Miscellaneous 2024, November

The recently discovered treasure of Queen Boudicca sheds light on the most romantic page in Celtic history

The recently discovered treasure of Queen Boudicca sheds light on the most romantic page in Celtic history

An amazing woman, a beautiful warrior, a proud queen of the Celts - Boudicca, who decided to fight against the most powerful empire of her time, against Rome. The uprising against the Romans led by Boadicea (as the Roman historian Tacitus called her) is one of the most interesting periods in early British history. Recently, a hoard of Roman coins was accidentally discovered in a field near Kukli in Suffolk. Researchers believe that this is the treasure of Queen Boudicca and this find can shed light on m

Ladies of the half-light of the 19th century, who received not only wealth, but also worldwide fame

Ladies of the half-light of the 19th century, who received not only wealth, but also worldwide fame

Popular rumor attributed these women to incredible wealth, success and even political influence during their lifetime. Their names have remained in history, books and films are still being written about them, however, evaluating the "career" of the ladies of the half-world from the point of view of modern morality, it becomes clear that each of them was unhappy in her own way, and their stories often began with horrific facts

11 offbeat books about big true love worth reading

11 offbeat books about big true love worth reading

These are not just romance novels, they are true classics. Stories of desperate passion and pure platonic relationships. There are books with a happy ending in the style of "and they lived happily ever after." There are truly tragic stories in which love brings only sorrows, hardships and trials to the heroes. Eternal stories about the most important feeling between a man and a woman. Many of the works presented in the selection were filmed and became films "of all time"

Why did they try to ban the waltz in Europe, and What turned out to be stronger than the prohibitions

Why did they try to ban the waltz in Europe, and What turned out to be stronger than the prohibitions

The waltzes that sound on the wedding day, on Victory Day, during the graduation ball are something especially touching and exciting, and even during the dance itself it is impossible to remain indifferent. Therefore, it survived, despite the opposition of the prim aristocracy and the discontent of the rulers, and not only survived - it became the main and favorite dance at balls

One of the oldest Christian churches of the Aksumites discovered in Ethiopia

One of the oldest Christian churches of the Aksumites discovered in Ethiopia

Many believe that they know everything about Christianity and its spread. Ethiopian Christians claim that their church is one of the oldest. The Christian faith in this area, as they believe, was brought by the first companions of the faith in ancient apostolic times. A recent archaeological find in northern Ethiopia may surprise some Christians, as well as people who have nothing to do with Christianity

How the fashion for different breeds of dogs changed in Russia

How the fashion for different breeds of dogs changed in Russia

At all times, people have pets. Although there are more cat lovers than dog lovers, according to numerous surveys, four-legged loyal friends have long become an invariable part of our life. Unfortunately, it is fashion that influences the choice of the owner. Making a pet for themselves, future owners are practically not interested in the characteristics of the breed, the vulnerability of immunity or the ability to train

How to Read Biblical Paintings: What Different Body Parts Symbolize in Christian Art

How to Read Biblical Paintings: What Different Body Parts Symbolize in Christian Art

In the Christian understanding, the body is always an obstacle to seeing and understanding God. You can recall the Platonic concept of how the physical body of a person prevents him from understanding the divine plan and comprehending the essence of what is happening around him. The reason for this is that the carnal part of the human being is distracted by primitive animal senses. In this sense, the depiction of biblical figures has always been at least a controversial activity

Are Adam and Eve Really the Forefathers of Humanity: Can a Biblical Myth Be Reality

Are Adam and Eve Really the Forefathers of Humanity: Can a Biblical Myth Be Reality

Scientists have long been haunted by the question - is it possible that one man and one woman were the first inhabitants of the Earth and the direct progenitors of all mankind. Disputes between theologians and scientists have been going on for centuries. And it's worth saying that modern geneticists have very strong arguments to believe that everything is not quite as described in the biblical myth

9 US presidents who hid their health problems to stay in office

9 US presidents who hid their health problems to stay in office

The illness can affect the president's ability to perform his official duties, but throughout most of the history of the United States, many of the powers that be have tried to keep their state of health in the strictest confidence, going to various tricks and tricks in order to keep their precious post

Why were women punished with the stigma "witch", and Why, after 300 years, thousands of victims of the Holy Inquisition decided to pardon

Why were women punished with the stigma "witch", and Why, after 300 years, thousands of victims of the Holy Inquisition decided to pardon

When Halloween is approaching, witches can be seen partying in people's homes or strolling the streets with bags of candy in their hands. Everyone has an idea of what a witch should look like: she has a black hat and she flies on a broomstick. We know that they brew their witchcraft in large cast-iron cauldrons and that they are traditionally burned at the stake. There is a flair of frivolity in all this, but once it was more than serious. The tragedy of the dark ages, which they decided to stir up today and

Did Jesus Really Escape Execution, Marry, and Live in Japan: Shingo Village Museum

Did Jesus Really Escape Execution, Marry, and Live in Japan: Shingo Village Museum

650 km north of Tokyo, you can find the tiny village of Shingo, which locals consider the last resting place of Jesus Christ. Allegedly, among the quiet hills of this godforsaken place, the Christian prophet lived like an ordinary farmer, growing garlic. He had three daughters and lived in a Japanese village until he was 106. All this, as well as many other interesting facts, is told in the local "Museum of Jesus". Who knows, maybe today you can face several of his descendants right on the street

How tar helped the Vikings, what was the oldest shipwreck and other shipwreck discoveries

How tar helped the Vikings, what was the oldest shipwreck and other shipwreck discoveries

Shipwrecks actually mean a lot more than just "a spectacular sight just for fun." Each such ship is essentially something like a time capsule, and can tell a lot of fascinating facts related to famous explorers, unique ships and completely unexpected technical knowledge used by sailors. Divers also continue to find confirmation of previously unknown great tragedies, incredible treasures and huge corpses

The True Story of the Most Famous Biblical Sinner, or Who Mary Magdalene Was in Real Life

The True Story of the Most Famous Biblical Sinner, or Who Mary Magdalene Was in Real Life

Mary Magdalene is a key figure in the Bible, namely in the Gospels of the New Testament. The role of this woman in the development of Christianity cannot be overestimated. It also continues to be the subject of the most heated debate among theologians. Why do different branches of Christianity, as well as representatives of other religious structures (and not only) describe Mary Magdalene differently? What do professional representatives of official historical science say about this?

10 recent archaeological finds linked to biblical history

10 recent archaeological finds linked to biblical history

Ten thousand years ago, the first settlements arose in the Holy Land. Archaeological work is constantly being carried out here and discoveries are made thanks to new finds. The past year was also rich in new events

For whose sake India and Pakistan, warring for many decades, agreed to open their border

For whose sake India and Pakistan, warring for many decades, agreed to open their border

One of the Sikh shrines is the gurudwara (prayer house) Kartarpur Sahib in the Pakistani province of Punjab, the place of death of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak. The province itself was divided into two parts during the division of British India in 1947: the state of Punjab is located in India, and in Pakistan - the province of the same name. For many decades, India and Pakistan were in a state of enmity, survived three wars. Armed clashes constantly arose at the border. Up to the present day, all this served as an irresistible prospect

Why Pope Benedict IX was called "a demon in the guise of a priest" and the worst Pope in history

Why Pope Benedict IX was called "a demon in the guise of a priest" and the worst Pope in history

“A demon from hell in the guise of a priest,” these words, written in the 11th century by the reformer monk and cardinal Peter Damiani, do not refer at all to some depraved cleric and not even to a bishop with “sinful souls”. In fact, Damiani was talking about the most important person in the Catholic religion - Pope Benedict IX. He was the youngest priest ever to hold office and the most controversial Pope in the papacy's 2,000-year history

Who was the origin of the person, who were the parents of Tutankhamun and other facts that scientists made when analyzing ancient DNA

Who was the origin of the person, who were the parents of Tutankhamun and other facts that scientists made when analyzing ancient DNA

DNA is present in every living thing, including humans. It carries the genetic information of each person, passing on his traits to the next generation. It also allows people to trace their origins back to their earliest ancestors. By analyzing the DNA of ancient people and their ancestors, as well as comparing it with the DNA of modern people, you can find more accurate information about the origin of humanity. Here are just some of the interesting facts that scientists have learned through the study of ancient DNA

33 Years As Jesus: Filipino Crucified Every Year Looking For A Replacement

33 Years As Jesus: Filipino Crucified Every Year Looking For A Replacement

It is unlikely anywhere else that Good Friday is as spectacular and emotional as in the Philippines. Every year there are performances staging the crucifixion of Jesus. At the same time, the actor who plays Jesus is really pierced by the arms and legs with metal nails

A new discovery under the ice of Antarctica helped to find out what this continent looked like 90 million years ago

A new discovery under the ice of Antarctica helped to find out what this continent looked like 90 million years ago

Antarctica is a harsh land. Associations that usually arise when pronouncing this name are polar bears, penguins and dog sleds, dissecting through the centuries-old snow. Desperate explorers, overcoming incredible obstacles and difficulties, showing simply miracles of heroism, got here to explore the inhospitable continent. It's hard to believe, but scientists recently found out that once, many millions of years ago, gardens bloomed in the literal sense of the word on the place of these ice

Was the Egyptian prince Thutmose the real Moses and other intriguing mysteries of the ancient forgotten religion Atenism

Was the Egyptian prince Thutmose the real Moses and other intriguing mysteries of the ancient forgotten religion Atenism

Throughout most of the known history of Ancient Egypt, the population worshiped several gods, and ordinary citizens were free to worship whatever gods they saw fit at home. However, there is also a relatively short period during which the country suddenly became monotheistic and Atenism, one of the most intriguing and mysterious beliefs, began to spread everywhere. Where did this strange and obviously alien religion to the Egyptians come from and where is it

How in the Middle Ages monks watched a mysterious explosion on the moon

How in the Middle Ages monks watched a mysterious explosion on the moon

On an early summer evening on June 18, 1178, five monks from Canterbury witnessed an amazing celestial phenomenon. Imagine the depth of their amazement when they saw “fire, burning coals and sparks” emanating from the moon and it suddenly split in two! Until recently, many astronomers believed that this event coincided with the formation of the lunar crater Giordano Bruno. Obviously, something hit the Earth's satellite. What is this mysterious astronomical phenomenon observed by Mona?

10 strange statues of Jesus Christ that do not fit into traditional religious canons

10 strange statues of Jesus Christ that do not fit into traditional religious canons

Usually Jesus is depicted as a man with fair skin with a beard and shoulder-length hair, and sometimes as a beautiful baby lying in the arms of the Virgin Mary. Most of the statues of Jesus look like this, but there are exceptions. Some sculptures are so strange that they were even considered occult symbols. Others are simply contradictory and depict Jesus in unusual positions. And there are surprisingly many similar examples, and this review contains the brightest of them

5 curious little-known facts about the ship that saved the passengers of the Titanic: "Carpathia" rushes to the rescue

5 curious little-known facts about the ship that saved the passengers of the Titanic: "Carpathia" rushes to the rescue

One of the largest maritime disasters in history occurred 100 years ago - the sinking of the Titanic. The ship sank after hitting an iceberg. Quite a lot has been written about this terrible tragedy, there are a lot of documentaries and feature films. The name of the shipwrecked giant has long become a household name. In this case, somehow behind the scenes there is always the only ship that came to the Titanic to help. Learn five facts about the RMS Carpathia that saved the survivors of the Titanic disaster

Why Cleopatra became the wife of two of her brothers at once and other extraordinary facts about the queen of Egypt

Why Cleopatra became the wife of two of her brothers at once and other extraordinary facts about the queen of Egypt

The name of this ancient Egyptian queen is probably known to everyone without exaggeration. Cleopatra was not only an outstanding ruler, but also just an amazing woman! More than two thousand years have passed since the time she died, and the memory of her lives on. No wonder, because this is one of those personalities who changed history. What exceptional gift did this extraordinary woman have?

"Mukden meat grinder": Why Russia's victory over Japan led to disaster

"Mukden meat grinder": Why Russia's victory over Japan led to disaster

On February 19, 1905, the bloodiest land battle of the Russo-Japanese War began. The three-week battle, in which about half a million people were involved, took place on the territory of a third country - China, near the city of Mukden. Almost a third of the personnel of the opposing armies suffered in the battle, however, none of the parties could be called the unconditional winner

The Greatest Guest Workers in World History: Dictators who were born in one country and ruled another

The Greatest Guest Workers in World History: Dictators who were born in one country and ruled another

During troubled and difficult times, ruthless dictators often come to power. In order to strengthen their authority, they tend to exorbitantly inflame the nationalist fervor of the people. Patriotism and national identity are elevated to a cult. The most interesting and surprising thing about this is that the most famous autocrats in history were not actually natives of the countries they ultimately ruled. Some of the most famous despots who came to power in a foreign country further in the review

Mad Monarchs: The Greatest Rulers in History Who Lost Their Minds

Mad Monarchs: The Greatest Rulers in History Who Lost Their Minds

People in power are doomed to be the center of attention. It has always been this way, at all times. They were admired, they were hated. In ancient times, there were just no tabloids to cover the exciting details of the personal lives of great people, like today. Some monarchs became famous not at all for their political activities, and not even for love affairs, but for the fact that they were damaged by reason. On the most egregious cases in history, further in the review

Thousands of Rare Artifacts Found on Medieval Manor Reveal Tudor Family Secrets

Thousands of Rare Artifacts Found on Medieval Manor Reveal Tudor Family Secrets

History knows many examples of miraculous discoveries made quite by accident. Sometimes it happens where you least expect it. For example, among the trash and rubbish in an abandoned old house. A stunning recent archaeological discovery confirms this. Thousands of unique artifacts found in the old English estate of Oxburg Hall

Why former seminarian Joseph Stalin tried to eradicate religion in the Soviet Union

Why former seminarian Joseph Stalin tried to eradicate religion in the Soviet Union

When the October Revolution shook the Russian Empire in 1917, the era of communist rule began. The new country had to live according to new laws. Religion was viewed by the leaders of the world proletariat as an obstacle to a prosperous socialist society. As Karl Marx said, "communism begins where atheism begins." Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin is a figure in history as famous as he is controversial. It so happened that it was he who led the unique

Why Germany had to surrender twice in World War II

Why Germany had to surrender twice in World War II

On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered unconditionally to the Allies. The act of surrender was officially signed in Reims, France. This put such a long-awaited end to that terrible, bloody war, which left such deep scars on the hearts and lives of so many people. This was the final fall of the Third Reich. Just what happened then on May 9 in Berlin? Why did Germany actually have to surrender twice?

How the great Pedro Almodovar invented and embodied the "meeting" of Tilda Swinton with Penelope Cruz

How the great Pedro Almodovar invented and embodied the "meeting" of Tilda Swinton with Penelope Cruz

This year, Oscar-winning provocateur, the most famous Spanish director Pedro Almodovar celebrates an anniversary: 40 years of tumultuous life in cinema. After problems with the producers of the first films, Pedro and his brother Agustin created their own company El Deseo (Desire)

Conductor of the spirit: in memory of Valery Khalilov - musician, general and leader of the ensemble named after Alexandrova

Conductor of the spirit: in memory of Valery Khalilov - musician, general and leader of the ensemble named after Alexandrova

Battle banner - what is the meaning of this almost mystical artifact? The military, most likely, will refer to the charter, saying that the regiment that has lost its combat banner is subject to unconditional disbandment. And the regiment that has preserved its banner, no matter how badly it was battered, will be replenished. That is, in full accordance with the spirit and letter of the charter, a full-blooded regiment is considered lost if the banner is lost, and the regiment, in which, for example, only the standard-bearer remained in the ranks, is considered to exist

What does the famous painting "Menina" by Velazquez have in common with Sergei Yesenin and Isadora Duncan

What does the famous painting "Menina" by Velazquez have in common with Sergei Yesenin and Isadora Duncan

It would seem, what could be in common between Velasquez's "Meninas" and the photograph of Sergei Yesenin with Isadora Duncan and her adopted daughter? It turns out that behind this lies an interesting and slightly mysterious story

England's Mysterious and Powerful Evil Genius: The Rise and Fall of Thomas Cromwell

England's Mysterious and Powerful Evil Genius: The Rise and Fall of Thomas Cromwell

Once upon a time, a German artist named Hans Holbein Jr. painted two portraits. One of them depicts Sir Thomas More, a British aristocrat, great philosopher and humanist. His name is known and respected all over the world. On the second - Thomas Cromwell, the son of a simple blacksmith, who became the right hand of King Henry VIII himself and one of the most influential people of that time. When placed next to each other, it may seem that they are in the same room and are looking directly into each other's eyes. This is not the case, though. Poltys

How the media changed Humanity, and Humanity changed the media over the past couple of thousand years

How the media changed Humanity, and Humanity changed the media over the past couple of thousand years

Today mass communication is the most important form of information exchange. Newspapers, radio, television and, of course, Internet access allow not only to receive almost any information, but also serve as means of propaganda and manipulation. Today, when almost every schoolchild can buy hosting and place his own blog on the Internet, it is difficult to imagine that once there were no newspapers in the world. And it all began in Ancient Rome somewhere in the middle of the 2nd century AD with wooden tablets

Why the Knights Templar are considered the most cruel in history and other facts about the holy warriors of Christianity

Why the Knights Templar are considered the most cruel in history and other facts about the holy warriors of Christianity

Very little is actually known about the founding of the mysterious Order of the Knights Templar. After the capture of Jerusalem in 1099, Europeans began to make massive pilgrimages to the Holy Land. On the way, they were often attacked by bandits and even crusader knights. A small group of fighters, in order to protect the travelers, formed the Order of the Poor Knights of the Temple of King Solomon, also known as the Knights Templar. Over the next two centuries, the Order developed into a powerful political and economic

A tube of vodka, a call of spirits and a glamorous fight: How our "Greats" played each other and those around them

A tube of vodka, a call of spirits and a glamorous fight: How our "Greats" played each other and those around them

In some countries, on April Fool's Day, it is customary to arrange rallies in the first half of the day, and those who like to joke in the afternoon risk being branded as "April fools." Our famous compatriots were never embarrassed by this - they managed to joke, albeit not always successfully, 365 days a year

What dictionaries and encyclopedias are needed to understand the history of the Middle Ages and early modern times

What dictionaries and encyclopedias are needed to understand the history of the Middle Ages and early modern times

Scientific information becomes outdated, and articles in encyclopedias and dictionaries last 10 - 15 years. In the era of Wikipedia, reference books have become even less needed. However, Wikipedia, while updating faster, is uneven. There are good articles and there are weak ones. And yet, what do we have today about the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Age?

From Cleopatra and Catherine the Great to the Present Day: Recipes and Ways of Women's Struggle for Smooth Skin

From Cleopatra and Catherine the Great to the Present Day: Recipes and Ways of Women's Struggle for Smooth Skin

Smooth hairless skin from the early years of human civilization was considered a sign of aristocracy for women and men. What the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra, the English Queen Elizabeth or the Russian Empress Catherine the Great did not go to in order to achieve the ideal of beauty and smooth skin

The history of the New Year tree in Russia: From a symbol of a cemetery and a tavern to Stalin's favorite

The history of the New Year tree in Russia: From a symbol of a cemetery and a tavern to Stalin's favorite

Santa Claus, Snow Maiden, gifts and tangerines. And the tree. Today it is impossible to imagine New Year and Christmas without this fluffy beauty. It would seem that the tree from the very beginning of its existence was a festive winter tree, but this is not so