From my understanding using a spear with two hands is more effective then one handed spears. The Macedonians used small shoulder mounted shields that allowed them to effectively duel wield the sarissa with a shield. This is the most I've ever read about this tactic being used and I can't find any information as to why. At a later point in history someone invented the bouche which would allow spears and lances to be balanced and held in a groove on the side of the shield, but they were used mostly for jousting. Why did no one ever use these specially designed shields to duel wield a two handed spear and shield in actual combat other than the Macedonians? It seems like it could have been a huge advantage for several armies throughout history like it was for them.

My assumption is based on the dynamic of Southern slave society and culture, where white female miscegenation was a grievous social outrage, though the ultimate victim was usually the male involved in the "violation", but the regular abuse of slaves by white males was usually, at worst, an open secret. Nazi and German men's abuse of minorities, enemy or occupied peoples seems ubiquitous and not often remarked upon - logistical and bureaucratic instruments like the Ausländerkinder-Pflegestätten were established just to deal with the consequences (you may not want to look those up if don't want to be upset).

How often did German women who violated the anti-miscegenation laws "make the news"?

I'm a masters student in Utrecht and one of my modules is very heavily focused on economic history. When I understand it, I absolutely love it but I feel that I fall down in some areas like properly understanding what an isoquant graph is. I was wondering if there are any AskHistorians who might be able to offer literature recommendations for those interested in economic history who don't come from an economic background. With a view to improving my overall abilities in the field.

I’d like write in detail about a variety of cultures before, during, and soon after, the Bronze Age. The Cultures I’m interested in, are Babylonian, Egyptian, Greek, Norse, Celtic, and Aztec (I know Aztec doesn’t really fit into Bronze Age, but anything about their early history would be awesome).

I’d like to have everything from how families would interact in a household, to how they believed magic worked. Their gods and rituals, to battlefield medicines and survival skills. How they planned/built cities to building and sailing ships. I’m not exaggerating when I say I want as much information as possible on every aspect of their cultures.

I would be extremely grateful for links to studies, books, videos, and wikis of any kind. If y’all think I would be better off asking questions about specific aspects of the cultures on other subreddits, I’d be grateful to know where to go. Thanks a ton for anything y’all can send!

I'm currently reading "The Battle That Stopped Rome" about the Battle of Teutoburg Forest and the author Peter S. Wells writes, "Arminius was born sometime between 18 and 16 B.C. The year is uncertain, because it depends on the interpretation of an unclear passage in Tacitus's writing about him." What was the "unclear passage" that Wells is referring to, and how does that lead to uncertainty regarding what year Arminius was born in?

I know that Ancient Rome is famous for its coliseums and amphitheatres hosting all manner of gladiator bouts, races and other spectacles. I’m wondering if these pastimes changed at all as Rome’s faith changed from the Pagan gods (war, wine, fertility etc.) to the Christian faith that preached peace and love to one’s neighbour. I can’t imagine that the common people would be happy about losing this entertainment. If so, how was the shedding of blood justified by the new faith (if at all)?

Over 1200 French sailors were killed by the British. Did the British ever apologize?

I was recently reading a few stories about individuals throughout history dying rather than have their honor called into question. It seems like honor is not taken as seriously as it was in previous eras, and I was wondering why this might be?

When I type this is on goggle I get a wikipedia page called British Mandate for Palestine (legal instrument).

I am a little confused so could someone please explain this to me as my historian friend just said that Israel used be a colony of Britain. I really do not fully understand the definition of a colony. Thanks

Did people have retirement accounts they could contribute to, or pensions? Could people invest their savings? Were they allowed to have savings? Could they get a line of credit?

The imperial capital of the Russian Empire in 1812 was Saint Petersburg, my question is why did Napoleon focus his army directly onto Moscow? As Napoleon later discovered the Russian people didn't have an issue with burning Moscow in order to starve their invaders, but I doubt they would have done the same to Saint Petersburg.