were not only rebellious leaders in the 19th-century US abolitionist movement but also outspoken feminists who advocated for equality for all.
How did local gossip turn into witchcraft accusations that sent regions into hysteria, scandalized the nation, and sentenced many to the gallows throughout early-modern England?
PHILOSOPHY
View All PostsSartre believed human beings were responsible for who they become. For him, everyone has a free choice to be who they are. Camus disagreed.
After hearing about George Berkeley’s philosophical position, Dr. Johnson’s response was to kick a stone as hard as he could.
ART & ARTISTS
View All PostsThese political artworks shocked the world by confronting power and questioning norms. From war and patriarchy to censorship and occupation, each piece provoked debate.
Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette by Vincent van Gogh departs from the artist’s usual subjects and highlights his humorous side.
TRAVEL & CULTURE
View All PostsEurope’s big museums hold masterpieces, but the small ones hold the fun, from fake mermaids to hairballs. Discover some of the weirdest exhibits across Europe.
After a traumatic period under Communist rule, Albania is rapidly becoming a European tourist hotspot and welcomes travelers seeking to discover its diverse history.

Download Free Historical Maps
for Students, Classrooms & More!
High-Quality, Printable Cartographic Resources
View MapsReligion
View All PostsFew Christians realize that there were 40 days after the Resurrection in which Jesus performed his last acts before ascending.
The Book of Leviticus is more than a compilation of religious laws and regulations. It contains the roots of several core theological concepts.
Stories
View All PostsDiscover the life, legend, and literature of one of the Romantic era's greatest authors, Frankenstein creator Mary Shelley.
Widely referred to as the queen of textiles in the ancient world, silk helped to transform ancient China in myriad ways.




























