Herodotus' Words: Cambyses' Maddness

The Histories by Herodotus painted the most fascinating, colorful and BS stories considering his work meant to be non-fiction. Herodotus diagnosed Cambyses with madness and in his work Histories, he wrote events which supported his claim.

Cambyses in Vigor Boucquet's
The judgement of Cambyses

10 Things to Know About Catalan Economy of the 18th Century

From the devastation of the Spanish Succession War that the 18th century introduced, Catalonia emerged with a flourishing economy that exploited the reforms of Spain’s new Bourbon Kings. Here are 10 things to know about Catalonia's economic revival during that century:

Economic Miracle of Catalonia in the 18th Century

After suffering more than a decade of war and devastation in its wake, the people of Catalonia dreaded their future in the hands of their victor, King Felipe V (Philip V) of Spain. Either they continue to fight to the very end or make the best out of a bad situation. Their decision dictated their fate in their future in the economic life of Spain.

Herodotus' Words: Cambyses II in Egypt

The Histories by Herodotus painted the most fascinating, colorful and BS stories considering his work meant to be non-fiction. Herodotus’ account of Cambyses invasion of Egypt was already filled with gossip and stories, but his stay in Egypt continued this flair.

Image of Cambyses with prisoners

Herodotus' Words: Cambyses II and His Conquest of Egypt

The Histories by Herodotus painted the most fascinating, colorful and BS stories considering his work meant to be non-fiction. Nevertheless, it continued to serve as a source for many historical events and personalities, from Greeks, Scythians, and Persians albeit taking them with a handful of salt. His description of the reign of Cambyses certainly tells numerous interesting stories.

Cambyses II and his retinue in Egypt in a scene by Jean-Adrien Guignet

Darius the Great - the Zenith of Persian Empire

“Darius the King says: Ahuramazda, the greatest of the gods, created me, made me king, bestowed upon me this kingdom, great, possessed of good horses, possessed of good men.” 

– Darius, Palace foundation inscription

Cambyses II and His Controversial Conquest of Egypt

Cambyses II earned his place in the hallmark of Persian history with his push eastwards into North Africa. Under his rule from 530 and 522 BCE, he pushed towards the rich and fertile lands of Egypt.

Cambyses II capturing Pharaoh Psamtik III

Founders: Cyrus the Great of the Persian Empire

"Of all the powers in Asia, the kingdom of Cyrus showed itself to be the greatest and most glorious.."

- Xenophon in Cyropaedia

8 Things to Know about Tenochtitlan's and the Aztecs' Foundational Myth

The Aztecs or the Mexica possessed a very fascinating history. Difficult for its lack of simple written languages matched with mixing with myths, legends, and gods. Such as the case of the Aztecs’ origins and the foundation of their capital Tenochtitlan. Here are 8 things to know about their foundational myth.

Tenochtitlan and the Mexica Foundational Myth

They say childhood shapes an individual and the same could be said of a culture or a society. Its foundational myths set a people’s mindset, perspective, and morality. The Aztecs or Mexicans, told a foundational myth familiar to every Christians that defined their actions throughout the duration of their empire.

Aztlan in Codex Aubin

5 Causes of the Tepanec War: The Aztecs Ticket to Empire

The Tepanec War served as the Aztec Empire’s debut as a major player in Mesoamerican politics. It eliminated its rival that created a void which they filled up. But what caused this conflict that the Aztecs’ exploited to their advantage.

Causes of the Tepanec War

The Tepanec War transformed the Aztecs into a major player in the politics of Lake Texcoco then throughout Central America. The War brought together where various tribes and people united to topple down a tyrannical hegemony of the Tepanecs. But what were the causes and tyranny that brought the war in the first place?

Map of Lake Texcoco in Aztec Warfare by Ross Hassig

A Grandfather's Love and the Rise of the Aztecs

Messengers from a nascent city of Tenochtitlan arrived in the sumptuous palace of Tezozomoc in the city of Azcapotzalco, the great power that dominated the lands around Lake Texcoco, the area now known as Mexico City. The messenger brought a request from Tezozomoc’s favorite grandson, the leader of Tenochtitlan, the teenager Chimalpopoca, asking for his grandfather to allow his people to build an aqueduct. Tezozomoc agreed to his grandson’s request, an agreement and a relationship that changed a region’s political landscape.

A Joke that Left Thousands Without a Nose

32,000 Voldemort-like looking people, without a nose and only a hole in the middle of the face thanks to a “jest” by a Nahuatl-King. Such was the sheer result of the Aztecs’ fight for their survival during their migration years. An episode that displayed their ruthlessness, resilience, and martial prowess which later turned them from nomads to overlords.

Xochimilco Prisoners in Aubin Codex

Doc Recap: Reply to the 1852 Letter of President Fillmore

In 1854, Perry returned to Edo Bay to take the reply of the Japanese government from the letter that he delivered last year. A translation of the letter was made. Explore the contents of the reply of the Japan to the presidential letter.

Commodore Perry Meeting
the Japanese Commissioners

Doc Recap: 1854 Anglo-Japanese Treaty

Great Britain and Japan signed a treaty of friendship in Nagasaki just months after Perry left the Islands. It established the relation between the two countries and secured the opening of Japan for resupply. Explore the contents of the convention.

Sir James Sterling

Doc Recap: Treaty of Shimoda

In 1855, Putiatin returned to Japan to conclude a treaty delayed for over a year. The Treaty of Shimoda established formal relations between the two countries.

Putyatin in Nagasaki

10 Things to Know About the Early Leaders of the Aztecs

Behind the blood curdling stories of sacrifice by the Aztecs lies a story of beating the odds, a rags to riches story. Here are 10 things to know about the early leaders of the Aztecs who faced dangerous odds and built the foundation of a Mesoamerican Empire:

Eagle on top of a cactus, the famous sign
that marked the foundation of Tenochtitlan

Huitzilihuitl - the Second Tlatoani of the Aztecs

What do you search for a date in Tinder?

Is it the face, the body, or hobbies and interest. The 2nd leader of the Aztecs looked beyond this stuff and focused on the political value. Huitzilihuitl combined a heavy dose of marriage diplomacy with a dash of Zeus-like romance giving an entertaining story of skillful diplomacy and betterment of Aztec standard of living.

Patience and Resilience - Early Leaders of the Aztecs

A childhood defines an adult and the same could be said on states, countries and empires. In the case of the Aztec Empire, their early tribulations and resolve to survive shaped them into a formidable people. So, who led these Mesoamerican people during this period of formation?

8 Things to Know About Chinampas

The chinampas brings out captivation and the poster child for Aztec "ingenuity". Here are 8 things to know about this agricultural and engineering marvel:

1st drawing of maize to be seen in Europe

Feeding the Aztec Empire - the Chinampas

An ingenuity born out of resourcefulness of the Mesoamericans. The Chinampas sustained Mesoamericans for centuries even before the Aztecs rose to power. Its concept inspired solutions in answering today’s problems.

A Calendar of Horror? The Aztec Veintena - Part 2

They make the cruel Assyrians and Genghis Khan look like human rights activists. The Aztecs conjure up words of blood lust, human sacrifice, and heart plucking. They are brutal, but after reading the 18 Months in a year of the Aztecs based on the Florentine Codex, the level of horror just goes up. Following 18 months and the rituals involved are: 

Tlaloc, one of the major Aztec deities

A Calendar of Horror? The Aztec Veintena - Part 1

They make the cruel Assyrians and Genghis Khan look like human rights activists. The Aztecs conjure up words of blood lust, human sacrifice, and heart plucking. They are brutal, but after reading the 18 Months in a year of the Aztecs based on the Florentine Codex, the level of horror just goes up. Following 18 months and the rituals involved are: 

Acamapichtli: The First Tlatoani of the Aztecs

Looking at the basic history of the world, why are we reading about the Aztec and not the other people? In other words, how did the Aztec achieve supremacy over other peoples? The secret lies in the decision of its early ruler Acamapichtli.

Bikol [Bicol] Folklore by Rosario Bonto

Transcribed from the Beyer Ethnographic Collection of the National Library of the Philippines this tells a Bicolano creation myth with some elements becoming popular throughout the archipelago, mainly the story of Malakas and Maganda, the first man and woman coming out of a bamboo, and how different ethnicity came to be, which in reflection sounded offensive.

Made by Jaypee Arillas
(https://www.artstation.com/artwork/oABRwq)

A Bikol Folktale From Tabaco, Albay by Esperanza F. Bonto

Transcribed from the Beyer Ethnographic Collection of the National Library of the Philippines this tells the tale of a golden mortar and pestle found in a river that alludes anyone close in obtaining it. In the Philippines, folktales about golden items being found in rivers proliferated across the country and time. Even the famous Golden Tara of Butuan and the Laguna Copper Plate were found in rivers.

11 Rulers of the Aztecs of Tenochtitlan

The Florentine Codex in its Book 8 titled Kings and Lords listed the names and a summary of events of the 11 rulers of the Aztecs. Below are the list and the paraphrased summary from the codex.

A European map of Tenochtitlan

10 Things to Know About the Aztec Empire's Rise and Fall

A powerful and feared civilization in Mesoamerica that faced the Conquistadors, the Aztec earned their place in the annals of history for their blood thirsty sacrifices and their duration as an Empire. Here are 10 things to know about the rise and fall of the Aztec Empire.

What does Pope Francis and a French King have in Similar?

In 2013 Pope Francis ascended as a successor of St. Peter and brought awe to many for the simplicity he brought to a position that everyone viewed as majestic and grandiose. Few centuries ago, one man also did the same for the position that held images of palaces and grandeur. How did King Louis-Philippe like Pope Francis bring an image of man of the people to his position?

10 Things to Know about King Louis-Philippe, the Last King of the French

The Citizen King, King of the French, the last King of France, titles given to Louis Philippe who ruled the continental kingdom during a tumultuous century in European history. Here are 10 things to know about him.

The Millennial King of the French Louis-Philippe

How does a rich millennial spend his life? Pampered as a child, then passionately engulfed for a cause in his teenage years, then travels the world, before undergoing maturity on or during career, after which perhaps in old age have a more conservative view like all other generations.

Doc Recap: Minister of Interior of France to Nicolas Appert

In 1810, the Minister of Interior of the Napoleonic regime, Jean-Pierre, Count of Montalivet wrote a letter to Nicolas Appert, a famous confectioner turned preserver of meat, fruits and vegetables. 

Napoleon Bonaparte

10 Things to Know about Nicolas Appert and his Innovation in Food Preservation

Nicolas Appert made a leap in food preservation that it changed the diet of entire mankind within the 19th century turning food into an industry. Here are 10 things to know about Nicolas Appert, his time, and his innovation.

The Tragedy of Nicolas Appert

Innovating does not always ensure success or prosperity. Some ended up in dire financial stress for the rest of their lives. Just as the case for the father of modern food industry and thinker behind canning or rather bottling, Nicolas Appert.

Doc Recap: 1854 Additional Regulations on the Treaty of Kanagawa

In June 17, 1854, after few months visiting ports opened to Americans, Commodore Matthew C. Perry, commander of the US Squadron assigned to a mission in Japan, signed an agreement adding new regulations accompanying the Treaty of Kanagawa few months before. Explore the additional regulations agreed by Perry and his Japanese counter-parts.

Doc Recap: Treaty of Kanagawa

On March 31, 1854, in the village of Yokohama under the domain of Kanagawa, Commodore Perry and the Japanese commissioners led by Lord Hayashi signed a treaty of peace and amity. Explore the contents of the treaty.

From War to Tables: The Times and Innovation of Nicolas Appert

Nuclear energy and GPS all began with military use before creating a massive impact for its civilian use. Joining these example: the canned and packed foods bought from the groceries or markets. 

Industrialized Canning, 1917

Yes, apparently like nuclear energy, our packed goodies traced its development from war. A war that raged during the turn of the 18th and 19th century. The time when Europe plunged into the chaos of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars.

Doc Recap: 1852 Letter of President Fillmore to the Emperor of Japan

In 1852, President Millard Fillmore approved an expedition led by Commodore Matthew C. Perry to Japan. Among the objectives that Washington gave Perry was to deliver a letter by the President to the Emperor of Japan. The letter contained the requests of the United States of America to the Empire. Explore more about the contents of the letter bellow.

Change is Constant - The Story of Human Evolution

“Change is the only constant” as the famous saying goes. This comes with the words like evolution and adaptation. Catch words that also bring fear of extinction, the end of old and rustic. 

Doc Recap: Letter of President Franklin Pierce to the Emperor of Japan

United States Consul to Japan, Townsend Harris, met with the Shogun or Tycoon of Japan in December 1857 and handed over a letter from President Franklin Pierce to Emperor. Explore the contents of the letter bellow.

Doc Recap: 1851 Letter of President Fillmore to the Emperor of Japan

In 1851, Secretary of State and President Fillmore approved an expedition to be led by Commodore John Aulick. He was furnished with a letter to be given to the Japanese government. However, Aulick, due to controversy, never led the expedition to Japan. Explore bellow the 1851 letter of President Millard Fillmore to the Emperor of Japan.

From Textile to AI - Who is Joseph-Marie Jacquard?

AI, binary codes, metaverse - complex jargons that would be dumbfounded if Joseph-Marie Charles aka Joseph Jacquard rose up from his grave and discovered the result of his machine - the Jacquard Loom. 

A failed businessman and a jack of many trades, how did Joseph Jacquard build a machine considered as one of the ancestors of our modern computer?

10 Things to know about the Industrial Revolution of France

France is a major economy in Europe and in the world and much of its industries witnessed their growth during the 19th century that saw an explosion of innovation and advancements. Here are 10 things to know about the industrial revolution of France: