I got to thinking about how many servicemen killed in action would either leave no or very few remains (killed in fiery plane crashes, sunk ships etc.) and how many were buried in cemeteries near the battlefield (as at Normandy, e.g.). Aside from the tragic telegrams reaching their families, how did their survivors commemorate their deaths? When did shipping remains home begin to become common (if ever)?

By all accounts The Travels of Marco Polo was a huge success in medieval Europe, but I'm confused about the details of its distribution. Did each book have to be hand-copied individually? In a society with limited literacy, who was the target audience? Were books like this commonly written at the time?

Given that Italy and later even Japan surrendered when they saw no chance of winning the war anymore (and with Italy even disposing of Mussolini to do so) I was wondering why Germany fought "to the bitter end" only giving up when the capital fell and Hitler was dead. I know Staufenberg planned on surrendering at least to the Allies but why was this option never officially considered? What were the differences to WW1 were Germany knowingly surrendered before enemy troops even reached the borders of it?

Bonus Question: historically speaking, is it unusual for a country to fight to the bitter end? It seems like most countries fought in history prefer to admit defeat before the total collapse.

I was just to two museums today. One about the Mediterranean and the other about medieval Sweden. They both had dice that looked exactly the same, even though one was 3 000 years older and came from Egypt. I've been thinking a lot about this. Where has the oldest die been found? How old are they?

I'm sure that most people that were not fit to work were killed immediately when enter most camps but were overweight prisoners generally better off against starvation?

I'm sure there are many factors. What were they?

Also, what books/papers would help?

Thanks!

I wasnt sure if this was the right place to ask the question, but thought Id give it a go. I guess Im really trying to understand if larger nations have a propensity to fragment after a long enough interval and for any reason. Examples being old and modern empires, USSR, etc. On the other hand, what is the frequency of smaller nations banding together to form a larger nation like Switzerland, USA, UAE, etc.

Thanks!

Edit: Thanks again for the replies

It is my understanding that Columbus significantly underestimated the diameter of the earth and this was one reason he thought he could reach east Asia. However, he also would have had to have some estimate for the "width" of Eurasia. How accurate was he on the "width" of Eurasia and where did he get his information from? Ptolemy? Weren't longitudes only reliably calculated in the 18th century?

There seems to be a sentiment among a small number of Filipinos that they delayed a planned invasion of Australia due to guerilla action in the Philippines. Is there any truth to this?

Surely someone somewhere had to view it as inhumane, overly violent, or offensive in some way. Were there ever any recorded protests or attempt from rival groups to stop gladiator combat? Was the political/social climate of Rome even conducive to activism?

If they did, what was the extent of the support - ammunition/troops/funding etc?

I love reading about this time period and was wondering it there are any books or series that are particularly accurate. I'd rather they be set earlier in the middle ages but any recommendations are welcome.

I've already read Bernard Cornwell's Saxon stories and a lot of his other medieval stuff (any comments about the accuracy of these are welcome).

I read through the rules and didn't see anything against this although it is off topic, hope I'm not breaking any rules here.