I’ve been reading Cohn on yersinia pestis perhaps not being the cause of the Black Death and subsequent waves of plague as well as the plague of Justinian. I gather he is controversial. Who should I read to get opposing perspectives? I want to know the current prevailing theories and questions as well as the cutting edge.

I gather there are recent genetic findings. Are these more preliminary and suggestive, or robust and conclusive? My hard science background is insufficient to read these studies critically.

I've heard claims that Indo-Europeans introduced things such as the wheel, chariots, and advanced metallurgy to the Chinese in the pre-Shang dyansty era. Some even claim that Indo-Europeans founded either the Shang or Zhou dyansties, and that modern Chinese are unrelated to them. I know at least the second one is a fringe theory at best, but is there any basis to either of these claims? If not, how would one counter them?

EDIT: Bimetallism not bimetallic

I’ve recently been doing some genealogy and found out my direct ancestor was a Populist politician and supporter of William Jennings Bryant who wrote many articles in favor of free silver. Everything I’ve read about bimetallism and the support for free silver is vague, I get that it would cause inflation and make it easier for farmers to pay debts, but that benefit would last only a short time, because they’d take on new inflated debt and would be just as bad off as before. However intelligent economists and politicians supported it, so there has to be more, what was it?

I’m a French and Spanish mechanical engineering student, so I don’t have much knowledge on Middle East history in general, apart from the little I was taught about the wars following the 9/11 attacks.

Anyway, I have some spare time now with the end of the exams and would like to maybe try and learn the basics about it. I’d like to find a book with a little context maybe, but especially focusing on a the the events from the end of colonialism in the region until now. I know ancient history is also fascinating in the Middle East, but I’ll leave it for another time.

Also, I’m aware that those topics are quite sensitive, politically speaking, but I don’t really care, any POV will do.

Hope you can help me, thank you very much and have a good day.

I'm doing research into Medieval trade and, while the Arab, Scandinavian, Russian, et. al. slave trades seem to be well established, I can't find much about the HRE and Hanseatic League within these trade networks.

I would assume, since they were such an influential confederation with wide reaching networks themselves, that there would have been some involvement, if not taking slaves themselves and selling them in markets.

Are there any sources or backgrounds about this? If they preferred to avoid the practice, what were the reasons for the avoidance when so many of their neighbors engaged in it?

What were the motives ?

Why didn't/couldn't the UN intervene ?

Edit:

Especially the motives would be interesting.

Hey guys, I've been wondering, how is it that every nation has a national anthem? Was this always a thing? Did ancient nations have songs and music depicting their empires? Is this a modern idea? Did they evolve overtime? How were they chosen? Any interesting stories about them?

Share some knowledge!

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Hi everybody,

My wife is working on a historical fiction book set in Greece in 440 BC and has a question she could really use your historical knowledge and help with (thank you in advance):

Ok so here's the deal: The characters in this scene are in a spy network, receiving letters from various sources throughout the ancient world that enable them to have a strong grasp of politics. She’s looking for countries, city-states, or colonies that would fit roughly into the following scenario (she can change the scenario a bit to keep things accurate).

King of PLACE A wants to create a new trade route. He is advised against his proposed route because there is conflict/tension between his neighboring PLACE B and PLACE C. PLACE B has formed a secret alliance with PLACE D, so since the > trade route would bring wealth to PLACE C, the allied B and D would sabotage such a route.

The king of PLACE A should instead create his trade route through the peaceful region of PLACE E.

Anything that somewhat fits that mold or a similar set of circumstances would be SO helpful. The places can be in the Mediterranean or beyond it but close enough to still impact the Mediterranean.

Thank you VERY MUCH for your help!

Good day!

I am not completely sure if this question is 100% suitable for this sub, if there is any other place better for the question please let me know.

However I am interested in books that have tried to predict the future.

When I was younger my grandfather gave me a book full of predictions for the 21st century, written in the 20th century. I've also seen some books from the 19th century predicting the internet and such and it's really interesting to me.

If you have any suggestions about these kind of books for me to read I would love to hear about them! Thanks in advance!

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Would parents also think that a son or daughters temperament or personality was “inherited”?

I am a Film Maker, amateur history buff and author. I am hoping to do a creative documentary project about a topic that is very personal to me. My Grandfather served in the Polish Armored 1st Division.

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I am wondering if there is a any resources for someone to look at Operational Reports from specific divisions in World War II. I looked online but could not seem to find anything as in depth as I am looking for. And this is not just for the Polish Armored 1st. Looking for any division that was in the Normandy Area. Thanks!