Has a harmful element led to the collapse of one of the greatest powers in human history? It is possible. Research on the bones of Roman patricians showed that the concentration of lead in their organisms was significantly exceeded. The Romans used this highly toxic metal on a massive scale in every
Bolesław Śmiały (Szczodry) dreamed of rebuilding Polands position in the times of his great-grandfather - Bolesław the Brave. Generous, ambitious, but at the same time proud, impetuous and cruel ruler, before he finally lost everything as a result of the murder of the bishop of Krakow - Stanisław an
Just like today, also in antiquity, not all patients trusted doctors. Suspecting that Hippocrates colleagues collaborated with some ancient Big Pharma and that they did not necessarily seek their good, they preferred to turn to various types of healers and gods for help. And they were able to perfor
Although Siberia is associated with the suffering of the Polish nation, many of our countrymen found their happiness there. There they obtained honor, respect and money. A huge group of Polish exiles found themselves in Siberia after the November Uprising. Most often, the punishment imposed on t
Roman rites related to the dead were, on the one hand, more intense and joyful than ours today, and on the other hand, much more terrifying. What role did prostitutes and beans fulfill in this cult, and who was ripping his cheeks out of despair? Heres everything you need to know about the dead and t
Sexual circus is a term coined by two great soul stars, Ray Charles and Billy Preston, describing in two words how the greatest gospel musicians spent their free time in the 1950s. Aretha Franklin and other artists first singed to God in the church and then indulged in dissolute carnal pleasures.
One cold January day in 1803 in London, George Forster was hanged for murdering his wife and child. Apart from the fact that the criminal was sentenced to death by hanging, his body was to be dissected as punishment extending to the afterlife, as it was widely believed that dismembered bodies were n
Today, November 11 - the day of the end of the First World War and the symbolic date of the creation of the free Second Polish Republic - is celebrated with great pomp. But it wasnt always like that. Officially, this date became a holiday only in 1937. How, then, were the anniversaries of Poland reg
We are experiencing moments of historical significance, breakthrough moments about which future centuries will write, reported the editors of Dziennik Wileński on November 11, 1918. And they were right. Over the last century, thousands of publications about Poland regaining independence have appeare
The sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in Europe were marked by the witch hunt. Women were accused of organizing Sabbaths, negotiating with the Devil, and engaging in licentious sex with him. From todays perspective, this image may even be funny for us, but a few hundred years ago no one was laughi
He was the first dandy - city goer and celebrity known for being famous. Beau Brummell, known as The Beauty, led a shocking lifestyle and revolutionized mens fashion forever. George Beau Brummell was way ahead of his time. He regularly took care of hygiene, which may not shock anyone today, but
He spent most of his life in the saddle. He was an excellent rider, a fan of knightly tournaments and a brilliant politician. Although he was German, he received the Czech crown from his father, which was sealed by his marriage to Eliška Przemyślidówna. John of Luxembourg soon demanded the Polish cr
Before the democratic United States was born, ships with European emigrants hoped for a better tomorrow arrived in the American colonies. Europeans, instead of a prosperous life, were given forced labor and became the property of the settlers for the duration of the contract. However, this was only
The mortal remains of the English ruler Henry V of Lancaster were boiled until the flesh and fat were separated from the bones. Contrary to appearances, it was not about preparing the body for an act of cannibalism, nor about a fancy (and macabre) way to show dislike of the king. On the contrary…
Prof. Janusz Tazbir stated that “This kind and stupid king just happened to come across terrible times. In peaceful, quiet times, he would live to the end of his days without much agitation. He ate a lot, he loved hunting, he was fond of manual labor. And he was not a king. Louis XVI took power a
In 1846, Queen Victoria launched an 18th-century costume ball. In order to meet the challenge, court stylists were forced to rush to search for the last living shoemakers dealing in the production of high wooden heels - it was an art that was so extinct. At the time of the popularity of flat shoes,
Vikings were mentioned in the chronicles and also in legends. Scandinavian warriors - hardened in combat, resistant to severe frosts, experienced in distant, overseas expeditions - aroused fear, but also fascination. What are we really learning about the Viking heritage today? It is known that t
Today Christmas is associated with the fever of pre-Christmas shopping, listening to radio hits and Kevin, who stays home alone every year. However, among these commercial customs we can also find a whole range of traditions without which we cannot imagine this special time. These customs surviv
Charles Dickens knew how to touch peoples consciences. But did you know that A Christmas Carol was written with the intention of paying off the debts of an English novelist? The financial aspect by no means obscures the timeless value of Dickens work. It is worth knowing, however, that before he bec
Christmas is an amazing time. We try to be together with our loved ones and, forgetting all our worries, we look to the future with hope. It is a day of love and joy. The war time destroyed a beautiful tradition of family celebration. Already on the first wartime Christmas in 1939, many Polish famil
Life was poor in the Peoples Republic of Poland. Ordinary citizens struggled with a shortage of literally everything. Meanwhile, the gold rush continued at its best in the highest echelons of power. Party officials believed that thanks to the stolen enemies of the system they would manage to maintai
Blackmail, extortion, kidnapping and executions for example. This is not a list of charges against members of some formidable gang. These are the methods that the fighters of the Jewish Fighting Organization had to resort to in order to motivate the inhabitants of the Warsaw ghetto to support their
The sexual revolution has already become legendary. Contrary to popular belief, the contraceptive pill was not responsible for everything. The feeling of freedom, willingness to experiment, faith in the power of manifestation and ... naked actors - this is the true picture of those times. From t
Famous figure from Gaul , sworn enemy of Julius Caesar and great warrior, Vercingetorix rocked our History lessons . The story of his conquests probably still resonates in your mind. But we often forget the mystery that hovers around the death of Vercingetorix . I suggest you take a leap of 2000 yea