How did King Tut of ancient Egypt die in 1325 B.C.?

how did king tut of ancient egypt die in 1325 b c scaled

King Tutankhamen, who died in 1325 B.C., was a minor king of ancient Egypt, serving for nine years from age nine to 18. Scientists believe he might have died from a blow to the head, though whether it was from an accident or an assassination is not known.

Were King Tut and Cleopatra related?

were king tut and cleopatra related

King Tut and Cleopatra were related maybe in the sense that we’re all brothers and sisters and children of Mother Earth. Apart from that, they were separated by 1,300 years and came from completely different bloodlines. Tutankhamen was a native Egyptian king. Cleopatra was part of an interloper family that came from Greek Macedonia. In … Read more

Who found the Rosetta Stone near Alexandria, Egypt in 1799?

who found the rosetta stone near alexandria egypt in 1799

A group of French engineers from Napoleon’s army found the Rosetta Stone near Alexandria, Egypt. In 1799, they were getting ready to demolish an ancient wall outside Rosetta, a city near Alexandria, Egypt. They stumbled upon a carved stone which, because it had the same message in three ancient languages, ended up becoming the key … Read more

What happened to Cleopatra’s palace after she died?

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Cleopatra’s palace still exists, but it’s underwater. A fourth century earthquake accompanied by a tsunami caused the royal island of Antirhodos to sink into the sea. The ruins of the palace were rediscovered in the murky, sewage-filled Alexandria harbor in 1992.

Did Cleopatra use makeup and what was it made of?

did cleopatra use makeup and what was it made of

Cleopatra used quite a bit of makeup, actually. She even used some of the pigments that artists of the age were also using, including lead, which probably shouldn’t be placed on your face if you value your health and sanity. Still, if you want to inspire Roman hands, here are some of her secrets: Red … Read more

What kind of snake killed Cleopatra when she commited suicide?

what kind of snake killed cleopatra when she commited suicide

The snake that killed Cleopatra on August 12, 30 B.C. might have been an especially poisonous asp called the Egyptian cobra. But it’s not absolutely certain that a snake did kill Cleopatra. After her first Roman general, Julius Caesar, was assassinated, Cleopatra took up with Mark Antony, believing him to be on the fast track … Read more

Was Cleopatra black because she was Egyption?

was cleopatra black because she was egyption

There’s absolutely no evidence to support the idea that Cleopatra was black and much evidence to discount the possibility. Although many Egyptians were black, Cleopatra was not Egyptian. She descended from a line of Macedonian Greeks in a family so determined to avoid diluting the family blood that it practiced a severe form of incestuous … Read more

How long did it take to turn a corpse into a mummy in ancient Egypt?

how long did it take to turn a corpse into a mummy in ancient egypt

It took about 70 days to turn a corpse into a mummy in ancient Egypt. Most of the wait included the drying process which included the use of salt. When the Egyptians became really good at making mummies, advanced techniques were used which involved removal of all the body’s organs except the heart.

How beautiful was Cleopatra VII Philopator, ruler and last pharaoh of ancient Egypt?

how beautiful was cleopatra vii philopator ruler and last pharaoh of ancient egypt scaled

Cleopatra wasn’t as pretty as you’d imagine. A coin issued during her reign depicted her with straight hair, a hooked nose, and a pronounced chin. In fact, she looked disconcertingly like Robin Williams in drag. So, perhaps Cleopatra had inner beauty. “Her beauty was by no means flawless,” wrote the tactful historian Plutarch, adding that … Read more

How did The Rosicrucian Museum in San Jose California obtain so many Egyptian mummies?

how did the rosicrucian museum in san jose california obtain so many egyptian mummies

It’s not as hard as you’d think to find Egyptian mummies. For nearly four thousand years, from 3100 B.C. to 649 A.D., Egyptians mummified their dead. That made for a lot of mummies lying about—about 500 million, according to best estimates. And that’s just the humans; there were animals, too—cats, wild dogs, bulls, fish, birds, … Read more

Were the ancient Egyptians the first American explorers who built the New World pyramids?

were the ancient egyptians the first american explorers who built the new world pyramids

It’s possible but unlikely that the ancient Egyptians were the first American explorers who built the New World pyramids. True, the New World pyramids were built from 1200 B.C. to the 1500s, slightly overlapping the time when Egyptians were doing the same thing, from 2700 B.C. to 1000 B.C. However, the styles, building materials, shapes, … Read more

Which countries conquered by Hitler refuse to support the Holocaust by helping the Jews?

which countries conquered by hitler refuse to support the holocaust by helping the jews

One country opposed and refused to support the Holocaust, in a big way, Denmark. On the northern border of Germany, Denmark shamefully but pragmatically surrendered to the Nazis with almost no resistance in 1940. Yet, three years later, when the Nazis tried to round up the country’s 7,000 Jews, thousands of normal folks—taxi drivers, fishermen, … Read more

What did the “D” stand for in “D-Day”?

what did the d stand for in d day

The “D” stand for in “D-Day” stand for “Day.” The term “D-Day” is typically used by the military to indicate the date of an attack without giving away the actual date. “H-Hour” is the hourly equivalent when discussing the time of an attack. “D-Day” as we know it became popularized during WWII when it was … Read more

How many people died in the gas chambers at Auschwitz in Poland during World War II?

how many people died in the gas chambers at auschwitz in poland during world war ii

Best estimates are that about four million people died at the concentration camps known as Auschwitz in Poland during World War II from overwork, starvation, and poison gas. Rudolf Hess, the death camp’s commandant, called it “the largest human slaughterhouse that history has ever known” and estimated that as many as 9,000 people a day … Read more

What was Hitler’s plan for England if Germany’s invasion plans in World War II were successful?

what was hitlers plan for england if germanys invasion plans in world war ii were successful

Hitler’s plan for England if Germany’s invasion plans were successful was pretty much the same as every other country that the Nazis conquered: Kill the intelligentsia and enslave the rest. For example, when the Nazis took over Poland, they quickly liquidated more than half of Poland’s college graduates. In Orders Concerning the Organization and Function … Read more

What were the names of the aircraft that dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945?

what were the names of the aircraft that dropped the atomic bombs on hiroshima and nagasaki in 1945

The B-29 that dropped the atomic bomb named “Little Boy” on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, was commanded by Colonel Paul Tibbets, Jr. He had painted the aircraft the day before with his mother’s name, Enola Gay. The B-29 that carried the atomic bomb named “Fat Man” to Nagasaki was known as Bockscar, often misspelled … Read more

What happened to the kids who went on the Children’s Crusade in medieval western Europe?

what happened to the kids who went on the childrens crusade in medieval western europe

The Crusades of medieval western Europe became progressively uglier as centuries passed; gold and lives were squandered, and yet the Crusaders were no closer to wresting the Holy Land from the infidel Muslims. In 1202, Crusaders ransacked Christian churches and Eastern European villages, much to the embarrassment of the Church and their communities back home. … Read more

How long did the Hundred Years’ War last?

how long did the hundred years war last

The Hundred Years’ War was fought over 126 years (1337-1453). The British won most of the battles, but the French won the war. The main reason for the war from day one was for control over the French throne. The two primary Houses involved in the conflict were the House of Valois and the House … Read more

When did William Randolph Hearst say “You furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war”?

when did william randolph hearst say you furnish the pictures and ill furnish the war scaled

William Randolph Hearst said “You furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war” in 1897. His newspapers were notorious for finding news, even where there was none. In 1897, things were tense between the United States and Spain, and rumors of war were widespread. Fueled by patriotism and a desire for inflammatory front-page material for … Read more

Did the slang term for a prostitute “hooker” originate with soldiers serving under the Civil War general Joseph Hooker?

did the slang term for a prostitute hooker originate with soldiers serving under the civil war general joseph hooker

No, the slang term for a prostitute “hooker” did not originate with soldiers serving under the Civil War general Joseph Hooker. The term was already in use in 1845, two decades before the Civil War. A more reasonable origin for the term comes from Webster’s New World Dictionary, which says that a hooker was “originally … Read more

What was the bloodiest battle fought on American soil?

what was the bloodiest battle fought on american soil

The Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 was the bloodiest battle fought on American soil. In three days 5,662 soldiers were confirmed killed, 10,584 were missing, and 27,203 were wounded. As mentioned, the Civil War was the bloodiest for Americans. More Americans died in that war than in all of its other wars combined. How bad … Read more

How was the Battle of Gettysburg started by Major General Henry Heth’s orders to find shoes for his men?

how was the battle of gettysburg started by major general henry heths orders to find shoes for his men

Here’s how the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 was started. A Confederate soldier found a local newspaper that announced a sale on a storehouse of shoes in Gettysburg. Major General Henry Heth decided that too many of his soldiers were marching barefoot, so he sent his 7,500 men down to take possession of the warehouse … Read more

What were the Pig Wars and what caused them?

what were the pig wars and what caused them

There were no fewer than three different conflicts known as the Pig Wars in three different times and places. Although none of them actually resulted in shots being fired, each could have had serious ramifications, and there are some historians who say that Pig War #3 probably helped plant the seeds for the events that … Read more

What was the weirdest cause of war?

what was the weirdest cause of war scaled

There were many strange and weird causes of war throughout history. Along with the Soccer War, here are some other wars you might want to consider while contemplating the tragic foolishness of humanity. The War of the Oaken Bucket (1325-37). This twelve-year war between the Italian cities of Modena and Bologna was triggered by the … Read more

What caused the fire that destroyed the Hindenburg in 1937?

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St. Elmo’s Fire, or, to a layperson: static electricity caused the fire that destroyed the Hindenburg in 1937. In actuality, it was probably the highly combustible hydrogen used to fuel the air ship. Why would the Nazis stupidly use hydrogen if it’s so flammable, you may be asking? Because times were tough and the U.S. … Read more

Has a tidal wave ever hit the U.S. and how many people were killed?

has a tidal wave ever hit the u s and how many people were killed

Tidal waves, more accurately called tsunamis, have hit the U.S. several times, most often in Hawaii or Alaska. However, California has been hit a couple of times in the last hundred years as well. The most deadly, but surprisingly obscure, tsunami to strike the contiguous U.S. took place in 1964. A record-shattering earthquake in Alaska … Read more

What caused the Soccer War between El Salvador and Honduras in 1969?

what caused the soccer war between el salvador and honduras in 1969

It’s true that during a particularly rough championship football (futbol) match between El Salvador and Honduras in 1969, people rioted in the streets and the stadium. When the Salvadorans won the soccer championship on a disputed call, Honduras declared war. Before a cease-fire was negotiated by international authorities, 2,000 people were killed, much of El … Read more

How many people were killed in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake?

how many people were killed in the 1906 san francisco earthquake

From the quake directly and from the burning aftermath, about 3,000 people were killed in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. At the time, the San Francisco city government downplayed the numbers and blamed them primarily on the fire. They figured that tourists and newcomers would be less frightened by fire as a familiar danger than … Read more

What is the worst earthquake in recorded history and when?

what is the worst earthquake in recorded history and when

The worst earthquake in recorded history happened on January 23, 1556, in Shansi, China. The quake killed over 830,000 people. Compare that to some of the other “big ones” throughout history: Tangshan, China, 1976—officially 255,000 dead; unofficial estimates put it at around 600,000 Aleppo, Syria, 1138-230,000 dead Xining, China, 1927-200,000 dead Messina, Italy, 1908-70,000-100,000 dead … Read more

What does tsunami literally mean in Japanese?

what does tsunami literally mean in japanese

Tsunami means Harbor Wave in Japanese. Tsunamis are caused by earthquakes and can cause major destruction to populated coastal areas. Low lying coastal areas bear the most risk and damage when these huge waves hit. One signal of a Tsunami is rapidly retreating water in the area. But by then it is usually too late … Read more

How was the merry-go-round invented during the Middle Ages as a device for training knights to joust?

how was the merry go round invented during the middle ages as a device for training knights to joust

The merry-go-round is the oldest amusement ride that still exists today and was originally created during the Middle Ages as a device for training knights to joust. It took tragedy to popularize the ride. When Catherine de Medicis’ husband was killed during a jousting tournament in 1559, the merry-go-round began to take the place of … Read more

Is Mount Vesuvius the worst and deadliest volcano in history?

is mount vesuvius the worst and deadliest volcano in history

No, the deadliest volcano in history award goes to Mount Tambora, Indonesia, for its eruption in 1815. Journalist Judith Coan describes it like this: The largest eruption during the last two centuries, as well as the deadliest volcano in recorded history, Mount Tambora exploded April 10-11, 1815. It killed an estimated 92,000 people. Almost 80,000 … Read more

Why did the Chicago fire of 1871 cause so much damage?

why did the chicago fire of 1871 cause so much damage

Besides the dryness in the air and the wood chips, the houses that burned in the Chicago fire of 1871 were old, wooden, and packed in tightly. There may have been little anyone could have done to prevent the disaster. However, it didn’t help that the firemen were misdirected when the initial call came in. … Read more

Which was worse the Great London Fire in 1666 or the Chicago fire in 1871?

which was worse the great london fire in 1666 or the chicago fire in 1871

The 1666 London fire burned four-fifths of the city and an additional 63 acres outside the city walls. The London fire burned longer, covered more land, and wreaked more architectural devastation: London’s Guildhall, the Custom House, the Royal Exchange, and beautiful St. Paul’s Cathedral. Still, the Chicago fire was worse in some ways, including lives … Read more

Did a cow really cause the Chicago fire in 1871?

did a cow really cause the chicago fire in 1871

No, a cow probably did not cause the Chicago fire in 1871, although the fire did start in the O’Leary’s barn. There’s no reason to believe the fire was anything more than the result of an extraordinary dry spell of weather mixed with the practice of keeping dry wood chips around as a cheap source … Read more

Why was the Black Death also called the Bubonic Plague?

why was the black death also called the bubonic plague

Initially the Bubonic Plague was called the Black Death because of the black sores that developed on the bodies of the afflicted. However, once a connection was made with the swollen lymph nodes called “buboes,” “Bubonic Plague” seemed a fitting and accurate label for the disease. The Black Death wiped out half of the population … Read more

What was the worst plague in human history?

what was the worst plague in human history

The Black Death that ran through China and across Europe in the 14th century is considered the worst plague in recorded history. Depending on the way the virus was contracted, 70 to 90 percent of those exposed to the plague died from it. During a five-year period, from 1347 to 1352, over 25 million people … Read more

How long did it take someone to die from the Bubonic Plague or Black Death?

how long did it take someone to die from the bubonic plague or black death

From the time of exposure, flea bite, animal bite, or exposure to mucus, to the onset of the first symptoms, headache, fever, nausea, aching, and swollen buboes, it took about six days on average for someone to die from the Bubonic Plague or Black Death. The next stage—hemorrhaging and respiratory problems stemming from severe pneumonia—came … Read more

Why did ladies wear those stupid-looking hats back in the Dark Ages?

why did ladies wear those stupid looking hats back in the dark ages

If “stupid” means “pointy” or “heart-shaped,” then the answer to why women wore those stupid-looking hats back in the Dark Ages is fairly simple: style. The tall, pointed headdress was called a steeple cap and consisted of a wire frame, which was covered by linen or silk handkerchiefs. It was worn by the noble class … Read more

Who were the 12 knights of King Arthur’s Round Table?

who were the 12 knights of king arthurs round table

Depending on whose story you read, there may have been 12 or 24 or 150 or thousands. There are many tales of King Arthur’s Round Table from different years, in both French and English. And of the traditional 12 knights, there are different lists of names. It’s anyone’s guess about the original group. First, a … Read more

Where does the term “villain” come from and how did it originate?

where does the term villain come from and how did it originate

The root for the word “villain” is found in the Old French word vilain, which in turn came from the Late Latin word villanus. Both mean “farm servant.” In today’s context, it often refers to a criminal character or antagonist, and is often used in describing fictional characters in books and film.

What is a Scullery Maid and where did the term originate?

what is a scullery maid and where did the term originate

The term scullery maid originated from Old French: escueillier, a place where bowls are kept. A scullery maid was (and still is, although the term isn’t as common as it was in the Middle Ages) a kitchen helper. In the Middle Ages, many wealthy folks in England had the luxury of being able to afford … Read more

Were there toilets or bathrooms in Medieval Europe during the Middle Ages?

were there toilets or bathrooms in medieval europe during the middle ages

An early Middle Ages anecdote notes that etiquette suggested a nobleman go “an arrow’s flight” distance into the gardens before relieving himself. Unfortunately, records indicate that not all royalty felt the need to abide by such social rules. One shocked English nobleman’s story tells of a visiting king who appallingly defecated wherever he wished throughout … Read more

Why did Knights wear full plate armor for tournament jousting when it was impractical in battle in the Middle Ages?

why did knights wear full plate armor for tournament jousting when it was impractical in battle in the middle ages

Knights wore full plate armor for tournament jousting because the battlers simply had to charge in one direction and see clearly enough to point. At the same time, their squires could rush out and attend to them once they were knocked on their breastplates or cruppers. However, if a squire were to help scoop his … Read more

What is the difference between The Middle Ages, Dark Ages, and Medieval Times?

what is the difference between the middle ages dark ages and medieval times

There isn’t much difference between The Middle Ages, Dark Ages, and Medieval Times. Although the Dark Ages traditionally refers to the first several centuries of the medieval period. Commonly, this whole medieval period extended from the end of the ancient Roman empire (somewhere around 400 A.D.) until the beginning of what is seen as “modern … Read more

When was the Dark Ages and how did the term Originate?

when was the dark ages and how did the term originate

Historians don’t call the Dark Ages that anymore; that term’s as outdated as the Edsel. The disparaging label came about sometime during the Renaissance years (from the 1300s to the 1600s) when the common man could read and write, and science and technology were flourishing. Much of the scientific and technological legacies left by the … Read more

How did Japanese Samurais who brought dishonor to their masters commit harakiri?

how did japanese samurais who brought dishonor to their masters commit harakiri

In the movies, harakiri appeared very real. Realistically, it’s not clear how often the practice of ritual suicide—or seppuku—was voluntarily carried out to clear a samurai’s honor. The practice was more frequently used as a form of punishment, not as a completely voluntary act. What was involved is also often portrayed inaccurately: After donning white … Read more

What is the Warrior’s Creed and where did it originate?

what is the warriors creed and where did it originate

The following is dubbed the Warrior’s Creed, found on just about every martial arts page on the Internet. The poem is heavy on religious principle, very Zen in nature, and attributed to an anonymous samurai from the 14th century. It might even be legitimate. I have no parents: I make the heavens and Earth my … Read more

How did the Great London Fire in 1666 start?

how did the great london fire in 1666 start

It’s reported that the 1666 fire that swept London was actually started by King Charles II’s baker, Thomas Farrinor, who accidentally went to bed with his oven still burning. The phrase “from pudding to pie” comes directly from the Great Fire of London. Farrinor’s house was situated on Pudding Lane. Pie Lane is located on … Read more