In this video we will take you on a guided tour of the strangest, weirdest, and most macabre objects in the British Museum. Enjoy!
Anglo-Saxon Pagan Gods
When the Western Roman Empire crumbled, the Anglo-Saxon peoples who occupied Britain brought their own paganism with them. This was Germanic, with a pantheon of deities that included Woden, Thunor, Tiw and Frig. Its temples were wooden structures that leave scant traces in the landscape, but you can find evidence for their beliefs in cemeteries like Sutton Hoo.
This lecture looks at such evidence and at literature such as Beowulf and the history written by the Christian scholar Bede.
Incredible Advanced Ancient Technology
In the following video we will analyze some incredible advanced ancient technology. Watch the video to find out more!
The Chilling Truth Of The Phoenician Child Sacrifice Ritual
The truth of the damning charges made against this great race.
They invented the alphabet and modern navigation and introduced wine to Europe. But after the sacking of Carthage by the Romans in 146 BC and the destruction of their famous library, the world was left with very little evidence of Phoenician life and culture.
The Greeks and Romans describe them as a race of unscrupulous profiteers, grubby merchants – and worse. They were seen as a morally corrupt race who forcibly prostituted their daughters in sacred rituals and killed their own young in an attempt to win over their violent gods. But were they truly evil or victims of a vicious propaganda campaign?
Religion in Ancient Mesopotamia
In today’s video we will explore the vast and important religious tradition of ancient Mesopotamia! Enjoy!
Unraveling the Strange and Unexplained Archaeological Discoveries of the Past
This video showcases an array of bizarre and inexplicable findings from various archaeological excavations that pose challenging questions to our understanding of human history. From objects of mysterious origin and undecipherable ancient scripts to perplexing architectural wonders of the ancient world, we unravel some of the most enigmatic pieces of our past. Each discovery we explore stands as a testament to our ancestors' ingenuity, leaving us amazed at the complexity of their lives and achievements. Along with high-quality visuals and expert commentary, we provide a comprehensive analysis of these archaeological marvels. Come, let's embark on a thrilling expedition into the enigmatic past, where each turn reveals new secrets and keeps you gripped till the very end. Join us in our quest to uncover the mysteries of human history, one strange artifact at a time!
12 Most Incredible Archaeological Finds
Archaeology fans, we know you love hearing about great discoveries. It’s why so many of you are already subscribed to our channel! Our team goes looking for tremendous tales about discoveries from distant locales and bygone eras. In this video, it’s just great story after great story. No waiting around - let's get things started!
Archaeologists have found evidence of a Roman marching camp in Paderborn, Germany
Archaeologists have found evidence of a Roman marching camp in Paderborn on the eastern North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Excavations have been conducted by the Regional Association of Westphalia-Lippe (LWL) prior to the construction of a new educational campus at the St. Johannisstift Hospital.
Archaeologists have found fragments of several different Roman wine amphorae, in additional to two field ovens from over 2,000-years-ago.
Paderborn was founded as a bishopric by Charlemagne in AD 795. According to the researchers, the discovery is the first sign of Roman military activity found in the Paderborn area.
The camp would have been constructed on a raised flat hill at the St. Johannisstift Hospital site, likely resembling other typical marching camps with of a polygonal area surrounded by an earth wall with a V-shaped ditch in front.
Did Christmas Copy the Sun God's Birthday?
Unraveling the Roots of Christmas: Did It Originate from the Sun’s Birthday?
The celebration of Christmas on December 25th has long sparked intriguing debates among historians and theologians. A prominent theory suggests that this date was chosen to overlap with the pagan festival of the Roman sun god, Sol Invictus. But is there merit to this claim? A deep dive into historical and religious contexts provides a fascinating exploration of this theory.
The Connection with Sol Invictus
Sol Invictus, the “Unconquered Sun,” was a Roman deity whose birthday was commemorated on December 25th. This day marked a significant festival in the Roman calendar, symbolizing the renewal of light and the victory of the sun over the darkness of winter. The deity was often depicted as a young, beardless male, a representation found in various Roman mosaics, paintings, and coins. This imagery of Sol Invictus raised questions about the influence of pagan traditions on early Christianity, specifically regarding the date chosen to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Christian Chronography: A Quest for Meaning
Early Christian leaders might have had a different motivation than a deliberate attempt to adopt a pagan festival. They were deeply engaged in determining significant events in Jesus's life, such as his conception, birth, and crucifixion, using the Gospels as their guide. These chronographers faced a challenge: the Gospels provided limited and sometimes contradictory information regarding these dates. The selection of December 25th might have been influenced more by astronomical phenomena like the winter solstice, which held great significance in the Greco-Roman world, than a direct borrowing from pagan rituals.
Challenging the ‘History of Religions’ Theory
The ‘history of religions’ theory posits that Christianity evolved by heavily borrowing from pagan traditions. However, recent scholarship in religious studies casts doubt on this perspective, especially concerning the choice of December 25th for Christmas. Scholars argue that while early Christians were certainly aware of Sol Invictus’ association with this date, there is insufficient evidence to support the idea that they intentionally aligned Jesus’s birth with the sun god’s festival to facilitate pagan conversion or to overshadow pagan worship.
The Astronomical and Cultural Context
In the ancient world, solstices and equinoxes held tremendous importance. The winter solstice, being a time of the shortest day and longest night, was a period of astronomical and symbolic significance. It represented the triumph of light over darkness, a theme resonant in many cultures and religions. This universal symbolism might have been more influential in the adoption of December 25th as Christmas, tying it to the natural phenomenon rather than a specific pagan deity’s festival.
Conclusion: A Complex Tapestry of Influences
The adoption of December 25th as the date to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ appears to be a complex amalgamation of factors. While the influence of Sol Invictus cannot be entirely dismissed, it is clear that early Christian leaders were engaged in a broader cultural and astronomical dialogue. Their decision was likely influenced by a combination of scriptural interpretation, astronomical events, and the existing cultural milieu. Christmas, therefore, stands as a testament to the multifaceted nature of religious evolution, reflecting a tapestry of influences that extend beyond a simple narrative of pagan-Christian overlap. This exploration not only enriches our understanding of Christianity’s development but also highlights the intricate interplay between different belief systems in the ancient world.
The Secret World Of History's First Pope | St Peter's Holy Relics: The Quest
The first of Jesus' apostles, guardian of the gates of Paradise, founder of the Christian Church, the first pope in history… Peter is a key figure of the Christian religion. Yet, there remain many unsolved questions regarding his incredible life.
How did he really die? Where was he buried? Why did this Saint have such an important place in the life of Jesus of Nazareth and the powers he was said to have? Today, there's an interesting twist to the mysteries that surround Saint Peter. Two large archaeological sites in Rome and Israel have unearthed unexpected discoveries, shaking up Christianity's long-held beliefs.
Based on recent excavations and ongoing research, this documentary shows us the latest findings on Saint Peter and his place of burial. Enough to overturn the legends and mysteries that surround the Prince of the Apostles.
The Life of Julius Caesar - The Rise and Fall of a Roman Colossus
In the following video we will analyze the life of Julius Caesar. Watch the video to find out more about the rise and fall of the Roman Colossus. Enjoy!
The Origins of Arabic
In this video, we explore the history and development of the Arabic language, as well as its connection to religion. Enjoy!
Norse Mythology Explained In 15 Minutes
Norse Mythology/The Norse Gods have had a profound impact upon civilisation, with tales of Odin, Thor, Loki, Borr, Surt, Mimir, Freya and Tyr captivating audiences since creation.
In the beginning, there was nought but a great yawning void known as Ginnungagap. The first realm to form was Muspellsheim in the south, a bright land, engulfed in fire and guarded by Surt with his flaming sword. To the north formed Niflheim, the freezing land of fog, containing the spring Hvergelmir, from where the primordial rivers began to flow.
From driftwood, Odin and his brothers created new life. Odin gifting them breath and life, Vili intelligence and feeling and Ve form, speech, hearing and sight. Thus, the first humans were born, a man and a woman, Ash and Elm. They were given a home in Midgard and it is here where humans still reside to this day.
The Captivating History of Scotland
Did you know that the Scots never won a battle when they were favorites?
A sense of poetic irony registers when one learns that Scotland has never won a major military battle when the odds were in their favor. In 1513, the largest Scottish army to ever invade England was defeated by a significantly smaller English army at Flodden Field. In only two hours, the Scots lost ten thousand men. History repeated itself in 1542, when a Scottish army of 15,000 men was defeated by only 3,000 English soldiers. Despite their much smaller numbers, the English managed to take 1,200 Scottish men as prisoners. This humiliating defeat eventually contributed to the demise of King James V.
Solomon's Temple 3D RECONSTRUCTION
In this video we will be showing the exterior and interior of Solomon's Temple as found in 1 Kings 6-7. Enjoy!
The Reason Why They Gave Jesus a Beard
Why do depictions of Jesus always seem to portray him with long hair and a full beard? The reason stretches back to the earliest centuries of Christianity. The first images of Jesus actually depict him as beardless, but by the 4th century, bearded Christ was much more common. Watch the video for more!
How Old Is Chinese Civilization?
In this video we will be talking about the Shang and Zhou dynasties, as we try to deduce ho old Chinese civilization is. Enjoy!
The Facts About Dinosaurs & Feathers
Over the past 20 years, dinosaurs of all types and sizes have been found with some sort of fluff or even full-on plumage. These fuzzy discoveries have raised a whole batch of new questions so we're here to tell you everything we know about dinosaurs and feathers.
Should Monarchies Still Exist in the 21st century?
In the following video we will debate whether monarchies should exist in the 21st century. Watch the video to find out more!
100-Armed, 50-Headed Giants Who Defeat the TITANS & Terrify the GODS
In today’s video, we’re going to discuss the Hecatonchires, a monstrous trio of giants boasting superlative size and strength, each of them with 50 heads and 100 arms. Their names were Briareus (“The Mighty One”), Cottus (“Wrathful One”), and Gyges (“Son of the Earth”). They were imprisoned deep within Gaia for an age, were instrumental in bringing about the defeat of the Titans, and became the guardians of Tartarus.
