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Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is an ancient Indian epic where the main story revolves around two branches of a family - the Pandavas and Kauravas - who, in the Kurukshetra War, battle for the throne of Hastinapura. Interwoven into this narrative are several...

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Roman Expeditions in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa was explored by Roman expeditions between 19 BCE - 90 CE, most likely in an effort to locate the sources of valuable trade goods and establish routes to bring them to the seaports on the coast of North Africa, thereby minimizing...

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Kushite Archers
An artist's impression of the Kushite army - to which the archers in the foreground belong - in battle. The kingdom of Kush, situated in northern Africa, flourished between c. 1069 BCE and 350 CE. (From the PC game Total War: Rome II - Desert...

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Candace Amanishakheto of Meroe
Sandstone stele showing the Candace (or queen) Amanishakheto of Meroe (r. c. 10 BCE–1 CE), from the Kingdom of Kush in what is now Sudan. She is here depicted between the goddess Amesemi and the god Apedemak. Dating from the 1st century BCE...

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Ancient Desert Warfare
An artist's impression of ancient desert warfare in northern Africa, in this case depicting the Kushite army doing battle with the Masaesyli. The kingdom of Kush, situated in northern Africa, flourished between c. 1069 BCE and 350 CE, while...

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Global Trade in the 13th Century
In the 13th century, astonishing quantities of spices and silk passed from the Far East to Europe. Exact amounts are not known, but spice popularity in both cuisine and medicine reached its historical peak during the Middle Ages in Europe...

Definition
Shiva
Shiva (Siva) is one of the most important gods in Hinduism and a member of the holy trinity (trimurti) with Brahma and Vishnu. Shiva is a complex character who may represent goodness and benevolence, and he serves as the Protector. Shiva...

Definition
Ancient Indian Warfare
War was the chief means by which territory was annexed or rulers defeated in ancient India, which was divided into multiple kingdoms, republics and empires. Often one empire predominated or different empires co-existed. The Vedic literature...

Definition
Chanakya
Chanakya (l. c. 350-275 BCE, also known as Kautilya and Vishnugupta) was prime minister under the reign of Chandragupta Maurya (r. c. 321-c.297 BCE), founder of the Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE). He is best known as the author of the political...

Definition
Charvaka
Charvaka (also given as Carvaka) was a philosophical school of thought, developed in India c. 600 BCE, stressing materialism as the means by which one understands and lives in the world. Materialism holds that perceivable matter is all that...