Featured Definition
Definition
Iranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution (1978-1979) was the social movement that arose from widespread and diverse discontent with the monarchic government of Iran...
Featured Image
Image
Map of the Western Front in World War I, 1914-1918
The Western Front (1914–1918) was the central and most industrialized theater of the First World War, emerging from Germany’s initial invasion of Belgium...
Free for the World, Supported by You
World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. Please support free history education for millions of learners worldwide for only$5 per month by becoming a member. Thank you!
World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. Please support free history education for millions of learners worldwide for only$5 per month by becoming a member. Thank you!
Become a Member Donate
Article
Ghosts in Ancient Mesopotamia- Just Another Aspect of Life
Ghosts in ancient Mesopotamia were understood as a reality of life, just as they were in other civilizations of antiquity. Although the cultures of...
Article
How Germany Lost World War I
Germany started the First World War (1914-18) with the belief its armed forces could win a quick and decisive victory over France and then Russia. The...
Article
Fashion & Dress in Ancient Mesopotamia- From Basic to Accessorized in the Ancient World
Fashion and dress in Mesopotamia – clothing, footwear, and accessories – were not only functional but defined one's social status and developed from...
Article
Second Battle of the Marne- The Beginning of the End for Germany in WWI
The Second Battle of the Marne took place in July and August 1918 and saw Germany's last advance of the Spring Offensive rebuffed by a strong Allied...
Article
Mesopotamian Education- Creating the First Written Works in History
Mesopotamian education was invented by the Sumerians following the creation of writing circa 3600/3500 BCE. The earliest schools were attached to temples...
Definition
Gaius Cassius Longinus- Liberator, Tyrannicide, or Traitor?
Gaius Cassius Longinus (circa 86-42 BCE) was a leader of the 'Liberators', the faction of Roman senators who assassinated Julius Caesar on the Ides...
Definition
Antinomian Controversy- Inspiring the Separation of Church and State in the USA
The Antinomian Controversy (1636-1638) was a religious-political conflict that divided the Massachusetts Bay Colony of New England in the 17th century...
Article
German Spring Offensive- Ludendorff's Last Chance to Win WWI
The German Spring Offensive, also called the Ludendorff Offensive after its commander, was the last major German advance of the First World War (1914-18...
Definition
Mesopotamian Science and Technology- Scientific Method in the Ancient Near East
Mesopotamian science and technology developed during the Uruk period (circa 4000-3100 BCE) and the Early Dynastic period (circa 2900-2350/2334 BCE...
Definition
The Barracks Emperors- Instability of Populist Rule
The "barracks emperors" is a term coined by later historians referring to the Roman emperors who were chosen and supported by the army during the period...
Article
Scribes in Ancient Mesopotamia- The Beginning of History
Scribes in ancient Mesopotamia were highly educated individuals trained in writing and reading on diverse subjects. Initially, their purpose was to...
Article
Battle of Passchendaele- Haig's Folly in the Mud of Flanders
The Battle of Passchendaele (October-November 1917), the final stage of the Third Battle of Ypres, took place in Flanders, Belgium, during the First...
Article
The Trial of Anne Hutchinson- Silencing Dissent in Colonial America
Anne Hutchinson (1591-1643) was a religious dissident who was brought to trial by John Winthrop (1588-1649) and the other magistrates of the Massachusetts...
Definition
Marcus Junius Brutus- Rome's Most Notorious Traitor
Marcus Junius Brutus (85 BCE to 42 BCE) was a Roman senator most famous for his role in the assassination of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March (15...
Article
Trade in Ancient Mesopotamia- How Commerce Encouraged Civilization
Local trade in ancient Mesopotamia began in the Ubaid period (circa 6500-4000 BCE), had developed into long-distance trade by the Uruk period (circa...
Article
First Battle of the Marne- How Paris was Saved in World War I
The First Battle of the Marne, fought between 6 and 10 September 1914, was a major and successful Allied counterattack against the German invasion of...
