What are some of the earliest examples of speeches or proclamations that are recorded word for word? I.e., where we can say with reasonable certainty that the quote was not just paraphrased or made up later.

When was the earliest that a university student could study the equivalent of an "English major"--that is, study the literature of the student's vernacular language, rather than a classical one like Latin?

Hi all,

So I really want to read the peloponnesian war, I have the penguin classics version and have read the first 90 pages, but I’m starting to find it difficult cuz of all these different places attacking each other, I’m not familiar with Ancient Greek geography and the maps provided in the book don’t seem to have many of these towns on there, or if they do they’re under a different name, so all these places are just going over my head, is there any maps I could use whilst reading the book to help? Or should I just press on hoping it will become less muddled as I read?

Thx

how did the Greeks / Romans / what have you pronounce “Varangian”

Hard g?

Is there any evidence that the Imperial Regalia of Japan ever existed? If so, is there anything to suggest that they still exist? (Or still existed as of 20 years ago.)

For context: unlike most crown jewels, the Imperial Regalia of Japan are never seen by the public. They're reported to be present (but hidden) at coronations and the like.

Were the Moors who ruled Spain black?

Which was/is the longest running empire?

Just a simple question that has been bothering me and Google brings back different answers depending how you word it. Sometimes it's Rome other times its Egypt. I assume this is caused by Rome splitting into the west and east.

Hey, I am currently looking for book recommendations. Topics I am currently looking into are all about (late) medieval age: Books about norhtern italian cities (I've read A History of Florence 1200 - 1575 by John M. Najemy so far), e.g. Milan, Bologna, Pisa or just a general history of northern italy concerning said time frame.

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Furthermore I am looking for books about the Hanseatic League and its financial strucutre + northern german cities and towns in the same time frame and their economies. vould be great if someone could help me out, thank you!

It always seemed a little fortuitous to me that George Washington, leader of the American Revolution, was ALSO partially responsible for the start of the 7 Years War. Did people take note of this at the time, like someone in the British admiralty going "Rebellion? Washington? Isn't he that guy from Jumonville's Glen?"

I am doing some light research into an artist who served for the French army during World War 1. His war record exists online and explains his regiments, but not in great detail. I'm curious if there is a way of tracking a soldier or their regiment during WW1? Any archives or sources that could be recommended? I imagine this is a complicated thing to do but simply wondering..

St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is said to be built over the remains of St. Peter himself. How certain can we be that those bones belong to the apostle?

How did the purple stripes on Roman tunics function?

Roman accounts seem to mention the latus clavus for senators and angusticlavus for equites, and in Fayyum portraits the angusticlavus is clearly visible (like here). However they are also featured in mosaics on what seems to be lower-class people like musicians and gladiator referees(?). In this one he even wears very broad stripes. Also in this banquet scene, is the young man on the left side of the couch a senator while the others are equites, since he has so much broader stripes? Are the people standing or crouching on the floor also equites?

Hello :)
I'm once again asking for some vague book recommendations... I hope its ok.

I'm looking for books about the history of some states in the USA. Specifically the western USA: I would love to learn the history of the states of California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah. I'm looking for mostly cultural (and I guess, religious too) history, but if you have interesting books about the beautiful nature in the area-that would be great too...

I would also love to learn about the history of the natives in this area. I would care mostly for their own history, but books dealing with the relationship of natives and "new" americans would be also ok...

Thank you for the help :)

Are there any books or sources that focus on pre Islamic and Islamic mythology such as djinn and other super natural factors?

Did the Spanish Inquisition wear red? Is this an actual thing, or did it just start from Monty Python? I mean the Inquisitors, I know that sometimes Sanbenitos had red, and that’s all the info I have been able to source. I saw two people have already asked on this subreddit, but the replies have been deleted, so I figured this was the best place to ask. I’m writing a story set in a slightly modified early 1520s Spain, and I wanted to know if I needed to add an in universe excuse for them wearing red because it’s just so striking. Sorry if I did something wrong, I’m new to reddit.

Boiling point of water

When around and who discovered and invented the boiling point of water

Was it a team of ppl or?

What were the difference between the shū (州), dō (道), and chō (廳) prefecture types that Japan used to use before the end of WWII?

I know that dō is still in use with Hokkaidō, but back when Japan controlled Korea and Taiwan, all prefectures in Korea were classified as dō, while Taiwan was divided into both shū and chō. Other territories like Karafuto and Kwantung were also classified as chō. Why was this?

I would like to understand Francisco Franco's political thought, and his perception of the political situation of Spain. In particular early during his reign, soon before it started, or in the period leading up to the Spanish civil war. Many other political figures of the far-right and far-left during WWII wrote boatloads of political theory. It seems that Franco's work hasn't gotten as much popular attention, at least in the US so I am unfamiliar with where to start. Does anyone have recommendations?

I'd love to understand the connection between Neo-Nazism and Nazi philosophy/Fascism in general. It often strikes me that whereas there was extensive philosophy & ideological considerations in the movements of Nazism and 20th Century Fascism, Neo-Nazism seems more defined by its racism and use of Nazi symbolism than any real ideological considerations. Is this true? Are there any works dealing with this question?

Why did the Germans find Versailles so humiliating if it wasn't even that harsh?

did people in france speak English in the 18th century?

Im reading a book about Benjamin Franklin and in it he visits paris and german and i started wondering how he communicated with people

Were the planned IJN Number 13-class battleships supposed to be equipped with 457mm (18") or 460mm (18.1") guns? Some sources state the former, some state the latter, some both at once. If there was no set caliber (i.e. it was just "approx. 46cm"), which caliber was IJN most likely to choose following their trends at the time?

It’s there a good book on the Yalta Conference? Or even just these kinds of conferences more broadly during WW2.

What are some good books to see the day to day life in the USSR?

I'm looking for a reputable source for the statistic than 90% of Dutch bicycles were stolen by the occupying German forces in World War II (or a more accurate statistic/refutation), if anyone can help.

In what professions is it easy for a migrant to find work in other countries? (think Jews in Nazi Germany)

Imagine you're a Jew in Germany in 1934, and you decide you must flee the country to avoid persecution by the Nazis. But you worry how you will feed yourself in whatever country you wash up in. What kind of professional would have the easiest time finding a job in another country?

I've heard accounts of doctors trained in Guatemala who, upon immigrating to America, had to get work as taxi drivers because their medical degree is not valid in America. Some professionals have problems like that when they want to emigrate. Their credentials are not valid in other countries, or maybe they don't have the right skill-set, or maybe they don't have the necessary connections. What sort of professionals had an easier time being immigrants/refugees?

Best books about ancient Rome? I am interested in the economy and royal families in Rome

Do we know whether or not the South Korean forces were responsible for more civilian casualties during the Korean war than the North?

How did people calculate elevations in the time of Alexander the Great?

I'm reading The Afghan Campaign by Steven Pressfield and the main character says they estimate the elevation of the pass at 2 miles high.

Are there any examples, in history, of a left wing, non socialist dictatorship ?

I was wondering about this last night. Normally, when we think of political extremism, the things that usually come in mind are fascism and Nazism for the right wing, and socialism (at least bolshevism) for the left. But are there any examples of left wing dictators that use their position of absolute power to push some left wing policies while also maintaining a capitalist system?

What is the first state that exisred in South Arabia? I was reading a book, book says the Minaean kingdom is the first state we know in South Arabia. According the book Minaen's foundation dates back to 1300 BC. But book also talks about Hadramawts, stating it has been found 2000 BC in South Arabia. So doesn't that mean first state of South Arabia was Hadramawts? Sorry if it is a silly question.

1st Scenario: I am an atheist in the middle ages during the inquisition, what would happen to me?
2nd Scenario: I go around preaching atheism during the same time, what would happen to me?

If I only have the attention span to read ONE book about Calvin Coolidge, which one should I pick?

I was looking up the history of the becoming-very-relevant-again quote

“use (eat) it up, wear it out, make (it) do, or do without”

and found MANY of his quotes interesting. More interested in his philosophy than the broader American history aspect.

Hello, I'm looking for some information regarding the time around 985 BC. My question is, was Eastern Europe, especially Romania populated at the time? Like, were there any humans present in the land that is known as Romania today? Do we have any proof for such an existence? Thank you in advance for any information!

Did any civilization in any point in time developed without any kind of religious beliefs? I find this question intriguing because it saus a lot about human’s psyche

Any sources for the bizantine empire? Also, middle eastern ancient cultures in general, you know.. Mesopotamia also.

Sumerian history, Babylonic history, the levant, arabia, etc etc. I want to learn more stuff without orientalism and stereotypes.

Why do Latin American cities seem so much more similar to European cities than US / Canadian cities do?

I would like to read about Hitler's rise to power. The events and the strategy. Is there a particular well-vetted and factual book you can recommend? I tried the booklist but none i found really matched my interest. Thank you.

Are there dictators who (are considered) was stoic, and effectively drove economic growth and decline in absolute poverty? Politically brutal and controversial, but personally stoic and patriotic?

• That's a common assessment about Park Chung-hee (dictator 1961~1979) in South Korea. I'm wondering if there's a similar figure in other countries.

In other words, is there any other dictator who sworn to lift the nation out of poverty?

I've heard that the Ottoman around 18th century decentralized their military. What does this mean exactly? (Why and how is it done? What are its advantages, and does it worth the downsides? Etc.)

A video, book, or article as a starting reference is enough

Hi, I'm wondering if there was an prominant American that was involved in the Mexican-American war and was later murdered in Mexico after the war had ended, while he was visiting one of the northern states of Mexico. I remember reading about something like thia but can not find any information on it now. Thank you.

this may be a stupid question lol, but what did dargoons/mounted infantry do with their horses when they dismounted for battle?

It occurred to me i've read here and there about these types of soldiers, but i never saw it detailed how the horses themselves were managed when not being ridden. Like... did they just sort of mill about?

Who is the figure [depicted in this engraving on a ring?] (https://imgur.com/L29Xv7e)

Deer hunting is allowed to control the deer population? (usa)

How accurate is this?

What is "honest labor" in the context in which Thomas Nast decried it in his political cartoons?

I'd asked before about some of the other things in his work (https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/b2qunf/cartoonist_thomas_nast_drew_carousing_skeletons/) but it seems strange to me that a sentence like "we hate kings and love honest labor" is supposed to be controversial and something he would ascribe to the radicals he disliked so much.

/u/TheyMightBeTrolls provided the original answer, but I'm willing to hear from anyone.

What was the name for the United States/United Colonies before colonization? Britain has Pretannia and Albion—is there one (or multiple) that was used before the land mass was colonized?

Question about WW2 tanks: I know most commanders had radios to communicate with each other, as well as an intercom type system for their crew, but could they talk to other crewmen as well? I.E the driver of another tank

So I heard a podcast recently about how annuals dominate agriculture, and it talked about the reasons who (most of them fairly obvious, such as high generation turnover). While I there were no precluding reasons given and lack of wild grain availability is enough of a push, but how is banana-culture (incl. plantains) thought to have started and propagated (especially into Uganda, which is right next to the original sources of several annual staples) in that case?

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Also, why did Europe not seek to adopt bananas like it did New World crops or exploit production in Africa like America did South America, especially given that Uganda is right there? Did they try but fail badly enough for it to not be remembered or was there no overlap between potential markets for bananas and markets for new staples (which do seem to have largely been northern)?

im reading a book about Benjamin Franklin and Im a bit confused about the politics of those days. There's a lot of talk about the Assembly and proprietors. By my understanding propriertiors were the "owners" of the colonies, is that correct? And would then be proprietors estates, and what does it mean for them to get taxed? And what is the assembly?

For example there's a line: "the fights between the governor and the assembly resumed". The Governor is probably the leader of Pennsylvania in this case but what is the Assembly?

Why did WW1 generals sent multiple men to their deaths for a tiny piece of land and repeatedly did this like it was the best move? Could they have used some Art of War and realized the importance of man power?