/r/askhistorians
How would a Norman priest in the middle ages likely respond to a churchgoer who admits to being thoroughly miserable and tempted by suicidal thoughts? Are there writings/sources from the time that give us insight into how society at the time believed one should fix such problems?
Mark as read: Add to a list
Some of my Japanese friends claim that during the Rape of Nanking, the military high command (and even generals on the field) didn't know what was going on until several days later. Is this true, or revisionist history? NSFW
Mark as read: Add to a list
The 20,000 human sacrifices carried out at the Aztect's Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan each year must have created a river of blood and mound of decaying bodies. How did the Aztecs clean this up to prevent disease outbreaks? Where did the remains get buried? It must have been a hygiene nightmare.
Mark as read: Add to a list
Mark as read: Add to a list
Mark as read: Add to a list
Sherlock Holmes famously uses "the 7% solution," aka, injected cocaine, to stimulate his mind when he's not on a case. How easy would it have been to get cocaine in 1860s-1880s London, and who were the primary users?
Mark as read: Add to a list
The Rubicon River is one of the most famous in history because Julius Caesar started a civil war when he crossed it. "Crossing the Rubicon" now means to do something you can't take back. So how did we manage to lose the Rubicon River? Why don't we know where it is?
Mark as read: Add to a list
My grandfather used to joke “You can sum up Russian history in five words: And Then It Got Worse.” How old is this joke, and the idea that Russia is a uniquely unfortunate country?
Mark as read: Add to a list
Apparently, the first time Julius Caesar saw Britain, during his first invasion of Britannia, a large, battle-ready enemy army stood on the White Cliffs of Dover to greet him. How is this possible?
Mark as read: Add to a list