Shapur I (r. 239/242-270/272), of the Sasanian Persian Empire, had a long reign filled with impressive military successes, including the besting of at least...
This Painting, by the English artist Thomas Stothard (c. 1755-1834), brings to life the framework story of The Decameron, a masterpiece of literature written...
This watercolor illustration, by the Danish artist Lorenz Frølich (c. 1820-1908), depicts the famous troll-slaying and lightning-wielding god, Thor, from Norse mythology. As a...
Regions often can acquire interesting reputations, such as being known for having intricate ceremonies and populations of great warriors, or being sea-faring people with...
Dante Alighieri (c. 1265-1321)
"The bad state of the modern world is due—
as you may see, then—to bad leadership;
and not to natural corruption in you."
...
James Madison (c. 1751-1836)
"A zeal for different opinions concerning religion, concerning government, and many other points, as well of speculation as of practice; an...
This watercolor illustration, by the Danish artist Lorenz Frølich (c. 1820-1908), depicts the famous troll-slaying and lightning-wielding god, Thor, from Norse mythology. As a...
This artwork, created by the French artist Jean-François Janinet (c. 1752 - 1814) after Jean-Jacques-François Le Barbier I (1738 – 1826), re-creates a story...
During 325 BCE, Alexander the Great completed his campaigns in India, having conquered any Indian kingdom that opposed his progress along the Indus River....
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
"The best public Measures are therefore seldom adopted from previous Wisdom but forc'd by the Occasion."
From The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin,...
Joseph Mallord William Turner (c. 1775–1851), an English painter usually known for bright, colorful and picturesque landscapes, decided on a darker theme for this...
(Mausoleum of Jingdi, Han Emperor, Xianyang, near Xi'an, photographed by Han Yang Ling, via Creative Commons)
The great Terracotta Army of the first emperor...
Professional musicians often keep taking music lessons after ascending to stardom. Athletes continue working with coaches after they become professionals and Olympians. Lawyers often...
Several ancient mythological figures, according to the tales told about them, were reportedly torn apart and put back together again by their loved ones....
This artwork, created by the French artist Jean-François Janinet (c. 1752 - 1814) after Jean-Jacques-François Le Barbier I (1738 – 1826), re-creates a story...
Several ancient mythological figures, according to the tales told about them, were reportedly torn apart and put back together again by their loved ones....
This artwork, by the French artist Eugène Delacroix (c. 1798-1863), was created as he visualized and practiced for a painting that he would produce...
William Shakespeare (c. 1564 – 1616)
"Cupid is a knavish lad,
Thus to make poor females mad."
From William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Act...
Giovanni Boccaccio (c. 1313-1375)
"I maintain that if one conducts one's life virtuously, there is no reason to be afraid of any dream that encourages...
This painted illustration, by the Danish artist Lorenz Frølich (1820-1908), depicts the powerful figure, Odin—the leading deity of the pantheon of Norse gods and...
Machiavelli (c. 1469-1527)
"There are three different kinds of brains, the one understands things unassisted, the other understands things when shown by others, the third...
In the mid-11th century BCE, the realm of the ancient Shang Dynasty in China (flourished approximately 1600–1046 BCE) was challenged by a certain King...
This painting, by the Swedish artist August Malmström (c. 1829-1901), was inspired by famous Germanic and Norse legends involving a woman named Aslög (or...
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (c. 1712-1778)
"Beware particularly, as the last piece of advice I shall give you, of sinister constructions and venomous rumours, the secret motives...
