AskHistorians

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Sarajevo's old synagogue is across the street from its mosque and a 3-minute walk from its Old Orthodox Church and Catholic Cathedral. Religious pluralism and peace held there for 500 years until the Bosnian war. How historically unusual was this level of religious pluralism and peace in Europe?	38
Why did Europe lack a single city as large and impressive as Tecnochtitlan 1519, when Cortes landed? What factors allowed the Aztecs to maintain the larger population?	38
John Adams defended and successfully got an acquittal for the British soldiers who fired on and killed five locals during the Boston Massacre. Did this hurt his reputation among patriots? Was his high-minded desire to do justice widely admired or mocked?	38
Critics of meditation point out that it was never meant for the laity, but instead was a highly specialized skill for monks. But reading the works of Dōgen, he emphasizes the importance of meditation for everyone. How big a role did meditation play in Buddhism, historically?	38
Julian Jaynes felt the Aztecs were so easily conquered by a small band of Spaniards because they had a bicameral mind, leaving them vulnerable to European behaviors they couldn't understand. Do modern historians consider this likely? What's the status of the broader bicameral mind hypothesis?	37
A number of corporations, such as Ford, entered into partnership agreements with the Soviet Union. Was there conflict between these capitalist corporations and the Soviet socialist system? How did these partnerships work out for the corporations?	37
From the 5th through 1st centuries BC — 400 years — Rome was at war roughly 90% of the time. 10 to 30% of its adult male population was enlisted in the armed forces. Did other cultures commit so much of their population to war for such long periods? How unique was the Roman war machine?	37
Early imperial cities, such as Rome and Athens, developed organically. Their streets and alleys are winding and confusing. But their colonies were developed in a planned grid pattern. Did they just prefer straight lines, or were grids good for other reasons?	37
Were wars waged to suppress the ramifications of the "enlightenment" brought about by buddha's movement?	37
How did the "Barbarianization," of the Roman army work on systematic level?	37

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