16 Epic Movies That May Teach You A History Lesson You Missed At School

troy-2004Movies set in antiquity have the magical ability to take us back in time, while they usually offer big doses of entertainment and action. Epics and historical dramas follow the fascinating adventures of great heroes and notable figures of the past, while they often present us a side of their personality that we didn’t get a chance to know through history books. On several occasions these films also educate us, but only when Hollywood hasn’t totally disregarded the facts of the original story or historical event that is being portrayed….READ MORE

Coming Up Roses: Morocco’s Magical Rose Festival

Roses2-8e5500171761.jpgAccording to ancient Greek mythology, roses were first introduced to the world by Aphrodite, the goddess of love, who created the flowers from her tears and the blood of her lover, Adonis. While many of us might not believe in such myths today, there’s still a place and time where the incredible beauty and scent of this flower could make you think, just for a moment, that it has otherworldly origins…..READ MORE

The Fascinating Evolution Of Sports Team Logos

FIFA_LogoA good sports logo should be emblematic, recognizable by millions of people in every corner of the planet. The crown of Real Madrid, for example, holds more sway than Queen Elizabeth’s crown and that’s no exaggeration. The “NY” of the Yankees is also one of the most famous sport symbols of people wear hats that bear the “NY” whether they root for the Yankees or not. However, have you ever thought about how these famous team logos have evolved throughout the years, and would you recognize your favorite team’s logo if you saw it in its earliest incarnation….READ MORE

25 Incredible Facts About Bats You Probably Didn’t Know

716759befb533ecfc06ca1ce502ac0c5According to many paleontologists and scientists, bats have been around for millions of years, even before humans inhabited the planet, and are some of the most fascinating creatures in the world. Although bats don’t have a great reputation in terms of public perception, they are actually really cool creatures. Curious about what makes them so cool? Check out these 25 Incredible Facts About Bats You Probably Didn’t Know….READ MORE

14 Crazy Facts About The Building Of The Taj Mahal

Ì©¼§Áê¸ßÇå±ÚÖ½The Taj Mahal was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, recognized as a jewel of Muslim art and for being one of the most admired masterpieces of human culture and ingenuity. With more than eight million people visiting annually, the Taj Mahal – though relatively new compared to some of the world’s most famous monuments such as the Parthenon, the Pyramids, and the Coliseum – has rightfully earned a prestigious place in history for its unique architecture and art. Read on to understand just why this gorgeous mausoleum has been declared one of the “New 7 Wonders of the World….READ MORE

A Makeshift Casket of Sea Shells and Antlers: The 6500-Year-Old Grave of the Unfortunate Ladies of Téviec

Sea-Shells-and-AntlersTéviec is one of the very few known Mesolithic sites in Brittany, along with Pointe de la Torche, Hoëdic and Beg er Vil on the Quibe. It has been the subject of a biotope protection scheme for the past 35 years. Therefore, landing on the island has become a troublesome task for contemporary archaeologists, since it is generally prohibited from 15 April to 31 August.

That wasn’t always the case, though. From 1928 to 1934, archaeologists Marthe and Saint-Just Péquart discovered and excavated a culturally and archaeologically rich Mesolithic site on the island, dated to between 5700 and 4500 BC. According to most historians, this is considered the end of the Mesolithic period in western France and it overlaps with the beginning of the Neolithic period….READ MORE

The Ancient Greek Symposium: Just an Excuse for Debauchery?

Plato's_Symposium_-_Anselm_Feuerbach_-_Google_Cultural_InstituteIt’s no secret that the ancient Greeks loved to have parties, dance and drink for every occasion. It could be celebrating a birth, the arrival of a loved person or a marriage. Indeed, in many cases no specific purpose was required for them to celebrate. These parties and celebrations, however, shouldn’t be confused with the symposium (or symposion), a very significant aspect of ancient Greek life that usually took place in private homes. At a symposium, Greek males gathered for more than just drinking, eating, and having fun, as many falsely believe today….READ MORE

11 Things Most People Don’t Know About Pompeii

mount-vesuvius-eruption-79adMount Vesuvius was responsible for the destruction of the city of Pompeii in 79 AD. Most everyone has heard one story or another about arguably the most well-known volcanic eruption in history, but how many of you know what really happened on that fateful day in Pompeii? Weirdly, Mount Vesuvius isn’t really that impressive in person. In terms of size, it’s really more like a reasonably big hill. Of course, those with even a cursory knowledge of history or geology know that this mountain located on the west coast of Italy is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Honestly, the Vesuvius eruption is not even the most interesting part of the story of the Italian city….READ MORE