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A lesser-known story from the Battle of Troy centers on Penthesilea, the Amazon queen who fought, and died, during the Trojan War. While the tales of Achilles, Hector, and the Trojan Horse dominate popular versions of the war, Penthesilea’s story is full of tragedy, honor, and conflict. ⚔️ The Tragic Duel of Penthesilea and Achilles After Hector’s death, the Trojans were desperate for allies. They called upon the Amazons, a fierce band of warrior women, led by their queen Penthesilea. She came to Troy seeking redemption, having accidentally killed her sister, Hippolyta, during a hunting accident. She hoped to die with honor in battle. Penthesilea led her warriors with brutal efficiency, turning the tide of several skirmishes. But eventually, she met her match in Achilles. The two clashed in an epic duel. Achilles, though taken aback by her skill, ultimately killed her. And here’s where the story turns. As she lay dying, her helmet fell away and Achilles was struck by her beauty. Some say he fell in love with her in that moment. Overcome with grief and regret, Achilles mourned her death, showing a rare moment of humanity. Thersites, a mocking Greek soldier, ridiculed Achilles for his display of emotion and even defiled Penthesilea’s corpse. Enraged, Achilles killed Thersites on the spot—an act that caused unrest in the Greek ranks. Sources: Told in Quintus Smyrnaeus’s Posthomerica (3rd century CE) Referenced in later Roman and medieval texts, though omitted from Homer’s Iliad

On this day in 1776, the British prepare to attack Fort Sullivan, near Charleston. They would soon go down in a stunning defeat. Perhaps you won’t be too surprised to hear that June 28 is still celebrated in South Carolina! British planning for the attack began early—maybe too early. The British Army had been under siege in Boston since April 1775. British officers needed a plan. How could they restore their grip on the colonies? By the fall of 1775, they were already planning an expedition to the Carolinas. They hoped to win back territory with the help of local Loyalists. The early start, of course, gave the Patriots plenty of time to figure out what was being planned. Matters seemed to get worse and worse for the British as the months wore on. Major General Henry Clinton was supposed to lead a force to North Carolina. He was to rendezvous with Sir Peter Parker, who was bringing reinforcements from Britain. But when Clinton arrived in March, he learned that Parker was late. He also discovered that the Patriots had won a victory against Loyalists at the Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge. Could the British rely upon Loyalists in the area to help them after all? Maybe not. Clinton had no choice but to wait for Parker. He soon received a communication in which Charleston was identified as an “object of importance to his Majesty’s Service.” Clinton and Parker decided to switch targets and to head for South Carolina. They knew that a Patriot fort was being erected on Sullivan’s Island, at the entrance to Charleston harbor. The fort was unfinished and seemed vulnerable to attack. Perhaps it was, but all the delays had given Americans plenty of time to get ready for a British invasion. And they were given even more time to prepare as the British spent the next several weeks reconnoitering the coast and exploring their options. The British finally attacked on June 28. They had 10 ships carrying roughly 300 guns, along with more than 2,500 soldiers. Fort Sullivan was under the command of Colonel William Moultrie. It was defended by about 400 Americans and 31 guns. They had limited powder. Yet Americans held their own. Fort Sullivan was built out of palmetto logs and sand. The porous wood could absorb many shots without major damage. In the meantime, Americans were very judicious with their own resources. They shot more slowly than the British, and they were more deliberate in choosing their targets. Parker attempted to send three ships around to a weak, unfinished side of the fort. It was a good move that could have gone badly for the Americans. Unfortunately for Parker, the ships ran aground on a shoal and could not reach their target. At one point during the battle, a volley of British fire knocked down the American flag mast. For a few moments, the British thought the Americans were surrendering! Sergeant William Jasper did not allow that hope to last long. He retrieved the fallen flag, rigged a makeshift mast, and hoisted the flag back up. He risked his life to secure the flag. The British retreated after sunset. Against all odds, the Americans had won a major victory. P.S. Have you ever wondered why there is a palmetto tree on the South Carolina flag? It’s because Fort Sullivan was made out of palmetto logs. --------------------------- If you enjoy these history posts, please see my note below. :) Gentle reminder: History posts are copyright © 2013-2025 by Tara Ross. I appreciate it when you use the shar e feature instead of cutting/pasting. #TDIH #history #America

Right, let's make a killing by selling stray cats to the Caribbean. No? Why not? Well then, let's ship some coal to, wait for it, coal mines, and rake in a ton of profit. Crazy- who me? Actually, we agree, but believe it or not that's exactly how one of early America's most eccentric millionaires got his start. Let's talk about Lord Timothy Dexter. While some tales of his life have likely been embellished over the last 200 years, the core of his story is astoundingly true. Born in 1747, Dexter was an uneducated leatherworker from Massachusetts who, against all odds, amassed a fortune through a series of unbelievably foolish business ventures that somehow turned a massive profit. He once famously shipped warming pans (used to heat beds in the frigid New England winters) to the tropical West Indies. In a stroke of pure, baffling luck, the locals found them to be the perfect ladles for their booming molasses industry and bought every last one. His bizarre luck was only a constant theme. Rivals, hoping to bankrupt him, once advised he "ship coal to Newcastle"- a phrase meaning a useless journey, as Newcastle was a major coal exporter. Dexter did it anyway, but arrived during a massive city-wide miners’ strike and sold his shipment for a premium. He repeated this pattern by buying up enormous quantities of whalebone for next to nothing, only for a sudden shift in Parisian fashion to make it a priceless commodity for corsets, leaving him with a virtual monopoly. It was this ever-growing fortune that gave him the time and confidence to pursue his next great venture: literature. Dexter's greatest monument to his own eccentricity is his self-published memoir, "A Pickle for the Knowing Ones," which he first released in 1802. The book is a rambling, phonetic, and entirely unpunctuated account of his life and complaints. When readers griped about the lack of punctuation, Dexter then released a second edition with a full page of punctuation marks at the end, telling everyone to "peper and soolt it as they please." The sheer chaotic energy of that move feels something ripped straight out of today's more extreme style of humor. This man, who declared himself "the first in the East, the first in the West, and the greatest philosopher in the Western world," even faked his own funeral to see who would mourn him, only to cane his wife for not appearing sad enough. Timothy Dexter's story is a hilarious and baffling chapter in American history, proving that sometimes the path to success isn't about following the rules, but about being so far outside the box that you burn the box and sell the ashes to a fireman. For more absurd tales from the pages of history, though it may be hard to top this one, make sure you're following to not miss out! #history #americanhistory #weirdhistory #newengland #eccentric #bookstagram #badluck #goodluck #explore #exploremore #fypシ

BEYOND GOLD In the late 17th century, the Ashanti Empire emerged from the dense forests of West Africa, founded by the visionary King Osei Tutu. He united various tribes under a single banner, establishing Kumasi as the heart of a flourishing kingdom. A sense of kinship defined Ashanti society, deeply influenced by matrilineal traditions, where inheritance and succession were traced through the female line. This cultural custom empowered women, allowing them to play significant roles in leadership and community affairs. With a wealth of gold and a structured military, the Ashanti quickly became a dominant force in trade, captivating European powers with their rich resources. The empire's intricate political structure thrived, guided by rituals and beliefs that honored their ancestors. The Ashanti revered a pantheon of deities, with Nyame, the supreme sky god, at the center. They believed in the interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual worlds, leading to elaborate ceremonies and festivals to appease their gods and ancestors. Osei Tutu introduced the sacred "Golden Stool," symbolizing the unity of the Ashanti people. Carved from wood and covered in gold leaf, it became a powerful emblem of the Ashanti's cultural identity and sovereignty. The Golden Stool was said to possess spiritual powers, and its reverence solidified the loyalty of the people, binding them together in a shared faith and purpose. As the empire grew, the Ashanti waged wars, defending their territory and expanding their influence. Their resilience and military prowess were unmatched. However, the empire's success attracted the greed of the British. Initial trade interests soon morphed into a quest for control. Tensions escalated, leading to the First Anglo-Ashanti War in 1824. The Ashanti fought valiantly, displaying strategic brilliance and unwavering courage, but the British, armed with advanced weaponry, prevailed. Yet the Ashanti’s spirit remained unbroken, and they continued to resist. In 1874, the British captured Kumasi, but the Ashanti people fought back fiercely in subsequent wars. One critical moment came during the Third Anglo-Ashanti War when the Ashanti launched a surprise attack, reclaiming Kumasi briefly. However, the British responded with overwhelming force, leading to the eventual annexation of the empire in 1902. The fall of the Ashanti Empire teaches a profound lesson about resilience and unity. Despite their eventual defeat, the Ashanti people preserved their cultural heritage, resisting British attempts to eradicate their identity. They maintained vibrant traditions, from communal storytelling to elaborate ceremonies celebrating harvests and royal events. The story of the Ashanti Empire reminds us that power can rise and fall, but cultural identity and legacy endure. In the face of adversity, the spirit of a people can transcend time, informing future generations of their proud heritage and the importance of unity against oppression. The ashes of the empire may have faded, but the heartbeat of Ashanti culture continues to resonate in modern Ghana, symbolizing strength, resilience, and hope.

These rare photos of Bonnie and Clyde uncover the dark reality behind America’s iconic criminal couple 😳👇. While they’re often romanticized as lovers on the run, these images shed light on the harsh truths of their tumultuous lives filled with crime and consequence. Explore the lesser-known sides of their story—what chilling details do these snapshots reveal about their infamous journey?

Uncover the Hidden Stories Behind These Rare Historical Photos#10th story was never written in books😱

These rare photos of Bonnie and Clyde uncover the dark reality behind America’s iconic criminal couple 😳👇. While they’re often romanticized as lovers on the run, these images shed light on the harsh truths of their tumultuous lives filled with crime and consequence. Explore the lesser-known sides of their story—what chilling details do these snapshots reveal about their infamous journey?

These rare photos of Bonnie and Clyde uncover the dark reality behind America’s iconic criminal couple 😳👇. While they’re often romanticized as lovers on the run, these images shed light on the harsh truths of their tumultuous lives filled with crime and consequence. Explore the lesser-known sides of their story—what chilling details do these snapshots reveal about their infamous journey?

These rare photos of Bonnie and Clyde uncover the dark reality behind America’s iconic criminal couple 😳👇. While they’re often romanticized as lovers on the run, these images shed light on the harsh truths of their tumultuous lives filled with crime and consequence. Explore the lesser-known sides of their story—what chilling details do these snapshots reveal about their infamous journey?

At about this time in 1795, General Mad Anthony Wayne writes a letter to Henry Knox. He was livid! He’d just discovered that another American General, James Wilkinson, had been secretly plotting against him. Wayne was then commander of a newly created American army, the Legion of the United States. But Wilkinson wanted that job for himself. Who was Wilkinson? He was the “most notorious American traitor you’ve probably never heard of,” according to one historian. He served in the Continental Army during the Revolution, but then moved on to Kentucky after the war. Kentucky was then attempting to separate itself from Virginia. Wilkinson found himself in debt, and he ended up brokering a deal with Spain. He would feed Spain information about American activities on the frontier. He might have been a spy, but no one knew that. Wilkinson soon found himself once again serving in the American armed forces. He even thought that he’d found a chance for promotion in late 1791. At about that time, Americans led by Arthur St. Clair suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of Indian tribes who’d attacked them near the Ohio/Indiana border. The defeat prompted the creation of a new professional army to deal with the situation: The Legion of the United States. Wilkinson expected to be given command of the Legion, and he even wrote to his Spanish contact of this expectation. He had to have been horribly disappointed when he learned that he’d been passed over. Wayne was put in charge of the Legion, thus receiving the appointment that Wilkinson thought he deserved. Wilkinson would have to settle for second-in-command. Wilkinson spent much of the next few years writing to friends in Washington, D.C., secretly badmouthing and undermining Wayne. He even wrote an anonymous letter in a Cincinnati newspaper in which he complained about Wayne’s leadership. He was polite to Wayne’s face, though, and Wayne had no idea what was happening until he received a letter from Henry Knox in January 1795. Wayne was furious! He wrote Knox: “Charges accusations & imputations against me: were as unexpected as they are groundless: & as false, as they are base & insidious.” He wrote of that “vile invidious man” who worked against Wayne even as he treated Wayne “with attention politeness & delicacy” to his face. Throughout this time, remember, Wilkinson was still spying for the Spanish. And now he had an angry General Wayne seeking to discredit him. Wilkinson’s treachery was never exposed during his lifetime, but he came close at least twice. The second of these occurred during 1796. Wayne had ordered Captain Zebulon Pike, the commander at Fort Massac, to be on the lookout for suspicious documents. Wayne suspected Wilkinson’s treachery and was looking for proof. In August 1796, one of Pike’s patrols stopped a boat sailing under a Spanish flag. The patrol considered the possibility of searching the boat, but ultimately declined to do so. If the boat had been searched, a crewman later claimed that the patrol “would have found papers enough to hang Wilkinson himself.” Wayne had very nearly caught Wilkinson. Was it a coincidence that Wayne fell ill and passed away mere months after this incident? One modern historian speculates that it might not have been. Either way, Wilkinson benefited from Wayne’s passing. Following Wayne’s death in late 1796, the army was reorganized and Wilkinson was made its new commander. Wilkinson got away with treason during his lifetime. Did he get away with poisoning his commander, too? --------------------------- If you enjoy these history posts, please see my note below. :) Gentle reminder: History posts are copyright © 2013-2025 by Tara Ross. I appreciate it when you use the shar e feature instead of cutting/pasting. #TDIH #history #America ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Fascinating Images that don’t make it into the history books

Fascinating Images that don’t make it into the history books

On this day in 1968, a hero engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. Clarence Sasser didn’t expect to be a military hero. To the contrary, he was in college, studying chemistry, when he was drafted. Full-time college students could get a deferment, but Sasser was only part-time. He was working his way through school and didn’t have the luxury of being a full-time student. Once in the Army, Sasser trained to be a medic. By the fall of 1967, he was in Vietnam. “It was a hard and dangerous life,” he later said of his first months, “but it was also enjoyable and fulfilling because of the camaraderie of the men and the experience of doing something that I thought was important.” Everything would change on January 10, 1968. On that day, then-Pfc. Sasser went into heavy combat for the first time. He was aboard one of several helicopters intended to drop a reconnaissance team into enemy territory. “We go in, and the helicopters start taking fire,” Sasser described, “rockets—a thoroughly bad situation. One of the helicopters got hit and plunked down in the water.” Naturally, the others stayed to support the helicopter that had been shot down. “Just as I was getting out of the door,” Sasser later wrote, “I was shot through the leg. It was a superficial wound, but it pitched me into the rice-paddy mud and water that was about two and a half feet deep.” Sasser’s company would suffer 30 casualties in the first 30 minutes, but it was just the beginning of a very long and difficult day. Sasser was crawling all over the rice paddy, trying to get to the wounded men who were calling for help. He quickly learned that the best way to get around was to grab the rice sprouts and slide along, almost as if he were swimming. “You could move better like that than to try to, of course, stand up,” he mused. “If you stood up, you were dead. Especially if they see your bag, they know you’re a medic. You know, you kill a medic, a lot of people probably would die. It was the rationale.” Sasser was taking hits, one of which, he later said, “almost just totally sprayed my back.” Nevertheless, he kept going, kept moving. He administered first aid where he could. When he ran out of bandages, he worked to move men to a safer location. “Each platoon had a medic,” he later wrote, “but I was the only one who survived. . . . Consequently I ended up treating a lot of people regardless of what platoon they were in. In my mind there was no way I could not have gone to see about someone who hollered ‘Medic’ or called “Doc.’ There was no way that I could justify not going or at least trying to go see about that person.” By the end of the day, Sasser couldn’t walk anymore. He’d been hit too many times, and his legs were immobilized. Nevertheless, he crawled and dragged himself from wounded soldier to wounded soldier. “My job was to care for the guys, maybe get them to carry on,” he said. Our soldiers were stuck there all night, with Air Force Phantom pilots flying overhead, keeping the enemy at bay. Sasser continued working on the wounded, but it was hard. He would never forget the sounds of wounded or dying men calling for help in the dark. Finally, Sasser and the others were evacuated at about 4:00 in the morning. By then, 34 had been killed and 59 wounded—almost the entire company. Sasser was taken to Japan where he was treated and told that he’d been recommended for the Medal of Honor. He would eventually be awarded the Medal about a year later. “It was really an experience,” he said, “from my background, of course, you know, poor farm family and everything.” He was happy that his mom and sisters were flown to D.C. for such an experience. At the end of the day, though, he was humble about the Medal he’d been given. “It was my job,” he said simply. “I don’t think what I did was above and beyond.” --------------------------- If you enjoy these history posts, please see my note below. :) Gentle reminder: History posts are copyright © 2013-2025 by Tara Ross. I appreciate it when you use the shar e feature instead of cutting/pasting. #TDIH #America #history

On this day in 1968, a hero engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. Clarence Sasser didn’t expect to be a military hero. To the contrary, he was in college, studying chemistry, when he was drafted. Full-time college students could get a deferment, but Sasser was only part-time. He was working his way through school and didn’t have the luxury of being a full-time student. Once in the Army, Sasser trained to be a medic. By the fall of 1967, he was in Vietnam. “It was a hard and dangerous life,” he later said of his first months, “but it was also enjoyable and fulfilling because of the camaraderie of the men and the experience of doing something that I thought was important.” Everything would change on January 10, 1968. On that day, then-Pfc. Sasser went into heavy combat for the first time. He was aboard one of several helicopters intended to drop a reconnaissance team into enemy territory. “We go in, and the helicopters start taking fire,” Sasser described, “rockets—a thoroughly bad situation. One of the helicopters got hit and plunked down in the water.” Naturally, the others stayed to support the helicopter that had been shot down. “Just as I was getting out of the door,” Sasser later wrote, “I was shot through the leg. It was a superficial wound, but it pitched me into the rice-paddy mud and water that was about two and a half feet deep.” Sasser’s company would suffer 30 casualties in the first 30 minutes, but it was just the beginning of a very long and difficult day. Sasser was crawling all over the rice paddy, trying to get to the wounded men who were calling for help. He quickly learned that the best way to get around was to grab the rice sprouts and slide along, almost as if he were swimming. “You could move better like that than to try to, of course, stand up,” he mused. “If you stood up, you were dead. Especially if they see your bag, they know you’re a medic. You know, you kill a medic, a lot of people probably would die. It was the rationale.” Sasser was taking hits, one of which, he later said, “almost just totally sprayed my back.” Nevertheless, he kept going, kept moving. He administered first aid where he could. When he ran out of bandages, he worked to move men to a safer location. “Each platoon had a medic,” he later wrote, “but I was the only one who survived. . . . Consequently I ended up treating a lot of people regardless of what platoon they were in. In my mind there was no way I could not have gone to see about someone who hollered ‘Medic’ or called “Doc.’ There was no way that I could justify not going or at least trying to go see about that person.” By the end of the day, Sasser couldn’t walk anymore. He’d been hit too many times, and his legs were immobilized. Nevertheless, he crawled and dragged himself from wounded soldier to wounded soldier. “My job was to care for the guys, maybe get them to carry on,” he said. Our soldiers were stuck there all night, with Air Force Phantom pilots flying overhead, keeping the enemy at bay. Sasser continued working on the wounded, but it was hard. He would never forget the sounds of wounded or dying men calling for help in the dark. Finally, Sasser and the others were evacuated at about 4:00 in the morning. By then, 34 had been killed and 59 wounded—almost the entire company. Sasser was taken to Japan where he was treated and told that he’d been recommended for the Medal of Honor. He would eventually be awarded the Medal about a year later. “It was really an experience,” he said, “from my background, of course, you know, poor farm family and everything.” He was happy that his mom and sisters were flown to D.C. for such an experience. At the end of the day, though, he was humble about the Medal he’d been given. “It was my job,” he said simply. “I don’t think what I did was above and beyond.” --------------------------- If you enjoy these history posts, please see my note below. :) Gentle reminder: History posts are copyright © 2013-2025 by Tara Ross. I appreciate it when you use the shar e feature instead of cutting/pasting. #TDIH #America #history