National Geographic History

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FROM THE EDITOR

National Geographic History

Ancient Reliefs Found at Site ISIS Tried to Destroy • The relics, which likely depict an Assyrian king’s military campaigns, are the first major discovery of their kind in Iraq since the 1800s.

A WOULD-BE CONQUERER’S FATE

Pauline, the Bonaparte Who Conquered Hearts • Pauline, Napoleon’s beautiful younger sister, was belittled as a party girl who lived for fashion and romance. But she proved to be bold, courageous, and loyal.

BONAPARTE BEAUTY SECRETS

KING OF THE TIARA

Before the Ballrooms, Tango Ruled the Streets • In the slums of Buenos Aires, African and European traditions blended into a sensual new dance. Once notorious and shocking, the tango is now an Argentine national treasure.

COLOR AND VERVE

CUTTING AND BREAKING

THE KING OF TANGO

The Sarcophagus of Hercules • Decorated with mythological reliefs, the Velletri Sarcophagus is a masterpiece of Roman funerary art. Fusing Asian and Greek styles, it reflects a shift in Roman attitudes about the afterlife while still honoring classical legends.

CANAL OF XERXES • An ancient account of Persian King Xerxes carving a canal through a Greek peninsula was thought to be a tall tale, but new studies suggest the engineering marvel did exist.

PERSIA VERSUS ATHENS

A MAN, A PLAN, A CANAL

THE PERSIAN SHORTCUT

PHOENICIAN FLAIR

CROSSING THE HELLESPONT

ODYSSEUS RETURN OF THE KING • Odysseus, the wandering hero of Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, was a mythological character, but the real Bronze Age kingdom where he longs to return can be glimpsed amid the fantasy and myth.

LIFE IN THE BRONZE AGE

HOMEWARD BOUND

SEARCHING FOR HOMER

ROYAL PALACE

PASSOVER FEAST OF FREEDOM • Recalling the Israelites’ escape from enslavement, Passover has deep roots in Jewish history. Against a backdrop of exile and loss, Passover evolved into the richly symbolic feast celebrated every spring by Jews all over the world.

HISTORY OF EXILES

JUDAISM’S CALENDAR

THE PUZZLE OF PASSOVER IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

MESSALINA SEX, POLITICS, AND POWER • The teenage bride of Emperor Claudius, Messalina knew how to play politics in imperial Rome. But after her death, Messalina’s shrewd moves were overshadowed by Roman writers who focused on her sexual escapades.

IMPERIAL POLITICS AND PLOTS

IMPORTANCE OF BEING JULIA

ERASING THE PAST

CATHERINE II OF RUSSIA BECOMING ‘THE GREAT’ • The upstart foreigner may have stolen Russia’s throne, but once in charge, there was no stopping her enlightened reforms, her expanding empire, and her ceaseless pursuit of love and legacy.

RULERS OF RUSSIA

FOLLOWING IN HER FOOTSTEPS

EQUAL EDUCATION

CATHERINE THE CREATIVE

UNPOPULAR PAUL I

CARRYING OUT PETER THE GREAT’S IMPERIAL VISION

PORT OF PISA

The Riddle of the Roman Shipwrecks at Pisa • In 1998, the first of many ancient ships was unearthed far from Pisa’s rivers and coastline. Archaeologists wanted to know how they got there.

Hooks, Dice, and Coins