It can be challenging for the modern mind to wrap itself around ancient Roman art. It all starts to blend together into a homogeneous blur of white marble. The marble, including the statues, would have actually been painted, making Rome look very different from the version we see both in ruins and fictional media today. … Continue reading Unraveling Ancient Roman Art
When most people think of a monarchy, it is probably of a hereditary or primogeniture monarchy; that is to say a monarchy where the successor was chosen based on the first born male to the standing monarch. The Roman Empire, while for all intents and purposes monarchical, selected successors in a different manner. For the … Continue reading
Passchendaele: Bite and Hold or Breakthrough?
The Third Battle of Ypres, fought in Belgium and more famously known as Passchendaele was controversial from moment the battle started, much like the Battle of the Somme. Like at the Somme, the British Expeditionary Force was commanded by Douglas Haig. Haig was a product of a bygone era, where the British Empire had built … Continue reading Passchendaele: Bite and Hold or Breakthrough?
The Unknown Soldiers of the Somme
In America, we have the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Its purpose is to honor those who perished in combat and were unidentifiable. It was indeed after the First World War when this tomb was created. Though not an American battle, perhaps no battle better exemplified the need for memorials of this vain than the … Continue reading The Unknown Soldiers of the Somme
Octavian After Actium
Actium is the place most of the history books considered to be the end of the Roman Civil War between Octavian and Mark Antony. It was a naval battle that Octavian and his masterful admiral, Agrippa, won. Antony and Cleopatra would escape to Egypt, but for all intents and purposes the battle has been considered … Continue reading Octavian After Actium
The Winter of Blue Snow
Theodore Roosevelt is famous for being an outdoorsman. He was certainly largely forged by his experiences in nature, particularly those in the Dakotas. However, he was largely formed from failure in this region. He had tried to take up ranching, mostly bankrolling a working ranch from afar, sometimes helping in person, but the climate was … Continue reading The Winter of Blue Snow
Savage or not?
In hindsight, given the ultimate pacification of Native Americans, it is easy to think of the Europeans as this far advanced civilization that was an irresistible force destined to conquer the natives. Terms like “savages” perpetuate this idea. However, upon digging deeper into the information, especially concerning Europeans of the 17th century, it probably wasn’t … Continue reading Savage or not?
How President Johnson’s Racist Policy Set America Back
In a list of worst United States Presidents of all time, Abraham Lincoln’s successor, Andrew Johnson should be included near the top of this infamous group. He is famous for being the first President to be impeached in office (though retaining his Presidency by being acquitted by a single vote in the Senate), and while … Continue reading How President Johnson’s Racist Policy Set America Back
General Grant: A Butcher?
As a general, Ulysses S. Grant was often considered by critics as a sort of desensitized butcher who did not care about the death and destruction his aggressive tactics often resulted in on the battlefield. Was this true? How could a man who became so widely loved after the war that he would become an … Continue reading General Grant: A Butcher?
Theodore Roosevelt: 19th Century Rabble Rouser
It’s common in America to lament the broken nature of the current two party system. At best Congress gets nothing done due to gridlocks along party lines, and at worst it often feels like these elected officials are only out to serve their own best interests though elite patronage instead of the average citizen’s interest. … Continue reading Theodore Roosevelt: 19th Century Rabble Rouser
Seven Hills History 