Imhotep, the First Architect in History
Who was Imhotep? Imhotep stands as one of the most significant non-royal figures in ancient Egyptian history. Of uncertain origin, Imhotep forged a distinguished career in state administration as a vizier and in monumental architecture during Pharaoh Djoser’s...Read more
The right to kiss in ancient Rome
In ancient Rome, women considered respectable were required to allow themselves to be kissed not only by their husbands, but by their closest male relatives. This practice, called Ius osculi (right to kiss) was used to check that they had not drunk wine. Rome, 1st...Read more
The Europeans Who Consumed Ancient Egyptian Mummies
Throughout the centuries, doctors have employed healing techniques devoid of any scientific basis. A notable example was mummy powders. For centuries, they were deemed a genuine panacea, credited with various healing virtues, from treating ulcers and mending broken...Read more
The final fate of the Roman gladiators
The image we have of gladiators is that of men condemned to fight until their last breath, but it is one of many myths that surround the world of gladiators in ancient Rome. Although true massacres did take place, generally these were applied to those sentenced to...Read more