Points on World History, Essay Example

There are many intriguing historical factoids of which the common populace is unaware. These interesting points of world history indicate the diversity of our civilization and some of the surprising idiosyncrasies that the most well known historical figures possessed.

Ancient Roman gladiators were also generally strict vegetarians. This diet helped keep them in the physical necessary for their often fatal combat.

In Ancient Egypt, taxes were often paid using honey, as the sweet food was highly thought of by this great civilization.

In Ancient Egypt, people shaved their eyebrows when their cats died.

According to Scripture, Jesus Christ had four brothers, James, Joses, Juda, and Simon.

During the Middle Ages and the widespread “Black Death” plague, many physicians donned what were called “plague suits”, in order to prevent acquiring infection. These suits also had red eye goggles and a mask heavily scented with spices and other pleasant odors.

In the Netherlands, tulips were often used as a form of currency.

Members of the Nazi-SS had their blood types tattooed in their inner arm.

The word “idiot” comes from the Ancient Greek word for private citizen.

After the Chinese communist revolution all Disney characters were banned for 40 years because they were considered signs of American imperialism.

Leonard Da Vinci designed the first model for a helicopter.

George Washington and the other U.S. founding fathers were all Free Masons.

The Ancient Scythians would inhale burning cannabis as part of a death-ritual for their great leaders.

The First Governor of China’s Shansi province, Liu Ch’Ing, had two pupils in each eye.

The Chinese Soldiers who guarded the Great Wall of China never left their post.

A peasant’s average life span in the Medieval times was 25 years.

The drug heroin was marketed by Bayer, the company that invented Aspirin.

The custom of shaking hands originated from the intent to show that one was unarmed.

Hitler was a committed vegetarian.