The year 2000 brought us Ridley Scott’s historical epic, Gladiator, featuring the rise of a fallen general seeking revenge against the tyrannical Emperor Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix. This movie took place during the high point of the Roman Empire when it stood as Europe’s sole superpower. One of the most memorable characters in this movie… Read More »Commodus – The Emperor Who Fought as a Gladiator
The story of William Adams, the first European samurai, has captivated many with the release of the Shogun miniseries, sparking fascination with the interactions between Europeans and Japanese during the 1600s. For many, the character of John Blackthorne must be fascinating, to be one of the first Europeans to set foot in Japan and to… Read More »William Adams – Real-Life European Samurai
The Willy-Nicky Telegrams often highlight the actions of Imperial Germany and the Russian Empire, with Kaiser Wilhelm II and Tsar Nicholas II being blamed for their weak leadership and imperialist policies. While this is true to a certain extent, they were also ironically among the last people who attempted to stop the war. A correspondence… Read More »Willy-Nicky Telegrams: Last Attempts to Prevent WWI
When we think of mad rulers in history, one of the names that is sure to come out is Caligula Horse. Compared to his illustrious grandfather, Agustus Ceasar, Caligula’s reign was filled with stories of madness. From sending an army to collect seashells to building a bridge of boats simply to ride across, it seemed… Read More »Myth or Reality: Caligula Horse as Consul (Incitatus)
Even for a skilled military leader like Pyrrhus of Epirus, achieving victory wasn’t always straightforward. This could mean many things from defeating the enemy, conquering land, or showing superiority. But victory always comes at a cost and not everyone is willing to pay for it. It is easy to look at the numbers on paper… Read More »The Rise and Fall of Pyrrhus of Epirus
Until the mid-1800s, China, once considered one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms, faced significant challenges due to the Opium War. 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… Read More »Letters About the Opium War Trade
There is little doubt that two of the most famous writers in the Western World are William Shakespeare and John Ronald Reuel Tolkien aka J. R. R. Tolkien. Their works have shaped many modern movies, books, and TV shows that we enjoy today. But they had also taken influence from each other as many ideas… Read More »Macbeth and Tolkein
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… Read More »The Eternal City for Sale
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… Read More »The Crusading Goose
The Battle of Thermopylae is perhaps one of the most famous wars in ancient history. Although fought almost 2,500 years ago, it is still honored and remembered as one of the greatest last stands, with countless books, movies, and comics being made in its honor. Although some details have been embellished or disproven, its message… Read More »The Men You Have Pitted Us Against
