City gods were the pride of the ancient municipalities they were destined to watch over. As civilizations throughout the ancient world flourished, from the Mediterranean to the Fertile Crescent, cities both grand and humble were founded. With these cities came the all-powerful gods that guided them. After all, during times of uncertainty, it would be …
The history of cameras is not defined by slow-moving evolution. Rather, it was a series of world-changing discoveries and inventions followed by the rest of the world catching up. The first camera to take a permanent photograph was invented a hundred years before the portable camera was available to the middle class. A hundred years …
What does the word chaos mean? Out of chaos comes order. But someone needs to create that chaos in the first place. That’s why most ancient cultures believed that there was someone – or something – up there in the material universe, wreaking havoc before the other gods came along and put a stop to …
The Recruit of the Republican Armybefore the Reforms of Marius War offered the Roman citizen of the republic the possibility of returning covered in glory, having won both land and money. To the Romans of the early republic serving in the legion and war itself were the same thing. For Rome had no army unless …
The Men from the Ranks The main supply for the centurionate of the legions came from the ordinary men from the ranks of the legion. Though there was a significant number of centurions from the equestrian rank. Some of the late emperors of the empire prove very rare examples of ordinary soldiers who rose all …
From the difference engine and analytical engine to the differential analyzer, there have been many computers that were considered first. These innovations were not always spectacular, but they were breakthroughs that paved the way for greatness, and the stories behind their invention are eventful, awe-inspiring, and, occasionally, glorious. What Was the First Computer? Some might …