Have been watching HBO's Rome, and I noticed the characters do this finger gesture where they have two fingers and make a line in the air, up down. In one scene where there's an impromptu marriage where the bride and groom make the one line sign on their heads with dirt from the ground, and another when Marc Antony making the sign in the air towards Cesar's dead body.

It's looks a bit like how Christians cross themselves both in bad days and good days. I wonder if there's a connection there?

How did perishable goods get transported along the Silk Road trade routes without eventually spoiling? What methods were used for this?

Hi, can anyone send me links for the evidence of death camps during the Armenian Genocide? I'd appreciate it as i'm debating denialists

Looking for any and all books on the history of outsourcing. I'm particularly interested in books examining the way outsourcing devastated tons of rural towns in western countries like the US and the UK (just to give two random examples: Flint, MI, and Wrexham, Wales), but writing about all sides of the issue is welcome.

Is there an original source, interview perhaps for this Groucho Marx quote?

My favourite poem is the one that starts Thirty Days Hath September . . . because it actually means something.”

When writing, should emancipation, referencing the emancipation of enslaved Africans in the United States, be capitalized. Obviously, Emancipation Proclamation should be. But should it be capitalized in phrases such as "After emancipation" or "At the time of emancipation" ?

I noticed that while the official name of China's ruling party is the Communist Party of China (CPC), I generally see them referred to as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Why is this? Is there a political reason for this difference in terminology? If so, when and why did this divergence occur?

Are there any mythological places of origin for humanity, or closely associated with humanity as distinct from gods, besides eden?

I'm working on a game project with the overarching plot basically being that a bunch of different ancient pantheons and myths (alongside some fairy tales, folklore, and public domain literature, etc) suddenly came in contact with each other and are forming new alliances and factions, which then start warring for control of this newly joined world. One of the factions in the setting are humans who want humanity to forge its own path and break free from the control of any gods. I'm trying to think of a good location for their home base, as all factions in the project have a base of operation of some kind based on mythology or fiction (i.e. A coalition of death gods convene at the Asphodel meadows, a bunch of elves and fae have formed an Unseelie Court in Alfheim, etc), but I've been careful to avoid modern religions with a large body of believers. I realize that avoiding controversy entirely with a project like this is kind of impossible- Neopagans exist, so using any ancient belief system is going to have a few folks see it as disrespectful- but I still want to try not to make the game come across as appropriative or rude. To that end, I don't want to include core parts of the mythology of extant religions, including the abrahamics, hinduism, buddhism, yoruba, haitian vodou, chinese folk religion, or any of the various indigenous american and aboriginal australian beliefs. I am including things that indirectly reference such beliefs (i.e. I'm including king arthur characters, just not putting too much "camera focus" on their christian aspects), but it would feel a bit messed up to give jesus and buddha health bars, at least for the tone & type of game I'm going for.

However, this has made it hard to find a location closely associated with humanity for this project. The one I keep coming across is the garden of eden, but again, I'm trying to avoid directly referencing abrahamic religions. I thought about using Camelot or Avalon, but I'm actually having the knights of the round table as a separate faction from the independence-seeking humans (for complicated lore reasons I don't want to spend time explaining here), so those aren't really available either.

TL;DR Are there any mythological locations, preferably from religions that aren't widely practiced nowadays, associated with humanity or treated as a specific birthplace of humanity as distinct from gods?

I'm helping a friend transcribe some documents from the Royal Chelsea Hospital that show out-pensioners in the late 18th century.

The documents show regiment, name, age, length of service, reason for discharge (from regiment not hospital), location of birth and job (we think before they joined but maybe after).

A lot of the jobs are shortened to what we think is "Lab.". Now we presume that this is shorthand for labourer, but don't know for sure.

Was just wondering if anyone would have any knowledge on this?

Hello! Between "antidreyfusard" and "dreyfusard", which word appeared first?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_cities_throughout_history

Scroll down to 932 AD

According to Chandler, the biggest city in the world went from Baghdad (1.1million) in 932 to Cordoba (.35million) in 935. This surely is an error, right?

Kind of an odd question, but should I read history books in English or French when an original work is in French?

This question comes about because I just ordered "The World Turned Upside Down: Medieval Japanese Society" and realized the author is French, but the other works I intend to read following this book are in English, by English authors.

My fear is that different vocabulary might make me miss on certain connections between the two.

my understanding is that for people that lived on farms, anyone would be able to do any type of work they were able to do, since there was so much work to be done. if a woman wanted to break in a horse and was good at it, she'd be welcomed to help out, and if a man had bad legs, he'd be welcomed to make a quilt if he could figure it out.

my wife said it was more general that gender roles were so codified women would be beaten for trying to do "a mans job".

I'd understand if this was a much more rural vs urban dichotomy. What was more general though? did people believe and stick to stereotypical gender roles religiously, or was it really more up to pragmatism?

Edit - specifically 150 years ago in America

Re-asking because I'm still super curious and a got a couple of upvotes to make me wanna believe I'm not the only one who's curious:

Does anyone have any resources regarding the Dutch underground's bicycle courier network under Nazi occupation?

While visiting the Verzetsmuseum in Amsterdam, they had a poster (which I am trying to find again...) outlining various cities, and how long it would take for a letter/parcel to get between various cities using their network, for something so formalized, I was hoping to find some resources going into detail on it.

Also, if anyone can find the poster, that would be spectacular.

I've struggled to find much of any info on this network beyond the rare mention in passing.

Again, how many original Declarations of Independence exist or were sighed? We value the one in D.C., and think of it as the one and only, but weren’t there others?

Also, I am aware of a few reductions in the 19th century. Stone for example. It is highly valued, but why? Less copies exist? Better copy?

Was there any political commentary about Hawaii's flag when the Kingdom entered the international scene? I was thinking it'd be odd to feature the Union Jack when Hawaii wasn't a British holding or protectorate.

are there any surviving texts,descriptions or Manuals about "ancient sumo"?

Its my understanding that it was a sport similar to greco-roman pancrasio/pankraton, or modern vale tudo. Maybe I should ask in a sumo forum? but im sure archeologists or linguists have somehow dealt with this,

Did the eight clergymen who wrote “A call for Unity” In Alabama, (to which MLK jr responded with his famous “A letter from Birmingham Jail”) did they ever make a public response to that letter? And did they change their minds?

Did hangovers push the prohibition movement as well as the behaviour of people when drunk?

What books would you recommend when trying to learn about the American Revolution?

Did James Madison have a son with his half-sister (who was enslaved herself) and then sell his own son into slavery?

All kinda about Ancient Greek's warfare:

1. Is the light infantry largely made up of the poorer people or a more trained specialist? I think I've heard a bit of both version, so if anyone can point out an explanation that'd be nice.

2. I think I've heard something along the line of "Phillip II's reform to standardize military equipment is not to downgrade the hoplite, but to upgrade the light infantry" once (I'll try to look around after this). If this is true, then can the infantry buy their own, better armour?

3. It seems that under Phillip II's Macedonia, there's also troop called Hypaspists armed similar to the standard hoplite. Aside from training, how are they unique to hoplite and are they still in use by the successor kingdoms (especially the one who later fought Rome)?

Who is/was the highest-ranking American politician of Slavic (Russian, Polish, Czech, Serbian etc.) descent?

I'm not sure if I'm asking in the right subreddit. For context, I'm an undergraduate in Communications, but not Journalism.

Both my grandfather and my grandmother already died. The interesting bit about their history, I guess, is that they were Japanese people that came to Brazil after the war. I'm told he did everything: a small land-owner, worked in many fields owned by other people, and even worked in a restaurant as a waiter.

How can I recollect his memories as an immigrant in Brazil? I know I can conduct interviews with my relatives, and this has been how I know most of his achievements and failures.

Recommendations for books on Theodore Roosevelt?

When and where was the term "character arc" first used as we know it today?

Also, was the text in English, or is "character arc" a translation?

Sorry if this isn't the kind of question this sub is for, if that's the case please point me towards one that would be willing to answer :)

Who are some examples of rulers who have taken power of a nation or empire in decline and successfully reformed it?

Which medievalist historians would be the most recommended?

historical events where family was encouraged to turn against each other?

Hello, I've been looking through some old Pulitzer Prize winning comics, and I've come across this comic (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:But_Where_Is_the_Boat_Going%3F.jpg), and I swear I can't figure out who is supposed to be who, specifically, the guys labelled "Murray" and "Lewis". I think I know who the other guys in the boat are but I definitely don't know who those two are.

I know Congress is meant to be Congress, FDR is meant to be President Franklin D. Roosevelt, McNutt is probably meant to be the Chair of the War Manpower Commission Paul McNutt, Hershey is probably meant to be Director of the U.S. Selective Service System Lewis Hershey, and Green might be Senator Theodore F. Green, but I'm not sure. I have absolutely no clue on Murray or Lewis.

Wealthy families in Renaissance Florence lived in grand palazzos and often had villas on the countryside. What sort of building/structure would the less-wealthy have lived in? What would we call them today?

I understand most biographies set out to be impartial; that being said, what are the two best, seemingly diametrically opposed, books covering the life and/or actions of Henry Kissinger. I know he is still alive, but I would wager most of his globally impactful decisions are behind him.

Where did Akha people live between 1644-1860?

Does a digital archive exist of the American newspaper, the "Working Man's Advocate"? Written and published by the Working Men's Party, it was distributed around the early to mid-1800s. I am wondering if a digital archive exists anywhere of the newspaper? Here's a link to the Wikipedia page of the organization:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_Men's_Party_(New_York)

Are there numbers, statistics or descriptions on what it was like being in the front row of a battle as opposing forces clash? Surely it is a death sentence but did anyone live to discuss it? I'm talking battles fought with non-firearms. Film/Tv makes it seem survivable with heroes/key roles sometimes leading the charge and living to fight again.

Who is Mulic Yafric?

Tough history question I can’t find anything about this in any search engine.

In the first page of the first chapter of “A concise history of the moors in Spain 1811” the name for a person who led to the founding of the Moors of North Africa is referred to by the author Thomas Bourke as “Mulic Yafric” I literally cannot find anything about this term and can find little to nothing about this author. Why do you think that is? And where could I look that might be able to elaborate on the subject? I take credibility and credentials extremely serious in my research process. Even though the author of the book seems obviously Eurocentric I take multiple viewpoints into consideration for my further understanding on research topics in order to cross reference similarities between historians conclusions. Any help is very appreciated also feel free to message me.

Did ancient germanic tribes like the Suebi use artillery in classical antiquity? Like onagers or ballistae? Specifically before and after they first encountered republican Rome.

Where can one read more about the "guild of the handicapped" and "guild of poor men" that existed in mediaeval Europe, which u/mikedash mentioned in this post?

What's a good example of a strong historical inference of an event based on surrounding evidence?

For instance, there's no textual evidence that something was a civil war but based on archaeology we can pretty firmly say it was. Or how we might be able to determine the span of the Iron Age based solely on evidence.

Basically I'm looking for a concise example of a scientific approach to the historical method.

What are some nicknames given to the T-55 in the various countries in which it was in service? What are some nicknames of the Chinese Type 59 derived from it?

When did the Judeo-Christian religions stop practicing polygamy? Particularly in Europe/“western world.” Was this for cultural or religious reasons?

What are some examples of near Utopian societies?

The Egyptians had well established mythology surrounding the existence of an afterlife, and many cultures after them in the Middle East/Mediterranean/Europe share this concept of an afterlife existing. A quick Google implies that ancient Eastern and Ancient American cultures also had beliefs relating to an afterlife existing. And while the exact details are widely different, the general concepts of this afterlife seem parallel across cultures and parts of the world.

My question is, who first created the concept of an afterlife? Or rather, when did the idea of an afterlife first pop up? Was the afterlife-concept created multiple times across cultures like some sort of convergent evolution, or is there a single root culture that spread the idea?

Not a simple question - but I like to read historical documents in archive.org.

This ranges from newspapers in 1800's /1700's on how they covered important events (retrospectively) and a lot of books which were published in 1800's / early 1900's.

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What are some documents/books that you have read that have made a fascinating read?

Is there any firm information on the actions of the Young Hegelians or the Die Freien out there? I get the impression from checking the Wikipedia pages of the prominent members that scholars aren't really sure of the timeline and are basically reconstructing what may have been discussed from various biographies. Or maybe it's just all in German.

Which mountain or mountain chain inspired the phrase "move mountains" or "move a mountain"?
A quick Google places the phrase's etymology firmly in a Biblical setting, which is largely where I've encountered it, but if anyone can shed any light on where people first thought of mountains as being 'in their way' and needing to be moved. Thanks!

What was some non-water, non-alcoholic beverages that were drunk in Medieval Germany, France, England, etc?

We all know that the water was perfectly safe to drink, and that beer & wine was drunk in all its varieties for fun but was there any options for a drink that didn't get me drunk and that wasn't water?

Lizzo playing an old flute (awesome) has me wondering what other cool treasures the Library of Congress has. I tried looking on their website for like a list of other objects they have but didn't see anything. Anyone know if they catalog it online?

Any biography recomandation on Zhukov? Thank you in advance!

Why were the corners of an infantry block most vulnerable to cavalry in the middle ages and would a circle be the most effective anti-cavalry formation?

Can anybody suggest me some books on the danish and swedish wars in the 1500s and 1600s? I can read both english and danish.

Can anyone refer me to other various historical events when currencies around the world began to collapse but one reigned supreme (like the USD currently)? First time posting here, so sorry if this is. little vague. Looking forward to seeing y'all's answers and visiting this sub more often.

Could anyone recommend some highly readable books about the Boer War? Either historical fiction novels (but not wildly inaccurate ones!), or interesting historical non-fiction. Thanks!

What's the earliest known instance of a villain declaring themselves to be on the side of 'evil'? Not in the 'My ends justify the means so I am actually good' style but 'Magneto and the Evil Brotherhood of Mutants' style.

How much did an M69 incendiary bomb cost in 1945?

Are there any historical figures for whom there is a reasonable basis to believe they faked their own death?

While in Germany, Alfred Noble tried to figure out how to stabilise his explosives. I have a vague recollection that the final solution, Kieselgur, was suggested by another famous contemporary. I cannot for the life of me find any information as to if that's true, and if so who it was. can anyone help?

How do I know if a history book is good/well sourced/accurate? Picked up a few books from a library sale/I want to read more about history, but I worry I'll pick up misinformation and not know it. The books I got were:

The battered bastards of Bastogne by George Koskimaki

Gettysburg by Stephen W Sears

Chasing the Demon by Dan Hampton

A concise history of the middle east 11th ed by Arthur Goldschmidt

Mayflower by Nathaniel philbrick

Cochise by Edwin r Sweeney

D-Day by Stephen Ambrose

Ik it's a little american centric I want to try to branch out but 🤷🏻‍♂️

How have the U.S. Armed Forces adapted their recruiting and training standards as demographic trends and physical fitness have changed in the civilian population over the last century?

Looking for a book on the history of monarchy, and the different forms it has taken through western civilization.

When did people start calling WW2 the 'second world war' or 'world war 2'? After all, it it probably wasn't obvious from the beginning that WW2 would be a war of the same scale as WW1, which was if I remember correctly simply called 'the great war' until WW2 happened.

What was the biggest size for a bag before 1600?

Armor is pretty heavy and you can't always be wearing that cause it wears and tears. Plus travelling knights would need food and supplies in between areas. So I'm wondering, what would be the biggest bag available for them to carry all that stuff in?¹

Why did the Arab rulers become so reliant on slave-soldiers such as the Mamluks and Ghilman? Did it have something to do with the concurrent Islamic Golden Age?

From what I've read around, it seems that the Ancient Greeks' hoplites are generally made of citizens who have at best very little training (especially in maneuvering). If that is the case, how did they manage to win against the much larger Persia in the Greco-Persian war? Or is this lack of training something normal for the time?

Was Heinz Guderian inspired by Napoleon Bonaparte's tactics to create the "Blizkrieg" shortly before the outbreak of World War II?

What date in 1987 was unemployment compensation considered taxable income in the USA? I know the year, I'd like to know the date, please.

Can you point me to archive answers on the Atlantic Slave Trade? I cannot seem to find the trove I was expecting. Specifically there’s a minor Twitter argument going on about African capture of people to sell to traders and whether that’s apologist or not. I’d like to read sources I trust, and here I am!

The Duchy of Swabia was a vital stem Duchy and the birthplace of many Imperial dynasties and yet ceased to exist in the 14th century, and despite a short lived Habsburg revival, Swabia never returned.

During the "mediatisation" of the HRE or when Napoleon was playing in Germany, was there any attempt to rebuild Swabia? Instead of a King of Württemberg, a King of Swabia?

Why does the USDA use Cheddar cheese for its cheese reserve in Missouri, as opposed to any other kind of cheese? What’s the logic behind using cheddar and not, like Gouda?

Who was defeated by Caesar, then later killed by Antony?

I'm doing a puzzle wherein this riddle provides an answer in the form [name]-[suffix] (ie Charles III) and I can't for the life of me find a name that works.

Were there any eye witness* accounts that saw Jesus’ crucifixion and his resurrection? What records are there of this, if any?

*By eye witness I mean to say people who saw Jesus die on the cross and then saw Jesus resurrect.

TIA.

What was the name of the person or people who would trap slaves?

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I'm just wondering I want to read personal accounts if any exist of someone whose job it would have been to go to another country, get slaves and bring them back and sell them. I like to see perspectives of every type of person to learn why they would do something like that and how they would do something like that. Any information would be appreciated.

Who are some people in history who had a big ego but also showed achievements to back it up?

What do these markings in the road mean? Wheel with spokes. Found in Ephesus, Turkiye. https://i.imgur.com/qISS8tP.jpg

It's a mystery question!

There is a series of cues for this, no one around me had the faintest idea. I have this written on paper but I don't remember the source. I tried to google for 2 hours in different languages but I had nothing. There goes the clues my fellow historian redditors: -They are a author who is also a soldier. -This author belittles Italy in his famous book and this attitude is was not welcomed. -There is a street after the author's name in the city that the author died. -This author was wounded in a war heavily. Therefore they had to leave the army. After that, they spent 10 years travelling Europe which is an important source for their works. -This writer has a book about a ruler/sovereign. When it was first published, the writer was at their 60s. -After finding out about this author, you'll see that they are the founder of something. What is it?

What swords were Roman legionary infantry using during the Crisis Of The Third Century; the gladius or the spatha? I know cavalry were already using the spatha and militia used a lot of older equipment like scutums and I assume gladii and that later infantry were DEFINITELY using the spatha; but what were legionaires using between the two during The Crisis era?

Was there an unexplained influx of copper by the Vikings?

what magazines did US paratroopers use for the Thompson SMG during D-day and market garden? Ive read an article that said the orders were 400 rounds, 14 20rnd mags in pouches and 1 in the weapon itself. Ive also seen pictures with 30 round mags and read that they used 30 round mags but im very unsure who or what the believe.

Here's the short version of my recent post.

What other mottos were there during the French Revolution?

Later totalitarian and revolutionary states will master the art of a bon mot for propaganda purposes. Was this present during the French Revolution?

"Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" is the most famous rallying cry of the French Revolution, but through its various phases and with the shifting leadership, were there any others which emphasized the ideals of one group or another? As its goals changed, did its symbols or new-style "heraldry?"

Who is the last king of France?

If I google "the last king of france," louis 16 pops up, and many sites describe louis 16 as the "last king of France."

But it also says louis 18 and Charles X was king after Louis 16.

I'm really confused 😕

Is "how royal someone is" determined the same way as genes, or is it determined through the hereditery title of monarch? Here are examples of both possibilities, to clearly explain what I mean (btw for all of these examples I will be ignoring incest and royal blood from different royal families):

Example 1 (royalty = genes): George V is the first king of the house of Windsor, which makes him 100% royal, then his children are 50% royal, then their kids are 25% royal and so on and so forth

Example 2 (royalty = based on title): George V is the first king of the house of Windsor, making him 100% royal. His kids are 50% royal, except for Edward VII who becomes 100% royal after inhereting the throne. Then Edward's kids are 50% royal, while his nieces and nephews are 25% royal. Then George VI (Edward's oldest son) inherits the throne and becomes 100% royal and so on.

Which one seems more accurate to how we determine royalty? Or is there a different method?

I've seen the claim thrown around that the british killed 1.8 billion indians, which is obviously false, whats the true numbers then? Counting from the famines you get 48 million, but do the british get the blame for all deaths in all of them?

Seen this painting https://imgur.com/a/KXOL7jd in a museum with a label that said anonymous 17th century?