578 questions and answers in this section
Why did gladiators fight in the arena?

Why did gladiators fight in the arena?

In Roman times, gladiator games were primarily a grand spectacle created to entertain the crowds. The objective was clear: to distract the people and prevent...

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Explain why the city of Visby (in Sweden) still preserves an imposing intact medieval wall?

Explain why the city of Visby (in Sweden) still preserves an imposing intact medieval wall?

In the medieval period, Visby was a powerful trading city of the Hanseatic League, and its wall protected it from foreign attacks and internal conflicts...

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Explain why the last Chinese emperor was so young when he came to power?

Explain why the last Chinese emperor was so young when he came to power?

By the end of the 19th century, the Qing dynasty was severely weakened. Too many internal revolts, such as the famous Boxer Rebellion, and a...

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Explain why Héloïse and Abélard have remained iconic figures of tragic love?

Explain why Héloïse and Abélard have remained iconic figures of tragic love?

In the medieval era, the love between Héloïse and Abélard quickly found itself trapped by the rigid social order and the strict norms imposed by...

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Explain why the French Revolution abolished the republican calendar?

Explain why the French Revolution abolished the republican calendar?

After the French Revolution, the revolutionaries decided to replace the traditional calendar, deemed too closely linked to the Church and the Old Regime. They then...

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Explain why Norse myths depict battles between gods and giants.

Explain why Norse myths depict battles between gods and giants.

In Norse mythology, the battles between gods and giants embody two distinct opposing forces: order and chaos. Gods like Odin, Thor, and Freyr symbolize order, the stability...

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Explain why ancient civilizations believed in deities with animal heads.

Explain why ancient civilizations believed in deities with animal heads.

For ancient civilizations, animals often represented powerful and mysterious natural forces. Take the example of the Egyptians: they saw the falcon as a symbol of...

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Explain why the Japanese believe in yokai (supernatural creatures)?

Explain why the Japanese believe in yokai (supernatural creatures)?

In Japan, beliefs in yokai date back to very ancient times, when people tried to find an explanation for everything that happened to them, especially...

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Explain why the Aztecs revered the god Quetzalcoatl?

Explain why the Aztecs revered the god Quetzalcoatl?

Among the Aztecs, Quetzalcoatl is one of the main gods, right at the center of their worldview. His name literally means "feathered serpent," a representation...

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Explain why the Colosseum in Rome was flooded to host naval battles?

Explain why the Colosseum in Rome was flooded to host naval battles?

In Roman times, emperors loved to organize shows called naumachiae, full-scale naval battles meant for the entertainment of the people. These impressive displays took place...

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