Your favourite period in history and why?
Discussion
Come on then guys, what’s your favourite period in history and why?
I’m a bit of a sucker for the Eastern Roman Empire/Byzantine, mainly because it’s pretty unknown, everyone still talks about the collapse of Roman Empire (albeit the western) in 476 but Rome (or idea of being a Roman) proceeded until 1453 and fall of Constantinople. It also has some very interesting characters such as Justinian, Theodora, Basil II etc.
I’m a bit of a sucker for the Eastern Roman Empire/Byzantine, mainly because it’s pretty unknown, everyone still talks about the collapse of Roman Empire (albeit the western) in 476 but Rome (or idea of being a Roman) proceeded until 1453 and fall of Constantinople. It also has some very interesting characters such as Justinian, Theodora, Basil II etc.
I read a lot of 20th C European history, but I also like the Tudor period (Hilary Mantell is largely to blame for this!), and pre-Norman Anglo Saxon England is also interesting. How different things might have turned out if Harold had won in 1066.
I don't know much about the Byzantine empire, might check that out tks.
I don't know much about the Byzantine empire, might check that out tks.
From 1900 to about now...
In 1900 powered flight was on the cusp of actually happening and in 1903 the Wright brothers finally flew all be it only a few yards at the pace of a fast run
24 years later in 1927 Charles Lindbergh non-stop from New York to Paris
20 years after that in 1947 Chuck Yeager flew faster than sound
22 years later in 1969 Neil Armstrong walked on the moon
That's just a small part of the advances made in the 20th century, progress across the board seemed to be happening like someone hitting the fast forward button on a video and nearly all of it was documented.
In 1900 powered flight was on the cusp of actually happening and in 1903 the Wright brothers finally flew all be it only a few yards at the pace of a fast run
24 years later in 1927 Charles Lindbergh non-stop from New York to Paris
20 years after that in 1947 Chuck Yeager flew faster than sound
22 years later in 1969 Neil Armstrong walked on the moon
That's just a small part of the advances made in the 20th century, progress across the board seemed to be happening like someone hitting the fast forward button on a video and nearly all of it was documented.
I took an Open University history degree as a retirement project. OU degrees involve studying and passing six modules-two per year for a full time BA, one a year for part time.
The two modules I enjoyed the most were one on the long 19th century 1789-1914 and one on the 20th century 1914-1989.
The emphasis in both modules was on political and social history and were fascinating. I throughly enjoyed both, in fact I loved the entire course. It was a great six year project.
The two modules I enjoyed the most were one on the long 19th century 1789-1914 and one on the 20th century 1914-1989.
The emphasis in both modules was on political and social history and were fascinating. I throughly enjoyed both, in fact I loved the entire course. It was a great six year project.
I spent some while in Egypt and have always been fascinated by the 'pharaonic' period - which is actually several very similar periods spread over 3,000 years.
It seems so distant and alien, and yet they were people like us. Strange to think that Cleopatra was closer in years to the iPhone that she was to the pyramids.
It seems so distant and alien, and yet they were people like us. Strange to think that Cleopatra was closer in years to the iPhone that she was to the pyramids.
Three periods: Romans, Vikings, and the American Wild West. I'll watch and/or read anything about any of these. Why? I think it's the achievements and dynamism of each period. How the Romans built so much infrastructure... the Vikings evolved transportation of the time and explored so far and wide... and how people in the Wild West was essentially stepped back in time (in terms of their abandoning known civilisation) in order to forge new lives - it was a time for individuals to make a name for themselves.
Edited by Mars on Wednesday 16th July 23:22
Justinian Reforms and the period that follows is fascinating I agree Boom. A period very little focussed on in western Europe, but fascinating and crucial to the history of Europe.
Roman Romans are fine, but I prefer earlier with the Greeks, Mycenean age, Athens v Sparta, Salamis, Marathon.
After that, absolutely love the Devils Brood timeline, Acquitaine the rise of the Plantagenets and William Marshal v well, everyone.
Tudors are good fun, especially when combined with European history of the same time and look at the naval side of things, an absolutely huge period in the development of naval technology, vessels, sailing/seanmanship and fighting. The continent gets interesting after the Tudors, we dont study the 30yrs war in the UK, but its utterly crucial to understand modern Europe and the EU.
Everything is fascinating for different things after that. I could happily talk for hours about each century and various bits.
Roman Romans are fine, but I prefer earlier with the Greeks, Mycenean age, Athens v Sparta, Salamis, Marathon.
After that, absolutely love the Devils Brood timeline, Acquitaine the rise of the Plantagenets and William Marshal v well, everyone.
Tudors are good fun, especially when combined with European history of the same time and look at the naval side of things, an absolutely huge period in the development of naval technology, vessels, sailing/seanmanship and fighting. The continent gets interesting after the Tudors, we dont study the 30yrs war in the UK, but its utterly crucial to understand modern Europe and the EU.
Everything is fascinating for different things after that. I could happily talk for hours about each century and various bits.
now is that favourite to live in or favourite to read about as the answers are VERY different!!
To live in, the answer is now(ish): Decent medical care; (semi)functioning society; reasonable standard of living
To read about/watch: A lot more difficult. From a fantasy perspective I guess the ages up to about the 1600s are quite fascinating (the age of chivalry etc). From a historical perspective, I'd be looking at: The Roman empire, and lead-up to it; the British Empire and decline
To live in, the answer is now(ish): Decent medical care; (semi)functioning society; reasonable standard of living
To read about/watch: A lot more difficult. From a fantasy perspective I guess the ages up to about the 1600s are quite fascinating (the age of chivalry etc). From a historical perspective, I'd be looking at: The Roman empire, and lead-up to it; the British Empire and decline
The British Civil Wars, so from the accession of Chas I to William and Mary, with a bit of leeway for and aft. I promised so much, and didn't really deliver, although the limitation of the monarch's authority was a reasonable return. There's so much conflicting evidence, much of it convincing to those who are convinced, and lots of angles for historians to extrapolate, but we've got little idea in reality. We know when, more or less where (although certain battlefields will be moved in time and place) and the immediate result, but no detail. No essential detail. That's the fun of history for me, but there are limits.
Then there's UK voting reform, from around 1780 to when democracy was established in 1928. It's a fascinating period, but less focused on by history professors anxious to have their contracts renewed. There's more evidence around, although lots of interpretation intending to confuse matters. It transformed the UK. Everyone was controlled by a self-serving, and self-reporting, elite, but the Lords were eventually emasculated and the Commons managed to gain the ascendent. Well, at least as much as we have ever had.
We went from being governed by the uber rich to now, when we are governed by the uber rich we vote in.
Then there's UK voting reform, from around 1780 to when democracy was established in 1928. It's a fascinating period, but less focused on by history professors anxious to have their contracts renewed. There's more evidence around, although lots of interpretation intending to confuse matters. It transformed the UK. Everyone was controlled by a self-serving, and self-reporting, elite, but the Lords were eventually emasculated and the Commons managed to gain the ascendent. Well, at least as much as we have ever had.
We went from being governed by the uber rich to now, when we are governed by the uber rich we vote in.
I've been getting into the War of the Roses recently after I discovered I am related to Robert Welles.
It is a truly evil time without morals and quite challenging trying to work out which side people were on as they had a habit of switching.
Plus I have come to the conclusion there were no good guys, just bad ones.
It is a truly evil time without morals and quite challenging trying to work out which side people were on as they had a habit of switching.
Plus I have come to the conclusion there were no good guys, just bad ones.
Tango13 said:
From 1900 to about now...
In 1900 powered flight was on the cusp of actually happening and in 1903 the Wright brothers finally flew all be it only a few yards at the pace of a fast run
24 years later in 1927 Charles Lindbergh non-stop from New York to Paris
20 years after that in 1947 Chuck Yeager flew faster than sound
22 years later in 1969 Neil Armstrong walked on the moon
That's just a small part of the advances made in the 20th century, progress across the board seemed to be happening like someone hitting the fast forward button on a video and nearly all of it was documented.
Much of it was spurred on by two world wars, so we can only wonder how things would unfolded if it wasn't for Kaiser Bill. Now we seem to be retreating into smartphones.In 1900 powered flight was on the cusp of actually happening and in 1903 the Wright brothers finally flew all be it only a few yards at the pace of a fast run
24 years later in 1927 Charles Lindbergh non-stop from New York to Paris
20 years after that in 1947 Chuck Yeager flew faster than sound
22 years later in 1969 Neil Armstrong walked on the moon
That's just a small part of the advances made in the 20th century, progress across the board seemed to be happening like someone hitting the fast forward button on a video and nearly all of it was documented.
Don't forget the great age of exploration too - first Africa, then the poles, then mountains. Roughly 1850 - 1950.
I think 'favourite period of history' divides in to 'which is the most interesting' and 'which one would you like to live in' (the latter of course depends on what class/position you happen to have).
Simpo Two said:
Tango13 said:
From 1900 to about now...
In 1900 powered flight was on the cusp of actually happening and in 1903 the Wright brothers finally flew all be it only a few yards at the pace of a fast run
24 years later in 1927 Charles Lindbergh non-stop from New York to Paris
20 years after that in 1947 Chuck Yeager flew faster than sound
22 years later in 1969 Neil Armstrong walked on the moon
That's just a small part of the advances made in the 20th century, progress across the board seemed to be happening like someone hitting the fast forward button on a video and nearly all of it was documented.
Much of it was spurred on by two world wars, so we can only wonder how things would unfolded if it wasn't for Kaiser Bill. Now we seem to be retreating into smartphones.In 1900 powered flight was on the cusp of actually happening and in 1903 the Wright brothers finally flew all be it only a few yards at the pace of a fast run
24 years later in 1927 Charles Lindbergh non-stop from New York to Paris
20 years after that in 1947 Chuck Yeager flew faster than sound
22 years later in 1969 Neil Armstrong walked on the moon
That's just a small part of the advances made in the 20th century, progress across the board seemed to be happening like someone hitting the fast forward button on a video and nearly all of it was documented.
Don't forget the great age of exploration too - first Africa, then the poles, then mountains. Roughly 1850 - 1950.
I think 'favourite period of history' divides in to 'which is the most interesting' and 'which one would you like to live in' (the latter of course depends on what class/position you happen to have).
This is an excellent read, how one invention was a catalyst for nearly all of the modern technology we take for granted today.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Invention-That-Changed-Wo...
Gassing Station | History | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff