Article archive
Research, stories and questions from the ancient world.
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Apkallu: Mesopotamia’s Bird-Headed Sages Before the Flood
The apkallu were Mesopotamia’s seven legendary sages. Assyrian reliefs and buried figurines reveal how their wisdom became a source of protection.
Ancient Tenea: The Greek City Linked to Troy
Ancient Tenea near Corinth was real, but its Trojan founding is unproven. Excavations reveal baths, tombs, coins and a healing sanctuary.
How the Roman Empire Survived for Nearly 1,500 Years
Rome survived through armies, provincial government, roads, citizenship and taxation. Its eastern emperors continued Roman rule until 1453.
How Julius Caesar Used Propaganda to Gain Power
Caesar shaped Roman opinion through war narratives, public ceremonies, coins and monuments. His success also exposed the Republic’s struggle with personal power.
Oracle of Delphi: The Priestess Who Shaped Empires
At Delphi, Apollo's priestess advised Greek cities and kings. Learn how consultations worked, what the ancient evidence says, and why the oracle mattered.
Daily Life in Ancient Greece: Homes, Markets and Silver Mines
Ancient Greek life depended on households, food markets, religious festivals and enslaved labour. Archaeology reveals the routines behind Athens and Sparta.
Alexander the Great: Fact, Legend, and the Real King
Alexander conquered Persia and marched into India. His victories were real, but his divine birth, the Gordian Knot and his death have far less…
Sparta vs Athens: Why the Greek World Went to War
Sparta and Athens fought the Peloponnesian War after decades of rivalry. Their armies, governments and alliances shaped the conflict and its aftermath.
How Did Athenian Democracy Begin and Why Did It Fall?
From Solon and Cleisthenes to the coups of 411 and 404 BCE and the Macedonian conquest of 322 BCE, Athens tested the limits of…
