Pablo Escobar

Pablo Escobar, a Colombian drug lord and narcoterrorist, was the leader of the Medellín Cartel and one of the wealthiest criminals in history. Here are some Pablo Escobar fun facts:
Pablo Escobar
1

Pablo Escobar was born on December 1, 1949, in Rionegro, Colombia.

2

He founded the Medellín Cartel, which at its height controlled 80% of the cocaine smuggled into the United States.

3

Escobar's cartel earned an estimated $420 million per week, making him one of the richest men in the world.

4

He was known as 'El Patrón' and 'The King of Cocaine.'

5

Escobar used his wealth to build schools, hospitals, and housing for the poor in Medellín, gaining him popularity among some locals.

6

He was elected as an alternate member of the Colombian Congress in 1982.

7

Escobar was responsible for numerous assassinations and bombings in Colombia as part of his campaign to influence the government and public opinion.

8

He escaped from a luxurious prison he built for himself, called La Catedral, in 1992.

9

Escobar's family was often on the run, and he allegedly burned $2 million in cash to keep his daughter warm while hiding in the mountains.

10

He offered to pay off Colombia's national debt, estimated at $10 billion, to avoid extradition to the United States.

11

Escobar had a private zoo at his estate, Hacienda Nápoles, which included elephants, giraffes, and hippos.

12

His son, Sebastián Marroquín, later became an architect and author, writing about his father's life.

13

Escobar was killed in a shootout with Colombian National Police on December 2, 1993.

14

He is buried at the Monte Sacro Cemetery in Medellín, Colombia.

15

Pablo Escobar's life has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and the popular Netflix series 'Narcos.'

Mongolian Empire

The Mongolian Empire, founded by Genghis Khan in 1206, became the largest contiguous empire in history. It stretched from Eastern Europe to Asia, encompassing various cultures and civilizations. Here are some Mongolian Empire fun facts.
Mongolská říše
1

Genghis Khan united the Mongol tribes to form the empire.

2

The empire was known for its highly skilled horsemen and archers.

3

The Mongolian Empire facilitated trade along the Silk Road.

4

At its peak, the empire covered approximately 9 million square miles.

5

Mongol warriors could ride up to 100 miles a day.

6

The empire's communication system, the Yam, used relay stations to send messages quickly.

7

Mongol law was codified in the Yassa, a secret legal code.

8

Kublai Khan, Genghis Khan's grandson, founded the Yuan Dynasty in China.

9

The Mongolian Empire's tolerance for different religions helped it rule diverse peoples.

10

Genghis Khan's real name was Temujin.

11

The Mongols used psychological warfare to intimidate enemies.

12

The Mongolian Empire's capital was Karakorum, located in modern-day Mongolia.

13

The Mongol postal system was one of the most efficient of its time.

14

The Mongols made significant contributions to cartography and geography.

15

Mongol rule ended in Persia with the fall of the Ilkhanate in the 14th century.

Homer

Homer, an ancient Greek poet, is traditionally said to be the author of two of the greatest epic poems of ancient Greece: the Iliad and the Odyssey. Here are some Homer fun facts.
Homer
1

Scholars believe Homer lived around the 8th century BCE, though the exact dates remain uncertain.

2

The Iliad and the Odyssey are among the oldest surviving works of Western literature.

3

The Iliad takes place during the Trojan War and centers on the hero Achilles. In contrast, the Odyssey follows Odysseus on his journey home after the war.

4

Homer's epics were originally composed in oral tradition and passed down through generations before being written down.

5

The exact identity and existence of Homer are debated, with some scholars suggesting the poems were the work of multiple authors.

6

Homer is often depicted as a blind poet, though there is no concrete evidence to support this claim.

7

The language used in Homer's epics is a mix of different Greek dialects, reflecting their oral composition over time.

8

Homer's works have had a profound influence on Western literature, inspiring countless adaptations and references in various art forms.

9

The Homeric Question refers to the scholarly debate over the authorship and composition of the Iliad and the Odyssey.

10

The epics were used as educational texts in ancient Greece, teaching values such as heroism, honor, and the importance of fate.

11

His poetry is known for its vivid imagery, rich character development, and complex narrative structure.

12

Both the Iliad and the Odyssey have been translated into numerous languages and continue to be widely read and studied today.

13

Homer's influence extends beyond literature to philosophy, with figures like Plato and Aristotle referencing his works.

14

The ancient city of Smyrna (modern-day Izmir, Turkey) and the island of Chios both claim to be Homer's birthplace.

15

His impact on Greek culture and identity was so significant that he was often referred to as 'the teacher of Greece.'