Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122 – 1204) was queen consort of France (1137–1152) and England (1154–1189) and duchess of Aquitaine in her own right (1137–1204). As the heir of the House of Poitiers, rulers in southwestern France, she was one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in western Europe duringContinue Reading
Among nautical myths and legends, few are as famous as the Flying Dutchman. Many have claimed to see the ghostly vessel of Captain Hendrick van der Decken (the Dutchman) since it sank in 1641. It is because of his brash attitude in the face of God’s stormy wrath that CaptainContinue Reading
Ovid’s Metamorphoses (AD 3-8) was not originally as controversial as his other poetic works. But as centuries have passed, its notoriety has increased. Recent calls to provide trigger-warnings to university students before they study the work tell us as much about modern Western attitudes towards sex, violence and censorship asContinue Reading
The Battle of Lepanto (Spanish: La Batalla de Lepanto]) is a famous painting by Filipino painter and revolutionary activist Juan Luna. Painted by Luna in 1887, the masterpiece is about the Battle of Lepanto of October 7, 1571. The painting features Don Juan of Austria (also known as Don JohnContinue Reading
The last years of Nero’s reign were characterized by a climate of fear and terror. The city and Senate were overwhelmed by the emperor’s power and suffered dearly from his paranoia. In April 68, the senator Caius Julius Vindex, governor of Gallia Lugdunensis and an Aquitanian romanised prince, decided onContinue Reading
The emperor won glowing opinions for his intelligence and efficiency, his skill in handling people and his kindness. In the year AD 177 he made his son Commodus co-emperor with him. Commodus would prove to be one of the most vicious Roman emperors ever, but in AD 180 Marcus AureliusContinue Reading
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