Until the mid-1800s, China was regarded as one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms. It was so wealthy that the European powers were desperate to access Chinese silk, porcelain, and tea, widely considered the best quality products. However, the problem was that the ruling Qing Dynasty adopted an isolationist policy that limited trade to …
The Eternal City for Sale
When we think of Ancient Rome, we picture it as a mighty and unstoppable empire. Its legions conquered everything in their path while its Senate managed a nation stretching from the UK to Iraq. But while that was certainly true, Rome had no shortage of enemies who brought the Republic to its knees. From Hannibal …
The Crusading Goose
The First Crusade was a time of political upheaval, military glory, and historical significance. However, it was also mass hysteria. While it was meant to mobilize knights and experienced soldiers, the ideas spread across all people including the lower classes. This is why when the lords and princes arrived in Europe, they were also accompanied …
How To Win A War
To win a war, most people believe that all you need to do is win on the battlefield. While that is certainly important, being good at fighting isn’t the only thing that matters. War is just as much about economics, political will, and strategy and to win requires mastery of all three. A leader can …
Heir to the Empire
By age 33, Alexander III of Macedon had accomplished more than what some people could in a lifetime. Not only was he a king, but also a conqueror and a successful general who never lost a major battle. He took the small kingdom of Macedon and turned it into an empire. To do so, he …
The Black Prince’s Baptism By Fire
Along with the Crusades, the Hundred Years’ War is one of the most famous medieval conflicts. The war is famous not just because of its length, spanning over a century, but also because of the legendary figures and iconic battles. While these might appear set in stone today, these figures had to get their start …
The Faith of Joan of Arc
Regarding female heroes throughout history, undoubtedly one of the most famous has to be Joan of Arc. Her exploits in the Hundred Years War are legendary where she managed to inspire the Kingdom of France to continue fighting right during a time when they were struggling against the might of the English armies. Under her …
Trial of Urbain Grandier
Many people have heard of the Salem Witch Trials and the Spanish Inquisition, where priests persecuted innocent people in the name of finding heresy or witchcraft. These have served as warnings against blind zealotry and paranoia by how those in power. Often, we imagine the victims were the innocent and lower classes who could not …
Pope Urban’s Call for Crusade
For most of the medieval times, the lands of Europe Christianity, and Islam in the Middle East and Africa had been divided. At the border of these two religions was the Eastern Roman or Byzantine Empire which served as the bulwark of Europe. For the longest time, this empire had checked the advances of the …
Herodotus on the Effects of War
In ancient history, few figures are as famous as the Greek writer Herodotus. His works have become famous summarizing the history of Greece and Persia and their eventual war. This has made him one of the go-to sources for people learning about this period. However, in recent years his historical accuracy has come into question. …
The Wisdom of Jose Rizal
It wasn’t just the generals and politicians who secured Philippine independence. A lot of the credit belongs to the activist and writer Jose Rizal. His books, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo became a major inspiration for future leaders, challenging the Spanish colonial system which would eventually lead to his death. Aside from his books, …
Illustration Of Love in Letters: Popeye Cartoonist
There are people who show illustrations to show their loved ones how important they are to them. There are writers who write a dozen pages of letters because of uncontrollable adoration for their significant other. Take this letter, for example, to show you that both mediums can coincide through a thought. This was a letter …
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