Here are a few examples of how insane Nero was. He fought in the arena as a gladiator against wild animals, but they were all drugged, so he was not in any danger and could not lose. He hired a group of youths to follow him around and applaud. The Read more…
In 1968, King was shifting his movement towards a coalition of poor African-Americans and whites. He was planning another march on Washington to be called the Poor People’s Campaign. He took time off from the planning, against the advice of some of his advisers, to support a sanitation workers’ strike Read more…
One of the worst jobs for Roman slaves was working in a laundromat (fullonica). Human urine was used in the cleaning process. The shops had big pots outside for people to contribute their urine. In other words, men (and women?) would pee in them. Urine has ammonia in it. Clothes Read more…
There were three basic types of artillery used by American forces in WWII. Guns or cannons were low trajectory, high velocity weapons that were used for direct fire. Tanks were armed with them. Mortars were used to lob small shells.. Howitzers, like in the picture, were high trajectory, medium velocity Read more…
Cato the Elder was a famous Senator in Rome. His famous demand that “Carthage must be destroyed” led to the Third Punic War and the fulfillment of his dream. One day a friend remarked to him: “It’s a scandal that no statue has been erected to you in Rome! I Read more…
The Civil War has often been called a war of brothers versus brothers. The fact that all the soldiers were Americans was exemplified by moments of fraternization like depicted in this sketch. Pickets were soldiers stationed at the front of an army as an early warning system of an enemy Read more…
In the First Punic War, after victories in naval battles at Mylae and Ecnomus, the Romans decided to invade North Africa and attack the city of Carthage. The army was led by Rome’s best general – Regulus. Regulus defeated the Carthaginian army at Adys, but his peace terms were too Read more…
It is estimated that 5% of Americans believe the moon landing was faked. At the risk of losing 5% of my viewers, here are the top five debunked. the flag is waving – How can this be when there is no wind on the moon? Simple. The flag is attached Read more…
Let’s start our drinking now – no timed To wait while they light the lamps. There’s a finger of daylight left, So lift down the goblets, slave! Lord Dionysus gave us wine To ease our cares away Read more…
Sharpshooters were first used in the Civil War in America. They were what we would call snipers today, but they also served as skirmishers. Skirmishers were soldiers placed in front of the line to either make first contact when the army was attacking or provide warning of an approaching force. Read more…