Written over 2,400 years ago, Plato’s Republic remains one of the most influential and provocative books in human history. Far from a dusty philosophical relic, it tackles questions we are still fighting over today: What is true justice? What would you do if you had a ring of invisibility? Whether you are brushing up […]

According to the National Coffee Association, about two-thirds of adult Americans start their day with a cup of that precious beverage: coffee. There is something special about its bitter flavor and potent aroma that stimulates the mind and the senses. It is estimated that around 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed each day. […]

Over the course of the late 2nd century AD, the emperor Commodus was accused of progressively slipping into megalomania. Masquerading as a gladiator in the arena and presenting himself as the hero Hercules, he even had plans to rename the city of Rome after himself. Patience was running low, and by 192 AD, Commodus […]

Walking into a great history museum is the closest we can get to true time travel. From London and Berlin to Cairo and Mexico City, these 15 institutions rank among the best history museums in the world. Each museum holds culture-defining artifacts including the Rosetta Stone, the treasures of Tutankhamun, the Terracotta Warriors, the […]