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The ancestral home of Conrad of Hohenzollern and the third castle constructed on the site. The castle stands today, and was constructed by King Friedrich Wilhelm IV between 1846 and 1867. It is located in the Suabian Alps.

Castle of Hohenzollern

The ancestral home of Conrad of Hohenzollern and the third castle constructed on the site. The castle…

Hotel De Ville was constructed about 1370 in the second half of the fourteenth century. Frescos at one time decorated it façade, some traces still visible in the latter part of the nineteenth century. The hotel is also referred to as the town hall, and is of Gothic architecture. In front of the Town Hall can be seen the beautiful fountain known as the Fischkasten (fish-tank) designed by Jörg Syrlin the Elder, 1482.

Hotel De Ville

Hotel De Ville was constructed about 1370 in the second half of the fourteenth century. Frescos at one…

Ramparts or limes, defensive walls or fortifications constructed for defense of ancient cities or settlement from aggressors. Some constructed as early as the 1st century A.D. when the Romans conquered the land and defended their position there by constructing a rampart (limes). A limes (or the Limes Romanus) was a border defense of Ancient Rome. It marked the boundaries of the Roman Empire. In ancient to modern times, they were used to enclose settlements. Generally, these are referred to as city walls or town walls.

Ramparts of Ulm

Ramparts or limes, defensive walls or fortifications constructed for defense of ancient cities or settlement…

A picturesque view of Lintz (Linz) on the Danube with a small number of buildings on the river banks. There are a few boats on the river.

Lintz on the Dabube

A picturesque view of Lintz (Linz) on the Danube with a small number of buildings on the river banks.…

Passau is one of the oldest cities in Germany, a village of Gauls in early days; and later, a Roman camp. Known also as the Dreiflüssestadt (City of Three Rivers), because the Danube is joined there by the Inn from the South, and the Ilz coming out of the Bavarian Forest to the North. The position of the city, at the junction of the Inn, Ilz, and Danube rivers, justifies its importance.

City, Passau

Passau is one of the oldest cities in Germany, a village of Gauls in early days; and later, a Roman…

A picturesque view of the Lintz (Linz) city center. Lintz was founded by the Romans, who called it "Lentia." It was a provincial and local government city, an important trading point connecting several routes, on either side of the river Danube from the East to the West and Bohemia and Poland from north to the Balkans and Italy to the south. Linz is the third largest city of Austria and capital of the state of Upper Austria. It is located in the north centre of Austria on both sides of the river Danube.

View of Lintz

A picturesque view of the Lintz (Linz) city center. Lintz was founded by the Romans, who called it "Lentia."…

An historic bridge in Prague, the Karlsbrücke - is a major site in Prague. Since 1402, it is a famous site in a historical city. The ancient statues placed along it are of gothic style. The towers provide beautiful views of the city. Karlsbrücke, in English, is Charles Bridge.

Karlsbrücke Bridge in Prague

An historic bridge in Prague, the Karlsbrücke - is a major site in Prague. Since 1402, it is a famous…

Eisgrub, now Lednice, a village in the Czech Republic. It contains a palace and the largest park in the country. The park is laid out in an English garden style and includes the artificial ruins of a medieval castle on the bank of the Thaya/Dyje River.

Castle Eisgrub

Eisgrub, now Lednice, a village in the Czech Republic. It contains a palace and the largest park in…

An illustration of a May day celebration. May Day occurs on May 1 and refers to any of several public holidays. In many countries, May Day is synonymous with International Workers' Day, or Labour Day, which celebrates the social and economic achievements of the labour movement. As a day of celebration the holiday has ancient origins, and it can relate to many customs that have survived into modern times. Many of these customs are due to May Day being a cross-quarter day, meaning that (in the Northern Hemisphere where it is almost exclusively celebrated) it falls approximately halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice.

May Day Celebration

An illustration of a May day celebration. May Day occurs on May 1 and refers to any of several public…

"The canton is a square part of the escutcheon, usually occupying about one-eighth of the field; it is placed over the chief at the dexter side of the shield: it may be charged, and when this is the case, its size may be increased. The canton represents the banner of the ancient Knights Banneret. The canton in the example is marked A." -Hall, 1862

Canton Ordinary

"The canton is a square part of the escutcheon, usually occupying about one-eighth of the field; it…

"Argent, three battle axes gules two over one. BATTLE AXE. An ancient military weapon, frequently borne on arms as a mark of prowess." -Hall, 1862

Battle Axe

"Argent, three battle axes gules two over one. BATTLE AXE. An ancient military weapon, frequently borne…

"Argent, a sinister hand couped at the wrist and erected gules, within a bordure azure. BORDURE or BORDER. This was the most ancient difference in coats of arms, to distinguish different branches of the same family. It is a border round the edge of the shield. Its situation is always the same; but the inner edge may be varied." -Hall, 1862

Hand and Bordure

"Argent, a sinister hand couped at the wrist and erected gules, within a bordure azure. BORDURE or BORDER.…

"Argent, a boujet proper. BOUJET. An ancient water bucket, frequently borne in shields of arms." -Hall, 1862

Boujet

"Argent, a boujet proper. BOUJET. An ancient water bucket, frequently borne in shields of arms." -Hall,…

"Argent, a broad arrow gules. BROAD ARROW. An ancient weapon of war, thrown by an engine. It is frequently borne as a charge in coats of arms." -Hall, 1862

Broad Arrow

"Argent, a broad arrow gules. BROAD ARROW. An ancient weapon of war, thrown by an engine. It is frequently…

"Argent, a caltrop proper. CALTROP. An iron instrument made to annoy an enemy's cavalry. They were formed of iron, being four spikes conjoined in such a manner that one was always upwards. It is found in many ancient coats of arms." -Hall, 1862

Caltrop

"Argent, a caltrop proper. CALTROP. An iron instrument made to annoy an enemy's cavalry. They were formed…

"Argent, a chaplet proper. CHAPLET. An ancient ornament for the head, granted to gallant knights for acts of courtesy. It is frequently borne as a charge in a shield of arms, and always tinted in its natural colours." -Hall, 1862

Chaplet

"Argent, a chaplet proper. CHAPLET. An ancient ornament for the head, granted to gallant knights for…

"DIADEM, a circle of gold with points rising from it, worn by ancient kings as the token of royalty. The diadem of most of the monarchs of Europe, as represented in ancient statuary, stained glass, and paintings, resembles the annexed engraving; the kings of England, from the Conquest to Henry VII., all wore a diadem of this shape." -Hall, 1862

Diadem

"DIADEM, a circle of gold with points rising from it, worn by ancient kings as the token of royalty.…

"EASTERN CROWN. A crown with rays proceeding from a circle, called by heralds an Eastern crown, is found in ancient achievements. The annexed cut shows its form." -Hall, 1862

Eastern Crown

"EASTERN CROWN. A crown with rays proceeding from a circle, called by heralds an Eastern crown, is found…

On the coast of Naples, near the ancient town of Puzzuoli, stand three marble pillars forty feet in height. Their pedestals are washed by the waters of the Mediterranean. The marble pavement upon which they stand was, in the second century, the floor of a temple and is sunken three feet beneath the waves. The level of land may vary, and the shores of a continent may be submerged, and at a subswquent period may rise again from the waves. It is recorded that the effects of oscillations cause many changes in land formation of the centuries.

Temple of Scrapis at Puzzuoli

On the coast of Naples, near the ancient town of Puzzuoli, stand three marble pillars forty feet in…

The Lingula prima is a little bivalve shell belonging at the bottom of the class Brachiopoda. The inarticulate brachiopod genus Lingula is the oldest, relatively unchanged animal known. The oldest lingulid fossils are found in Lower Cambrian rocks dating to roughly 550 million years ago. The origin of brachiopods is unknown. A possible ancestor is a sort of ancient "armored slug" known as Halkieria that had small brachiopod-like shields on its head and tail.

Lingula Prima

The Lingula prima is a little bivalve shell belonging at the bottom of the class Brachiopoda. The inarticulate…

The Lingula antigua is a little bivalve shell belonging at the bottom of the class Brachiopoda. The inarticulate brachiopod genus Lingula is the oldest, relatively unchanged animal known. The oldest lingulid fossils are found in Lower Cambrian rocks dating to roughly 550 million years ago. The origin of brachiopods is unknown. A possible ancestor is a sort of ancient "armored slug" known as Halkieria that had small brachiopod-like shields on its head and tail.

Lingula Antigua

The Lingula antigua is a little bivalve shell belonging at the bottom of the class Brachiopoda. The…

The gars, or garpikes, are members of the Lepisosteiformes (or Semionotiformes), an ancient order of "primitive" ray-finned fish. Fossil gars are found in Europe, South America, and North America, indicating that in times past these fish had a wider distribution than they do today. Gars are considered to be a remnant of a group of rather primitive bony fish that flourished in the Mesozoic, and are most closely related to the bowfin, another archaic fish now found only in North America.

Garpikes Fish

The gars, or garpikes, are members of the Lepisosteiformes (or Semionotiformes), an ancient order of…

Sigillaria is the generic name assigned to this ancient arborescent lycopod. Occassionally the trunks were smooth. Extinct genus of tree-sized lycopsids from the Carboniferous Period (about 360 to 300 million years ago) that are related to modern club mosses. Sigillaria had a single or sparsely branched trunk characterized by a slender strand of wood and thick bark.

Sigillaria, An Ancient Tree

Sigillaria is the generic name assigned to this ancient arborescent lycopod. Occassionally the trunks…

Pecopteris, frond of an ancient tree fern, was a form genus of leaves from several unrelated plant groups that flourished the early Carboniferous period and on to c. 250 Ma. Pecopteris first appeared in the Devonian period, but flourished in the Carboniferous, especially the Pennsylvanian. Plants bearing these leaves went extinct around the beginning of the Permian period.

Pecopteris Tree Fern

Pecopteris, frond of an ancient tree fern, was a form genus of leaves from several unrelated plant groups…

Niagara, though often popularly translated as "Thundering Waters", this is a folk translation with no basis in historical native North American language. The name is a of a famous waterfalls and river through which Lake Erie empties into Lake Ontario, as part of the Great Lakes drainage system of North America. This shows the geological position of Niagara River and Falls, and the ancient levels of the lake waters from Lake Ontario to Chicago.

Niagara River and Falls

Niagara, though often popularly translated as "Thundering Waters", this is a folk translation with no…

Ancient cedar trees were found buried beneath the Dennisvill swamp in southern New Jersey. It was believed the perculiar action of water and wind kept these trees in the same stage of decay as when they fell. This discovery resulted in the novel business of "mining cedar trees".

Buried Swamp

Ancient cedar trees were found buried beneath the Dennisvill swamp in southern New Jersey. It was believed…

"GALLEY. An ancient vessel propelled by oars; frequently used in shields of naval officers." -Hall, 1862

Galley

"GALLEY. An ancient vessel propelled by oars; frequently used in shields of naval officers." -Hall,…

"KNIGHTS-BANNERET. This ancient and honourable order has become extinct. It obtained the title of banneret from the knights having the right of having a square banner borne before them on the field of battle, and at jousts and tournaments." -Hall, 1862

Knights-Banneret

"KNIGHTS-BANNERET. This ancient and honourable order has become extinct. It obtained the title of banneret…

Homer is traditionally held to be the author of the ancient Greek epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey, as well as of the Homeric Hymns. Today the hymns are considered to be later works but many still regard Homer as the author or compiler of the epics.

Bust of Homer

Homer is traditionally held to be the author of the ancient Greek epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey,…

Demosthenes was a prominent Greek statesman and orator of ancient Athens. His orations constitute a significant expression of contemporary Athenian intellectual prowess and provide an insight into the politics and culture of ancient Greece during the 4th century BC. Demosthenes learned rhetoric by studying the speeches of previous great orators. He delivered his first judicial speeches at the age of 20, in which he argued effectively to gain from his guardians what was left of his inheritance. For a time, Demosthenes made his living as a professional speech-writer (logographer) and a lawyer, writing speeches for use in private legal suits.

Sculpture of Demosthenes

Demosthenes was a prominent Greek statesman and orator of ancient Athens. His orations constitute a…

Epicurus was an ancient Greek philosopher and the founder of the school of philosophy called Epicureanism. Only a few fragments and letters remain of Epicurus's 300 written works. Much of what is known about Epicurean philosophy derives from later followers and commentators.

Epicurus

Epicurus was an ancient Greek philosopher and the founder of the school of philosophy called Epicureanism.…

The Capitoline Hill, between the Forum and the Campus Martius, is one of the seven hills of Rome. By the 16th century, Capitolinus had become Campidoglio in the Roman dialect. The English word capitol derives from Capitoline. The Capitoline contains few ancient ground-level ruins, as they are almost entirely covered up by Medieval and Renaissance palaces (now housing the Capitoline Museums) that surround a piazza, a significant urban plan designed by Michelangelo.

Capitoline Hill in Rome

The Capitoline Hill, between the Forum and the Campus Martius, is one of the seven hills of Rome. By…

An illustration of two lictors, members of a special class of Roman civil servants. Lictors had special tasks of attending and guarding magistrates of the Roman Republic and Empire who held imperium; essentially, a bodyguard. The origin of the tradition of lictors goes back to the time when Rome was a kingdom, perhaps acquired from their Etruscan neighbours.

Roman Civil Servants

An illustration of two lictors, members of a special class of Roman civil servants. Lictors had special…

Illustration of a Roman soldier, also called a legionary, carrying a shield, short sword, and a short javelin for throwing. He is wearing sandals, traditional armor, and a helmet.

A Roman Soldier, or Legionary, with a Short Javelin and Shield

Illustration of a Roman soldier, also called a legionary, carrying a shield, short sword, and a short…

An illustration of Marcellus coins.

Marcellus Coins

An illustration of Marcellus coins.

Publius Cornelius Scipio (died 211 BC) was a general and statesman of the Roman Republic. A member of the Cornelia gens, Scipio served as consul in 218 BC, the first year of the Second Punic War, and sailed with an army from Pisa to Massilia (today Marseille), with the intention of arresting Hannibal's advance on Italy. Failing to meet his enemy he returned to Cisalpine Gaul by sea, and sent his army on to Hispania under the command of his brother Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio Calvus with instructions to hold the Carthaginian forces there in check.

Publius Cornelius Scipio

Publius Cornelius Scipio (died 211 BC) was a general and statesman of the Roman Republic. A member of…

An illustration of a coin with the face of Philip V of Macedonia. Philip V was King of Macedonia from 221 BC to 179 BC. Philip's reign was principally marked by an unsuccessful struggle with the emerging power of Rome.

Philip V of Macedonia Coin

An illustration of a coin with the face of Philip V of Macedonia. Philip V was King of Macedonia from…

An illustration of a coin with the face of Perseus of Macedonia. Perseus the legendary founder of Mycenae and of the Perseid dynasty there, was the first of the mythic heroes of Greek mythology whose exploits in defeating various archaic monsters provided the founding myths in the cult of the Twelve Olympians. Perseus was the hero who killed Medusa and claimed Andromeda, having rescued her from a sea monster.

Perseus of Macedonia Coin

An illustration of a coin with the face of Perseus of Macedonia. Perseus the legendary founder of Mycenae…

Gaius Marius was a Roman general and politician elected consul an unprecedented seven times during his career. He was also noted for his dramatic reforms of Roman armies, authorizing recruitment of landless citizens and reorganizing the structure of the legions into separate cohorts.

Bust of Marius

Gaius Marius was a Roman general and politician elected consul an unprecedented seven times during his…

A sculpture of the head of Lucius Cornelius Sulla. Lucius Felix. Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix, or simply Sulla, was a Roman general and politician, holding the office of consul twice as well as the dictatorship.

Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix

A sculpture of the head of Lucius Cornelius Sulla. Lucius Felix. Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix, or simply…

Marcus Antonius, known in English as Mark Antony, was a Roman politician and General. He was an important supporter and the best friend of Gaius Julius Caesar as a military commander and administrator, being Caesar's second cousin, once removed, by his mother Julia Antonia. After Caesar's assassination, Antony formed an official political alliance with Octavian (Augustus) and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, known to historians today as the Second Triumvirate.

Bust of Mark Antony

Marcus Antonius, known in English as Mark Antony, was a Roman politician and General. He was an important…

Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman military and political leader. He played a critical role in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.

Bust of Julius Caesar

Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman military and political leader. He played a critical role in the transformation…

Titus Flavius Vespasianus, commonly known as Vespasian (November 17, 9 – June 23, 79), was a Roman Emperor who reigned from 69 A.D. until his death in 79 A.D. Vespasian was the founder of the short-lived Flavian dynasty, which ruled the Roman Empire between 69 A.D. and 96 A.D. He was succeeded by his sons Titus (79–81) and Domitian (81–96).

Coin of Vespasian

Titus Flavius Vespasianus, commonly known as Vespasian (November 17, 9 – June 23, 79), was a Roman…

An illustration of the streets of Pompeii. Pompeii is a ruined and partially buried Roman town-city near modern Naples in the Italian region of Campania, in the territory of the comune of Pompei. Along with Herculaneum, its sister city, Pompeii was destroyed, and completely buried, during a long catastrophic eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius spanning two days in AD 79.

Streets of Pompeii

An illustration of the streets of Pompeii. Pompeii is a ruined and partially buried Roman town-city…

Lucius Aurelius Commodus Antoninus (31 August 161 – 31 December 192) was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 180 to 192 (also with his father, Marcus Aurelius, from 177 until 180). The name given here was his official name at his accession to sole rule; see Changes of name for earlier and later forms. His accession as emperor was the first time a son had succeeded his father since Titus succeeded Vespasian in 79. Commodus was the first emperor "born to the purple"; i.e., born during his father's reign.

Bust of Commodus

Lucius Aurelius Commodus Antoninus (31 August 161 – 31 December 192) was a Roman Emperor who ruled…

Caracalla (April 4, 188 – April 8, 217. Caracallus ), born Lucius Septimius Bassianus and later called Marcus Aurelius Antoninus and Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus, was the eldest son of Septimius Severus and Roman Emperor from 211 to 217. He was one of the most nefarious of Roman emperors.

Bust of Caracalla

Caracalla (April 4, 188 – April 8, 217. Caracallus ), born Lucius Septimius Bassianus and later called…

An illustration of the Roman Forum as in 1885. The Roman Forum, sometimes known by its original Latin name, is located between the Palatine hill and the Capitoline hill of the city of Rome. It is the central area around which the ancient Roman civilization developed. Citizens referred to the location as the "Forum Magnum" or just the "Forum

Roman Forum in 1885

An illustration of the Roman Forum as in 1885. The Roman Forum, sometimes known by its original Latin…

An illustration of the bust of Seneca the Elder. Lucius or Marcus Annaeus Seneca, known as Seneca the Elder and Seneca the Rhetorician (ca. 54 BC – ca. 39 AD), was a Roman rhetorician and writer, born of a wealthy equestrian family of Cordoba, Hispania.

Bust of Seneca the Elder

An illustration of the bust of Seneca the Elder. Lucius or Marcus Annaeus Seneca, known as Seneca the…

An illustration of the sarcophagus of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus. Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus (died c. 280 BC) was one of the two elected Roman consuls in 298 BC. He led the Roman army to victory against the Etruscans near Volterra. A member of the noble Roman family of Scipiones, he was the father of Lucius Cornelius Scipio and Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio Asina and great-grandfather of Scipio Africanus.

Sarcophagus of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus

An illustration of the sarcophagus of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus. Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus…

A sculpture of John Wycliffe, an English theologian, lay preacher, translator and reformist. Wycliffe was an early dissident in the Roman Catholic Church during the 14th century. His followers are known as Lollards, a somewhat rebellious movement which preached a legalistic Gospel. He is considered the founder of the Lollard movement, a precursor to the Protestant Reformation (for this reason, he is sometimes called "The Morning Star of the Reformation"). He was one of the earliest opponents of papal authority influencing secular power.

Sculpture of John Wycliffe

A sculpture of John Wycliffe, an English theologian, lay preacher, translator and reformist. Wycliffe…

Mary I (18 February 1516 – 17 November 1558), was Queen of England and Queen of Ireland from 19 July 1553 until her death. The fourth crowned monarch of the Tudor dynasty, she is remembered for restoring England to Roman Catholicism after succeeding her short-lived half brother, Edward VI, to the English throne. In the process, she had almost 300 religious dissenters burned at the stake in the Marian Persecutions, earning her the sobriquet of "Bloody Mary". Her re-establishment of Roman Catholicism was reversed by her successor and half-sister, Elizabeth I.

Mary I of England

Mary I (18 February 1516 – 17 November 1558), was Queen of England and Queen of Ireland from 19…

"Argent, a manche, gules. MANCHE. An ancient sleeve with long hangings to it." -Hall, 1862

Manche

"Argent, a manche, gules. MANCHE. An ancient sleeve with long hangings to it." -Hall, 1862

"MITRE. A sacerdotal ornament for the head, worn by Roman Catholic archbishops and bishops on solemn occasions. " -Hall, 1862

Mitre

"MITRE. A sacerdotal ornament for the head, worn by Roman Catholic archbishops and bishops on solemn…

"Mitre. A sacerdotal ornament for the head, worn by Roman Catholic archbishops and bishops on solemn occasions." -Hall, 1862

Mitre

"Mitre. A sacerdotal ornament for the head, worn by Roman Catholic archbishops and bishops on solemn…

"Azure, on a pall argent, four crosses fitchy sable, in chief a cross pattee of the second. PALL. A scarf in the shape of the letter Y, forming part of the vesture of a Roman Catholic prelate. It is introduced as the principal bearing of the archbishops of Canterbury, Armagh, and Dublin." -Hall, 1862

Pall

"Azure, on a pall argent, four crosses fitchy sable, in chief a cross pattee of the second. PALL. A…

"Argent and azure, potent and counter potent. Some armorists call counter potent vary cuppy. POTENT. The ancient name of a crutch: when the field is covered with figures like small crutches it is called potent; when the heads of the crutches touch each other it is called counter potent." -Hall, 1862

Potent

"Argent and azure, potent and counter potent. Some armorists call counter potent vary cuppy. POTENT.…

"Argent, a bend undy, gules. UNDY. A term used to express the word wavy by Gwillim and other ancient armorists." -Hall, 1862

Bend Undy

"Argent, a bend undy, gules. UNDY. A term used to express the word wavy by Gwillim and other ancient…

"Specimens of Ancient Roman Glass." -Whitney, 1911

Roman Glass

"Specimens of Ancient Roman Glass." -Whitney, 1911

"Ancient Roman Cameo-Glass. Amphora from Pompeii, Museo Nazionale, Naples." -Whitney, 1911

Roman Cameo-Glass

"Ancient Roman Cameo-Glass. Amphora from Pompeii, Museo Nazionale, Naples." -Whitney, 1911

The Kiss of Judas is an engraving by Albrecht Dürer in 1508. It is part of a series of engravings called the "Passion". It depicts when Judas identifies Jesus to the Roman soldiers by means of a kiss.

The Kiss of Judas

The Kiss of Judas is an engraving by Albrecht Dürer in 1508. It is part of a series of engravings…