History Republic Blog: Rulers, Empires & Turning Points

Unravel the threads of time, one captivating story at a time.

Unravel the threads of time, one captivating story at a time.

Icon-style painting of Saint Valentine, white-bearded with a halo and red robe, holding a scroll against a gold background
Myth or Fact

Saint Valentine

Saint Valentine, a bishop or priest that helped save christians from persecution, performed secret marriage rites and other acts of compassion. His feast day on February 14th became associated with romance giving way to the annual festival of love that sweeps across much of the globe today.

Detail of Delacroix’s painting of Attila the Hun on a rearing pale horse, arm raised, riding over fallen figures
Heroes

Attila The Hun

Attila the Hun, aka the Scourge of God was a ferocious nomad from the Eurasian steppes that became the terror of the world’s mightiest empire, shaping events that herald the dawn of the Middle Ages.

Painted portrait of Mehmed the Conqueror in a green turban with a white plume and jewelled crest, wearing a fur-trimmed robe
Heroes

Mehmed The Conqueror

The story of Mehmed II, famously called Mehmed the Conqueror, is not just about taking the throne; it’s about the reshaping of a centuries-old empire, the pivotal fall of an ancient city, and blending tradition with innovation in a way so that the Ottoman state could dominate the region for generations.

Hand-coloured oval portrait of William the Conqueror wearing a jewelled crown and armour.
Heroes

William The Conqueror

William the Conqueror stands as one of the most transformative rulers of the Middle Ages conquering England and recalibrating the balance of power in medieval Europe for centuries to come.

Illustration of Cyrus the Great in profile, bearded and wearing a ridged helmet, set over swirling smoke above his name
Heroes

Cyrus The Great

Throughout history, certain leaders stand out for their ability to reshape the world. One such figure is Cyrus II of Persia, the founder of the Achaemenid Empire.

Sepia ink portrait of Genghis Khan with a stern expression, wearing a fur-trimmed cap and armour.
Heroes

Genghis Khan: The Conqueror of Empires

Genghis Khan would rise to become the founder and emperor of one of the largest empires the world has ever seen and reshaped the course of history.

Bronze statue of the she-wolf nursing the infant twins Romulus and Remus, standing on a stone plinth.
Myth or Fact

Romulus: The Founder of Rome

Romulus, the legendary founder of Rome, is a figure shrouded in myth and legend.
Stories involving Romulus have been passed down through the ages, and the city he founded expanded to control all of Europe and the Mediterranean world.