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People of History

Stories of people/events - individuals or mass events

The Greatest Treasure Hunt in History? WWII's Monuments Men and Women

By Cecilia Bogaard - January, 19 2024

For many, the first time they learned about the so-called ‘Monuments Men,’ was when the group’s story was dramatized in the 2014 film directed by George Clooney by the same name. Established in 1943 by the Allied forces, under the name the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Section Unit (MFAA), this was an almost 400-strong group tasked by the then President of the United States, Franklin D.

Rivalry of Renaissance Masters: Leonardo da Vinci Vs. Michelangelo

By Alicia McDermott - January, 19 2024

The rivalry between Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, two of the most renowned artists of the Renaissance, is a fascinating story that illustrates the competitive spirit and the contrasting personalities and styles of these two titans of their time. Let’s explore why and how the famous Renaissance men did not get along.

Queen Elizabeth I: Iconic Fashion and Dangerous Beauty Choices

By Ancient Origins - July, 18 2023

Queen Elizabeth I was one of the most successful and celebrated queens in British history. The daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, she came to the throne on November 17, 1558, following the death of her older half-sister, Mary I. While Elizabeth's reign is widely recognized for ushering in a golden age, she herself has also been remembered for her iconic fashion choices and style.

Mary Anning: The Princess of Paleontology Finally Gets the Attention She Deserves

By Ancient Origins - July, 18 2023

During the 19th century, Mary Anning (1799 to 1847) was an enigma. A self-taught fossil-hunter and paleontologist—during a time when science was most definitely a man’s world—in the 21st century Anning has finally started to get the attention she deserves for the role she played excavating glimpses into prehistory at the Jurassic coast near her home town of Lyme Regis in Dorset, England.

Following in the Footsteps of Historic Explorers

By Alicia McDermott - May, 16 2023

The idea of venturing into the unknown, facing danger, and discovering something new has captivated people for centuries. From the great sea voyages of the Age of Discovery to the exploration of the polar regions and beyond, the exploits of famous explorers have captured public imagination. For some people, the allure of exploration is so strong that they have decided to recreate the famous journeys of historical explorers themselves.

Zheng He: China’s Maritime Marvel

By Dhwty - May, 16 2023

Zheng He (also known as Cheng Ho) is one of the most famous admirals in Chinese history and is best known for his treasure voyages. These voyages served to showcase the power and the wealth of the Ming Dynasty to the known world and were commissioned by the Ming Dynasty’s Yongle Emperor himself.

King Arthur: A Very British Messiah?

By Ancient Origins - February, 13 2023

King Arthur is undoubtedly one of the most enduringly popular heroes to come out of the medieval era, and he has meant many things to many people for hundreds of years. Over time, the mythology of Arthur grew as new stories were added to the existing ones and his fame spread throughout Britain and beyond.

The True Story of Joan of Arc

By Ancient Origins - February, 13 2023

Joan of Arc was a young peasant woman who lived during the last phase of the Hundred Years’ War. This war was a series of military conflicts between France and England which began in 1337 due to an inheritance dispute over the French throne. It ended in 1453. The 116 years of the war saw the rise and fall of several kings and nobles, many of whom are noteworthy in their own right.

Fearless All-Female Military Force: The Dahomey Amazons

By Ancient Origins - February, 13 2023

The Dahomey Amazons were an all-female Fon military regiment of the Kingdom of Dahomey, a West African kingdom which was located within present-day Benin. They were dubbed “Amazons” by Western historians who likened them to the mythical Amazons of ancient Anatolia and the Black Sea. In their homeland, they were known as Mino, or Minon, meaning “our mothers.”

The Majesty of Ancient Egyptian Queens

By Ancient Origins - November, 14 2022

Although many people today refer to the wives of ancient Egyptian kings and female Egyptian pharaohs as queens, in ancient Egypt all the people surrounding the king (pharaoh) were referred to by their relationship to him/her. This was not meant to diminish a woman’s role per se, it was simply because all royal titles emphasized the individual’s relationship to the powerful king.

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