The Norse belief system was as integral a part of the people’s lives as that of any...
Middle Ages
In the second century, Origen wrote, “For those who are adorned with religion use physicians as servants...
Celtic religion in Gaul changed from natural religion at the period of conquest by Caesar to civic...
Luther objected to this practice in sermons prior to 1517. Introduction The medieval indulgence was a writ...
In the 5th century B.C., Empedocles and Anaxagoras offered arguments for the spherical nature of the Earth....
The Black Death served to promote medical innovations that laid the foundations of modern medicine. By Joseph...
The Roman-Byzantine Empire participated in extensive trade and diplomatic contacts with a wide range of societies. The...
The Byzantines found themselves in contact with an ever-expanding range of cultural groups. The treasury of the...
One viable solution to increase one’s wealth was to simply steal someone else’s property. Introduction Early medieval...
Medieval images of Christian devotion could be found alongside images of mortal life, such as romantic love....
The Ponte Vecchio is historically significant as the city’s only remaining premodern bridge. Introduction On the night...
The Vikings used sailing boats, known as knarrs, for their long-distance oceanic travels. Introduction Misconceptions about the...
Famine was commonplace and social hierarchies were often brutally enforced. Introduction Medieval cuisine includes foods, eating habits, and...
Just as in modern literature, it is a complex and rich field of study, from the utterly...
Knights were the most-feared and best-protected warriors on the medieval battlefield. Introduction The knights of medieval Europe were meant...
The Carolingian kings and emperors dominated the politics but faced constant challenges to their rule. Introduction The Carolingian...
The Chronicle of Widukind, from around 970, relates how Harald ordered the rejection of the old gods....
The Bardo Thodol was written to be read to the spirit of the deceased. Introduction The Tibetan Book of the...
The Holy Roman Empire only turned into an imperial juggernaut under the strongest of emperors. Introduction The Holy...
Jews were accused, providing an excuse for local authorities to attack both Jewish and leper communities. Introduction...
A typical military confrontation in medieval times was for one side to lay siege to an opponent’s...
Clothing in medieval Europe signified class, gender, and social hierarchy. Introduction The Medieval period in England is usually classified as the...
Their emphasis on being well-groomed and dressed reflected the value of the larger culture. Introduction Although the Vikings are...
Medieval demography relies on various lines of evidence – administrative records, wills, archaeological field data, economic data,...
Looking at the ways survivors of past pandemics tried to celebrate the triumph of life amid widespread...
In 2019 there were an estimated 40 million people worldwide subject to some form of slavery, 25%...
The taking and sale of captives was a fundamental aspect of Viking activity both within and outside...
For pagan Northmen, elves, dwarves, and other mystical beings were very real. By Irene Manea Introduction Elves...
Durham Cathedral is one measure of the swift and profound transformation brought about by the Norman Conquest...
The significance of Tours can be found in the circumstances occurring in the wake of Charles’s quick...