Benjamin Plackett

The Great Wall of China was built to defend the empire from enemy armies, but now it acts as a unifying symbol and a useful propaganda tool for the ruling Communist Party.

Istanbul has had many names, including Byzantium, New Rome and Constantinople. It didn't officially become Istanbul until 1930.

So long as you're travelling to Rome.

The aging process doesn't happen equally on both sides, leaving the human face increasingly less symmetrical with age.

Why do people sometimes gain weight after they start to exercise regularly?

New evidence shows that watermelons were first domesticated in Sudan, leading experts to think the region rivals Iraq as a cradle of agriculture.

While often strained, the U.K.-U.S. relationship got a boost when Roosevelt and Churchill became drinking buddies.

It's impossible to know for sure the deadliest day in U.S. history because you can end up comparing apples with oranges.

Latin is alive and well, but Julius Caesar might struggle to understand its modern form.

It's overwhelmingly genes, but DNA alone can't make you tall.

If cats were loved, why were so many sacrificed?

No, the misquote is an example of French revolutionary propaganda.

It's probably fine to give your child weak coffee, as long as you skip the sugar.

It's almost impossible to argue that gasoline-powered cars are better for the environment.

Trends, set by royals and movies, help to influence a dog breed's popularity.

To scare off the queen's enemies.

As we continue to unearth ancient remains, the number of early human species grows.

It's open to debate, but a lot of the 19th century was spent in open revolt.

No one really knows, but there are a few educated guesses.

While officially lawless, settlers usually weren't all that wild.

Encryption tech can be either hardware or software.

You probably learned this at school.

It was either because New Year's Day used to be March 1 or because the Romans used to have a 10-month calendar.

You can argue for the British, Persians, Romans, Mongols or pretty much any empire you want.

Depends on which Rome you're asking about.