Sat, Nov 28, 2020
Occupied in battles with the Gauls the Roman Repubilc had no intention of invading Greece until rebellions and factional warfare affected Roman interests on the seas. Doing battle in Greece, the Romans walked into a quagmire but effectively used the various factions in the several wars that followed to brutally crush resistance and dominate Greece.
Wed, Apr 21, 2021
In an effort to maintain his empire after his death Charlemagne divided it between his three legitimate sons to make it easier to administer and to provided to an inheritance for each. Despite his sons infighting the plan succeed for a time. The sons even negotiated the Treaty-of-Verdon in 843 formally dividing the kingdom between them. This division laid the ground work for the nations of France and Germany although the entire kingdom was again briefly unified under Charles the Fat. But the proliferation of heirs and external enemies again divided the kingdom.
Sat, May 22, 2021
Kings and Generals animated historical animated documentary series on the Hundred Years' War continues with a video on the aftermath of the French resurgence during the reign of Charles V and the leadership of Bertrand du Guesclin, as another generation of French and English kings and commanders planning to restart the conflict in what would later be called Lancastrian War. King of England Henry V is on the rise and he will challenge the French constable Charles d'Albret at the battle of Agincourt in 1415.
Sat, Jul 31, 2021
Prior to the introduction Enclosure in England in 1235 land was held in common though strips of land were typically cultivated by the same family year after year. Farm productivity tended to decline as a result because it was difficult to introduce new farming methods even as basic as crop rotation. Enclosure permitted private ownership of land which, over the next 500 years increasingly benefited the rich at the expense of the poor but eventually lead to more productive land management methods freeing labor for the early industrialization of England.
Mon, Aug 16, 2021
During his term as dictator Julius Ceasar was a great reformer. Historians generally agree that many of the reforms were over due and a few were ahead of their time. While the reforms were generally egalitarian Ceasar is criticized for them by his opponents and historians Plutarch and Dio because they increased his power, popularity and influence while distributing and hence lessening the power of his opponents leading to accusations of corruption.
Mon, Aug 30, 2021
It is often stated that Julius Caesar was assassinated because he proclaimed himself king which Senators despised. Yet as officially dictator he already had most of the power of a king and a large portion of the Senate wanted him to be king. In fact he declined many honors in an effort to maintain a middle ground. Perhaps the sixty or so conspirators had personal reasons for assassinating him. Let's look at their possible motivations.
Mon, Sep 6, 2021
By the time the Romans withdrew from Britain, Celtic culture, which had once dominated Europe, was limited to the British Isles. As the Celtic tribes battled for dominance the Britons recruited mercenaries from the Anglos and Saxons on the mainland only to discover they had introduced another contender for dominance.
Fri, Dec 17, 2021
Prior to the Crusades Musims viewed Europeans as aggressive barbarians, their few contacts generally involving military conflicts. So initially they did not perceived the crusaders as much of an adversary. But the Crusaders struck during a time of disarray while the Caliphates were in decline and following the death of several important leaders. Christian occupation and atrocities in the Levant caused greater resentment but increased diplomacy lead to more realistic perspective of Europeans. The Muslim world never really recovered and still holds resentment toward Europeans.