/u/BaffledPlato's posts in /r/AskHistorians

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Ammianus Marcellinus wrote the Roman emperor Constantius II didn't spit during a procession. Was spitting so common that not doing it was notable?

48 upvotes

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At Julius Caesar’s death, Octavian seems surprised to find that he is Caesar’s heir. Would it be common for powerful Romans to keep their heirs secret, if they had no sons?

44 upvotes

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I am a Roman gladius during the Marcomannic Wars. Where was I mined, who forged me, how did my soldier get me, and what will happen to me at the end of my life?

44 upvotes

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What was Hitler's reaction to Finland switching sides towards the end of WWII?

42 upvotes

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In Hilary Mantel's new novel there is a scene where Thomas Cromwell weeps in public, and he doesn't seem ashamed. How would a public display of emotion be viewed in 16th Century England?

41 upvotes

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Tell me about Owain Glyndŵr's rebellion and dream for an independent Wales. And could his grave really have been kept a secret from the English for 600 years?

37 upvotes

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How did the ancient Roman armies use trench warfare?

36 upvotes

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Napoleon's reported last words are suspiciously perfect. “La France, l'armée, tête d'armée, Joséphine.” What is our source for this, and can it be trusted?

35 upvotes

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Why did such an august institution as the Roman Senate meet in such a small, humble building as the Curia Julia?

34 upvotes

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Marcus Aurelius speculates that animals have souls. How common was this in ancient societies, and do we have any evidence of this affecting behaviour towards animals?

33 upvotes

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Title	Upvotes	Mark as read	Favorited	Rating	Add to a list
Ammianus Marcellinus wrote the Roman emperor Constantius II didn't spit during a procession. Was spitting so common that not doing it was notable?	48
At Julius Caesar’s death, Octavian seems surprised to find that he is Caesar’s heir. Would it be common for powerful Romans to keep their heirs secret, if they had no sons?	44
I am a Roman gladius during the Marcomannic Wars. Where was I mined, who forged me, how did my soldier get me, and what will happen to me at the end of my life?	44
What was Hitler's reaction to Finland switching sides towards the end of WWII?	42
In Hilary Mantel's new novel there is a scene where Thomas Cromwell weeps in public, and he doesn't seem ashamed. How would a public display of emotion be viewed in 16th Century England?	41
Tell me about Owain Glyndŵr's rebellion and dream for an independent Wales. And could his grave really have been kept a secret from the English for 600 years?	37
How did the ancient Roman armies use trench warfare?	36
Napoleon's reported last words are suspiciously perfect. “La France, l'armée, tête d'armée, Joséphine.” What is our source for this, and can it be trusted?	35
Why did such an august institution as the Roman Senate meet in such a small, humble building as the Curia Julia?	34
Marcus Aurelius speculates that animals have souls. How common was this in ancient societies, and do we have any evidence of this affecting behaviour towards animals?	33