Who was Pope Leo III?

In 800, his decision to crown Charlemagne created the most confusing political entity in Europe that lasted for about a millennia. The Holy Roman Empire owed its existence to Charlemagne and the man who crowned him Roman Emperor – Pope Leo III, but who was Pope Leo III?

How Great was Charlemagne?

Charlemagne or Charles the Great in French became a legendary icon for Europe. Even being dubbed as "Father of Europe," many countries credit him for setting their roots. But what made Charlemagne the Great?

Roads in History: Roman Empire

The Roman Empire was the prominent superpower in Europe for more than half a millennium. It lands encompassed the coastlines of the whole Mediterranean Sea and towards north covering half of the British Isles. To connect such a massive empire resulted to the creation of one of the best known road networks in history. Roads had been a way to connect lands, kingdoms, and empires. It brought great benefits to civilizations that created such networks. And one of the first well-known civilizations to use roads in a massive scale was the Roman Empire.

Rape of the Sabine Women: The Growth of Rome

Rape of the Sabine Women by Pietro da Cortona

Rome forged one of the greatest Empires that the world had ever seen. Covering the whole Mediterranean and most of Europe, it became a standard of many empire in the future. Its civilization became the envy of many civilization. Its beginnings, however, was shrouded with legends. The famous story of the twins Romulus and Remus was about the foundation of Rome. It was a story of murder. But the legendary story of growth of Rome was equally heinous and barbaric. The legend of the Rape of the Sabine Women was a story of deception, abduction, and off course, rape.

Antonine Plague:The End of Pax Romana

Galen

The period of Pax Romana lasted for over a century. Spanning over the reign of the Five Good Emperors, it was a period of prosperity, peace, and expansion for the Roman civilization. But during the reign of the last of the Five Good Emperors, Marcus Aurelius, calamity struck the Empire. Even more deadly than a barbarian invasion, a disease spread like wild fire across Rome. The disease was known as the Antonine Plague, the plague that would end peace and tranquility of Rome.

Stories of Ice Cream: Italians

Remorse of Emperor Nero by John William Waterhouse

Every summer, the scorching is always a torture. Sweat pouring down in your head and in your body. Thirst unquenched. People do drastic things to remain cool, facing air conditioner, fanning oneself vigorously, etc. But one thing that people would search is a treat that help to ease the heat. And there noting more than ice cream. A dairy product with mixed with different flavors that cools the body. However, it is such a surprise that this summer time treat has a shrouded history. In stories the Italians were widely credited for its creation.

Holy League: The Victors of Lepanto

Battle of Lepanto (by Juan Luna)

Conflict between the Muslims and Christian had raged for centuries dating back to the time of crusades. The whole of Christendom in Europe hoped to halt or even to push back the advance of Muslims during the Crusades. And during the time of Renaissance, the Muslims, in form of the Ottoman Empire threatened the whole Europe itself. And so in 1571, the Pope called upon the creation of the Holy League.

Florin: Medieval Age Euro

The famous landmark of Florence, the Duomo, 
or the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore 

Coins are part of our everyday lives. It allows us to make transactions in small quantities, like buying a candy or using for transportation fair, or even a simple vending machine. The history of coins had progressed so long. It began by the time people discovered metals and learned how to trade. In the Medieval period, one coin that dominated the period was made by the small but powerful Italian city-state of Florence – Florin.

Menelik II: Ethiopian Independence and Modernization

Menelik II

In 1885, the Berlin Conference resulted to the infamous Scramble for Africa. European imperialism devoured all of Africa. Even a tiny European state, like Belgium, acquired territories in the African continent larger than their own. However, in the Horn of Africa, one Kingdom stand tall among others. Abyssinia (modern day Ethiopia) managed to defend itself from the clutches of the Europeans. Credited of this defense was the modernization efforts of its ruler – Menelik II. 

How a Pope Spread Coffee to the World?

Pope Clement VIII

In the 17th century, coffee drinking began to rise in Europe. Venetian merchants who exclusively traded with the Ottomans brought samples of the caffeinated drink to Europe. However, alarm bells of the most powerful religious institution in Europe, the Catholic Church, rang. The decision of whether the church should thwart the rise of coffee or should allow it to continue laid in the hands of the Pope, Clement VIII.

Mussolini's Battles: The Battle for Births

During the 1920’s to 30’s Italian politics was dominated by the National Fascist Party. The party promoted far right wing ideology and led by a charismatic and though World War I veteran Benito Mussolini. Four years into his leadership of Italy, he commenced series of economic battles to address certain issue in the economy. First was the Battle of Grain which was followed by the Battle for the Lira. In 1927, he launched another battle – the Battle for Births.

Mussolini's Battles: The Battle for Lira

Mussolini (center) in 1922

In 1922, the Europe was still recovering from the horrors and devastation of World War I. The huge casualties caused a huge drain to manpower. It also destroyed a lot of farms and factories. In addition, many countries were in debt which was caused by the huge money needed to wage the war. The pressure to repair the economy and rejuvenate their country fell to the leaders of the post war period. Some governments, however, failed to bring this needed boost and recovery to their people. This failure caused their fall. In Germany, the monarchy under Wilhelm II fell in the hands of Republicans. In Italy, the reins of power came under the hands of a new far right wing party – the fascist. They were led by a World War I veteran and die hard fascist named Benito Mussolini. He would instigate series of economic battles, among this battles was the Battle for the Lira.

Mussolini's Battles: The Battle for Grain

A propaganda poster where Mussolini stands
in a tractor

In 1925, Benito Mussolini, a World War I veteran and a socialist turned conservative, declared himself the sole ruler of Italy. Il Duce, as he was called, became the most powerful man in the Italian Peninsula. His vision for the Italian nation was to turn it into a powerful and self-reliant states. And so, Mussolini waged series of economic battles to make Italy economically strong for his future conquest. Among the first battle had a goal to secure the supply of grain of Italy. In order to achieve self-sufficiency in grain, Mussolini announced the Battle for Grain.

Bodyguards of the Pope: The Swiss Guards

Swiss Guards

On Sunday, April 28, 2014, Pope Francis would unveil the two new saints of the Catholic Church – Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII. The St. Peter’s Basilica would surely be crowded by the by thousands of faithful, waiting to see personally the announcement of the two new saints. Pope Francis would be the head of this ritual. And when the Pope expose himself to the crowds of people in the Vatican City, a group of colorfully dressed men with morions for a head gear with feathers would be seen standing near to the Pope.

De Medici and French Cuisine

Catherine de Medici

The French Cuisine is characterize by many as classy and full of finest. The story of Francois Vatel exemplified the dedication of the men of the past for their profession. But the high quality of the French cuisine was, according from many, began during the 16th century. It was said that an Italian girl brought the characteristic of fine dining and new ingredients to the French Kingdom.

April Fools' and Gregorian Calendar

Pope Gregory XIII

April Fools' is a day in the year where jokes and hoaxes spread widely. It becomes a trending topic in Twitter in April 1. But April fools origin could be traced back to the 16th century.

Canals and Glasses: Glass Industry of the Republic of Venice

Murano Island

Venice was once a marshy swamp with no prospects of being a city. But with innovation of the early Venetians, a new city rose. Famous canals, today with its famous gondolas, erected that allowed a city to rise. With their engineering brilliance, they also showed skills in business. They appeared in ports across the Mediterranean Sea as good traders. Their opened mindedness allowed them to trade with the Muslims and other people along the region. As the city rose into wealth and prominence, they began to enter to different industry and worked for excellence. One of the most famous products of Venice was Glass.

Gonzalo de Cordoba: Revolutionizing Warfare

Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordoba

The 16th century saw many changes in world history. New continents found. New ideas spread. Era of Henry VIII, Leonardo Da Vinci, and many more became well known during this century. Along with new lands and new ideas, a new weapon was crafted that would change the world forever – the gun. It revolutionized warfare, but during the 16th century it was in its infancy. Many was still dumbfounded of its capability. But one country managed to found its potential and used it, the country of Spain.