Featured Definition
Definition
French Revolution
The French Revolution (1789-1799) was a period of major societal and political upheaval in France. It witnessed the collapse of the monarchy, the establishment...
Featured Image
Image
Siddhartha's Secret Escape, Gandhara Relief
The prince Siddhartha secretly leaves the palace of his father. Not to wake the sleeping inhabitants of the palace, yakshas lift his horse on its hooves...
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Article
The Queen of the Night - The Mysterious Burney Relief
The Queen of the Night (also known as the "Burney Relief") is a high-relief terracotta plaque of baked clay, 19.4 inches (49.5 cm) high, 14.5 inches...
Definition
Early Dynastic Period In Egypt - Unification and the Rise of the First Egyptian Kings
The Early Dynastic Period in Egypt (circa 3150 to circa 2613 BCE) is the beginning of the historical era of the country during which the regions of...
Definition
Hara Castle
Hara Castle was originally built in 1496 as a subsidiary fortification to nearby Hinoe Castle, with upgrades made from 1599 to 1604. Later dismantled...
Definition
Assur - The Supreme God of the Ancient Assyrians
Assur (also Ashur, Anshar) is the god of the ancient Assyrians who was elevated from a local deity of the city of Ashur to the supreme god of the Assyrian...
Definition
Mahmud II - Reformist Sultan of the Ottoman Empire
Mahmud II was one of the most influential sultans of the Ottoman Empire. As a radical reformer, he strove to implement military and governmental reforms...
Definition
Fourteenth Amendment - Defining Birthright Citizenship
The Fourteenth Amendment is one of the most important and consequential additions to the United States Constitution. Ratified in 1868, it defines American...
Definition
Pazuzu - The Mesopotamian Demon of Destruction and Protection
Pazuzu is a Babylonian/Assyrian demon who was most popular in the first millennium BCE. He was the son of Hanbi (also Hanba), king of the demons of...
Definition
Nergal - The Mesopotamian God of Death, War, and Destruction
Nergal (also known as Erra and Irra) is the Mesopotamian god of death, war, and destruction. He began as a regional, probably agricultural, god of the...
Definition
Predynastic Period in Egypt - The Time Before History Began
The Predynastic Period in ancient Egypt is the time before recorded history, from the Paleolithic to the Neolithic Age and on to the rise of the First...
Collection
Odysseus & His Epic Odyssey - The Ultimate Homecoming Voyage of Greek Mythology
Homer's epic poem, the Odyssey, is Greek mythology's greatest road trip, journey of redemption, and homecoming voyage all rolled into one. Our hero...
Definition
Penelope - The Loyal Wife of Odysseus
In Greek mythology, Penelope is the wife of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, and the mother of Telemachus. She is best known for her unwavering loyalty...
Article
Hymn to Nungal - A Praise Song for the Sumerian Goddess of Prisons
The Hymn to Nungal (circa 1894-1595 BCE) is a Sumerian poem praising Nungal, the goddess of prisons and rehabilitation (also associated with the underworld...
Definition
Ninurta - The Sumerian Hero-God of War
Ninurta (identified with Ningirsu, Pabilsag, and the biblical Nimrod) is the Sumerian and Akkadian hero-god of war, hunting, and the south wind. He...
Definition
Late Period of Ancient Egypt - The End of Egyptian Rule of Egypt
The Late Period of Egypt (525-332 BCE) is the era following the Third Intermediate Period (1069-525) and preceding the brief Hellenistic period (332-323...
Definition
Maginot Line - France's Fortress Defence System
The Maginot Line was an extensive series of fortifications built by France through the 1930s to protect its eastern borders from German attack. Stretching...
Definition
Third Intermediate Period of Egypt - Era of Foreign Invasion
The Third Intermediate Period (circa 1069-525 BCE) is the era following the New Kingdom (circa 1570 to circa 1069 BCE) and preceding the Late Period...
