Shipping and superstition in antiquity
Sailors faced many dangers. But the superstitious people found a way to deal with that, and many deities and animals assisted the humans on the sea. A coin from Kyzikos tells of all this, a coin minted on the visit of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
2000-year-old Victoria Cross found
In October 2012 metal detectorist John Goody found a ‘new’ ancient British coin, hitherto unrecorded and unpublished. It is rather worn, but nonetheless intriguing because I’m unable as yet to pin it down to a particular ruler or even, with confidence, to a particular tribe.
Human faces, part 27: Stupor Mundi
Why was the human head the motif on coins for centuries, no, for millennia? And why did that change in the last 200 years? A particularly clever mind was hidden in Frederick’s II head, whose inexhaustible thirst for knowledge earned him the nickname “Stupor Mundi”, wonder of the world.
The Thirty Years’ War – Part 6 (1621-1623)
Religion was of secondary importance in the Thirty Years’ War. It was all about power and money. Ursula Kampmann brings that era alive. Today you will read how Bavaria became an electorate and how Wallenstein became Duke of Courland.
The Thirty Years’ War – Part 11 (1631)
Religion was of secondary importance in the Thirty Years’ War. It was all about power and money. Ursula Kampmann brings that era alive. This episode tells about the rise of Gustavus Adolphus.
The Thirty Years’ War – Part 18
Religion was of secondary importance in the Thirty Years’ War. It was all about power and money. Ursula Kampmann brings that era alive. Even when all belligerents had already gathered to negotiate, the war was still raging – on the battlefields as well in the backrooms.
Sicilian Mosaic Part 3: The tyrant Gelon
Numerous peoples and groups shaped the history of Sicily. In today’s part, you will read about the first problems the Greek settlers faced: their own tyrant …
Medieval Sicily Part 2: The Arabs
Since ancient times, Sicily has been a cultural melting pot, a junction of Africa and Europe, of West and East. In the 9th century, Arabs conquered the wealthy island.
The People of Zurich and their Money 14: Rich and Poor
Our series takes you along for the ride as we explore the Zurich of times past. This episode is about the different worlds in the year 1887. An American journalist first visited Aussersihl, a suburb of Zurich, and afterwards a businessman in his villa.
Human faces, part 28: Fight for Sicily
Why was the human head the motif on coins for centuries, no, for millennia? And why did that change in the last 200 years? Find out why the Houses of Anjou and Aragón fought for Sicily and how Ferdinand of Aragón cleverly used coins for propagandistic purposes in this episode.