From my reading it seems that under Justinian the campaigns of Belisarius resulted in a Byzantine resurgence and the reconquest of parts of the old Western Empire. Im wondering how did things go so wrong, so quickly from that point onwards?

I was wondering if you guys knew of any good literature from the perspective of neutral citizens on the wars which were happening near their border

Is there anything in history that could explain why Portuguese had a very Russian sound to it. Were slavic countries at anytime a big part of Portuguese history?

I understand they're different languages and origins. I understand the similarities are the hard vowels. I am curious if there is a known reason why Portuguese differs from other Latin based languages so much and had a slavic sound and is there anything in history that could partially explain it?

Actually, that may not be the right question. I know that, in the wake of Reed's first book in 1997 and a DNA study in 1998, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation has adopted the position that Jefferson did actually father Hemings's children... but still, every now and then, I come across skeptics who claim that the DNA and hearsay evidence actually point to Jefferson's brother Randolph. I think I know what to believe, but I guess I'm curious - do the skeptics have a case?

Edit: Sorry if this has been asked before, but I couldn't find anything in the sidebar, and searching the sub didn't turn up any references either.

(not including modern Neopagans)

Recently I've become very interested in learning about religious trends in ancient times, like the rise and fall of different faiths. I know that the old Roman religion was slowly eradicated and replaced by Christianity, but do we know who was the last notable person to believe in the Roman gods?

Hello r/AskHistorians! A member of r/worldbuilding here. I understand it was probably due to being cheaper and easier to manufacture, but how come there were never any ships with decorated sails, similar to standard bearers? How come I never see ships with sails that displayed past glories found in battles or large, menacing Jolly Rodgers found on stereotypical pirate ships? Did sails this artistic and morale inspiring actually ever exist I real life?

In the world that I am building there are pirates and royal navies that use very similar vessels to what was seen on the age of sail. I just want to know how feasible it is to have sails that display a mural or something similar to either strike fear in the pit of their adversaries' stomach or raise morale in other members of the fleet.

Thanks again guys!

edit: thank you all for your responses and discussion! it has been a world of help! now that i know that it wasnt too practical to just embroider or literallyt paint the sails as it would make them act in an unusual way. this is exactly what i was hoping i wasnt going to hear, but i guess i just have to whip up some cool excuse to why and how my worlds most viscious pirates and most fearsome commandants have murals on their sails, givin this is a high fantasy world. you guys have really helped me out, upvotes all around!

Are there any parallels between these two great philosophers from the East and West? Parallels in things such as their educational methods and philosophies, philosophical teaching, lasting effects on their cultures, etc.

I just find it very interested how the East and West have evolved so independently, yet both have great philosophers in their histories that changed their cultures in impactful ways.

Thanks!

It seems given that it had hundreds of miles of unguarded railroad that it could in fact be sabotaged.

Have they been prevalent around the world, or were there exercises that we no longer practice?

Hi All, not native born but lifelong obsession with the American Civil war, saw tons of docs on it, listened to audiobooks. Finally a chance to go see Gettysburg.

Are there any topnotch tips people have to get most out of the experience?

• Time to visit, early in the day? later?
• Go see this, don't see that?
• Stop here, not there?
• Listed to this audiobook

Any help is appreciated. I hope this is the right forum?