578 questions and answers in this section
Explain why the Vikings used drakkars for their maritime expeditions?

Explain why the Vikings used drakkars for their maritime expeditions?

Drakkars find their origins in Scandinavia around the end of the 8th century. At that time, the Vikings needed fast, light, and sturdy boats to...

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Explain why the plague of Athens has marked the history of ancient Greece.

Explain why the plague of Athens has marked the history of ancient Greece.

The plague of Athens struck in 430 B.C., during the height of the Peloponnesian War. At the time, Athens was in conflict with Sparta, and...

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Explain why the pyramid of Khufu was originally covered with shiny white stones?

Explain why the pyramid of Khufu was originally covered with shiny white stones?

In ancient Egypt, white symbolized purity, the sacred, and eternity. By covering the Great Pyramid of Khufu with these brilliant white stones, the builders sought...

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Explain why the true identity of Jack the Ripper has never been discovered despite numerous investigations.

Explain why the true identity of Jack the Ripper has never been discovered despite numerous investigations.

Reliable clues have always been lacking in the Jack the Ripper case. No weapon found, no usable fingerprints (which makes sense since it wasn't yet...

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Explain why Napoleon Bonaparte was so small?

Explain why Napoleon Bonaparte was so small?

Napoleon actually had a height close to average for his time, about 1.68 m. Moreover, his Corsican family was not particularly known for being tall: his father,...

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Explain why the Roman Empire built straight and well-maintained roads?

Explain why the Roman Empire built straight and well-maintained roads?

The Romans knew that a fast army had a huge advantage. Therefore, they built a network of straight and well-maintained roads to save time when...

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Explain why Nordic myths mention a cosmic tree named Yggdrasil.

Explain why Nordic myths mention a cosmic tree named Yggdrasil.

Among the Vikings, the tree is a powerful image that symbolizes life, the entire universe, and the connection between all beings. Yggdrasil is a massive...

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Explain why the last queen of Egypt, Cleopatra, was known for her beauty and intelligence.

Explain why the last queen of Egypt, Cleopatra, was known for her beauty and intelligence.

Cleopatra was not just a seductive queen: she was a formidable and cunning politician. She spoke several languages and was the first in her dynasty...

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Explain why the Vikings used runes to invoke supernatural powers.

Explain why the Vikings used runes to invoke supernatural powers.

The Vikings regarded runes as much more than mere letters: they were sacred symbols imbued with power. According to their legends, Odin, the supreme god...

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Explain why Fat Tuesday is called Fat Tuesday?

Explain why Fat Tuesday is called Fat Tuesday?

The origin of the name Mardi Gras dates back to the Middle Ages. At that time, just before the start of Lent, a Christian period...

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