National Geographic History

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FROM THE EDITOR

Is This Seal the Mark of the Prophet Isaiah? • A 2,700-year-old clay seal may be the first archaeological reference, outside of the Bible, to perhaps the most influential prophet of all time.

THE ELUSIVE ISAIAH, PROPHET OF KINGS

Ideas and Adversaries

Averroës, the Philosopher Who Saved Aristotle • A brilliant polymath born in medieval Muslim Spain, Averroës attracted powerful patrons with his brilliance. Attacked by enemies and denounced by theologians, his thorough exploration of Aristotle’s writings would endure to become the foundation of Europe’s emerging universities.

REGARDING WOMEN

A UNIVERSAL THINKER

The Jaguar: Divine Feline of the Americas • The Aztec called it the ocelotl, while in the Tupi-Guarani languages of South America it is called the yaguara, meaning “he who kills with one leap.” Whatever the name, the jaguar has inspired fascination, fear, and reverence for centuries.

The Shower: A Blast From the Past • In the 1700s the invention of a mechanical shower started people on the path to replacing their Saturday night baths with daily morning showers.

GOING WITH THE FLOW

EGYPTIAN INFLUENCE

Fast and Furious: Chariot Races in the Roman Empire • Constantinople‘s favorite spectator sport, chariot races at the glorious Hippodrome were at the center of life in the sixth century a.d., sparking passionate fans and fueling political fires.

A Day at the Roman Races

Running the Course

THE SLAVES OF ANCIENT GREECE • While the Golden Age of Athens is loudly trumpeted for its achievements in philosophy and government, Greek reliance on chattel slavery often remains in the shadows. Rendered nearly invisible by history, enslaved people were an integral part of life in ancient Greece.

SLAVERY IN THE GOLDEN AGE

WHO’S LAUGHING NOW?

The Many Faces of Slavery

BURIED ALIVE

THE TALE OF EUMAEUS

THE FACES OF AL FAYYUM • Stunning, lifelike funerary portraits from cosmopolitan, Roman-era Egypt reveal that realism was a thing of the past.

PORTRAITS OF THE AGE

Molded Masks

Bound to Last

BLENDING BELIEFS

ZHENG HE ASIA’S GREATEST ADMIRAL • Seeking to spread Chinese goods and prestige to far-flung new markets, the Ming dynasty chose a former captive and eunuch to command their fleet of treasure ships. Pushing ever farther westward, Zheng He’s seven remarkable naval expeditions established China as Asia’s leading naval power.

MIGHTY MING EMPERORS

MA HUAN’S TRUE TALL TALES

THE CENTER OF THE WORLD

KUBLAI KHAN KAMIKAZED

THE 7 VOYAGES OF ZHENG HE

GETTING HIS BEARINGS

BIG BOATS OF CHINA

FROM ALLIES TO ENEMIES QUEEN VERSUS KING • When she became queen, Elizabeth I was but a poor player compared to King Philip II, ruler of the Spanish Empire. Struggles over faith and politics turned the two ambitious monarchs to rivals, competing for glory and power on the world stage.

Reign of the Virgin Queen

PRINCESS IN PERIL

SURPRISE OUTCOMES

REBELLION “COWS” A KING

A TALE OF TWO PALACES • Fittingly for rulers of two vastly different realms, Elizabeth’s residence of choice was relatively cozy, while Philip’s was a sprawling, mini city of chilly grandeur.

THE QUEEN’S FAVORITE SEA DOG

DEATH OF A DYNASTY • On a July night 100 years ago, Romanov rule of Russia came to a decisive, bloody end. Held captive for months by...