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Christian & Muslim Playing Chess
An illustration from The Libro de los Juegos (13th century CE) that shows a game of chess between a Muslim and a Christian. (Monasterio de El Escorial, Spain)
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Medieval Chess Game
An illustration of a medieval chess game, popular across Europe in the Middle Ages. (Codex Manesse, 14th century CE, Zurich, Switzerland)
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Lewis Knight Chess-piece
Walrus ivory knight chess-piece armed with a spear and kite-shaped shield from the Lewis series, found in Scotland, dated to c. 1150-1175.
The British Museum, London.
Article
Leisure in an English Medieval Castle
Thanks to their favoured position in life and the labour of the peasants on their estates, nobles in an English medieval castle had plenty of leisure hours which could be frittered away by eating, drinking, dancing, playing games like chess...
Article
Athletics, Leisure, and Entertainment in Ancient Rome
Although much of ancient Roman life revolved around negotium (work and business), there was also time available for otium (leisure). Ranging from swimming to playing board games to attending theatre performances, athletics and forms of entertainment...
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The Roman Aqueduct of Pont du Gard
The Pont du Gard is an aqueduct in the South of France constructed by the Roman Empire, and located in Vers-Pont-du-Gard near Remoulins, in the Gard département. It has long been thought that the Pont du Gard was built by Augustus' son-in-law...
Definition
Vikings
The Vikings were originally diverse Scandinavian seafarers from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark (though other nationalities were later involved) whose raids and subsequent settlements significantly impacted the cultures of Europe and were felt...
Definition
Ancient Persian Culture
Ancient Persian culture flourished between the reign of Cyrus II (The Great, r. c. 550-530 BCE), founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, and the fall of the Sassanian Empire in 651 CE. Even so, the foundations of Persian culture were already...
Video
Abortion in the Ancient World
World History Encyclopedia and the Study of Antiquity and the Middle Ages have come together to bring you an interview with Arienne King, all about abortion and family planning in the ancient world. The concept of abortion and contraception...
Video
An Introduction to Archaeology: What is Archaeology and Why is it Important?
What is archaeology? In the broadest definition possible, archaeology is the study of human history through the material culture left behind. The desire among human beings for knowledge of what came before has always been there. Just look...