Does Alcohol Evaporate Out of Food When Cooked? Why some boozed-infused dishes might give you a hangover...,
From Nation, For Nation - Pulse of the Nation
The Appalachian Apple Hunter Who Saved 1,200 Lost Varieties
Up Close & Peculiar
This human skull was once worn as jewelry.
Headhunting as a Sacred Ritual
For the Dayak people, headhunting wasn’t violence for violence’s sake. It was believed that taking an enemy’s head transferred their spirit, strength, and wisdom to the victor. The skulls of defeated enemies were thought to protect the village, ensure fertile crops, and even bring in a bountiful rice harvest.
A Symbol of Strength and Identity
Trophy skulls were highly cherished. Often preserved in bark boxes, these skulls were displayed in homes, worn in ceremonies, and even brought into future battles as talismans of strength and intimidation.
Headhunting was considered a “blood credit,” or a way to avenge a death within the tribe. It was so woven into Dayak identity that a warrior’s dowry could even include a human head, proving his ability to defend and provide for a family. →
From Globe, For Globe - Pulse of the Planet
Who can forget the tale of the 300 Spartans who held the pass of Thermopylae for three days against Persian hordes from the east? Movies such as 2006’s 300 continue to bring this landmark moment in ancient Greek history to life. They emphasize themes central to the fight, including freedom against oppression and courage in the face of insurmountable odds.
But did 300 Spartans really make a final stand against King Xerxes’s massive army of millions? Here’s what we now know about the Spartan and Greek sacrifice that occurred that day.
The Persian Invasion of Greece
In 480 B.C., King Xerxes I of Persia had an axe to grind with the Greek city-states. His father King Darius invaded what is modern-day Greece in 492 B.C. This invasion involved two campaigns, resulting in a decisive Athenian (Greek) victory during the Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C.
Darius had hoped to kill two birds with one stone during the invasion. First, he wished to punish the Greeks for their support of the cities of Ionia (in modern-day Turkey) during a revolt against Persian rule. Second, he saw an opportunity to expand his empire westward.
After the final defeat of the Persians at Marathon, however, Darius died before he could lay siege to the Greek Peloponnese and mainland again. After Xerxes succeeded him, the son took up his father’s grudge and was determined to conquer the Greeks once and for all.
The Greeks Unite
Although the residents of the various Greek city-states shared some basic cultural similarities, they also fought and vied for power amongst themselves. These differences led to competitions such as the Olympics as well as outright warfare. Among the most often contrasted city-states were those of Athens and Sparta.
→
Referred by ripleys.com - where the world’s most extraordinary stories are discovered and celebrated.