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Battle of San Jacinto - Birth of the Texas Republic
The Battle of San Jacinto (21 April 1836) was the decisive engagement of the Texas Revolution in which General Sam Houston (1793-1863) defeated the Mexican Army under President and General Antonio López de Santa Anna (1794-1876) in 18 minutes...
Definition
Adelantado
Adelantado was an office awarded by the Spanish Crown to conduct military campaigns in the medieval period but then repurposed during the Age of Exploration to grant an individual the right to privately fund expeditions of discovery and conquest...
Definition
Juan de Grijalva
Juan de Grijalva (aka Grijalba, 1489-1527) was a Spanish conquistador who explored the eastern coast of Mexico in 1518. His notable achievements included a demonstration that the Yucatán Peninsula was just that and not, as previously thought...
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Map of Spanish Conquest & Exploration in North America
This map illustrates the expansion of Spanish imperial power following the completion of the Reconquista in 1492 and the voyages of Christopher Columbus (first voyage 1492). Fueled by promises of land, gold, and glory, Spain launched one...
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Inca Trapezoid Windows
Typical imperial Inca trapezoid windows from the sacred precinct of Coricancha, Cuzco, c. 1438 CE.
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La Doncella
La Doncella, "The maiden", one of the three mummies of Inca children sacrificed c. 1500 and found in 1999 near the top of the Llullaillaco volcano, on the Argentina–Chile border.
Museum of High Altitude Archaeology, Salta, Argentina.
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Portuguese Ceramic Tile
A polychrome faience azulejo (or glazed ceramic tile) showing a vase of flowers with cherubim. This tile is typical of designs influenced by Portugal's overseas colonies and territories. The tile is from Nossa Senhora da Esperança Convent...
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The Chicken's Wedding Panel
The Chicken’s Wedding panel (1660-1667 CE) is an azulejo (glazed ceramic tile) from the 17th century CE. A chicken is conveyed in a carriage that is escorted by a cortege of monkeys playing musical instruments. Singerie (French for “Monkey...
Article
Medieval Knights: 12 of the Best
The knights of medieval Europe were meant to be the finest fighting men of their age, even more important, they were expected to be pure in thought and deed, as exemplified in the chivalrous code which they (usually) followed. Here are the...
Article
Cortés & the Fall of the Aztec Empire
The Aztec empire flourished between c. 1345 and 1521 CE and dominated ancient Mesoamerica. This young and warlike nation was highly successful in spreading its reach and gaining fabulous wealth, but then all too quickly came the strange visitors...