Listening to Mike Duncan's 'The History of Rome' (only on episode 73 so not nearly at the fall yet) and this question just came about in my head. I'm now thoroughly curious. Looking forward to hear from anyone.

So, I am reading a few books on the Origins of writing and multiple books mention but don't elaborate on the importance of a mysterious "Sea Peoples" when referring to the fall of the Hittite Empire and the weakening of the Egyptian empire.

"But the Hittite Empire fell in 1180 bc, and Egypt's New Kingdom was considerably weakened soon thereafter, both due in part to widespread disturbance caused by the mysterious Sea Peoples" ~The Writing Revolution by Amalie E. Gnanadesikan

In the book Joy of Cooking: All About Breakfast and Brunch is stated that people started having brunch in late 1800s England and it became popular in the US by 1930s. What's the actual origin of brunch and when was it actually "invented"?

I mean, we still have Cartwrights and Fletchers, but no Electrician, and it would sound odd to have someone named Electrician.

Do we know when this started happening?

I've heard two stories: Lithuanian liked Poland and was happy to join; and Lithuania didn't really want to join together but Poland's army was too strong to resist.

I just want some clarity on the information!

The dehumanization of enemies in public discourse and within attitudes among soldiers is a common feature of many 19th and 20th century conflicts, enabling some of the great atrocities we've seen in the last 100 years. I am primarily familiar with the modern era, and the literature I know describes 20th century mass murder and dehumanization as a product of scientific, political and cultural thought of the last 2-300 years (I'm thinking mainly nationalism and racism here). But is there precedent for this in pre-modern military conflicts as well, especially before the Age of Discovery and military conflicts with visibly different peoples? Any clarification would be greatly appreciated.

In the 1800s, Napoleon was actually about average height, and people were shorter on average. Were people from ancient times significantly shorter, or uglier because of selection of taller, more handsome mates over time leading to taller or more handsome?

I meant to start this earlier but the day got away from me. Sorry if you've had to wait, but I'm here now. AMA about general Tibetan history and the political history of modern Nepal!

I have been studying the region as both a hobby and in some elective undergrad/graduate courses for a few years now, and have limited professional experience regarding Nepal. I was a bit nervous to do this at first, but there is so much that's fascinating about the region and I hope to convince more people to check it out! That said, there are some areas where my knowledge is limited (hence the "general" Tibetan history) but I will do what I can to answer your questions.

By "modern Nepal," I mean post-Gorkha conquest of the mid-eighteenth century. I'll try to address questions prior to that period if you have them, but my knowledge there is quite limited.

AMA!

Hey guys, thanks so much for participating in this. I need to get some sleep, but I'll try to answer more questions in the days ahead. I really enjoyed it, and I hope you all did as well!

Second Edit: I see there's a number of new questions, and I'll try my best to answer. I'm behind on some work projects right now, so it may take me a few days. Sorry for any delay, but I'm glad to see so much interest in the region!

I'll try and be more clear than my title. After the war ended, surely the north didn't run everything for the south. I guess the first question should be, did the south's political structure remain intact; did their politicians go back to their jobs? But either way, did the figures of the south continue to try and get the things they wanted after re-integration? Social, fiscal or government policy-wise?

I've read a little about how revolutionary was the role of St. Francis in the catholic church but I've never understood really well.

I didn't see a rule that directly applied to this question so feel free to remove it if it doesn't comply.

Yes, I realize the question is broad, but I'm looking for books that can help me narrow that down as I read. For example, I remember reading or hearing once that there was no adequate way the Alamo could have been defended. I have always wondered how and who made that assessment. Looking back, it was probably a matter of people power and firepower, but my question is, what are some engaging, accurate, and, most importantly, accessible places to learn the history and evolution of military strategy? Not in a, "I need to learn how to outflank my opponents" but in a general, "why did Lee do x during the Battle of Gettysburg?"

If necessary, I'm most curious about US military strategy because I feel like I have the most context for it. That being said, I'd love to hear about any others as well.

It's my understanding that both the land later occupied by the German states and Austria was at one point in time a part of the Holy Roman Empire. Given their common language (and ancestry?) why didn't Austria unify with the other German states when Germany became a single, unified country?

Apologies if it's been answered before but I didn't see it in the FAQ's. Thanks in advance for any answers too!

So im a University student studying history and its come to the time of my study where all my peers have developed their dissertation question or research topic and I'm still here with no ideas at all! If anyone out there can help me create an interesting dissertation question or research title on either: Paganism in Anglo Saxon England or an interesting era of the British Empire that would be greatly appreciated! Any historians out there who can offer any help please get back to me! Thank you!

Pieces of the widely varied Greco-Roman, Germanic, and Celtic pagan religions are said to have been absorbed into local traditions of Christianity in Europe. Yule logs and Yule goats, Halloween, originally pagan festivals and feasts coopted into saint's days and the like, etc.

Christian practice and trappings in Mexico, particularly Catholic, often have a very different flavor than what you'd expect back in Spain, Italy, France, etc. What native pagan religious beliefs and traditions survived to influence Christianity in Mexico?

Were WWI dogfights feats of aircraft agility or as slow and lumbering as the aircraft themselves seem to be? And just how strong were wooden planes?

Followup: What would be the most accurate resource or visual reference for me to understand what an accurate dogfight looked like?

Especially Germany. Were they just outdated by the time the occupational forces handed over control to the new governments?