I think that the formation of the State of Israel would be one catalyst, but were there others (such as the Americans, British toppling the democratic Iran in Operation Ajax in the 1950s, or support various repressive regimes in the Middle East over the last 65 years)?

I read Polybius’s Histories where he talks quite a bit about freedom, especially in comparing the Achaean League (which always stood for freedom) to the Aetolian League (which was against freedom). What did he mean by “freedom?” I imagine the definition has changed quite a bit in the last 2000 years, so I doubt he’s talking about our modern conception.

It never dawned on me till the other day that tribunes were the leaders of various Roman tribes. In the early days of Rome, there were only three, but over time they expanded out to 35 different tribes, each with different names, and were actually ordered by number. They were even recorded as having official dates of establishment.

Now clearly the term here "tribes" has a different meaning than the modern English term which means "a group of people that includes many families and relatives who have the same language, customs, and beliefs". These tribes appear to be politically created entities.

They were largely the basis for the early government of the Roman Republic as the comitia tributa, or Tribal Assembly. They elected the quaestors, aediles, and tribunes that governed and managed the state, which is something I'm more familiar with.

It's just that these "tribes" threw me for a loop since I never really heard of them, and now I would like to know more about them.

I'm imagining hunting for men, perhaps music for women. I can't think of much else though.

I want to learn more about the Vikings, but can't find any books that look decent in the bookstore. What are the best historical texts I should read, what are the important things to learn about this Vikings, etc.

Thanks!!

Did they live long enough to see him rise to power? If so, did they ever comment on any of his actions?

There were fewer than 10 murders recorded in any one of the other years before 1659. In 1659 he recorded 70 and in 1660 he recorded 20. I note there is no spike in the number of executions in either year.

His table and methods are discussed from time to time among actuaries and statisticians, but this spike in murders seems to have escaped their commentary, which is odd to me as it is the number that really jumps out at me.

Back in 2007, there was big news in the archaeological world that the Lupercal Grotto, the mythical site where Romulus and Remus were raised by a she-wolf, was located below the palace of Emperor Augustus's house on Palantine Hill.

The pictures that came from the grotto showed tremendously detailed mosaics with vivid colours, and was being hailed as one of the biggest finds of Ancient Rome, shedding light on the original founding mythology.

Except since 2007, there was been very little mentioned about it. All work as far as I can tell has moved on, and no interest is being shown in the site. Am I wrong? Is work still going on? What's the latest status?

I really want to know, what did they do? Primary sources would be welcome to!

Want a good read about this. I have watched movies about Napoleon but I dont think they cover enough info.

European history is lousy with nicknames, from obvious stuff like "the Great" to... less flattering names, like "the Bald," or "the Unready." Beyond the obvious example of Sulemain the Magnificent/Law-giver, are there any examples of Muslim rulers being given nicknames?

The impression given in Sunday school was that New Testament tax collectors could collect whatever from whomever. Was that an exxageration? Were there certain activities or classes targeted for taxation? What percentage of a population's wealth would have been taxed?

My world history teacher constantly emphasized the corruption that latifundias created in Rome, which led to major economic problems in the long run.

But what were latifundias like when they were still around?

We see often in movies/shows inns in the middle of nowhere were travellers drop by asking for food and a bed. This is a convenient trope in fiction, and as such is used across all historical period, from Roman time to modern history. But when did that became really a thing?

And was he always known to be brave and honorable, or was that stuff all made up? When did people start making shrines of Guan Yu?

Where to even start... the most "natural" form of unarmed fighting is basically a kind of MMA, because punching, kicking and grappling are all entirely valid and about equally dangerous ways to defeat and opponent so why rule any of them out. When any is ruled out there is usually a reason.

Boxing is often interpreted as a revival of Ancient Greek Pankration which was like MMA, allowed all three.

Another possibility is to consider that boxing is a revival of Pygmachia, not Pankration. Pygmachia was indeed like boxing as grappling was forbidden (and probably kicking too) but this just pushes back the question: why did the Greeks needed to forbid grappling?

In other words, if they had Pankration/MMA why did they need to invent boxing / Pygmachia?

Perhaps one answer could be that in modern MMA actually punching is the least efficient form of attack, wrestlers normally win MMA matches, so if you want to make people punch, you need to forbid everything but punching?

Even if it is the case, what is the reason either Ancient Greeks or modern Brits wanted fighters to punch instead of letting them wrestler and or kick, if that is apparently more efficient? Did they see a value in punching that is not given by wrestling, for example in soldier training? This would be my most important question. Why would the apparently least efficient form of unarmed attack (punching) be advantaged by banning other attacks (kicking, grappling), what is the point of promoting punching? Does it have a different value, like, helping in later on in armed fighting, with swords or spears, or, helping in things like enduring pain?

I did search the subreddit but could not find a satisfactory answer.

I am interested in what dating average life for gay people in medieval Europe and I haven't been able to find any good sources would appreciate whatever you can add on the subject.