Religion

While Jews today observe Hanukkah by retelling the story of Judah and the Maccabees, there is another story that used to be told.

Did you know the Vatican is the smallest nation-state in the world? Get all the facts and figures.

Witches were perceived as evil beings by early Christians in Europe, inspiring the iconic Halloween figure.

After the Mexican-American War, the Mormon settlement of Deseret was claimed by the U.S. government.

Noah's great flood may have been inspired by actual events, at least according to one expert. If so, could the boat have survived?

In Hindu mythology, the Syamantaka Gem was a sacred jewel bestowed by the Sun God Surya, believed to guarantee prosperity and divine favor. But if it carried such power, why did it ultimately vanish from history?

The Book of Revelation became a foundational text of Christianity.

Henry VIII's marital problems lead to a break with the Catholic Church and decades of conflict as England becomes a Protestant nation.

Unearthed in Egypt, the Gnostic gospels allegedly contain secret teachings said to come directly from Jesus himself.

The practice of exorcism appears in religions around the world and is as old as human history. Discover the truth behind the Catholic rite of exorcism and the horrors some priests say they have witnessed.

A closer look at Christianity's take on judgement day.

Learn about the story of Mary Magdalene in this bonus clip from "Jesus: His Life."

Learn about the story of Joseph in this bonus clip from "Jesus: His Life."

Learn about the story of Judas in this bonus clip from "Jesus: His Life."

Believe it or not, some books just didn’t make the cut to be in the Bible. Watch as we countdown the top 10 rejected books of the Bible, in this History Countdown episode.

Learn about the story of Pontius Pilate in this bonus clip from "Jesus: His Life."

In the Book of the Dead, people must come face-to-face with the gods and confess their misdeeds.

God’s wrath destroys the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.