Ancient Civilizations - Unexplainable.Net

With fears of 2012 on the horizon, and many interpreting the Mayan Calendar as the last days of humanity, it’s fun and important to take a look at doomsdays throughout history so we can contrast the differences and similarities between this upcoming 2012 prophecy and previous prophecies. Interestingly enough, the earliest account of a doomsday prophecy was an Assyrian clay tablet from 2800 BC citing moral decay as a sign of the end times. Almost five thousand years later the ritual of waiting for the end continues.

11/11/09- One of Archaeology's Oldest Mysteries Solved!

Silver Earrings, weapons crafted from bronze, jewelry, treasure, and the bones of hundreds (possibly thousands) of men have been found in the Egyptian desert, solving what many hope to be one of the oldest mysteries Archaeology has ever faced. The internet became alive with activity as cell phone networks lit up and people excitedly conveyed the cryptic message all across the Earth, “Cambyses’ Army has been found!”

10/19/09- Ancient Roman Cult Practices – Animal Sacrifice and Funeral Practices
You probably already now that pleasing the gods and goddesses of ancient Rome played a significant role in the life of a Roman resident. They ultimately hoped to gain blessings in everything from raising healthy crops to finding the love of their life. In this article, you will learn how animal sacrifice helped achieve some of the religious goals of Romans, as well as some of the funeral practices of ancient Rome.

10/19/09- Ancient Roman Cult Practices – Temples and Votive Offerings
The Imperial Cult of ancient Roman days allowed politicians and emperors to strengthen their connection to the people by using the traditional gods of Rome to their benefit. The Imperial Cult also served as a way that people could prove their allegiance to Rome. In this article, you will learn some of the practices associated with this ancient cult.

10/18/09- Ancient Sites of Rome: The Pantheon and Trajan's Market

Known as the temple of all the gods, the Pantheon in Rome was constructed between 118 AD and 125 AD by the orders of Emperor Hadrian. It is a popular attraction for visitors to Italy. In this article, you will learn more about the Pantheon, as well as Trajan's Market – a favorite retail center for ancient Romans.

10/18/09- Rulers of the Western Roman Empire: Constantius III and Valentinian III
When it came to ruling ancient Rome, family ties proved very strong in determining who would take to the throne after an emperor's passing. In ancient times, it was not uncommon to see influential military heads and young boys being installed as the rule of the Western or Eastern Roman Empire. In this article, you will learn of a father and son, who once ruled ancient Rome.

10/17/09- 11 Facts About Stilicho – An Emperor's Military Sidekick
Flavius Stilicho (or Stilico) greatly influenced the emperors of his time, using his military abilities and influence to his full advantage. Before accommodating the needs of Honorius (the ruler of the Western Roman Empire), he advised and assisted Theodosius I – a Western Roman Empire ruler. In this article, you will learn more about the man who overcame barbarian family lines to become an important figure during his time.

10/17/09- Rulers of the Western Roman Empire: Honorius
Thanks to a division put in place by Diocletian in 285, the western half of the Roman Empire was referred to as the Western Roman Empire, while the eastern section of the country was mostly called the Byzantine Empire (or Eastern Roman Empire). In this article, you will encounter two rulers that reigned in the west, including one who started his political career at the age of two.

10/16/09- Ancient Sites of Rome: Roman Forum and Baths of Diocletian
From gatherings considered taboo in today's standards to a centralized meeting place for ancient ceremonies and business deals – the Roman Forum and the Baths of Diocletian are included in an impressive list of popular Roman attractions.

10/16/09- Ancient Sites of Rome: Colosseum and Piazza Navona

Colosseum

To take the most rewarding peek into the ancient history of Rome, planning a trip to the infamous city will place in the midst of fascinating attractions and landmarks. In this article, you will learn about some of the most popular ancient sites in Rome, such as the Colosseum of Rome and the Pantheon.

10/15/09- Ancient Sites of Rome: Via Appia Antica and Capitoline Hill
A trip to Rome, Italy allows tourists to explore some of the greatest works of art, historic attractions, and architecture in the world. Travelers can pay a visit to the Via Appia Antica and discover one of the most significant roads of the city or see what's left of Capitoline Hill – one of the seven notable ancient hills of Rome.

10/6/09- "Bluehenge" Discovered Near Stonehenge

Archaeologists have discovered a new site near Stonehenge that no doubt is sending shockwaves throughout the archaeological community. "Bluehenge" as it is being called seems to have been even more incredibly engineered, utilizing stones even further than previously believed.

10/3/09- Ancient Egyptians and Medicine
When it came to medicine, diagnosing the sick, and administering treatment, the ancient Egyptians learned how to make the best out of their surroundings – becoming the first to use techniques still employed in today's society. In this article, you will encounter information pertaining to the different ways ancient Egyptians administered and created their medications.

10/2/09- Ancient Monuments in Asia: Angkor Wat and Khajuraho Temples
Ask South-East Asian archeologists about the most significant archeological site in the region and many will most certainly mention Angkor Wat, found at the Angkor Archeological Park. In this article, you will learn more about this attraction, as well as the Khajuraho Temples in India.

10/2/09- Asian Historical Monuments: Taj Mahal

With an extensive array of religions, rulers, and empires, India has a multitude of ancient site and attractions for tourists visiting the Asia. For starters, the Taj Mahal is a stunning example of architecture, which leads many to forget the true purpose of this historical attraction.

9/29/09- Introducing Queen Boudicca
When it comes to strong women, there's a warrior queen in Celtic and British history that has earned a reputation as a mover and shaker in establishing power amongst her people and trying to make a stand against the oppression of foreign forces. In this article, you will learn whom the Queen stood against and whether or not her efforts were a success.

9/29/09- Queen Boudicca – The Battles
All of the tribes Queen Boudicca met with held grudges against the Romans. One of their main gripes was the supposed grants they all received, which were later redefined as 'loans.' Together, they formulated a plan to revolt against the Romans and drive their forces out of their land. In this article, you will learn which city the Queen first chose to attack, her methods in battle, and how many battles she came out a victor.

9/27/09- Early Roman Rulers - Tullus Hostilius and Ancus Marcius
Succeeding Numa Pompilius and becoming the third king of Rome, Tullus Hostilius possessed a more military persona than the ruler before him. In this article, you will learn more about the king who successfully fought wars for Rome, as well as information on the accomplishments of his successor – Ancus Marcius – grandson to a former ruler of Rome.

9/27/09- Early Roman Kings – Romulus and Numa Pompilius
Traditionally, the credit for being the founders of Rome is given to the Roman mythological twins, Romulus and Remus, who were born to the Vestal Virgin Rhea Silvia and the god of war, Mars. According to ancient historians Plutarch and Livy. Romulus was the first king of Rome. What happened to Remus? In this article, you will learn more about his fate, as well as information regarding other early Roman kings.

9/15/09- Animal Worship Around the World 2
Mesoamerican cultures (such as the Aztecs, Mayans, and the Olmec) viewed the jaguar as a symbol of fertility and played an important role in the life of a warrior. In this article, you will learn more about jaguar worship, as well as the practice of worshipping snakes and lizards.

9/4/09- Hindu Goddess Sculpture Found
Kashmir is the location where a recently uncovered sculpture of the Hindu goddess Gajalakshmi was found. Seated on a lotus throne between two lions, archeologists state that the style and design is that of Gandhara, which has connections to ancient Buddhist traditions. In this article, you will learn more about this discovery, as well as the goddess.

9/3/09- What is a Solar Deity?

A solar deity (also known as a Sun god or goddess) is a deity that represents the sun and is usually worshipped because of the power and force that symbolize. When taking a look at recorded history, the solar deity has thrived for many years. Various beliefs, myths, and legends surround the concept of a solar deity that touches upon many different cultures.

9/3/09- Solar Deities of Ancient Cultures

From gods that harness the power of the Sun to traditional rituals that include the sun in practices, such as funerary rites, the Sun served as a powerful entity for ancient cultures. In this article, you will touch upon a handful of myths and figures associated with the Sun, including the beliefs of the Aztecs, Chinese, Hindus, and Indonesians.

8/31/09- Ancient Egyptian Practices: Religion, Gods and Goddesses
Throughout every aspect of ancient Egyptian life, religion played an extremely important role. The religion that the people first followed was based on a system of polytheism, which meant that they worshipped more than one deity. In this article, you will learn more about the way ancient Egyptians viewed and approached religion and the concept of death and the afterlife.

8/31/09- Ancient Greek Facts: Marriage and the Arts
The phiale was a shallow dish used during sacrificial rituals in ancient Greek and Roman times. When the blood of a slain victim or wine was a necessary ingredient to a ceremony, the phiale held the contents before it was poured on an altar. If you ever wondered how the ancient Greeks made music or got married, consider the facts contained in this article.

8/31/09- Ancient Greek Facts: Pottery and Coins
During the 7th century BC, the Greeks were responsible for producing the first coins, which were fashioned out of a substance called electrum – an alloy of gold and silver. In this article, you will learn more facts about ancient coins, as well as the different patterns of ancient pottery in Greece.

8/31/09- Ancient Egypt Facts: Religion
When the ancient Egyptians enjoyed themselves, they would play games, such as one much similar to bowling, where large stones were arranged like pins and small stones served as a ball to knock them down. In this article, you will learn facts concerning religious practices and beliefs of ancient Egypt.

8/31/09- Ancient Egypt Facts: Everyday Living

One of the everyday tools in ancient Egyptian life was the sieve, which helped process grain and was used as the final stage in sifting of wheat before grinding. In this article, you will learn more facts concerning the everyday living practices of ancient Egyptians.

8/30/09- Ancient Roman Facts I
Ancient Rome produced well-known people in history, such as Gaius Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, Cicero, and Augustus. In this article, you will encounter a collection of interesting facts concerning the way people during ancient Roman times lived, ate, clothed themselves, and stayed entertained.

8/30/09- The Gladiator & More Ancient Roman Facts

During ancient times, the way the people played, cooked their food, and entertained one another greatly differs from today. In fact, many of the things that ancient civilizations participated in are illegal in today's society. From slavery to forcing men to fight beasts for public amusement were just some of the things that this article touches upon.

8/30/09- Get to Know Ancient Macedonians I
While Alexander the Great is one of the best-known characters in ancient Macedonian history, there are a great number of kings, poets, writers, and mighty generals that helped shape the culture. In this article, you will encounter a few notables, including King Philip II and a 2nd century military writer.

8/30/09- Get to Know Ancient Macedonians II

From clever strategists and romantic poets, ancient Macedonia produced a wealth of warriors, leaders, and contributors to the arts that are still revered in time. This article focuses on representatives of this ancient culture, including Leon of Pella, who wrote "On the Gods in Egypt" and a comic poet with a reputation so grand – a statue of him is found in the Vatican.

8/29/09- Found: Ancient Burial Site in Greece
Archeologists working in Athens, Greece have recently alerted the public to the discovery of an elaborate burial site located at the seat of the ancient Macedonian kings situated in northern Greece. At the center of the find, researchers have added to the mystery dating back 2,300 years ago, which touches upon political interests and murder.

8/25/09- Solving the Mystery of the Nok
German archeologists are on a mission to uncover details that shed light on the mysteries of a culture that thrived in Nigeria about 2,500 years ago. The task should prove difficult since most of what is known about the Nok people is left behind in odd-looking statues made out of terracotta. Amongst the broken fragments of pottery and a clay lizard, archeologists working at the University of Frankfurt am Main examine other storage vessels to get to the bottom of the mysterious culture.

8/22/09- From Art to Fashion Statements: Ancient Trivia
During the summertime, chalk drawings are a favorite pastime of children, who sketch animals and hopscotch boards up and down their sidewalks and driveways. In this article, you will learn where this practice originated, as well as who was responsible for making the first Noxzema all the way back in 157 AD.

8/22/09- From Toilet Paper to Chewing Gum: Ancient Trivia
First produced in China in 1391, toilet paper was only allotted to the emperor for his own personal use. At the time, the first toilet paper measured 2 by 3 feet and came as a sheet. This article will provide more information on the invention of toilet paper and other firsts in history.

8/3/09- The 12 Titans of Greek Mythology

Tethys

Before there was Zeus and Hera overseeing the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus, the Greek Titans held the highest position in the Greek mythology food chain. Powerful and legendary, these deities ruled during what is known as the 'Golden Age.' They served as the Elder Gods until younger gods, called the Olympians, overthrew them. This shift in power that took place in the world of Greek mythology replaced the Greek Titans – 12 in all – with the likes of Zeus.

7/31/09- An Introduction to the Mighty Zeus

When it comes to Greek mythology, there is no one higher than Zeus – the most significant of all the gods. As the king of all Greek gods, he rules over Mount Olympus – the tallest mountain in the country. Zeus is also in control of the sky and possesses the power of the thunder and lightning. Usually, you will encounter an image of Zeus with a thunderbolt in his hand, an oak tree, or the eagle bull. In this article, you will learn further background information on this powerful character in Greek mythology.

7/31/09- Zeus and the Women Before Hera

Mnemosyne

Being the King of the Gods certainly had many perks and Zeus was known for taking full advantage of his leadership role. Being the sky god, it was quite easy for him to make repeated visits to earth, where he put on disguises so that he could seduce the ladies that caught his eye. Most of the stories associated with Zeus make mention of him fighting with his wife Hera because of his philandering ways. Interestingly, most Greek myths identify Hera as his wife, but not many people realize that Zeus had other women in his life before her.

7/31/09- Ancient Greek Mythology: Who is Hera?
In the majority of Greek myths, it is Hera who usually lurks in the shadows, trying to figure out her husband's next move. Being married to Zeus is no easy task, leading her to lash out on unsuspecting mistresses and protect her interests from the offspring produced by some of Zeus' affairs.

7/31/09- 5 Facts About Hera
Hera is often portrayed in Greek mythology as the woman filled with jealousy over the many affairs of Zeus. Whether she was serving as the goddess to women and marriage or trying to take the life of one of Zeus' offspring, Hera is a chief figure in Greek mythology. In this article, you will learn more facts and trivia regarding the wife of mighty Zeus.

7/31/09- The Many Loves of Zeus: Europa

Zeus fell for the daughter of the King Agenor of Sidon – Europa, who was pretty special in Greek mythology – she even had the continent of Europe named after her. In this article, you will learn how Zeus managed to seduce the young maiden and whether or not his affections were returned.

7/31/09- The Many Loves of Zeus: Io and Semele
Possessing the power of being a supreme god made the charming ways of Zeus pretty hard to resist. Many stories and myths that we hear about Zeus show him secretly meeting other maidens, engaging in many well-known and infamous extramarital affairs. One in particular that is often told involves Io – who suffers a cruel fate because of Zeus. In this article, you will meet her and another love of Zeus that came after his marriage to Hera.

7/31/09- Significant Children of Zeus Part 1
Because of his cheating ways, Zeus fathered a great number of children – many of which would become some of the most well known of gods and goddesses in Greek mythology. In this article, you will learn the background of such notables, including Ares, Athena, and the twins.

7/31/09- Significant Children of Zeus Part 2
From the goddess of beauty and sex to the fastest of all the gods, Zeus brought into the world an assortment of gods and goddesses that have become well known in Greek mythology. In this article, you will learn about Hermes and Aphrodite, as well as the son who was quite different from all the other gods.

7/30/09- Corinthian War: Sparta and Athens
Involving some of the major city-states of ancient Greece, the Corinthian War was a significant part of Greek history because it matched cultural powerhouses against one another. Many were forced to take sides. In this article, you will meet two of the major players in the war, Sparta and Athens, as well as Thebes, who play a significant role in starting the war in the first place.

7/30/09- Why the Corinthian War Was Fought…
From 395 BC to 387 BC, the Corinthian War involved a handful of ancient Greek city-states, including the mighty Spartans and the popular Athenians. Overall, a group of four city-states decided to build a coalition (Thebes, Corinth, Athens, and Argos) so that they could defeat Sparta. With the initial backing of Persia, the city-states were confident in the war they raged. In this article, you will learn the reason why the Corinthian War broke out in the first place.

7/30/09- Corinthian War: Corinth and Argos
Sparta once found allies in Thebes and Corinth, but in the end, the cities could not abide by its imperialist policy. This drove the two cities to side with Athens – a city that was once the enemy of both. During the Corinthian War, Argos, Thebes and Corinth joined forces with Athens to fight against Sparta. In this article, you will learn a bit more about Corinth and Argos. Other facts regarding the war will also be revealed.

7/30/09- The Corinthian War: The Early Years
In 395 BC, the initial fighting of the war consisted on early events between the Thebans and other cultures. According to Xenophon, the Thebans took out their frustrations of not being bold enough to challenge Sparta by choosing to 'pick on someone else.' So they stirred a war by involving an ally of Sparta.

7/29/09- A Hodgepodge of Ancient Trivia 2

When honeybees build their honeycombs, they secrete a substance known as beeswax. We also know the substance as a material used to make candles. However, the process was not born for humans until the Middle Ages. In this article you will learn more interesting facts about ancient practices and early inventions, such as the first record of butter.

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