AskHistorians

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What is the oldest surviving Christian relic which we can say with a considerable degree of confidence is authentic? What are the methods used (for example radiocarbon dating when applicable) to determine a relic's authenticity?	1907
In HBO's series Rome (2005), people are stunned when Caesar promotes Lucius Vorenus to senator. At this point Vorenus has served as primus pilum, praefectus evocatorum and held voted office as a magistrate. How remarkable would it have been for a man like that to become a senator?	1885
The year is 1050 AD and I’m a decently well off farmer in central Sweden. While the king and many powerful lords have converted to Christianity I still hold on to the old gods. How open can I be about my faith, and how do I go about performing my rites? Can I in any way do it out in the open?	160
How much evidence is there for the existence of the Hanging gardens of Babylon? And if such a garden existed, what would it reasonably have looked like compared to legend?	30
The Lapis Niger is one of the oldest surviving latin inscriptions, dating to the 6th century BC, and contains a reference to a king. What other historical evidence is there that Rome was actually ruled by kings in its early years, and is there proof that any of the seven legendary kings existed?	27
How did Taiwan get replaced by the PRC in the UN?	19
Historian Martin van Creveld called Napoleon Bonaparte "the most competent human being who ever lived". What did he base this assertion on? Which other historical figure could compete with Napoleon for that title?	7
Who is the last known person belonging to the original patrician families in Rome?	6
Which area of land was under continuous Roman rule the longest?	2
The Wright brothers carried out the first successful flight with an airplane in December 1903, managing to fly only 260 meters. Yet by WWI aviation had developed to the point that the great powers were using advanced, highly manoeuvrable aircraft on a massive scale. How did this happen so fast?	1

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