History

September 1, 2025

The Renaissance Painting That Brings the Greatest Thinkers Together Across Centuries

If you have an interest in history, philosophy, or art, the names Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Raphael, and Michelangelo may sound familiar. But beyond the topical connections some of these figures might have with others, how are they all related? The answer is simple while simultaneously layered, and it starts with a fresco titled The School of Athens.

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August 8, 2025

Explore Medieval Medical Recipes Featuring Dove Feces, Fox Lungs, and More

One of the biggest differences between medieval and contemporary life is our current medical knowledge. Today, we boast a plethora of vaccines; we’ve eradicated some of the world’s deadliest diseases; and, above all, our understanding of the human body and its health is far more advanced than it has ever been. We may pop an Advil for a headache or apply Neosporin to a cut, but what did our ancestors in the 15th century do?

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August 3, 2025

Discover One of the World’s First Novels From 1,000 Years Ago

Many consider the Kish Tablet from Sumer to be the world’s oldest written text, dating back 5,500 years to the Uruk period (c. 3500–3200 BCE). It goes without saying that the written form has dramatically evolved since its proto-cuneiform origins, transforming into verse poems, epics, fables, and much more. Novels as we know them, however, only arrived later, wholly unique given their considerable length, fictional narratives, and use of prose rather than verse.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.