I'm curious as to why there are lions galore in European heraldry? What's the earliest example? Where did say, medieval nobles learn of lions? Biblical stories?Expeditions into Africa? Any record of a native lion in Europe?

What was the march back from Moscow like? I have heard many of the soldiers die, but was this mainly just foot soldiers, with the generals and higher ups surviving? Or did the higher ups die just like the lowly soldiers? How was the food for generals and Napoleon on the way back? Did they have any leftover wine or luxuries for them? Finally, did soldiers really eat each other to stay alive?

Edit: why the blame is placed on Europeans for carrying these viruses.

The wikipedia page has 8 different names listed for the man. Is this different translations over time? Or...different names used for legal documents in each?

It seems like Columbus only made it to Central and South America, and there was Vespucci and some Vikings who made it to Canada, but who was the first European to make it to the United States?

As today is Columbus Day in the U.S. I have seen a lot of use of the word genocide in relation to the enslavement and death of the indigenous population of the Americas. Genocide is a fairly modern term are people applying it to events like Columbus guilty of presentism?

It's my first day on reddit and I wanted to play around with some of the cool unique things it has to offer, so I want to learn about the Mayans. It is a random thought that just popped into my mind but especially due to the fact that I live where it used to be their territory, it interests me. Specifically I am fan of mythology, Nordic and Chinese mainly, so I would love a sum up of their believed "creation" and their how they came to being, Along this I would also love to read some specific stories because I know they have some great one but I can't remember anything other than that there were warrior brothers with incredibly hard to remember names starting with "X" and I think there was something concerning a raven or some kind of bird. Anyways, let's see what you can come up with =D Thanks!

The U.S. was able to bring the Barbary States to terms in 1805 and again in 1815. In 1816 the British Bombardment of Algiers was an overwhelming victory for the British using only a fraction of their navy. If the U.S. which was a relatively weak nation in 1805 could bring the Barbary Pirates to terms it seems that a powerful nation like Spain, France, Britain or even the Catholic church itself could have organized an expedition against the Barbary States before 1816.

It seems bizarre to me that they would be able to defeat an empire many, many times their size and population, with all the resources that entails.

I have read a fair amount about the British/Allied trenches, but would be interested to read about the German/Central Powers' perspective. German or English books would be preferred.

[To Mods -- okay, let me rephrase this question to avoid touching any contemporary politics. I am merely asking about the colonial history now.]

I think the case of Hong Kong (and Macau) seems to be very rare -- a small part of the motherland was ripped out and the motherland remains mostly intact, and relatively powerful.

Looks like most of the other colonies are buit as a whole -- either an entire ethnic group's land was occupied, or there weren't any dominating ethnic groups at all (such as India, America, Africa, etc).

I am looking for another example, but can't think of any.

In other words, did the United States ever plan on trying to acquire the area between Alaska and the rest of the country?

How were The Vikings perceived by other Europeans?

Also, do you believe you could direct me to some good books or online primary sources on this topic?

Thank you in advance.