askhistorians

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The son of Ottoman claimant Cem Sultan, Pierre Sayd, converted to Christianity in exile. Were there any serious plans to put him in charge of the Ottoman Empire?	17
Polymnia Athanassiadi argues that there was a Pagan persecution during the Late Roman Empire that may have equalled or exceeded the earlier Christian persecution. What is the current consensus on this topic?	16
The Roman Emperor Julian in his ‘The Caesars’ attacks Christianity as too morally lax. Was this a common criticism at the time?	15
During the time of the Buddha, republic-like political organisations called Gaṇa sangha were in existence in North India and are mentioned in contemporary writings. Did the example of these states influence later Buddhist political philosophy?	12
How comfortable was the Ming Dynasty with it’s humble origins in a peasant revolt? Did they use it for propaganda or did they try to conceal it?	12
The original edition of the pornographic novel, Fanny Hill contains a detailed scene of homosexual intercourse. While the protagonist is described as disgusted, the lovers escape punishment. Can we know if this scene was meant to titillate homosexual readers and satirise contemporary attitudes?	10
Pepin II of Aquitaine allied himself with Norse raiders and allegedly adopted their customs and beliefs. How much truth or invective is there likely to be to this?	9
I’m intrigued by the story of Manuel António, descendent of an illegitimate branch of the House of Aviz and 5 times religious convert between Calvinism and Catholicism. How would such mercenary oath breaking have been seen at that time?	9
In the 350’s AD the future Emperor Valentinian was supposedly exiled for assaulting a Hellenic priest trying to ritually purify him. What kind of Hellenic ceremonies were still being practiced under Constantius II?	7
The recent History of Byzantium podcast episode mentions that certain Byzantine emperors used or were accused of using occult and pagan practices for their own ends. Who or what would they turn to in such a fanatically religious society for such knowledge and expertise?	7

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