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Robbie Mitchell

I’m a graduate of History and Literature from The University of Manchester in England and a total history geek. Since a young age, I’ve been obsessed with history. The weirder the better. I spend my days working as a freelance writer researching the weird and wonderful. I firmly believe that history should be both fun and accessible.

History

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A late 19th-century painting of Act IV, Scene 15 of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra: Cleopatra holds Antony as he dies. Source: Alexandre Bida/ CC BY-SA 4.0

14 March, 2024 - 19:43 Robbie Mitchell

Battle of Alexandria 30 BC - The End of Antony and Cleopatra (Video)

In 30 BC, the Battle of Alexandria marked the culmination of Antony and Cleopatra's struggle against Octavian's forces. Following their defeat at Actium , Antony's remaining troops faced challenges,...

Giulia Tofana was a 17th century leader of a poison cartel responsible for over 600 deaths thanks to her trademark poison Aqua Tofana. The Love Potion by Evelyn De Morgan. Source: Public Domain

13 March, 2024 - 19:56 Robbie Mitchell

Giulia Tofana: The Woman Who Poisoned 600 Men with Her Makeup (Video)

Giulia Tofana's notoriety stemmed from her cunning manipulation of Renaissance society's fascination with poisons and cosmetics. Born into an era where women lacked agency in matters of marriage and...

A mummified body of the Gebelein man in the British Museum. Source: Jack1956/CC BY-SA 3.0

13 March, 2024 - 13:54 Robbie Mitchell

The Gebelein Man, an Ancient Tattooed Murder Victim (Video)

Delving into the story of the Gebelein Man unravels a fascinating tapestry of ancient lore. Discovered in Luxor in 1896, this remarkably preserved mummy stands as a testament to the enduring...

Napoleon at the Battle of the Pyramids, 21 July 1798, oil on canvas, 1810. By Antoine-Jean Gros; design by Anand Balaji. Source: Public Domain

12 March, 2024 - 23:11 Robbie Mitchell

Napoleon in Egypt: Battle of the Pyramids (Video)

In May 1798, General Napoleon Bonaparte led a monumental French expedition to Egypt, aiming to disrupt British trade routes and extend French influence. With a fleet of over 300 ships, including the...

Chronos and His Child, by Giovanni Francesco Romanelli. Source: Public Domain

12 March, 2024 - 19:48 Robbie Mitchell

The Weirdest Stories from Greek Mythology (Video)

Exploring the lesser-known and often peculiar narratives from ancient Greek folklore unveils a realm of bizarre tales that captivate the imagination. From the primordial chaos to the tumultuous...

tatue of the Peking man from the entrance of the Zhoukoudian site. Source: Diego Tirira / CC BY-SA 2.0

11 March, 2024 - 23:37 Robbie Mitchell

Zhoukoudian Homo Erectus: Peking Man was an Evolutionary Dead-End (Video)

Zhoukoudian , home to the renowned Peking Man , serves as a pivotal site for understanding the enigma of Homo erectus and its place in human evolution. This location, situated approximately 42...

Lao Phonsavan Plain of Jars. Source: flu4022/Adobe Stock

11 March, 2024 - 19:52 Robbie Mitchell

Five Unique Burial Sites of the Ancient World (Video)

Across the ancient world, a mosaic of burial practices unveils the diversity of human cultures and their beliefs. Chambered cairns , scattered throughout the UK, intrigue scholars with their...

This decorative belt buckle is of a nomad horseman spearing a boar. The rider wears the steppe dress, his hair is tied into a hair bun characteristic of the oriental steppes, and his horse has characteristically Xiongnu horse trappings. Dated to the 2nd-1st century BC. Source: Public Domain

10 March, 2024 - 20:01 Robbie Mitchell

Five Most Influential Monarchies in Ancient Asia (Video)

The ancient monarchies of Asia left an indelible mark on history, shaping economies, cultures, and trade routes that endured for centuries. Among these, the Han Dynasty of China stands as a towering...

Did drugs fuel Viking social gatherings and make them formidable and fearless warriors? Source: ContentHub / Adobe Stock.

10 March, 2024 - 13:54 Robbie Mitchell

Viking Drug Use: From Riotous Parties to Berserker Fury

The Vikings stand as legendary figures, their exploits on the seas and battlefields shrouded in myth and mystery. Yet beyond their tales of conquest and exploration lies a lesser-known aspect of...

AI image of a cave. Source: ToonArt/Adobe Stock

9 March, 2024 - 19:55 Robbie Mitchell

Bizarre Archaeological Finds That Rewrote History (Video)

Archaeology serves as a key to unlock the mysteries of our past, offering glimpses into ancient civilizations that challenge conventional historical narratives. One such revelation emerged from a...

Image representing pirate in suit with gun and saber sitting on barrel. Source: Fotokvadrat/Adobe Stock

8 March, 2024 - 16:30 Robbie Mitchell

What the Media Gets Right About Pirates (Video)

Within the realm of pirate lore depicted in media, there exists a delicate balance between fiction and historical accuracy. Notably, Howard Pyle's evocative paintings stand as vivid portrayals of the...

Illustration of an ancient Mayan village. Source: jdross75/Adobe Stock

7 March, 2024 - 19:45 Robbie Mitchell

What Life Was Really Like for the Maya (Video)

Ancient Mayan life was a complex tapestry of ritual, innovation, and occasional brutality. Spanning Central America, their society thrived on advanced practices, from sophisticated dental care to...

AI image of Mesopotamian Empire. Source: Rick/Adobe Stock

6 March, 2024 - 19:56 Robbie Mitchell

The Civilizations of Ancient Mesopotamia Explained (Video)

Ancient Mesopotamia , often referred to as the cradle of civilization, witnessed the flourishing of several remarkable cultures, including the Sumerians, Assyrians, Persians, and Babylonians. The...

Interior detail from the Florence Cathedral, Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy. Source: EnginKorkmaz/Adobe Stock

6 March, 2024 - 00:00 Robbie Mitchell

Everything You Need to Know About the Renaissance Period (Video)

The Renaissance , arising from the tumultuous aftermath of the Crisis of the Late Middle Ages, was a transformative period in European history characterized by unprecedented social, cultural, and...

A 14th century depiction of the siege of Baghdad by the Mongols in 1258, which brought the Abbasid Caliphate to an end. Source: Public Domain

5 March, 2024 - 20:00 Robbie Mitchell

Medieval Baghdad: Rise and Fall of the City of Peace (Video)

The history of Medieval Baghdad epitomizes the grandeur and eventual demise of a cultural epicenter. Emerging as the Abbasid Caliphate's capital in the 8th century, Baghdad burgeoned into a thriving...

AI image of early humans and the taming of fire. Source: Alla/Adobe Stock

4 March, 2024 - 23:31 Robbie Mitchell

How Taming Fire Changed Everything for Early Humans (Video)

The emergence of fire mastery represents a transformative juncture in human development, potentially initiated by early hominins like Homo erectus around 1.6 million years ago . Although the precise...