War, famine and plague wracked Europe during the Middle Ages, but eventually, the continent emerged from this difficult period and experienced the light of the Renaissance. Here are 10 events that played a major role in Medieval Europe's advancement.
There was a time when Homo Sapiens shared the world with other human species, some of whom were around much longer than us.
An order of leper knights, the world's first bankers, and the bane of Eastern European pagans are just some of the famous knight orders of the Middle Ages.
Peasants were at the bottom rung of the ladder in Feudal society. They were forced to work the land of their lord and granted little compensation. Here's a look at the daily life of a medieval serf.
The oldest footprints outside Africa, ancient flint mines, and the famous Stonehenge are just some of the prehistoric wonders to be found in Britain.
Between 1096 and 1270, Western Christendom made eight attempts to capture and hold the Holy Land, only two of which were successful. Here's a summary of each crusade.
This North African country lays claim to the world's first university, the highest ski resort in Africa, and one of the oldest human sculptures yet discovered. Here are 7 facts about Morocco.
People of the Middle Ages had a number of interesting beliefs regarding the power of astrology, the dangers of sneezing, and the power of horseshoes.
During the 1300s, the four horsemen of the apocalypse visited chaos and suffering on an unprecedented scale in Medieval Europe. Famine, plague, and warfare would significantly alter the course of human history.
A peasant who rose to become emperor; an invading navy blown up by an early version of napalm; and an uprising by sports fans. These are just a few of the occurrences discussed in this brief overview of the Byzantine Empire.
A land of over 300 islands, only 100 of which are inhabited; Fiji is a place of beauty and adventure. Here are some facts about this magnificent archipelago.
A short story set in a fantasy world, featuring a roguish protagonist.
A look at the role ghosts played in Medieval religion and literature.
Nicknamed "murder hornets," these winged terrors massacre honey bee colonies and send humans to the hospital. Find out more about the Asian giant hornet.
Queen Victoria reigned for nearly a century during a period that saw significant change in the form of an expanding empire, the Industrial Revolution, and increasing migration to the cities. The wealthy collected curiosities from exotic lands, while the poor escaped to music halls and gin shops.
British colonists withdrew from Botswana in 1966, not knowing the wealth that lay beneath the earth. A bounty of diamonds combined with efficient leadership has enabled the country to become an African success story.
From the "ekstasis" of the Ancient Greeks to the "laughing weed" of the Romans, hallucinogenic substances were well known to inhabitants of the ancient world, who used them for religious and recreational purposes.
Around 10,000 years ago, humanity emerged from the Ice Age. Our reward for surviving this perilous period was the discovery of agriculture, which would change the world forever.
From plague and famine to witch burnings and other brutal forms of execution; people of the Middle Ages were no strangers to "the ugly death".
Among the things that originated in Peru: Potatoes, surfing, and the Amazon River. Find out more about the land of the ancient Inca.
From its origins as a form of meditation, Shaolin has evolved to become a famous fighting form and a prominent feature in Western films.
The roots of vampire legends lie in Slavic folklore, which portrayed them as terrifying demons. How did these monsters of the Middle Ages become the romantic and tragic anti-heroes of modern literature?
Was Ethiopia the aboriginal homeland of the Ancient Egyptians? Was it the birthplace of coffee? What mighty empires reigned here? Find out about this mysterious and ancient land.
When you think Middle Ages, you think of brutal battles, fearsome knights, and formidable siege weapons. Here's an overview of how medieval warfare was conducted, from the mustering of armies to the capture of castles.
An iconic hero of film and literature; the detective employs psychology, science and problem-solving skills to track down criminals. Here are 4 essential tools that help detectives solve crimes.
Rivers represent the spirit of adventure, being the means by which explorers of old traversed uncharted territory. They have long facilitated trade and agriculture, while providing the lifeblood for lush environments that host all manner of creatures. Here are 7 famous rivers of the world.
Before Persia, Greece and Rome ruled the world; the Sumerians, Minoans and Mycenaeans were the great superpowers. By the end of the second millennium BC, they had all collapsed in dramatic fashion, but during the Bronze Age they reigned supreme.
The Congo Jungle is the second largest rainforest in the world after the Amazon. Here's a look at some of the wildlife that inhabits this vibrant environment, and some of the people who depend on it for sustenance.
The War on Drugs was initiated by Nixon and escalated under Reagan. Like Prohibition in the early 20th century, it has achieved little except to facilitate the rise of powerful criminal organisations. Is there a better way?
The era that saw the rise of the dinosaurs and the splitting of the continents. Here are some facts about the Triassic Period, and the apocalyptic extinction event that preceded it.
Modern audiences are most familiar with Walt Disney's family-friendly versions of the Grimm Brothers' fairy tales, but the original versions featured child abuse, extreme violence, and anti-semitism. Here are some examples.
The Neanderthals were our closest ancient human relative. 40,000 years ago, they disappeared from the Earth. Did we wipe them out, or did factors such as climate change and disease play a bigger role?
The French Revolution put an end to the old order and changed Europe forever. It began with speeches and ended with beheadings. Here is a rundown of key events in the French Revolution.
The vast forests and rugged mountains of Scandinavia inspired tales of elves, dwarves and giants; while the cold oceans brought to mind sea monsters dwelling in the deep. Here are nine Norse creations that have had a significant influence on popular culture.
The Ancient Regime, which had governed France from the 15th to 18th centuries, was dismantled by the French Revolution of 1789. What factors allowed for this to happen, and what lessons can we learn from it?
They outlived the dinosaurs and can thrive in almost any climate. They are slow but persistent; patient but curious. Here are six facts about the tortoise.
Although prehistoric humans were fortunate enough not to be around at the same time as the dinosaurs, there were giants we had to contend with in our own time.
The silverback gorilla dwells high among the mountains of Rwanda and Uganda. Though possessed of immense strength, they are gentle giants who spend most of the day eating plants. Here are some facts about the silverback gorilla.
The Middle Ages had bakers, butchers and candlestick makers aplenty, but it also had barbers who performed surgery and people who were paid to lead bears from village to village. Here are ten medieval professions.
Economic decline, a botched invasion, and a nuclear disaster are all factors that contributed to the collapse of one of history's greatest superpowers.
Prehistoric humans depended on the fireplace for survival, while modern humans see it as a form of decoration. Here's a brief overview of the significance of fireplaces throughout history.
These remote islands remain far removed from modern civilisation. Some are completely untouched by humans, others contain the remnants of ancient civilisations, and they all host vibrant ecosystems.
Castles were bastions of military might during the Middle Ages, and their conquering was pivotal to medieval military campaigns. Here's how it was done.
The Maasai are instantly recognisable for their iconic red garments and decorative jewellery. Their way of life revolves around their vast cattle herds, and they have preserved these ancient traditions for generations.
In the second millennium BC, ancient civilisation was at its apex, but then a series of invasions, earthquakes and epidemics brought it all crashing down. Here are five factors that contributed to the Bronze Age collapse.
Imagine being forced to burn your own hand, then being declared guilty because the burn didn't heal quickly enough. Here are some medieval methods of determining guilt or innocence that were so cruel, the accused would admit guilt simply to avoid the ordeal.
The hero myth is ancient and pervasive. It features in mythical traditions throughout the world, and wherever it appears, it seems to follow the same basic formula. Here is an overview of what Joseph Campbell called "The Hero's Journey."
Scared of sharks? Imagine a time when they were three times the size. Here are 7 giant predators that roamed the earth millions of years ago.
Bonobos are matriarchal, peace-loving, sexually promiscuous apes that share 98.7% of our DNA.
The concept of the werewolf is more ancient than that of the vampire. It taps into primal fears of our own animalistic tendencies and reminds us of humanity's potential for savagery.
The Hittites feature in the bible as enemies of the Israelites and were regarded by Ancient Egypt as a rival. Here's what we know about this mysterious civilisation.
What medieval folk did with free time varied according to their status within the feudal hierarchy. Peasants drank, attended church and practised archery; lords hunted, dined and played chess.
Deep within the jungles of the world, you find fantastic creatures and ruins of ancient civilisations. Someone, or something, could be watching you at any moment.
Around 90 million years ago lived one of the most ferocious predators ever to have walked the earth. Here are five facts about the Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Plato's ideal form of government was a benevolent dictatorship. History shows that such a thing can exist. Here are seven rulers who lived up to Plato's ideal of the "philosopher-king."
Vengeful spirits, seductive spider women, and even sentient teapots are just a few of the fantastical beings that inhabit Japan's mythological landscape.
House York and House Lancaster fought a war for the English throne that raged for 30 years. Its conclusion heralded a new dawn for England.
Learn about the terrifying monsters, tormented souls, and mischievous spirits that haunt the forests (and bathhouses) of Eastern Europe.
Deserts are hostile environments that nonetheless possess a beauty and mystery all of their own. Here are some of the great deserts of the world.
Fine dining in the feudal era was reserved for the rich, while the poor made do with bread and stew. Here is an overview of what people from various classes of medieval society depended on for their daily sustenance.
Behind every mighty empire of history was an order of elite warriors that dominated the battlefield. Learn about the 7 most elite warriors here.
The honey badger can resist poison, use tools, and attack larger animals by targeting their scrotums. Here are some more facts about the badger with a lion's heart.
What do you get when you grant unlimited power to a mentally unstable individual? Civil wars, mass executions, and orgies.
It took an apocalyptic plague, a series of wars, and a document considered to be the world's first constitution; but eventually, the system that had defined the Middle Ages came to an end.
Greek Mythology has given us an array of iconic antagonists. These monsters test the body, mind, and spirit of the heroes who strive to defeat them.
It was an age of superstition, plague and poverty, when only the rich could afford doctors and the doctors relied on 1,000-year-old texts. Here's a look at medicine in the Middle Ages.
The legendary spies and assassins who helped the lords of Feudal Japan wage war in the shadows. Here's how a ninja was forged.
This article contains a few popular theories on the origins of England's famous folk hero.
Tormented spirits, man-eating griffins, and of course, dragons; are just a few of the mythical creatures that feature in Welsh folklore.
The Vikings may have terrorized the shores of Western Europe, but in the Middle East, they were perceived not as vicious raiders, but as masterful traders.
Some interesting facts about one of the world's most famous rivers.
Did a meteorite inspire the construction of the pyramids? Did the Delphic Oracle stand upon the site of a meteorite? We explore the stories that ancient cultures attached to these fallen space rocks, such as the benben stone meteorite, to which they attributed divine blessings and mystical powers.
Ancient Egyptian records mention a land called Punt, which they believed to be their ancestral homeland. So where was Punt, if it truly existed?
In the dark depths of the ocean, these creatures have adapted to a world without sunlight.
Before the Babylonian and Assyrian empires, there were the Sumerians. Here's some of what we know about this mysterious civilization.
A brief overview of the Ancient Maya – a fascinating civilization that managed to thrive despite being situated within a challenging tropical rainforest environment.
The political structures that governed Japan and Europe during the Middle Ages had some interesting parallels, but there were also some important differences
In this article, we take a look at some of the world's most famous haunted locations and the ghostly tales they have inspired.
Did you know scorpions can survive being frozen? This article discusses some intriguing facts and info about nature's ultimate warrior.
They say history only remembers the winners. These legendary teams prove otherwise.