Rulers of ancient Rome found that the Roman masses could be contained and pacified through a state-sponsored supply of food and entertainment—Rome’s proverbial bread...
Emperor Constantine V was the son of Emperor Leo III of Constantinople (r. 717-741), a ruler who brought much-needed stability to the Byzantine Empire...
This painting, attributed to an anonymous artist from the workshop of Filippino Lippi (c. 1457-1504), depicts two Muses—patron goddesses of arts, sciences and creativity—from...
Martin Luther
The World Luther Faced
During the 14th-16th centuries, the Papal States struggled with corruption and questionable activities. As a result, on Halloween day,...
In 1015, Olaf Haraldsson launched his bid for the throne of Norway, killing, exiling, or otherwise forcing into submission the regional jarls who were...