My wife and I were discussing which culture came up with the concept of dragons first. We noticed that dragons come up in ancient Norse and Chinese mythology. I was under the impression the two cultures didn't interact until the 11th century [possibly wrong about that :)]. Did multiple cultures independently come up with the idea of dragons? If so? Which came first?

Thanks in advanced.

Hi everyone. I’m a sophomore history major taking my first Russian history course (a topic I am v interested in) and part of the course is writing an essay based on any topic relating to Russian history since 1900. I want to write my paper on the cultural significance of gulags in terms of development in modern post-Stalin Russia, and my professor said he liked the topic but I should narrow it down. However, this is not a topic I am extremely familiar with and I was wondering if anyone who knows more could help me narrow down the topic, or suggest sources that could potentially help?

Any help would be really appreciated, thank you.

Can you recommend some interesting historical memoirs?

How well know was the fact that the earth was round by the common people? I'm not talking about those great philosophers that could calculate the circumference but the average folks.

I live in one of their original railway depots in New Mexico. It is located within reservation borders.
We are trying verify that this plot of land is fee land (privately owned) and not trust land (allotment assigned by the tribe).
We know the land itself was acquired by the Railway, the depot constructed, and then sold to a great grandfather in 1913. The legal description of the property that we have includes the land itself, in coordinates.
It's up in the air when the land was purchased by the company, I've heard anywhere from 1870-1890. I have blueprints for the most recent iteration of the depot from 1902, presumably when it was fixed after partially burning down.
We don't have a deed for the purchase from the Railway, only colloquial letters requesting a check and confirming receipt.
I'm hoping to find, somehow, a document regarding the initial possession of the land by the Railway, in order to determine how ownership was transferred, and by whom.
I have no idea where to look for this and just need some tips on where to start.

Was everyone in rural tribes before Rome conquered or was there anything more?

[Edit] In relation to Europe I mean- I realise civilisation basically basically spread from China towards Rome already (at least I assume)

Most of books I've found just seem to be about Inda, but caste systems are quite common. Can anyone recommend any books about caste systems in general?

Thank you.

I've read that in one way the tax was just there to show the colonists that Parliament could do what they pleased. But there must have been some earmark, as it were, for spending what was collected. At one time I found that the revenue was to pay benefits to retired military personnel who had served protecting the colonists, but I've never been able to confirm this.

Yesterday I came upon a Reddit comment on r/wikipedia claiming that slave owners paid for churches and homes for former slaves. As a result, the commenter claimed, these former slaves named churches, towns, schools and parks after these former slave owners.

Is there any truth to this?

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I am a huge military historian and I got a bit burned out on Old World War Tactics. I was reading about the French and Indian (American Theater of the Seven Years War) when I came to a conclusion about Native American "Tribes"

They were not "Tribes" but Countries? That must mean that there is a whole layer of history I am missing. I tried to google some books on conflicts of this era but I could not find much. I am wondering if there is any little known stories regarding Pre-European contact wars between Native Nations. Like I said, it is not really delved into as much as it should. I am wondering if any texts or stories about tactics and the course of wars still exist?

Edit: Accidentally forgot to put "Seven Years War"

Hello,

As my title suggests, I am looking for some quality peer-reviewed books that cover the history of Russia starting with Rurik and the resulting Rurikid dynasty through to the 21st century/end of the Cold War. Specifically, a book that also discusses geographical context would be especially welcome. In other words, I am looking for a few good books that will give a very detailed history of Russia and the evolution of its culture/identity. Thanks.

I am wondering how feudal lords and monarchs would view a system of governance in which people (even if it were only a rich minority of people) elected their own rulers? Can a comparison be made between the views of this system and another elective system like Tanistry? Did the people of the republics from lower classes ever campaign for their own suffrage? Did the ruling elite of these republics feel in any way that they were carrying on a tradition from the Roman Republic?

If I think of any more questions I'll ask them later but that's all for now. If anything needs clarifying, just ask. Thanks in advance!

Hello,

I'm increasingly interested in German history. I've got Sheehan's "German History" and "Five Germanys I have Known" by Fritz Stern but I'm looking for more. The Booklist and Wiki don't have anything on Germany other than WWII/Hitler except Sheehan. I'm specifically interested in Konrad Adenauer at the moment and was looking around for biographies but they don't seem to have much acclaim just from the reviews I've read.

Can anyone point me to some resources on Adenauer (like a biography) or maybe other resources that discuss Germany's shifting role on the world stage post war?

Edit: I'm looking for English language resources but German language resources are welcome also

Was there any overlap in philosophy/ideals? Can he be considered complicit in their actions to any degree? How much of a factor was association with them in charges being brought against Socrates after their reign ended?

Richard Evans writes in The Third Reich at War, page 7, that "150,000 Polish troops and airmen escaped abroad, especially to Britain, where many of them joined the armed forces." That seems like a surprisingly large number to me. Even if Poland had the planes and ships to transport anywhere near this many people (which I doubt), I'd think it's too far to fly and that most ships wouldn't make it out of the Baltic. So, how did so many troops successfully get out of Poland and make their way to places like Britain to carry on the war against the Nazis?

I've always been interested in the history of Malta, as a strategic Mediterranean crossroads island. I finally managed to visit earlier last year and it was such a wonderful experience (highly recommended, especially for those on the continent). Much of the island's character is based on the Knights of St. John, who ruled the island a couple hundred years.

From what I saw, each successive ruler of the island after the "Great Seige" in the 1530s continued to build bigger, more impressive, more expansive fortifications. It seemed the whole island was one massive fort. Their entire existence for hundreds of years was based on repelling another invasion of the island, but when finally they were presented with an invader they nearly immediately surrendered without so much as firing a shot. Why did they not resist? Why did they not at least attempt to defend the island they spent so much time and treasure preparing to defend?

If there is a better place to ask this question, I apologize and ask to be pointed in the right direction.

Since it was wielded by a Roman soldier, was it a Pilum? Or perhaps some kind of other Lance or Spear weapon issued to Roman soldiers at the time of Christs death

How did that society come about

What was the culture like before then

What was sexuality like in that culture and how did it lead to the Roman sexualilty known for its openness and 'debauchery'

As a history major who has recently come to enjoy studying nutrition and exercise sciences, I'm curious as to how these factors played a role in making the Roman Army (of the Late Republic - Early Empire) the most superior fighting force in the world. The historiography is rich with attributions to Rome's strategy, tactics, doctrine, etc., but I have encountered relatively little material covering the Roman Army's ability to breed physically superior warriors.

Was there a written constitution for these countries? Any form of public accountability or vote? How were taxes determined?