Particularly in the napoleonic era, where armour was fairly negligible, a bow could be far more deadly, much faster firing, and more accurate (at longer ranges) than muskets.

While I'm sure the ease of use allowing for larger armies played a part in the musket being widely adopted, it does seem like at one point having archers would be incredibly effective, even if your main force is muskets

Its so fascinating how long Greek culture held strong in what is modern day Afganstan. I imagine it changed much over it's existence in the region but I wonder when did the last reminants of Greek culture die out in the region. I imagine even after they lost power they still constituted a notable minority in the region

Spanish-founded cities in the Americas tend to have been founded with very, very long official names. Why?

I’m not an historian, rather than a recently graduated lawyer with interest in modern history, among other times. So I was reading the era of revolution and wondered if it was worthy to fact check everything contrasting it with more conservative right wing historians

Beethoven originally dedicated his 3rd symphony to Napoleon Bonaparte, which he saw as an embodiment of the ideals of the french revolution, later he scratched out Napoleons name when he learned about Napoleon becoming emporer. Is there any record of Napoleon knowing about that history, did he ever listen to the Eroica later? Nothing too important, I‘m just quite curious.

I realize this particular bit of etiquette is rarely observed anymore, however, it is still observed in some situations, like during the national anthem or when someone says a public prayer. Where did this tradition come from? Do we actually know?

I was watching Sleepy Hollow last night which is of course set in upstate New York in 1799 but it's as close to an Brothers Grimm fairytale as America gets and got me wondering...

Would there be a vast untouched, untamed medieval forest that only brave adventurers enter... or would peasants and workers constant need for wood, honey, furs, and other products have turned any woods into a massive well tended garden that only rewilded later?

Following on from my previous ask, I'm creating a work of fiction which I want to make as accurate and faithful as possible. I've been doing research and I think I'm largely correct but if I could get any confirmation or pointers I would be very grateful.

So the UK, US and USSR had just defeated Nazi Germany. Victory! God knows how many millions had been spent by each faction and they all had a people to feed and nation to rebuild. Staying on good terms with each other wasn't a good way to fill the power vacuum, and another all out war just wasn't going to happen. But still no one wanted to do nothing. So as the fight between fascism and democracy became a fight between capitalism and communism, the use of bombs and firearms became the use of spies and information. Now that Germany wasn't the enemy, the West and the Soviets were going at each other to stake the now empty claim.

Obviously there was stuff going on all around the world and there was so much more nuance. All in all, would this be an accurate description of the times? Minor details aside, is this faithful to history? Anything else I should know? Because I think this is enough for what I need but I'm not a historian myself and I can't be certain I've been looking up everything I should be.

Thank you so much in advance.

I have just read in "A history of Japan" by Mason and Caiger that they were introduced in Tokugawa period (~XVI aD) but this affirmation seems strange to me. Didn't they develop this technology in Ancient China before? How come such a efficient way of fishing not be introduced before? When was fishing net introduce in Europe? I guess it must be in the times of Roman Empire or even before...

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Come share the cool stuff you love about the past!

We do not allow posts based on personal or relatives' anecdotes. Brief and short answers are allowed but MUST be properly sourced to respectable literature. All other rules also apply—no bigotry, current events, and so forth.

For this round, let’s look at: Halloween! It's the end of October, which means it's time for Halloween! Let this thread be where you share anything related to the date, the history, culture, and legends of the holiday. Want to come in costume and have us guess what/who you are? Have at it! Know what really happened to Ichabod Crane or the razor blades in apples? We're dying to hear!

I have tried to pick up "Money Women and the Law" by Joyce Warren but like many texts about the subject, it is not objective. Passages like "the 19th century own dubious narrative about itself" and "social construction" are value judgments. I like to just read what happened and form my own opinion. I really want to be more informed about the lives of women and the feminist movement, but I dislike reading biased books, even(and especially) when the bias affirms my own moral convictions.

My topics of interest are the rise of feminism, the status of women at the early modern period, and maybe something about the classical or even neolithic period.

I was watching a documentary about early European sea exploration and how they were always looking for short cuts to some where. And after pulling up a map of africas major rivers these 2 seem so close to making a short cut right through the heart of Africa.

So was there ever a plan to do so?

Hi,

A college referred to modern freelance consulting, where we are paid by the hour, as "the mercenary model". Which I though was funny but now also got me wondering; what was the real historical contract model for mercenaries?

- On the level between individual soldier and the mercenary 'company'?
- Between mercenary 'company' and it's employer?

Maybe modern freelancers can take inspiration...

I read online that around 5 million slaves were brought to Brazil (a median estimate) during the era of the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade, but I would like to know what the population grew to at its peak. I have ancestors that were runaway slaves in Brazil so I am very curious towards the answer. Also, I’ve read that the United States’ slave population ballooned to 10 million and I wonder if Brazil, considering is far greater participation in the slave trade, amassed an even greater population. Thank you.

Hello I'm as the title suggests I'm wondering about what clothing was worn by the szlachta of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth I'm aware that a Kontusz worn over a Żupan was one of the things worn but what about other things like hats, sashes, body clothing, etc.

I don't just mean the rediscovery of Greco-Roman art and literature, I get that. But why is it that we do not really see any notion of, for instance, collective economics(Sparta and Plato Republic), women's rights(Sparta and Republic), a round earth(Ptolemy), dialectics(Socrates), general philosophy about what is the truth(Plato) until 1200-1600. Seems like the only significant Greco-Roman ideas that endured the Middle Ages and collapsed during the Renaissance and Early Modern era were Galenic medicine and heliocentrism.

Wondering if there was a documented instance where the outcome of a war was decided or the tide was turned due to a natural disaster.

Title basically says it all, my main focus/curiosity focuses on if there were any prominent African American cowboys/cowgirls or if there being a lack of law structure made things better or worse for the community. I’ve been having a hard time finding good primary sources and would highly appreciate any recommendations one may have! ^^ Thanks so much in advance!

Just a passing thought. I was thinking that, in my view, people swear excessively nowadays and are usually so quick to resort to what is considered a swear word or vulgar language.

I know that in, for example, the 18th or 19th century people were more eloquent and strict in their values. Publishers didn't allow any foul language to be printed. From what I've read, up until perhaps 1970s/1980s television was very controlled and strict with what was broadcast and language was usually sanitized.

Am I wrong? Did people swear as much in the 18th/19th century? Is it possible to find out? I did try research but I'm not sure how to find out because words in print which are devoid of bad language aren't the same as getting an insight into the spoken word in a society from 100/200 years ago.

I realize it was very strict back then and religion was prevalent and followed earnestly so uttering the lord's name in vain would be a swear word or minor things by today's standards would be considered vulgar language or swear words.

Did people start swearing more from one decade/century to the next or is this a misconception and humans have always swore?

Maybe it hasn't increased over time?

America was allies with plenty of nations that were violent expansionist colonial powers, did Americans care that Japan had invaded China or Korea? Could Japan have avoided war with America by not antagonizing the Americans or was war inevitable with Japanese imperial ambitions?