History & Society

6 Lost Civilizations

Some civilizations left clues as to what caused their demise, while the loss of others remains a mystery.

Jeremy Woodhouse—Digital Vision/Getty Images
Israel-Palestine Conflict Explained: History, Maps, & Dates
The "Holy Land," a moniker that Israelis and Palestinians share for their beloved region, has been mired in conflict for more than a century.
© Dmitriy Moroz/Dreamstime.com

Editor's Picks

6 Cultures That Recognize More than Two Genders
Curious about genders that defy the binary? Explore cultures around the world that recognize nonbinary identities.
Events of the Ancient Olympic Games
The Olympic Games began in Olympia, Greece, in 776 BCE and took place every four years until 393 CE. They were held in honor of Zeus. At the first Games, athletes competed in only one running event held on a single day. However, over the years other events were added, and the Games eventually were expanded to five days.
Wars of the Roses
Wars of the Roses, (1455–85), in English history, the series of dynastic civil wars whose violence and civil strife preceded the strong government of the Tudors. Fought between the houses of Lancaster and York for the English throne, the wars were named many years afterward from the supposed badges
What’s Inside the Pyramid at Chichén Itzá?
It turns out that there’s more than just rubble inside the pyramid at Chichén Itzá: sculptures, human remains, and possibly an entrance to hell!
5 Famous Battle-Axes
The weaker sex? Not these women.
Hannibal
Hannibal was a Carthaginian general, one of the great military leaders of antiquity, who commanded the Carthaginian forces against Rome in the Second Punic War (218–201 bce) and who continued to oppose Rome and its satellites until his death. Hannibal was the son of the great Carthaginian general
7 Female Firsts in U.S. Politics
A woman’s place is in the House…and the Senate.
What Was the First Book Ever Written?
Learn about the earliest surviving literature.

Spotlight: World War I

The international conflict was virtually unprecedented in the slaughter, carnage, and destruction it caused, embroiling most of Europe along with Russia, the U.S., the Middle East, and other regions. WWI led to the fall of four great imperial dynasties, resulted in the Bolshevik Revolution, and, by destabilizing Europe, laid the groundwork for WWII.

Quizzes

What’s On Your Money Quiz
Do you have the skills to know your bills?
France: A History Quiz
What French woman was arrested for wearing men’s clothing? What French landmark was supposed to last only 20 years?
Fit for a King (or Queen): the British Royalty Quiz
Acing this quiz would be a crowning achievement.
Who Said It? Famous Quotes Quiz
Can you name the people associated with these famous quotations?

Videos

The video thumbnail image shows an ancient drawing of a gladiator holding a shield and spear.
The not-so-Hollywood history of the gladiator
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

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