Archaeologists in southern Greece have discovered a unique portrait of the last Byzantine emperor, Constantine XI Palaiologos, hidden within a layer of frescoes dating to the mid-15th century.
For those fortunate enough to have stumbled upon medieval manuscripts, some discoveries have come from unexpected places. Here are my top five most peculiar spots where these medieval and ancient texts have been found.
A conversation with Maggie Popkin about souvenirs in the Roman world, how they tie in with city identities and city branding, and the experience of travel. These portable objects shaped how people thought of places and the Roman world as a whole, from its attractions and experiences to its religious cults.
History collectors will have the chance to acquire medieval artefacts at two auctions this weekend. Apollo Art Auctions is hosting two events: the first, focusing on Islamic, Indian, and Chinese art, and the second, featuring Fine Ancient Art & Antiquities. Both will take place in London with online bidding options available.
The University of Sharjah hosted an astrolabe workshop in which western scientists showed participants how an astronomical instrument made by a medieval Muslim scholar nearly 1,000 years ago measured the altitude of the sun throughout the twelve zodiacal signs and told local time through the position of the sun in the ecliptic on a given day.
If there seems to be something almost medieval about President Biden pardoning his wayward son Hunter, or Donald Trump promising to pardon the January 6 rioters, well… that’s because that particular prerogative originates with medieval kings.
A medieval silk seal bag, dating from the reign of King Henry III, has gone on public display for the first time in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries at Westminster Abbey. Scholars have discovered that this rare artifact is a perfect match to the silk cloth used to wrap the remains of Emperor Charlemagne, who is buried in Aachen Cathedral in Germany.
Offering a fresh look at the origins and development of Arabic poetry, this book argues that pre-Islamic poetry reflected regional identities and that later Islamic scholars favoured a specific style to define a unified Arab culture.
The Galloway Hoard, the richest collection of Viking-age treasures ever discovered in the British Isles, is set to make its international debut. The exhibition, Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard, will open at the South Australian Museum in Adelaide on 8 February 2025 and run until 27 July 2025.
Discover our new self-paced online course on the Second Crusade, designed to guide you through the rich tapestry of primary and secondary sources. Delve into the events that shaped the Crusade in the Near East, Iberia, and northern Europe, gaining a deeper understanding of this pivotal chapter in medieval history.
Thomas Aquinas stands as a pivotal figure in the medieval history of Christianity. This biography of the 13th-century theologian, penned by one of the foremost experts on Aquinas, offers deep insight into his life and legacy.
The five essays in this collection explore how the Crusades continue to serve as a powerful historical symbol within Far-Right extremism. This influence is evident in acts of terrorism, political movements like Brexit, and even in cultural phenomena such as the Assassin’s Creed video games.
