askhistorians

Title	Upvotes	Mark as read	Favorited	Rating	Add to a list
As the surviving portion of the Roman Empire, the Byzantines were very important in Medieval European thought. When it became clear that Constantinople was going to fall to the Ottomans, did anyone in Europe propose helping them?	29
During the Black Death, Christian populations famously blamed the Jews for the outbreak, resulting in continent-wide massacres. Did the Jews themselves have a similar scapegoat? Who or what did Jewish populations blame for the epidemic?	24
When did the modern pop-culture portrayal of "pimps" arise? When did running a prostitution ring become associated with extravagant/absurd clothing, over the top demeanor, and public displays of misogyny?	20
Historical Medieval maps tend to show the Holy Roman Empire as a mosaic of small, mostly independent fiefdoms, while places like France and England are unitary states. How different really were the systems of government in these places?	19
During WWII, the Japanese government forced many Korean women into a form of military sex slavery. How were these "comfort women" received in Korea after the war ended? Did they face ostracization or discrimination from Korean society due to their past?	18
I'm a wealthy knight preparing for battle in the 100 Years War. How do I choose what weapon I'll bring into combat? What factors will influence my decision to use a mace vs a sword, for example?	17
Who were the last pagans in Europe?	11
How did the concept of an organized sports league arise? When did rules for sports become standardized across large (even international) regions, and when did teams from across these regions begin to compete against each other?	9
In the middle ages, many European kings ruled over holdings that were widely dispersed, with large patches of land that they didn't own in between the patches that they did. How did these kings travel between their various territories?	9
What was the procedure for having someone executed during the French Reign of Terror?	8

« < > »