Ancient World
Bar Kokhba Revolt (132-136): The Last Jewish War with Rome
Roman victory; Judaea was devastated, Jews were barred from Jerusalem and the province was renamed Syria Palaestina.
All Articles
Every Chronicle article on world history, newest first: battles, empires, disasters, discoveries and revolutions.
Ancient World
Lady of Cao: A Tattooed Moche Ruler Buried at El Brujo
The discovery of a richly buried, tattooed woman with symbols of rule showed that women could hold high political and religious office in Moche society.
Ancient World
Ban Chao and the Western Regions: Han Power in Central Asia
Ban Chao brought the oasis states of the Tarim Basin under Han overlordship and served as Protector General of the Western Regions from AD 91 to 102.
Ancient World
Aryabhata and the Aryabhatiya (AD 499): Indian Astronomy
A concise Sanskrit treatise that shaped Indian mathematics and astronomy for a thousand years and reached the Islamic world.
Ancient World
Julian Calendar (46 BC): How Caesar Reformed the Roman Year
A solar calendar of 365 days with a leap year every fourth year, used across Europe until the Gregorian reform and still used by several Orthodox churches.
Ancient World
Diogenes of Sinope (c. 404 BC): The Cynic Philosopher in a Jar
Diogenes became the model of the Cynic way of life, whose ideals of self-sufficiency and living according to nature strongly influenced Stoicism.
Ancient World
Abu Simbel Temples: Ramesses II's Monuments in Nubia
Two rock-cut temples proclaimed Ramesses II's power in Nubia; in the 1960s they were cut up and moved above the rising waters of the Aswan High Dam.
Ancient World
Cyrus Cylinder: Persian Proclamation and Modern Icon
A Babylonian foundation inscription presenting Cyrus as Marduk's chosen king; in modern times a celebrated symbol of tolerance and Iranian heritage.
Prehistory
Triassic-Jurassic Extinction: Volcanism and the Rise of Dinosaurs
Roughly three-quarters of marine species and many land reptile groups died out, leaving dinosaurs as the dominant large land animals of the Jurassic.
Modern Era
Bombing of Darwin (1942): The Largest Attack on Australia
Japanese victory; Darwin's harbour, airfields and town were heavily damaged and at least 235 people were killed.
Modern Era
Irish War of Independence (1919-1921): IRA Against British Rule
A truce in July 1921 led to the Anglo-Irish Treaty of December 1921, which created the Irish Free State while Northern Ireland remained in the United Kingdom.
Modern Era
Battle of Adwa (1896): Ethiopia's Victory Over Italian Invasion
Decisive Ethiopian victory; Italy recognised Ethiopia's full independence in the Treaty of Addis Ababa (October 1896).