Articles

In the 17th century, Cologne was shaken by the quarrel of two families competing for the archbishop’s office. Joseph Clemens of Wittelsbach prevailed, was forced to exile – and has left us with presentation pieces featuring interesting motifs.

Robert Guiscard planned on bringing all of Sicily under his control. Since his adversaries were Moslems, he fought a holy war – a concept that was prevalent at the time. It was his successor Roger who then turned Sicily into a model of religious tolerance.

Why is it that for centuries – or rather thousands of years – the head has served as the motif for the side of a coin? And why has this changed in the last 200 years? In this part of the series it is once again about Alexander the Great – at least about his body.

Both religion and power were the focal points of the Thirty Years’ War that shook the whole of Europe during the 17th century. Ursula Kampmann brings that era alive. Today you will learn how the (Second) Defenestration of Prague happened.

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 about the downfall of the Palatinate Winter King, about the rise of the mad Halberstadter and the intervention of the Danish king.

Religion was of secondary importance in the Thirty Years’ War. It was all about power and money. Ursula Kampmann brings that era alive. Today, the war coincides with the assassination of Wallenstein.

Frugality is probably the last thing you would associate with Louis XIV. Versailles is not the only manifestation of the more than lavish lifestyle that he was so popular for. Still, this episode shows a very different side of the monarch.

It takes much effort and planning until a collector can purchase his commemorative coin that will serve as a memento of an event which – like the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel – will become part of the national myth.

The general political climate made it possible for the Sicilian ruler in the end of the world to reach for the stars and try to conquer Constantinople.

Join us on our trip through the history of Egypt and its capital Alexandria by its coinage. In the final episode you become a witness to the revolt of Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, and Alexandria’s transition into late antique times.