Saying that the heart of the Habsburgs is in Vienna may sound like a poetic expression to embellish a historical fact, but it can be taken literally if one visits the Church of the Augustinians, part of the Hofburg Imperial Palace. There, in a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto, the Loretokapelle, lies […]
Emperors
Stoic Opposition: The Philosophers Who Defied Roman Emperors
Opposing an established government is part of the political game, and democratic systems consider it normal. However, where power is absolute, things become much more difficult, and the problem is that, throughout history, this has been the general trend. That is why it is surprising to discover that in a regime as autocratic as the […]
The Only Contemporary Portrait of the Last Byzantine Emperor, Constantine XI Palaiologos, Discovered in Greece
An exceptional discovery has brought to light the only known contemporary representation of the last emperor of the Byzantine Empire, Constantine XI Palaiologos. This valuable work was uncovered during restoration work at the main church of the former Monastery of the Archangels, located in the region of Aigio, Greece. The finding, dating back to the […]
Hongzhi, the ‘Great Ruler’ of the Ming Dynasty and the Only Monogamous Emperor in Chinese History
He lived at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries, becoming one of the most unusual emperors in Chinese history—not only as the first to renounce any military glory but also the only one to have a single wife, in contrast to the usual collection of consorts and concubines. A devout follower of Confucius, […]
How Emperor Hadrian Created a New Constellation in the Firmament
Those who enjoy the history of the Roman Empire are well acquainted with the story of Antinous, the young man of extraordinary beauty who deeply captivated Emperor Hadrian. Not only did Hadrian love him, but he also shared a very close and personal bond with him. This bond culminated in tragedy in the year 132 […]
The oldest reigning dynasty in the world is the Imperial House of Japan, descended from a shaman queen
If we were to ask what is the world’s oldest active monarchy, most readers would probably say the British without giving it much thought. That would be an incorrect answer. We need to shift the focus to the Far East because that is where Japan is, whose kōshitsu, or Imperial House, has been at the […]
Marcus Antonius Pallas, the Treasurer of Two Roman Emperors Who Became Rich Without Ever Embezzling Public Funds
Callistus, Terentius, Hyginus, Narcissus, Asiaticus, Neophytus, Phaon, Pallas… What do these names of historical figures from Ancient Rome have in common? All of them were freedmen, that is, slaves freed by their masters, and most of them prospered in their new lives, becoming esteemed literati or secretaries to emperors. A good example could be the […]
The Problem of the Two Emperors: The Historical Dispute over Embodying the Legacy of Rome
It wasn’t called the “beacon of civilization” for nothing. The legacy of Rome was so immense—in every realm—that centuries after its fall, there were still struggles to claim legitimacy as its rightful successor, something that continued well into the Middle Ages. Although many self-proclaimed themselves as heirs, the issue was particularly intense in the dispute […]
Domitian, the Emperor Who Persecuted Rumors and Libelous Writings
Domitian, born as Titus Flavius Domitian in 51 A.D., was the last emperor of the Flavian dynasty, ruling the Roman Empire from 81 A.D. until his death in 96 A.D. He was the son of Vespasian and brother of Titus, who both preceded him on the throne. Throughout his reign, Domitian was known for his […]
Helian Bobo, the Turbulent Xiongnu Emperor Who Demanded Invulnerable Armor and Arrows that Could Pierce It from His Blacksmiths
The description left by the chroniclers says he was very tall (over two meters), strong, handsome, intelligent, ingenious, eloquent… but also arrogant, violent, ungrateful, cruel, and despotic. Such is the portrait that has come down to us of Helian Bobo, also known as Wulie of Xia, the Xiongnu emperor who proclaimed himself a descendant of […]