Ancient History
Ancient civilizations laid the foundation for our modern world. From the majestic Egyptian pyramids to the sophisticated cities of the Maya, discover the innovations, cultures and daily life of some of history's earliest and most influential societies.
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For millennia, ancient Egyptian doctors were trailblazers—and evidence detected on skulls suggests its doctors may have even attempted to treat cancer.
The Romans were prodigious builders and expert civil engineers, and their thriving civilization produced advances in technology, culture and architecture that remained unequaled for centuries.
Around A.D. 250, the Maya built flourishing cities. What triggered their decline?
Despite the best efforts of amateur and professional archeologists, the ancient world has retained many of its secrets.
8 Ancient Empires
8 Ancient Empires You’ve Never Heard Of
Grab your fedora and bullwhip as we unearth eight amazing yet obscure ancient empires in this episode of History Countdown.
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A largely tolerant and merciful ruler, Persian king Cyrus the Great established one of the largest empires in world history.
These rulers were often as innovative and ingenious as they were brutal and corrupt.
A dagger crafted from meteorite and the remains of King Tut's stillborn daughters are among the stunning artifacts found in the tomb.
Six surprising facts about the Egyptian boy king and his final resting place.
Decades of research and high-tech forensics have offered multiple theories.
He vastly expanded the ancient Roman empire, but his assassination led to its downfall.
In Plato's 'Republic,' the ancient Greek philosopher lays out five different forms of government, ranging from ideal to oppressive.
The Athenian philosopher Plato is one of the most important figures of the Ancient Greek world and the entire history of Western thought.
Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) was a Greek philosopher who made significant and lasting contributions to nearly every aspect of human knowledge, from logic to biology to ethics and aesthetics.
The ideas of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Pythagoras and Heraclitus laid the foundations for Western philosophy, ethics, science and politics.
Socrates is one of the most exemplary and strangest of Greek philosophers who helped pave the way for other prominent thinkers including Plato and Aristotle.
An Oxford researcher says she has found evidence of the elusive Hanging Gardens of Babylon—300 miles from Babylon.
From an 11,000-year-old temple complex to a mystifying Irish megalith, here are seven lesser-known world wonders that stand as a testament to the engineering prowess of the ancients.
Of the original Seven Wonders, only one—the Great Pyramid of Giza—remains intact.
These ancient landmarks offer insight into the civilizations of North and South America.
Teotihuacan is an ancient Mesoamerican city famed for its pyramids. This area of modern-day Mexico was settled as early as 400 B.C. and named by the Aztecs.
