I used to be less interested in the Middle Ages, but after I read The Bright Ages, my view on Medieval Europe changed and I now find it a very fascinating topic.
1 Like
Is ancient votes has something to do with the fact that this website was originay Ancient History Encyclopedia 
1 Like
I also wonder that. For me as the founder of the site, it definitely is the reason why I started with ancient history, but why after all this years it’s still the favourite period of our readers I do not know…
Yes, everybody loves to know past.
I think it’s the wonder and mystery of it all.
Everything seemed so majestic, and then you have mythology with witches, quests, heroes, fascinating gods and goddesses, and magical creatures. Not to mention, big epic battles and famous leaders who are larger than life (Cleopatra VII, Julius Caesar, etc).
Modern history is more relatable/familiar, but maybe that’s why it doesn’t seem as popular as ancient history.
If I were to relive my life, it would be as a political agent on the Northwest Frontier in India, witnessing the Great Game between the Russian and British empires. That Kipling like life so appeals to me, the romance the adventure, the history of that period is exhilarating. And being a woman, at that time would have its challenges, but that makes it even more exiting!
The historical era that interests me the most is the Islamic Golden Age, because of the major scientific, intellectual, and literary renaissance it witnessed. What attracts me to it specifically is the flourishing of philosophy and science, and the emergence of thinkers like Al-Farabi and Ibn Sina, alongside scientists like Al-Khwarizmi. I believe this era shows how science and thought can change the course of civilization."
1 Like
Im still in highschool so obviously I chose the one Im learning about right now which is The Renaissance, I really like this one now because its old history with like modern tactcis or problems from now. Like from what I understand there’s issues with power and how people realize when upper authorities are taking advantage of them and they try to do something about it. I like it too because its all just about power and power is so much that can go into the topic about power.
1 Like
One thought: I’m not sure “Renaissance” fully works as a name for the period globally, since it does refer more specifically to developments only in Europe. A term like “Early Modern Period” may be better.
1 Like
"Thank you for your note. I agree with you that the term ‘Renaissance’ is usually used to refer to the European Renaissance, so my choice of word may not have been entirely accurate. I meant more broadly the period that witnessed major scientific and intellectual flourish, especially in the Islamic world. Perhaps the phrase ‘Islamic Golden Age’ is more accurate for what I meant. Thank you for pointing this out!"
1 Like
That’s a super fascinating era indeed. One that’s not covered enough in the West, even though it’s known.
2 Likes
Yes, although it changed many beliefs.
Thanks! You’re right.
I tried editing the poll, but unfortunately it won’t save the edited version. 
1 Like
Antiquity. The greek philosophers. The values. Music and sounds, Greek Tragedies. The birth of Democracy, the mysterious Etrusks, Roman history and how they still influence us today.
1 Like
I’m fascinated by the end of the Western Roman era–with some level of organization–into the 6th & 7th centuries and a ‘starting over’ of sorts. What was it like? Was it ‘dark’? What would the early centuries of Christianity be like, and how interesting are those 4-5-6th century early churches?
2 Likes
Noted! When I’m ready to playtest I’ll put out a note here (and Archeogaming, and SASA and…)
I highly recommend reading The Bright Ages, a history of the Middle Ages that paints them in a very different light. As the title, suggests, not at all dark. The book starts out with the mosaics in Ravenna created for the mausoleum of Galla Placidia. It inspired me to go see them, which I did this summer… fantastic! There’s nothing dark about such creations.
100% THAT! I think that good history tells a story, a story of people. A story that takes us to another place and time. Lists of dates don’t do that, which is why so many history teachers unfortunately failed (and still fail) to get kids interested in the subject.
2 Likes
As noted above, my favorite period is Ancient South Asia, with focus right now on the Isin-Larsa and Old Babylonian periods. I started thinking about TTRPG settings and the kinda default Faux Medieval Europe and started asking myself what makes that so appealing. Wondered how much earlier you could go and have enough material to make a working setting. I landed in OB Mesopotamia.
A thousand years before Romulus killed Remus, they had already heroes, gods, ghosts, buried history and treasure, ruins to explore. They already had an academic, bureaucratic, magic language that filled the role that Latin does now in many cultures today.
There’s so much to work with.
1 Like