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The ancient world’s most (in)famous arson
In 356 BC, a man by the name of Herostratus lit fire to the temple of Artemis at Ephesus, one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. The temple would burn to the ground and Herostratus would be sentenced to death. But, you might be wondering why a seemingly ordinary man would seek to…
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Trajan’s market: World’s first shopping mall
Trajan’s Market is one of Rome’s most impressive ancient sites. Built during the reign of Emperor Trajan in the early 100s AD, it’s often called the world’s oldest shopping mall. The complex stood along the edge of Trajan’s Forum and may have even been used to relocate shops displaced by the forum’s construction. The market…
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Employment as major component of identity
In the modern world, when you meet someone, oftentimes one of the first descriptors you give about yourself besides your name is your job. It is a primary characteristic of the modern individual. Our jobs as construction workers, doctors, teachers, or as students represent a major part of our identity. As such, we are oftentimes…