What happened in the First Fitna?

In 656, the young religion of Islam faced a crisis, its Caliph murdered and pass issues regarding succession of the Prophet Mohammed reemerged fueling the civil war called the First Fitna

DocuNotes: Barbarians - The Goths

Originally aired on 2004, History Channel’s miniseries Barbarians tells the story of the people who made their names in the Medieval Age, from Rome to Asia. And in their first episode, narrator Clancy Brown tells the story of a people who brought the demise of the imperial city of Rome – the Goths.

What is a Caliphate?

In 2014, a term returned from the past and used to inspire fear and hatred. The Islamic State of Syria and Levant declared itself a Caliphate making many ask the question – What is a caliphate?

Founders: Who was Muawiya I?

In the 7th century, a new religion emerged in the inhospitable deserts of Arabia – Islam. Alongside with Islam, a new empire also emerged. Born from internal struggle, the Umayyad Caliphate became stronger and more organized than before. Credit to this reemergence mostly went to its founder – Muawiyah bin Abi Sufyan.

Brief History of Visigoth Spain

Before the time of Isabella and Ferdinand and before Islamic Spain, Visigoths ruled the Iberian Peninsula.

Conquest of Tariq ibn Ziyad

In the southern tip of Spain stands a giant monolith that became known as the European side of the Pillars of Hercules where the Mediterranean Sea met the Atlantic. This monolith, the Rock of Gibraltar, bears a legacy of Muslim Spain. In fact, it bears the name of the man who started the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula – Tariq ibn Ziyad.

A Brief History of Genoa

The Most Serene Republic of Venice dominated commerce in the Mediterranean for centuries leading to its ascendancy as a great power. But as Venice stood mighty in the Aegean Sea, another posed as its rival in the other side of the Italian Peninsula. In the Lingurian Sea, Genoa rivaled Venice and shared its tradition as a commercial maritime power and a republican city-state.

Casa Di San Giorgio: Genoa's Premier Financial Institution

“…the San Giorgio should have possession of the whole city, the republic will become more distinguished than that of Venice."

-Niccolo Machiavelli

Commercial Contracts of Genoa

The Medieval Age had been known as the Dark Ages – a misconception that is being defunct today. In fact, it was during the Medieval Age that the commercial revolution takes place. And in Genoa, the commercial revolution led to the development of investments and contracts.

Guglielmo Boccanegra: Captain of the People

Guglielmo Boccanegra made a name for himself in Genoese politics of the 13th century. After being an experienced official from a non-aristocratic family, Boccanegra ruled over prosperous yet a divided Genoa. He came to power as Captain of the Popolo or the People elected by the people. His government presided over financial reforms and achieved considerable diplomatic developments. Although his rule was short, he made an impact to the political life of Genoa for centuries.

Who were the Guelfs and Ghibellines?

Dante and Petrarch had many commonalities – they were great literary figures, they contributed to the development of Italian literature, and they both experienced the political divide between Guelfs and Ghibellines. The rivalry between Ghibellines and Guelfs led to the expulsion of Dante and Petrarch’s family as they sided with the Guelfs. But this rivalry between Ghibellines and Guelfs not only created an impact on the lives of this 2 figures, but also created a mark in the political history of Italy.

What were the Guilds?

“Bird of the same feather, flock together.”

A common saying but same can be said in the Medieval Age when men of the same crafts come together to form an organization called a guild. A guild was a community of craftsmen (e.g. masons, butchers, tanners, blacksmiths, etc.) from the same field or merchants that provided mutual assistance and protection, governed by laws and a strict hierarchy, and maintained standard quality of goods and services as well as market stability.

The Sultanate of Delhi: The Tughluq Dynasty

The Tughluq Dynasty rose in the ashes of the House of Khalji. Under their supervision, the Delhi Sultanate reached its apex, but also saw its decline in order and power.

Cecil Rhodes as a Businessman

Cecil Rhodes left a controversial legacy because of his contribution to British imperialism and apartheid. But behind his racist and imperialist beliefs, he proved himself to be a shrewd talented businessman.

Death of a Great Power - The Partition of Poland

In 1795, the Polish people, who once controlled immense power in Eastern Europe, saw their country disappeared from the face of the world, devoured by its aggressive expansionist neighbors.

The Sultanate of Delhi: The Khalji Dynasty

Before the Mughal Empire boasted its sub-continental Empire, the Sultanate of Delhi existed and ruled most of India becoming a powerhouse in a divided India. The Mamluk Dynasty established and secured the Sultanate’s existence, but the House of Khalji worked to keep it and to expand its dominion over the rest of India.

The Sultanate of Delhi: The Mamluk Dynasty

Before the Mughal Empire came to be, the Sultanate of Delhi stood as the most powerful state in all of Northern India. A Sultanate founded by Afghan warlords, it dominated its neighbors, defended itself against Mongols, and ruled by Sultan with each having a different personality. Explore this Sultanate that endured for centuries until the conquest of Babur came.

Founders: Who was King Henry VII of the Tudor Dynasty?

He established a controversial House that created so much impact in English and even world history. He ushered an era of stability after almost a century of conflict. Explore how Henry VII ruled England and secured the reign of his dynasty – the Tudors.

Who was Lord Dalhousie?

One of the great expansionist of the British influence and control of India, James Andrew Broun Ramsay, Earl of Dalhouse, served as Governor-General of India from 1847 to 1856 whose reforms dragged the whole British India to chaos.

Who was Gustav I Vasa? (Part 2)

Gustav Vasa fought Denmark to gain Sweden's independence from the Kalmar Union. Explore the early beginnings of the founder of the Vasa Dynasty.

Who was Gustav I Vasa? (Part 1)

Gustav Vasa fought Denmark to gain Sweden's independence from the Kalmar Union. Explore the early beginnings of the founder of the Vasa Dynasty.

What was the British East India Company? - Part 2

It was one of the most powerful and influential company in the world. An agent of commerce and imperialism of the British Empire, explore the history of the British East India Company.

What was the British East India Company? - Part 1

It was one of the most powerful and influential company in the world. An agent of commerce and imperialism of the British Empire, explore the history of the British East India Company.

In 2,000 Words: The Indian Mutiny of 1857

The Indian Mutiny or Rebellion errupted from British westernization policies that threated India's way of life. In 2,000 words explore the Mutiny that almost ended British rule in the subcontinent.

Who were the Gurkhas?

Ayo Gorkhali! (Gurkhas are coming!) 
- Cry of Gurkhas

Women in Power: Sirimavo Bandaranaike

Indira Gandhi became the first Prime Minister of India and the most notable leader in South Asia. But in the small island nation of Sri Lanka, a wife of a prominent politician beat Prime Minister Gandhi in becoming the world’s first woman Prime Minister – Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

Women in Power: Indira Gandhi

Since India declared their independence, the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty ruled the biggest democracy in the world. Jawaharlal Nehru served as the first Prime Minister of the independent India. Following in Nehru’s footsteps, her daughter Indira, succeeded in becoming Prime Minister and became one of the most powerful woman in the modern world.

Who was King Harald Finehair?

Harald Harfagre or Harald Finehair, an elusive leader that said to have unified Norway under his rule.

Who was Harald Bluetooth Gormsson?

Harald Bluetooth ruled as King of a united Denmark from around 958 until 987 and his mysterious demise, overseeing great projects and changes among the Danes, most importantly the rise of Christianity.

Who were the Berserkers?

Dictionaries defined berserk as out of control with anger or excitement; wild or frenzied. The word earned such a meaning from the most feared warrior among the Vikings – the Berserkers. These wild and aggressive warriors fought their way in history clad with animal skins and armed with axes, swords, shields, and uncontrollable rage.

Who was Johann Struensee?

Enlightened absolutism, an idea where the ideas of the Enlightenment championed and implemented by monarchies ruling through divine right, spread across Europe in the 18th century. From Russia to Spain, monarchies called for rule of law, reason, and liberalism. Denmark on the other hand experienced absolute absolutism under a strange circumstances. Reforms aligned to the Enlightenment movement befell Denmark under the hands of a foreign German doctor named Johann Struensee. 

Rollo and the Foundation of Normandy

Normans and Normandy changed world history. They testified to the openness of the Vikings to assimilate yet maintained their ferocity in battle that brought them success in many areas. And it all began with one Viking leader named Rollo. Explore how Rollo founded Normandy?

Cleisthenes and Athenian Democracy

“In a democracy, there is, first, that most splendid of virtues, equality before the law.” - Herodotus

The Great Heathen Army (Part 2): Conquest and Resistance

Even with the death of the King of Northumbria failed to satisfy the lust for conquest of Ivar and his brothers. After the death of the Northumbrian King, they advance to conquer the other Saxon Kingdoms of England.

The Great Heathen Army (Part 1): Fall of Northumbria

It was an army of Vikings with the objective to avenge and conquer England. Because of their known ruthlessness and savagery the English chroniclers labelled them as the Great Heathen Army. But others labelled it as the Great Danish Army for most of its warriors came from Denmark. Explore what was the Great Heathen Army? Why was it formed and invaded England? How did it prevailed? And how did it created an impact on history?

Lindisfarne Attack: Dawn of the Viking Age

As the monks of Lindisfarne lived out their pious lifestyle in a June day in 793, a group of Scandinavians desperate for riches and plunder rushed into their shores and dashed into their monastery and into history. Explore what happened in Lindisfarne at the dawn of the Viking Age?

Who were the Vikings? (Part 3)

The Vikings earned their success through their ships and their skills in their chosen weapon. Then how did this successful pirates, raiders, and explorers quietly faded in history?

Who were the Vikings? (Part 2)

The Vikings proved themselves as ruthless and raiders and pirates. But beyond their pillaging, they also showed their skills as explorers. 

Who were the Vikings? (Part 1)

"From fury of Northmen, deliver us Lord"

- phrase of an English prayers

Great Leaders: Who was King Gwanggaeto the Great?

If the West looks upon Alexander the Great as the greatest conqueror that they have seen, In Korea, they turned to Gwanggaeto the Great as their equivalent. Who is this Gwanggaeto the Great? And why the Koreans revered him as one of their greatest leaders in history?