The history of China dates back millennia and features a wide array of dynastic rulers that lasted for various amounts of time. A “dynasty” refers to a succession of rulers from the same familial clan. China’s history notoriously alternates between period of unity, with those of discord. Here are the 13 primary Chinese dynasties in …
A Comprehensive List of the Chinese Dynasties in Order Read More »
The history of Rome begins with the founding of the city allegedly in 753 BCE. The legends tell of twin brothers, Romulus and Remus, who founded their own city. Eventually, Romulus would kill his brother and become the King of Rome (named after him). It is tough to think that Romulus could imagine just how …
How Long did the Roman Republic and Empire Last? Read More »
In order for humanity to transition from hunter gatherer groups to agricultural based societies the domestication of plants and animals was needed. The domestication of plants in particular is a fascinating topic. What most do not know is that many different regions of the world domesticated plants and animals independently. That is, crops were not …
Timeline of The Domestication of Plants and Animals Read More »
In 1532 Francisco Pizarro and 167 other Spanish conquistadors arrived in Peru. Their goal was simple: find enough wealth to never have to work again. Obtaining gold and silver could help accomplish that, but so too could overthrowing an empire. Just how much gold did the Incas have? It’s with that in mind that the …
The Reign of Terror is well known as a dark period during the French Revolution where executions occurred across all social classes. Lasting from 1793-1794 the Reign of Terror swept through France as revolutionaries attempted to consolidate their power and eliminate any threats to the Revolution. French revolutionaries executed King Louis XVI in January 1793 …
At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century Japan experienced an incredible transformation. During a period known as the Meiji Restoration, the island nation transformed from a feudal society to an imperial power with drastic economic effects across a thirty year period. Since 1600 the island of Japan was ruled by …
China’s Great Leap Forward was one of the most ambitious socio-economic campaigns in history, but it came with a staggering death toll. In just a few years, tens of millions of people died as a result of famine, forced labor, and political violence. This article examines the harrowing death toll and sheds light on the …
Discover the Massive Death Toll in China’s Great Leap Forward Read More »
In 1923, Germany experienced one of the worst cases of hyperinflation in modern history. By the end of the year, the German mark was worth practically nothing as the currency spiraled out of control. Between 1921-1923 the value of the German mark plummeted, leading to catastrophic consequences for the country’s economy and society. In a …
German Hyperinflation: How Much Was a Mark Worth in 1923? Read More »
From the towering pyramids of Egypt to the mysterious stone pillars of Easter Island, ancient civilizations built some of the world’s most impressive structures. But which ancient structures were the tallest, and just how did these civilizations manage to build such monumental creations? Ancient civilizations all over the globe built massive structures. There’s been evidence …
The first recorded empire in history was established roughly 4,300 years ago by Sargon the Great ago in ancient Mesopotamia. Historians now call this the Akkadian Empire, after the capital city of Akkad. This empire must have seemed enormous at the time, considering it encompassed much of the known world. However with historical data on …
