Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia, created one of the largest empires in ancient history. His conquests spread Greek culture and influence throughout the known world. Here are some Alexander the Great fun facts:
Alexander the Great
1

Alexander was born in 356 BC in Pella, Macedonia.

2

He was tutored by the philosopher Aristotle.

3

Alexander became king at the age of 20 after the assassination of his father, King Philip II.

4

He never lost a battle during his 15-year military career.

5

Alexander founded over 20 cities, many of which were named Alexandria.

6

He cut the Gordian Knot, a legend that prophesied whoever untied it would rule Asia.

7

Alexander's empire stretched from Greece to Egypt and as far east as India.

8

He married Roxana, the daughter of a Bactrian nobleman.

9

Alexander died in 323 BC in Babylon, possibly due to fever, poisoning, or other causes.

10

His body was preserved in a golden sarcophagus filled with honey.

11

Alexander's death led to the division of his empire among his generals, known as the Diadochi.

12

He is considered one of history's greatest military tacticians and strategists.

13

Alexander was worshipped as a god in some parts of his empire.

14

He introduced the Persian practice of proskynesis (ritual prostration) to his court.

15

Alexander's legacy includes the spread of Hellenistic culture and the founding of many cities.

Pope Francis

Learn more about the unconventional journey of the first pope from the Americas. From riding the bus to embracing science, Pope Francis broke tradition with humility and bold ideas that shook the Vatican.
Pope Francis
  1. Pope Francis had his last official meeting with US Vice President J. D. Vance.
  2. He was the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Southern Hemisphere in the Church’s history.​
  3. Before joining the priesthood, he worked as a nightclub bouncer and a chemical technician in Buenos Aires.​
  4. He chose the name Francis after St. Francis of Assisi, signaling his focus on poverty and humility.​
  5. Pope Francis refused to live in the lavish papal apartment, choosing a modest guesthouse instead.​
  6. He was the first pope in over 1,000 years not to take the name of a previous pope.​
  7. Francis washed the feet of prisoners, women, and Muslims during Holy Week rituals—breaking Vatican traditions.​
  8. He utilized social media to connect with millions, tweeting regularly in multiple languages.​
  1. Despite conservative doctrine, he called for more compassion toward LGBTQ+ individuals.​
  2. He published Laudato Si’, a landmark encyclical urging global action on climate change.​
  3. Pope Francis was fluent in Spanish, Italian, and German, and understood Latin and several other languages.​
  4. He lost one of his lungs to infection as a teenager but led a highly active life.​
  5. Francis emphasized mercy over judgment, challenging centuries-old attitudes within the Church.​
  6. He opened discussions on allowing married men to become priests in some regions.​
  7. Pope Francis was a fan of soccer and supported his hometown team, San Lorenzo, in Argentina.​

Ancient Greece

Ancient Greece is often credited as the cradle of Western civilization. Known for its influential contributions to art, philosophy, politics, and science, here are some Ancient Greece fun facts.
Ancient Greece
1

he Ancient Greeks, particularly in Athens, invented democracy in the 5th century BCE as a response to social unrest and the concentration of power among aristocrats.

2

The Olympic Games started in ancient Greece in 776 BCE in Olympia, a sanctuary dedicated to Zeus. They were originally a religious festival held every four years to honor Zeu

3

Greek mythology is filled with gods, goddesses, heroes, and monsters.

4

Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle were prominent Greek philosophers.

5

The Parthenon is a temple on the Athenian Acropolis dedicated to Athena.

6

Homer’s epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey, are cornerstones of Greek literature.

7

The ancient Greeks made significant advances in mathematics and geometry.

8

Greek theater, including tragedy and comedy, began in ancient Greece.

9

Alexander the Great created one of the largest empires in history.

10

The Greeks practiced polytheism and had numerous gods like Zeus, Hera, and Poseidon.

11

The concept of the atom was first proposed by Greek philosopher Democritus.

12

Greek architecture is known for its columns, including Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian styles.

13

The Greek language has influenced many modern languages, including English.

14

The ancient Greeks studied the stars and laid the groundwork for modern astronomy.

15

The Hippocratic Oath, taken by doctors today, originated from the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates.