Stockholm – northern Venice

Stockholm – the capital of Sweden – is called the Northern Venice not by chance. The city is located on the shores of the strait, connecting Lake Mälaren with the Baltic Sea, and on the islands in this strait. Stockholm is the largest city on the Scandinavian Peninsula. The city, founded in 1252, originally located … Read more

Population and appearance of the cities of medieval Europe

The composition of the population of the medieval city was extremely heterogeneous. The craftsmen prevailed in it, who themselves sold their own products, combining in one person an artisan and a merchant. Most of the urban population was involved in the service sector. They belonged to hairdressers, owners of inns, laborers, servants, etc. In large … Read more

Arab Spain

At the end of VII century. The Arabs conquered North Africa from the Byzantines, and reached the Atlantic Ocean. They managed to convert the local Berber tribes to Islam. In 710, the Arabs crossed the strait, which the Greeks called the Hercules Pillars, and invaded the territory of Spain. The coastal rock, to which the … Read more

The reign of Emperor Justinian. “Golden age”

The heyday of Byzantium fell during the reign of Emperor Justinian. Justinian was an enlightened, intelligent, strong-willed and at the same time cruel, insidious, unlimited ambitious and power-hungry. He married the charming Theodore – a former circus actress. The best pair was not found! Theodora did not deny herself anything, she bathed in luxury, was … Read more

The Ukrainian city in the second half of 19 in

What was the Ukrainian city in the second half of the 19th century? From the second half of the 19th century. In the life and way of life of the population of Ukraine, serious changes have taken place. The most notable of these changes were in large cities, which were increasingly exposed to European influence. … Read more

The Frankish state of the Carolingians. Flowering

The real heyday of the Frankish kingdom reached in the era of the reign of Charlemagne, the son of Pepin the Short. It is by the name of Carla that the royal dynasty, founded by Pepin the Short, is called the Carolingian dynasty. The nickname “Great” Karl received for his activities, in the interests of … Read more

Jan Hus and the Hussite Wars

At the beginning of the XV century. The struggle of the Czech people against German domination and the Catholic Church was led by Jan Hus. He was born into a peasant family in the town of Gusintsy in the south of the Czech Republic. After graduating from Prague University, he received a master’s degree and … Read more

Alexey Kondratievich Savrasov

Alexey Kondratievich Savrasov was the first to open the way to the creation of the Russian lyrical landscape. The pupil of the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, he relied on the traditions of A. Venetsianov, M. Lebedev. Overcoming the tradition of academic romanticism, Savrasov confidently followed the path of life’s truth. Who does … Read more

Christianity in the early Middle Ages

At the beginning of the Middle Ages, Christianity for almost two centuries was the official religion of the Roman Empire. Support for the church by the state contributed to its administrative and economic strengthening. From the middle of the IV century. there is a certain difference in the relations between church and state in the … Read more

Caste system in medieval India

Even the oldest Indians were divided into four Varna: brahmanas, kshatriyas, vaisyas and sudras. Everyone was respected depending on which of the varna he belonged to. The one who did not belong to any of the varnas was considered “untouchable” and treated worse than with the cattle. In the Middle Ages, varna began to split … Read more

Resettlements and internal colonization in the Middle Ages

Population growth caused the overpopulation of many territories in Europe, where there was an acute shortage of land. The lack of land frightened those who worked on it, the specter of hunger. Therefore, many peasants, leaving their native land, settled in cities or sought vacant land on the outskirts of Europe. Such lands were still … Read more

Conquest of Ottoman Turks. Ottoman Moloch

In the middle of the XIV century. The Ottoman Turks implemented their first conquests in the Balkans. First they enslaved Bulgaria, then attacked Serbia. In 1389, an unequal battle took place on the Kosovo Field between Serbian knights and more numerous Turkish troops. In this battle, both the Serbian king Lazar and the Turkish sultan … Read more

The Mongolian yoke in the 13th-14th centuries

At the beginning of the XIII century. the state of the Jurden has weakened noticeably. The South Song Empire was preparing to regain its northern lands. However, these plans did not come true because a new formidable force arose-the Mongols, led by Genghis Khan. South Song sent envoys and military advisers to Genghis Khan. They … Read more

Briefly about Timur

Timur was born into the family of a Mongolian nobleman. He grew up brave and strong warrior. At the age of 26, due to injury, he became a cripple: his right leg did not bend at the knee, and his arm – at the elbow. Since then, Timur was called the “Iron Lame” – Tamerlane. … Read more

Delhi Sultanate

At the end of the XII century. The Ghaznavid state was conquered by Mohammed Guri. But this time the Muslims, after the robbery of the Indian territories, did not turn back, but began to assert their domination in the Ganga’s share and advance deeper into India. In 1206, after the death of Muhammad Guri, one … Read more

The power of the Ottoman Empire. Mehmed II

In 1451, the sultan became Mehmed II, who was nicknamed the Conqueror. He was a clever, educated, power-hungry, cruel and very insidious man. Mehmed II mastered in 1453 Constantinople, made it the capital of his state and renamed Istanbul. In Istanbul there lived not only Turks, but also Greeks, Armenians, Jews and representatives of other … Read more

Stormy VII-XI centuries of Byzantium. Iconoclasm

Byzantium re-entered its “golden age”. From free peasants, she created a well-trained and armed army, built a strong fleet. However, she was constantly feverish: the struggle for the throne did not stop, quarrels among themselves, people’s riots and uprisings broke out, heretical movements arose. At the beginning of the VIII century. oil in the fire … Read more

Clothing, footwear and jewelry in medieval Europe

The clothing of people of the early Middle Ages was surprisingly monotonous. There were no big differences in the clothes of a nobleman and peasant, male and female clothes. It was based on short trousers and a linen shirt to the knees. Also put on another top shirt made of dense fabric, just below the … Read more