The Ancient World, THO-VOL
The modern world may look very different from the world that existed in the time of ancient civilizations, but our modern-day life continues to show the influence of cultures, traditions, ideas, and innovations from hundreds of years ago. Learn more about important historical civilizations, sites, people, and events.
The Ancient World Encyclopedia Articles By Title
Thomsen, Christian JĂŒrgensen
Christian JĂŒrgensen Thomsen was a Danish archaeologist who deserves major credit for developing the three-part......
Thrace
Thrace, ancient and modern region of the southeastern Balkans. The historical boundaries of Thrace have varied.......
Thrasea Paetus, Publius Clodius
Publius Clodius Thrasea Paetus was a Roman senator who was famous for his opposition to the emperor Nero. Thrasea......
Three Kingdoms
Three Kingdoms, (220â280 ce), trio of warring Chinese statesâWei, Shu-Han, and Wuâthat followed the demise of the......
Thucydides
Thucydides was the greatest of ancient Greek historians and author of the History of the Peloponnesian War, which......
Thule culture
Thule culture, prehistoric culture that developed along the Arctic coast in northern Alaska, possibly as far east......
Thutmose I
Thutmose I was an 18th-dynasty king of ancient Egypt who expanded Egyptâs empire in Nubia (in present-day Sudan)......
Thutmose II
Thutmose II was an 18th-dynasty king of ancient Egypt who reigned in the 2nd millennium BCE. He suppressed a revolt......
Thutmose III
Thutmose III was a king (reigned c. 1479â25 bce) of the 18th dynasty, often regarded as the greatest of the rulers......
Thutmose IV
Thutmose IV was an 18th-dynasty king of ancient Egypt who reigned during the 2nd millennium BCE. He secured an......
Tiberius
Tiberius was the second Roman emperor (14â37 ce), the adopted son of Augustus, whose imperial institutions and......
Tigellinus, Ofonius
Ofonius Tigellinus was the Roman emperor Neroâs chief adviser from 62 to 68, notorious for the influence his cruelty......
Tiglath-pileser I
Tiglath-pileser I was one of the greatest of the early kings of Assyria, reigning c. 1115âc. 1077 bc. Tiglath-pileser......
Tiglath-pileser II
Tiglath-pileser II was the king of Assyria (c. 965âc. 932 bc). He apparently ruled effectively, as a successor......
Tiglath-pileser III
Tiglath-pileser III was the king of Assyria (745â727 bc) who inaugurated the last and greatest phase of Assyrian......
Tigris-Euphrates river system
Tigris-Euphrates river system, great river system of southwestern Asia. It comprises the Tigris and Euphrates rivers,......
Tikal
Tikal, city and ceremonial center of the ancient Maya civilization. The largest urban center in the southern Maya......
Tillemont, SĂ©bastien Le Nain de
SĂ©bastien Le Nain de Tillemont was a French ecclesiastical historian who was one of the earliest scholars to provide......
Timeline of the Roman Empire
The Roman Empire succeeded the Roman Republic and was distinguished from it by its form of governmentâpower was......
Tissaphernes
Tissaphernes was a Persian satrap (governor) who played a leading part in Persiaâs struggle to reconquer the Ionian......
Titus
Titus was a Roman emperor (79â81), and the conqueror of Jerusalem in 70. After service in Britain and Germany,......
Titus Tatius
Titus Tatius, traditionally the Sabine king who ruled with Romulus, the founder of Rome. It is unlikely that either......
Tiwanaku
Tiwanaku, major pre-Columbian civilization known from ruins of the same name that are situated near the southern......
Today in HistoryâApril 28: Chinese Tomb Discovery Upends the History of Paper
Picture Indiana Jones swapping his fedora for a Han dynasty helmet, dodging booby traps in dusty Chinese tombs.......
Today in HistoryâAugust 19: Roman Teenager Becomes Political Royalty
On this day in 43 bce, a 19-year-old became one of the most powerful people in the Roman Republic. He was Gaius......
Today in HistoryâJanuary 10: An Irreversible Decision
On a starlit night in 49 bce, Julius Caesar and his army crossed the Rubicon Riverâwhich was more of a stream,......
Today in HistoryâSeptember 12: The Discovery of the Lascaux Caves
On this day in 1940, four teenage boys stumbled upon one of the worldâs most significant archaeological findsâthrough......
Today in HistoryâSeptember 1: The Secret Story of the Titanicâs Discovery
What do the Titanic and two nuclear submarines have in common? All three sank in the Atlantic. And all were part......
Toltec
Toltec, Nahuatl-speaking tribe who held sway over what is now central Mexico from the 10th to the 12th century......
Toprakkale
Toprakkale, ancient Urartian fortress located near modern Van in southeastern Turkey. The walls of Toprakkale,......
Torres-GarcĂa, JoaquĂn
JoaquĂn Torres-GarcĂa was a Uruguayan painter who introduced Constructivism to South America. In 1891 Torres-GarcĂa......
Trajan
Trajan was a Roman emperor (98â117 ce) who sought to extend the boundaries of the empire to the east (notably in......
Trasimene, Battle of
Battle of Trasimene, (June 217 bce), second major battle of the Second Punic War, in which the Carthaginian forces......
Trebbia River, Battle of the
Battle of the Trebbia River, (December 218 bce), first major battle of the Second Punic War, in which the Carthaginian......
Trebonius, Gaius
Gaius Trebonius was a Roman general and politician who had been one of Caesarâs most trusted lieutenants before......
tribe
tribe, in Roman history, a unit of the Roman state. The first Roman tribes were probably ethnic in origin and consisted......
tribune
tribune, any of various military and civil officials in ancient Rome. Military tribunes (tribuni militum) were......
triumvirate
triumvirate, in ancient Rome, a board of three officials. There were several types: Tresviri capitales, or tresviri......
Troas
Troas, the land of Troy, ancient district formed mainly by the northwestern projection of Asia Minor (now the Asian......
Trojan War
Trojan War, legendary conflict between the early Greeks and the people of Troy in western Anatolia, dated by later......
Troy
Troy, ancient city in northwestern Anatolia that holds an enduring place in both literature and archaeology. It......
Trypillya culture
Trypillya culture, Neolithic European culture that arose in Ukraine between the Seret and Bug rivers, with extensions......
Tukulti-Ninurta epic
Tukulti-Ninurta epic, the only extant Assyrian epic tale; it relates the wars between Tukulti-Ninurta I of Assyria......
Tukulti-Ninurta I
Tukulti-Ninurta I, (reigned c. 1243âc. 1207 bc), king of Assyria who asserted Assyrian supremacy over King Kashtiliashu......
Tullus Hostilius
Tullus Hostilius, traditionally, the third king of Rome, reigning from 672 to 641 bc. He was a legendary figure,......
Tunis
Tunis, capital and largest city of Tunisia, on the northern African coast, between the western and eastern basins......
Tunisia
Tunisia, country of North Africa. Tunisiaâs accessible Mediterranean Sea coastline and strategic location have......
- Introduction
- Arabic, French, Berber
- Oil, Phosphates, Tourism
- Constitution, Politics, Society
- Culture, Cuisine, Traditions
- Ancient, Roman, Arab
- French Protectorate, Colonialism, Independence
- Domestic Development, Reforms, Economy
- Jasmine Revolution, Arab Spring, Democracy
- Unity, Government, Revolution
Turin Papyrus
Turin Papyrus, hieratic manuscript of the 19th dynasty (1292â1190 bce) of ancient Egypt, listing the kings of Egypt......
Turkey
Turkey, also called TĂŒrkiye, country that occupies a unique geographic position, lying partly in Asia and partly......
- Introduction
- The central massif
- Urbanization, Migration, Diversity
- Population, Migration, Ageing
- Constitution, Government, Politics
- Culture, Cuisine, Religion
- Marriage, Family, Customs
- Ottoman Empire, Geography, Culture
- Republic, Mustafa Kemal, 1923
- Kemalist, Policies, Reforms
- Military Coup, 1960, Politics
- Politics, 70s-90s, Reforms
- Kurdish Conflict, Ethnicity, Borders
- AKP, 21st Century, Politics
- Erdogan, AKP, Resistance
- NATO, EU, Middle East
- Russia, Regional Affairs, Erdogan
Tusculum
Tusculum, ancient Italic city (modern Frascati) in Latium, 15 miles (24 km) southeast of Rome, a favourite resort......
Tutankhamun
Tutankhamun was a king of ancient Egypt (reigned c. 1333â24 bce), known chiefly for his intact tomb, KV 62 (tomb......
Twyfelfontein
Twyfelfontein, site of rock paintings and engravings as well as archaeological remains in northwest Namibia. Locally......
Tzeltal
Tzeltal, Mayan Indians of central Chiapas, in southeastern Mexico, most closely related culturally and linguistically......
Tzotzil
Tzotzil, Mayan Indians of central Chiapas in southeastern Mexico. Linguistically and culturally, the Tzotzil are......
Tzâutujil
Tzâutujil, Mayan Indians of the midwestern highlands of Guatemala. The Tzâutujil language is closely related to......
UaxactĂșn
UaxactĂșn, ruined ancient Maya city of the southern lowlands, located in what is now north-central Guatemala, about......
Ukraine
Ukraine, country located in eastern Europe, the second largest on the continent after Russia. The capital is Kyiv,......
- Introduction
- Soils, Climate, Agriculture
- Forests, Steppes, Fauna
- Ethnicity, Religion, Language
- Russian, Ukrainian, Yiddish
- Agriculture, Industry, Trade
- Resources, Power, Economy
- Economy, Banking, Currency
- Politics, Constitution, Autonomy
- Politics, Independence, Reforms
- Health, Welfare, Reforms
- Culture, Traditions, Cuisine
- Art, Music, Theater
- Folk, Choral, Instrumental
- Cultural Institutions
- Soviet Union, Independence, Revolution
- Lithuanian, Polish, Rule
- Cossacks, Steppe, Black Sea
- Autonomous Hetman, Sloboda Ukraine
- Imperial Rule, Cossacks, Hetmanate
- Habsburg Monarchy, Western Ukraine, Galicia
- Bukovina, Carpathians, Culture
- WWI, Independence, Revolution
- Interwar, Soviet Union, Independence
- Holodomor, Famine, 1932-33
- Polish Rule, Galicia, Habsburgs
- Transcarpathia, Czechoslovakia, History
- Nazi Occupation, Soviet, Genocide
- Soviet Union, Postwar, Independence
- Shelest Rule, Soviet Union, Independence
- Soviet Rule, Independence, Revolution
- Independence, Sovereignty, Reforms
- Parliamentary Democracy
- Culture, History, Politics
- Economic Struggles, Reforms, Crisis
- Kuchma, Reforms, Independence
- Orange Revolution, Yushchenko, Presidency
- Maidan, Protest, Revolution
- Crimea, Eastern Ukraine, Conflict
- Poroshenko, Administration, Reforms
- Russian Invasion, Crimea, Conflict
Ulfilas
Ulfilas was a Christian bishop and missionary who evangelized the Goths, reputedly created the Gothic alphabet,......
Umbri
Umbri, ancient pre-Etruscan people who gradually concentrated in Umbria (in central Italy) in response to Etruscan......
Unas
Unas was the last king of the 5th dynasty (c. 2435âc. 2306 bce) of ancient Egypt and the first pharaoh to inscribe......
United Kingdom
United Kingdom, island country located off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe. The United Kingdom comprises......
- Introduction
- Highlands, Islands, Geography
- Lowlands, England, Wales
- Flora, Fauna, Ecosystems
- Christianity, Islam, Judaism
- Urbanization, Cities, Towns
- Economy, Trade, Manufacturing
- Trade, Manufacturing, Services
- Local Gov, Devolved Regions, Councils
- Health, Welfare, Care
- Universities, Colleges, Education
- Sports, Recreation, Culture
- Ancient History, Celts, Romans
- Roman Britain, Celts, Anglo-Saxons
- Roman Society, Culture, History
- Anglo-Saxon, England, History
- Heptarchy, Kingdoms, Unification
- Scandinavian Invasions, Britain, Anglo-Saxons
- Church, Monastic, Revival
- Normans, 1066-1154, Monarchy
- Monarchy, Succession, William I
- Early Plantagenets, Monarchy, Sovereignty
- John, 1199-1216, Monarchy
- Henry III, 1216-72, Monarchy
- Edward I, Magna Carta, Parliament
- Industrialization, Immigration, Devolution
- Edward III, Monarchy, Reformation
- Richard II, Monarchy, Parliament
- Lancaster, York, History
- Wars of Roses, Dynastic Conflict, Plantagenets
- 15th Century, England, Politics
- Dynastic, Threats, Wars
- Henry VIII, Tudor, Reformation
- Reformation, Henry VIII, Church of England
- Edward VI (1547â53)
- Elizabethan, Society, Monarchy
- Spanish Armada, Elizabeth I, Reformation
- Stuart Monarchy, Commonwealth, Civil War
- Monarchy, Union, Parliament
- Charles I, Civil War, Restoration
- The Long Parliament
- Commonwealth, Protectorate, Monarchy
- Monarchy, Revolution, Union
- Revolution, 1688, Glorious
- Anne, Union, Sovereignty
- 18th-century Britain, 1714â1815
- Walpole, Politics, Reforms
- Industrialization, Reforms, Monarchy
- Britain from 1754 to 1783
- William Pitt, Prime Minister, Reforms
- The Napoleonic Wars
- Early and mid-Victorian Britain
- Gladstone, Disraeli, Politics
- Cultural change
- Late Victorian Britain
- The return of the Liberals
- Industrialization, WWI, WWII
- Baldwin, Abdication, Crisis
- Post-WWII, Brexit, Monarchy
- Thatcher, Politics, Economy
- Blair, Politics, Devolution
- Conservative, Liberal, Coalition
- The âBrexitâ referendum
- Society, state, and economy
- Family, Gender, Society
- Monarchs, Royalty, History
Ur
Ur, important city of ancient southern Mesopotamia (Sumer), situated about 140 miles (225 km) southeast of the......
Uraha Hill
Uraha Hill, a paleoanthropological site in northern Malawi known for the discovery of a jawbone of an ancient human......
Urartu
Urartu, ancient country of southwest Asia centred in the mountainous region southeast of the Black Sea and southwest......
Urci
Urci, ancient settlement in southeastern Roman Hispania mentioned by Pomponius Mela, Pliny the Elder, and Claudius......
Urnfield culture
Urnfield culture, a Late Bronze Age culture of Europe, so called because of the custom of placing the cremated......
Userkaf
Userkaf was the first king of the 5th dynasty of ancient Egypt (c. 2435âc. 2306 bce), under whose reign the cult......
Utnapishtim
Utnapishtim, in the Babylonian Gilgamesh epic, survivor of a mythological flood whom Gilgamesh consults about the......
Uxmal
Uxmal, ruined ancient Maya city in Yucatån state, Mexico, about 90 miles (150 km) west-southwest of Chichén Itzå......
Vadstena Bracteate
Vadstena Bracteate, gold coin-like ornament with runic inscriptions and rich designs, discovered in Ăstergötland,......
Valens
Valens was the Eastern Roman emperor from 364 to 378. He was the younger brother of Valentinian I, who assumed......
Valentinian I
Valentinian I was a Roman emperor from 364 to 375 who skillfully and successfully defended the frontiers of the......
Valentinian II
Valentinian II was the Roman emperor from 375 to 392. Valentinian was the son of the emperor Valentinian I and......
Valentinian III
Valentinian III was a Roman emperor from 425 to 455. At no time in his long reign were the affairs of state personally......
Valerian
Valerian was a Roman emperor from 253 to 260. Licinius Valerianus was consul under Severus Alexander (emperor 222â235)......
Valle, Pietro della
Pietro della Valle was an Italian traveler to Persia and India whose letters detailing his wanderings are valuable......
Van Deman, Esther Boise
Esther Boise Van Deman was an American archaeologist and the first woman to specialize in Roman field archaeology.......
Vandal
Vandal, member of a Germanic people who maintained a kingdom in North Africa from 429 to 534 ce and who sacked......
Vapheio
Vapheio, ancient site in Laconia, Greece, on the right bank of the Eurotas River, five miles south of Sparta; the......
Varus, Publius Quinctilius
Publius Quinctilius Varus was a Roman general whose loss of three legions to Germanic tribes in the Battle of the......
Vegetius
Vegetius was a Roman military expert who wrote what was perhaps the single most influential military treatise in......
Velikovsky, Immanuel
Immanuel Velikovsky was an American writer, proponent of controversial theories of cosmogony and history. Educated......
Velleius Paterculus
Velleius Paterculus was a Roman soldier, political figure, and historian whose work on Rome is a valuable if amateurish......
Veneti
Veneti, ancient people of northeastern Italy, who arrived about 1000 bc and occupied country stretching south to......
Ventidius, Publius
Publius Ventidius was a Roman general and politician who rose from captivity to military fame, a change of fortune......
Verghina
Verghina, archaeological site and ancient capital of Macedonia (Modern Greek: MakedonĂa) in ImathĂa nomĂłs (department),......
Verginius Rufus, Lucius
Lucius Verginius Rufus was a Roman provincial governor and distinguished official, known for his repeated refusal......
Verres, Gaius
Gaius Verres was a Roman magistrate notorious for his misgovernment of Sicily. His trial exposed the extent of......
Verulamium
Verulamium, pre-Roman and Romano-British town in the territory of the Catuvellauni, across the River Ver from what......
Verus, Lucius
Lucius Verus was a Roman emperor who jointly (161â169) ruled with Marcus Aurelius. Though he enjoyed equal constitutional......
Vespasian
Vespasian was a Roman emperor (ad 69â79) who, though of humble birth, became the founder of the Flavian dynasty......
Villanovan culture
Villanovan culture, Early Iron Age culture in Italy, named after the village of Villanova, near Bologna, where......
Vindex, Gaius Julius
Gaius Julius Vindex was the governor of the Roman province of Lugdunensis (east-central and northern Gaul) who......
Vindija
Vindija, site of paleoanthropological excavations in the Hrvatsko Zagorje region of Croatia, known for Neanderthal......
Visigoth
Visigoth, member of a division of the Goths (see Goth). One of the most important of the Germanic peoples, the......
Vitellius, Aulus
Aulus Vitellius was a Roman emperor, the last of Neroâs three short-lived successors. Vitellius was the son of......
vizier
vizier, originally the chief minister or representative of the ÊżAbbÄsid caliphs and later a high administrative......
Vologeses I
Vologeses I was the king of Parthia (reigned c. ad 51â80), the son of the previous king, Vonones II, by a Greek......
Vologeses IV
Vologeses IV (or III) was the king of Parthia (reigned 148â192). In the early part of his reign he was able to......
Vologeses V
Vologeses V (or IV) was the king of Parthia who reigned from 191â208/209. He first appeared in 191 as a rebel against......