Most people know about the Dark Ages that followed the fall of Rome. Far fewer realise there was another, even earlier collapse that wiped out kingdoms, shattered civilizations, and left historians scratching their heads three thousand years later. Discover how the mysterious Bronze Age Collapse—and the equally mysterious Sea Peoples—inspired the hidden history behind the Magorian & Jones series.
History remembers Cleopatra. It should remember Zenobia. While Rome staggered through one of the most chaotic periods in its history, the Queen of Palmyra seized the opportunity to build an empire of her own. Through military brilliance, political savvy, and a masterful understanding of reputation, she conquered vast territories and came astonishingly close to permanently splitting the Roman Empire. For a brief moment, the outcome of history was genuinely uncertain.
She didn’t lead armies or topple kings—she simply thought. In a world that was growing increasingly hostile to independent minds, Hypatia of Alexandria became one of the most brilliant—and dangerous—women alive. Her fate would shock the ancient world and echo through history as a warning about the cost of knowledge.
On this day in 410 AD, Rome was sacked—and the world changed. But perhaps the real marvel isn’t that Rome fell. It’s that it lasted more than a thousand years. From primitive huts to aqueducts, concrete, dentistry, and legal systems we still use today, Rome wasn’t just a city—it was civilization. This post explores what a millennium really means… and what we lost when Western Rome fell.
Why do I prefer ancient history over medieval? Because when it comes to science, culture—and especially women’s rights—the ancients had it going on. Celtic women owned property, led armies (hi, Boudicca), and could even shame their husbands for underperforming in bed. Compare that to medieval Europe, where married women basically vanished from the legal record. This post dives into why I’ll always pick a toga over a tabard, and why history, like fiction, is better when women get to speak.
