Little Known Facts

[Farnan]

Post some little known historical facts.

Contrary to popular belief the US did have a dictator in its history. In 1776 George Washington was granted all the powers he believed were necessary to win the war for a 6 month period. However after that period he gave up the powers like his hero Cincinnatus.

[Maximinus Thrax]

Everyone is familiar with Armand Jean du Plessis de Richelieu, the well-known cardinal of Richelieu. History seems to have forgotten his older brother Alphonse-Louis du Plessis de Richelieu (1582-1653), a cardinal as well (from 1629). A capable individual, his personality was exactly the opposite to that of his brother.

It's safe to say that there were two cardinals of Richelieu at that time.

[{II}Sovereign]

Contrary to popular beliefs, a full suit of a medieval plate armor wouldn't weigh less then modern day equipment such as Land-warrior etc..

[Farnan]

The amount of equipment carried by a Roman Legionnaire, a Union Soldier and a modern US Infantryman weigh almost exactly the same.

[hellheaven1987]

The amount of equipment carried by a Roman Legionnaire, a Union Soldier and a modern US Infantryman weigh almost exactly the same.

It is same for Macedonian force too.

[{II}Sovereign]

The amount of equipment carried by a Roman Legionnaire, a Union Soldier and a modern US Infantryman weigh almost exactly the same.

Yeah well depends upon your definition and context of the word I suppose...

How about this thread gets back on topic instead of total derailment? Contrary to popular beliefs, the first actual metal base ship used in line of duty were the Korean turtle ships used in Japanese invasions of Korea in 1592–1598

[René Artois]

the first actual metal base ship used in line of duty were the Korean turtle ships used in Japanese invasions of Korea in 1592–1598

Used by the Koreans or Japanese? I remember reading about that actually.

[Farnan]

Yeah well depends upon your definition and context of the word I suppose...

Not really.

The weight of the buccellatum is estimated to have been about 3 kg, which, given that the corn rations would add more than 11 kg, means that without the corn, the soldier would have carried around 30 kg (66 lbs), pretty much the same weight as today's soldiers. .

http://www.roman-empire.net/army/army.html

About 45 pounds of equipment, plus rifle, ammunition and uniform would put it about the same as the 66 pound estimate (Dodge actually refers to this in his book about Hannibal)
http://books.google.com/books?id=Uu2...tryman&f=false

Vietnam era soldiers had 72 pounds of equipment
http://news.google.com/newspapers?ni...g=5949,2780244

I was wrong though as US Army soldiers carry more than the Union and Vietnam era soldiers, but carry about the same as the high estimate of Roman Legionnaires at 120 pounds:

In Afghanistan, infantryman are carrying upward of 120 pounds--in Iraq, close to 100 pounds, according to Whitaker. The weight is the result of the so-called "Christmas Tree" effect--soldiers just keep hanging more and more gear off themselves.

http://www.forbes.com/2008/06/05/inf...0605carry.html

[Cussa]

The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time television were Fred & Wilma Flintstone.

- Cussa

[Ramashan]

One of the reasons the Pilgrims landed where they did in North America was for, of all things, a shortage of beer.

"We could not now take time for further search...our victuals being much spent, especially our beer..."

[hellheaven1987]

Well, we have to remember that beer is the only safe drinking water in old time, so running out of beer is, for people in past, not just run out some pleasure drinks, but a problem of live or dead.

[Slaytaninc]

That's only because of the brewing process. They boiled water used to make beer as part of the preparation process. Of course, fire isn't a good idea on a ship, so boiling your water is out. So without their beer, they didn't feel safe.

[Farnan]

In the pre-modern era, beer drinking was more common. This is not because people were drunks, but rather because alcohol was safer than water.

[Ramashan]

In the pre-modern era, beer drinking was more common. This is not because people were drunks, but rather because alcohol was safer than water.

Yup yup - this is also where we get IPA's from. Hops is a very good preservative, so they would heavily hop the beer for the long voyage to and from India.

[Ramashan]

Lots of benefits for Beer. Its a way to convert grain into a more long term transportable commodity, it gives you something to drink without worry of contamination, and its relatively easy to produce.

[iudas]

Joseph Stalin was "a little bit of a squirt" (according to Truman) - 168cm (5'6") tall at most, probably less than 165cm - despite being portrayed as a large, imposing man in propaganda pictures.

[hellheaven1987]

Joseph Stalin was "a little bit of a squirt" (according to Truman) - 168cm (5'6") tall at most, probably less than 165cm - despite being portrayed as a large, imposing man in propaganda pictures.

I thought Truman is quite short too??

[Xanthippus of Sparta]

Joseph Stalin was "a little bit of a squirt" (according to Truman) - 168cm (5'6") tall at most, probably less than 165cm - despite being portrayed as a large, imposing man in propaganda pictures.

Hahah I didn't know this.

But I have a couple.

In 410 A.D. when the Goths "sacked" Rome, their armies actually did very little to no damage to the city. Freed slaves were far and away the biggest threat.

In the U.S., when the Pilgrims arrived in New England they didn't land at Plymouth rock.

During WWII the British were conned into believing it was Winston Churchill who broadcast the speech (during the Battle of Britain) about this being their finest hour. But it wasn't Churchill, it was Norman Shelley, a radio actor hired as a stand-in.

Caesar never uttered the phrase "Et tu Brute?" as he was dying...the guy was stabbed like 30 times.

Marie Antoinette never said "let them eat cake".

I have an entire book of these, Legends, lies, and cherished myths of World History by Richard Shenkman

[Cussa]

Dueling is legal in Paraguay as long as both parties are registered blood donors.

- Cussa

[Getwulf]

Hitler was a "monorchid"... For those who don't know what that is, he was a man with only one testis in his scrotum!