This question just popped into my head today and I thought it would be fun to ask.

I want to know how the worlds viewpoint of the average American has evolved over time, or if it has stayed relatively consistent. Most are familiar with the current view of the fat, dumb, gun-loving, and over-patriotic American. I'm curious as to whether there was any contrasting stereotypes beforehand, and what led to those stereotypes.

My friend named their child Atlas, which I like even for just the mythological context. But I was trying to locate other historical Atlases and couldn't find anything. I thought Alexander had one in his retinue, but I couldn't even find that. Any help would be appreciated.

First of all, is this claim true? I've seen it on wikipedia, and quoted all over the web, but haven't found a reliable source for it.

Second, what happened to such people during Germany's occupation of Belarus, and what was their fate as that territory was reclaimed by the Soviets? Were slaves taken back to Germany? Were they only able-bodied men, or also women and children?

How were they initially fed, clothed and looked after? Whose responsibility was it? Were people taken to hospital or treated else where? Were there any systems put into places to help people find their families or go back home? How did people survive in the long run with no money, belongings or homes to return to?

As an extra resource next to school I find that it really helps my studying (and I find it fun) to read books about the time period we're discussing.

I know there's a list of books in the sidebar, but I was wondering if anyone could give me tips on what they think is best. I'm sorry if this question is unnecessary or belongs in a different subreddit.

The only somewhat contemporary art (That I know of) depicting the conquest of the area was made, or commissioned by, the Spanish. It seems odd that the various massacres, wars, and trade encounters with foreign peoples wouldn't be depicted.

Muslim conquest went far and wide and with it people also started to convert to Islam. How did poor farmers in far away lands who were muslim ever get to Mecca to fulfill one of the pillars of Islam?

For a long time, cities were considered safe havens compared to the roads on the countrysides where highwaymen and robbers preyed on travellers, but what are the earliest known examples of "bad neighbourhoods" as we think of them, riddled with poverty and crime?

Edit: I am aware of the origins of the word "ghetto", and I thought it was evident from my text that I didn't refer to Jewish quarters in medieval Europe specifically, unless they fit the description above.

Was he just a silent man? Or does it stand for something else?

As I understand it, they're where used in combat sometimes and some of them have blades as long as short swords and yet I haven't seen a single seax with a crossguard. Do we know the reason behind this?

One might think that it would be very dangerous to go up against another armed opponent without any protection for your hand/fingers. Was it just because it was easier and cheaper to manufacture or is there any advantage of not having a crossguard on a blade?

In the high middle ages Bruges used to fulfil a keyrole in the trade of the low countries but it steadily declined in the following centuries. Amsterdam and Antwerp took its place. Why did Bruges became les important in terms of trade in comparisson to other cities of the region?

Was it the ungodly wealth of the caesaers, or the wealth of a moderately successful merchant?

Similarly, what can we consider the oldest language? And how much do we know of it?