askhistorians

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Did Ancient Romans and Greeks have the concept of racism, more specifically surrounding skin colour? Or was respect and decency just all about whether or not you had the coin and/or citizenship? Did they believe their "race" or people to be inherently superior than others?	3
Aside from guards, did dark age to medieval "countries" have any standing armies with structures like the Romans did before them, or would your peasants just be expected to have sufficient skill and perhaps weapons so they could be conscripted when you needed them?	3
I am a Viking merchant on my way to a (small) port to trade, near places that have been raided. How do the people react? Can I also decide to just raid if I feel like it? And did this happen?	2
One of our legions centurions gets killed on the battlefield. We still win the battle, but what happens to the century? Is a new centurion elected by us, or assigned by our general? Is it one of the men of our century or could it be anyone?	2
With the science, engineering and metallurgy of the time, would the Romans have been able to build steam powered machine if they really wanted to? Did ancient scientists think about making a contraption with the same purpose, or is this concept so foreign due to other breakthroughs made much later?	2
How did the English get cavalry to France during their multiple wars between ~500-1500?	2
So many forms of media describe the betrayal of some bronze age or even medieval kings brother as if they'd slit the kings throat in their bed and sit on the throne with blood still on their hands, no one daring to oppose them. Is this just fantasy or are there recorded events of this happening?	2
What was the leading cause of death for most Romans aside from combat or nowadays preventable diseases during childhood?	2
I'm a depressed, Roman patrician. Who do I talk to? Were there any therapists? My physician, wife or family? Did society frown upon depression and similar psychological conditions because it doesn't conform with the idea of masculinity?	2
Why did ancient Egyptians build (huge) pyramids? How was it relevant to their culture and/or religion, and why did the people just cooperate to build this gigantic tomb with only a few small rooms for just one person?	2

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