Some questions people have just don't require depth. This thread is a recurring feature intended to provide a space for those simple, straight forward questions that are otherwise unsuited for the format of the subreddit.
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Questions which ask about broader concepts may be removed at the discretion of the Mod Team and redirected to post as a standalone question.
We realize that in some cases, users may pose questions that they don't realize are more complicated than they think. In these cases, we will suggest reposting as a stand-alone question.
Answers MUST be properly sourced to respectable literature. Unlike regular questions in the sub where sources are only required upon request, the lack of a source will result in removal of the answer.
Academic secondary sources are prefered. Tertiary sources are acceptable if they are of academic rigor (such as a book from the 'Oxford Companion' series, or a reference work from an academic press).
The only rule being relaxed here is with regard to depth, insofar as the anticipated questions are ones which do not require it. All other rules of the subreddit are in force.
What is the subreddit's turtle logo referencing? It was Justinian until relatively recently, I believe.
I read once that the Mongols failed to invade Europe not because they had to retreat to elect a new Khan, but because European castles were made of stone rather than wood (which Asian castles were built out of), and therefore couldn’t be conquered by the siege weapons the Mongols had. Is this true at all?
Can anyone tell me what's going on in this picture? It's a woodcut by Barthel Beham named "Bauernkirchweih" from about 1530.Why are they running over swords (or more precisely Messer)? Is it some kind of courting ritual?
So why exactly was the anniversary of the October revolution in Russia/soviet union in november?
In "The Death of Stalin", the Politburo passed all motions "unanimously". How accurate was this?
I'm creating a semi-realistic zirah bagtar (or baktar) armor for a fantasy fair I go to each year. For this I got two questions:
Did the zirah bagtar ever go accompanied by a heavier, more full covering helmet?
What are some of the better sources on plated mail armors?
When was the last point in history that the Roman pantheon would have been considered a legitimate religion? And how would it have compared to Christianity of the time?
Which warship in the history of the Royal Navy participated in the highest amount of battles?
Why are Belgium and the Netherlands referred to as the low countries? I wqs watching a lecture about ww2 and specifically about 1943 and the lecturer mentioned them specifically as the low countries. Whats the reasoning behind that?
Why is the Hungarian cross on the Austria-Hungary merchant ensign "leaning?"
What were similarities between the fascism of italy, spain, and germany? And what were some differences?
Top Gear had an episode some time back, where they reached the North Pole in a Hilux and claimed to be the first to drive to the North Pole. Were they actually the first? Had anyone driven or at least tried to drive a motor vehicle to the North Pole before?
I've read years ago (can't exactly remember where, sorry) that during the short existence of New France, French relations with native populations was less bloody than between the British/American settlers and the native populations, being based in blending in with the natives rather than conquering them. Any truth to that or is it an embellished version of what really happened?
Any good, accessible, books on the history of the American state of Georgia? My girlfriend is from the southeast and wishes she knew more about the area she came from.
When and how did the romans of antiquity lose their identity as romans and become (italians? lazians?)?
What is the oldest known word which is still in use? I understand 'pig' is one if the oldest in English.
Why was there no Roman Industrial Revolution?
Did the US 1st Infantry Division take part in the liberation of Paris to any extent?
Has there even been an ex US president who successfully ran for a governorship, a seat in the house of representatives or a senate seat?
Was there any other plans to invade France on d-day.or was it always going to be a invasion from the beaches?
Anyone have any suggestions on books about mercenaries in general or mercenaries around the Italian wars? Currently I'm reading Mercenaries and their Masters(Really enjoying) and Mercenaries, Pirates and Sovereigns(Not enjoying as much, but it's still quite good)
A few years back I saw a P51 Mustang at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution in Beijing. It was painted in PLAAF colours, was one of the air force's first aircrafts, and apparently flew during the parade on 1 Oct 1949. My questions is, how exactly did the PLAAF get the Mustangs? And at that stage of the civil war, were they combat ready? Regularly doing sorties? Or mainly just for show?
Why did the Holy Roman Empire take so long to spread beyond the Elbe/Oder rivers?
Why did most scientific contributions come from Europe and US and almost none from China?
My great great grandfather fought in the Spanish-American war. I don't know much other than his name and the fact that he was in the regular army. What resources are out there for me to find more information on him?
