It seems unusual that while many states tend to reliably lean one way or the other, there are a few whose populations vote unpredictably. Is there a historical reason for this? Have other swing states existed in the past?

Who ruled them and how were they appointed? Was it a permament position or for some finite term? What happened if someone refused to step down? How did the Imperial administration work in provinces?

From what I understand, the Germans had the overall best optics, although it was pointless to have such good optics because fights were generally at under 1000 yards. I also understand that the US lacked a range finder for the gunner because he was supposed to be told the range by the commander. I also heard that the Soviets had bad optics early on, that needed re-calibration often, although I also heard that later they made some of the best sights. How much of that is true? How were the optics for tanks for the various countries compared to each other?

Were there officials that would check on an exiled individual from time to time to ensure that they hadn't tried to make their way home? What are some of the other lesser known details pertaining to exile?

Muslim Arabs ruled over Spain for a while, I ws wondering how much did their language influence the original language of the region.

Certainly most of the Roman citizens knew about the myth of foundation of Rome and other myths of heroes, but did they know about their own actual history? Did the people who saw the last emperors know the names of the first ones and the years in which they ruled? Did Romans know of their history or did it take until historians from our times pieced everything together to get a global portrait?

I am an old fart who did a lot of drugs and i also used to be posted overseas so i may have missed it during one of tours but i really wonder if cable television was ever commercial free? Perhaps in the instances i was overseas there was a time when catv was mandated to be commerial free and i missed that window. Thank you for your time.

We know Jews were present in many parts of the Roman Empire basically since the destruction of Jerusalem, and it would therefor make sense to me if Europe was full of Jewish communities who spoke their own version of the surrounding non-Jews' language, but I can't find any information of other European Jewish ethnic sub-divisions other than the Sephardim and Ashkenazim. Why is this?

I would specify Europe and the Middle East, if necessary to narrow things down.

And yes, "why" is always a very difficult question in any field. I know. Sorry.

So when and if this actually happened as we understand it is obviously a contentious point, but the received tradition holds that Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses to All Saint's Church on Halloween. This is obviously some very potent metaphor, considering what would subsequently happen. Is this all a coincidence, deliberate Catholic allegory or modern sensationalism?

Cheers!

I am referring to musicals as opposed to the traditional operas.

Sorry if this question is better for /r/askanthropology but I remember hearing a story on NPR recently about either a mythological or historical Jizanthapus, or a species named jizanthapus and I can't remember which it is. Of course this is part of a joke by Louis CK, but I think the name itself has a basis in reality and I'm trying to figure out what it is.

Did the Renault AMR-35 & Renault FT-17 have radio installs? If so, where on the vehicles are the antennas mounted? Additionally, what kind of whip was used?

Was either group aware of the shift? When did Americans begin to see the natives as a smaller group collectively than themselves?

Can somebody explain like I'm five what Confucius means when he says ritual in works such as the Analects? I looked it up but it just seems a bit difficult for me to grasp the definition.

I understand the meaning of the parable. Parables are, by definition, a simple story based on common knowledge. Because everybody is supposed to know the backstory, nobody bothers writing it down.

I am Italian, and this has always been of interest to me. It is a tiny, defenseless state surrounded on all sides by Italy.

I can understand why recently, with the establishment of a stronger framework of rules among countries, Italy has never tried to conquer San Marino. But why historically (according to San Marino they have been independent since 3 September 301) hasn't Italy tried to take it over?

Thank you.

It seems many great attracions come out of them like the Space Needle or the Eiffel Tower. Why did they seemingly stopped being important?