16th-century Italian Clergymen Tried to Ban Coffee Because They Believed It to be “Satanic”
Centuries ago, coffee faced staunch opposition upon its arrival in Europe, particularly from Catholic priests who deemed it malevolent. However, the tide turned when Pope Clement VIII, a man of influence and authority, decided to taste it. To everyone’s...
How A Horse Became a Senator in Ancient Rome
Caligula, born to esteemed parents Germanicus and Agrippina the Elder, enjoyed a privileged upbringing filled with high expectations. His early reign as emperor was marked by optimism, as he implemented popular policies and enjoyed public support. However,...
Cleopatra Wasn’t Actually Egyptian
Cleopatra, the famed queen of Egypt, had a diverse heritage that traced back to Macedonian Greece through her family lineage. Her ancestor, Ptolemy I Soter, a general of Alexander the Great, established a Greek-speaking dynasty in Egypt after Alexander’s death...
