Ancient History
Why Does the Calendar Begin on January 1?
Where did the modern calendar come from? Before Julius Caesar, the existing calendar year looked far different than it does today. The Romans revolutionized timekeeping. […]
Ancient History
Deeper Dive
Objects from Tutankhamen’s Tomb Featured in Hieroglyph Series
Egyptian hieroglyphs have fascinated observers for millennia. This language utilizes pictographs instead of letter characters to convey meaning. King Tut’s sarcophagus lid and a mirror case in his tomb tell their own stories. […]
Ancient History
Travel Three Continents of the Roman Empire, in New Series
The Roman Empire spanned from Spain to Jordan—and your living room. Romans expanded so much that their 2,500-mile empire takes nearly 10 hours to traverse by modern air travel. View the whole expanse from home, with Wondrium. […]
Ancient History
One Empress Shaped Catholicism 1,600 Years Ago
Veneration of the Virgin Mary owes largely to Pulcheria. In the 5th century CE, she revolutionized the Catholic Church and its practices. How did this Roman empress forever alter Catholicism? […]
History
Lorenzo de’ Medici and the Florentine Renaissance
Lorenzo de’ Medici felt that more importance should be given to the vernacular. Florentine language, Lorenzo believed, help effectively communicate the Renaissance complex ideas to the current audiences. […]
Ancient History
Lorenzo de’ Medici: Balancing the ‘Otium’ and ‘Negotium’
Debauchery was common among men in power. Machiavelli quotes Lorenzo as an exception. He saw Lorenzo maintaining a balance between his active social life with his serious political life. […]
Ancient History
Norse Afterlife Separated between Civilian and Battle Deaths
Dying in battle or dying otherwise separated the two Norse afterlives. One was for feasting and awaiting the world’s end while the other was boring and shadowy. This week on Wondrium Shorts, unveil the posthumous Norse. […]
Ancient History
Norse Mythology Series Goes Far beyond Pop Culture
Vikings and Loki only scratch the surface of Norse mythology—often inaccurately. Well-intended pop culture tributes like these stumble on their way from classic mythology to the small screen. Wondrium’s Norse Mythology sets the record straight. […]
Ancient History
The Barbarian Conspiracy and the Roman Empire
The fragmentation of the Roman Empire had a direct impact on the integrity of Britain’s defenses against its barbarian enemies. The barbarian conspiracy eventually led to the fall of Roman Britain. […]
Ancient History
The Early History of Anglo-Saxon England and the Germanic People
It is not clear exactly how the Germanic newcomers arrived in Britain. But stories told by historians and monks, such as Gildas and Bede, provide some insight. […]