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Today the conflict, or rather series of conflicts, which Charless invasion of Italy triggered are known as the Italian Wars. This series of battles, on land, and at sea, would entangle France, the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, and nearly all of the various Italian powers and would not end until the Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis in 1559. But what led Charles to invade Italy in the first place, and how did that invasion play out? Did it achieve its goals?Naples: The French ConnectionPortrait of King Charles VIII of France, 16th century. Source: Wikimedia CommonsUnlike the more or less unified kingdoms of France and England, Italy in the 15th century was a congeries of smaller political entities, the five most prominent of which were the Kingdom of Naples, the Papal States, the Duchy of Milan, and the Republics of Venice and Florence. Alongside these were many smaller city-states, such as Urbino, Ferrara, and Genoa. France had trading relations with many of the Italian states and even occasional political alliances with some, such as Florence and Genoa. But the only dynastic claim that the French throne had in Italy was to the Kingdom of Naples (although the French Orleans family had a claim to the Duchy of Milan, which would be pursued later in the Italian Wars).In 1265 Pope Clement IV conferred the Kingdom of Naples, a Papal fief, on the Angevins, a branch of the French Capetian Dynasty, out of which the Valois Dynasty (of which Charles VIII was a member) would also spring. The Angevins ruled the Kingdom of Naples until it was conquered by Alfonso V of Aragon (not yet part of a unified Spain) in 1442.In 1481 the Angevin line died out and their lands, as well as their claim to Naples, reverted to the French crown. Thus, when Charles VIII ascended the throne in 1483, his patrimony included the Angevin claim to the Neapolitan throne. And as French power and influence in the Mediterranean grew, through ports such as Marseille and Toulon, Charles was quite interested in expanding into Italy, encouraged by some of his closest advisers.King Ferrante of Naples receiving gifts, 1480s. Source: Beinecke Digital LibraryThe various Italian powers had courted foreign leaders as allies in their intermittent feuds over the centuries, but none of them ever really wanted a foreign power to intervene militarily, especially with the intention of establishing a permanent presence. The Aragonese (Spanish) conquest of Naples earlier in the 15th century was bad enough, and many resented the domination of a large piece of the Italian peninsula by a foreign regime.Indeed, King Ferrante of Naples had made many enemies in Italy, and not just because of his legendary cruelty. The Venetians saw him as a threat to some of their territories, such as Cyprus, while Ferrantes meddling in the affairs of the Papal States made him no friend of the pope. Even Ludovico Sforza of Milan, whose family had marriage ties to Ferrante, had begun to see Naples as a threat. Pope Innocent VIII actually deposed Ferrante in 1489 (the Kingdom of Naples was still under the suzerainty of the Papacy) and offered the Neapolitan crown to Charles VIII, thus creating the justification for the eventual French invasion in 1494.The Invasion Looms: A Game of Diplomatic ChessPortrait of Lorenzo de Medici, The Magnificent, workshop of Agnolo Bronzino, ca. 1565-69. Source: Wikimedia CommonsWith the possibility of a French invasion on the horizon, the Italian powers began a series of diplomatic moves and countermoves, jockeying to gain the most advantage out of the situation. Ludovico Sforza of Milan sought a formal alliance with France, the port of Genoa being the lynchpin. Sforza would essentially recognize French suzerainty over Genoa in return for French protection; Genoa would supply a safe harbor for French ships, while Milan would materially support any French invasion of Italy.Meanwhile, in 1492 Pope Innocent VIII negotiated a treaty with Ferrante of Naples whereby the Aragonese claim to the Kingdom of Naples was once more officially recognized.Venice, determined to stay neutral and therefore uninvolved in any potential conflict, supported neither Naples nor France, arguing (justifiably so) that its territories in the eastern Mediterranean were under threat from the Ottomans and its attention must remain focused there.Florence, despite a long history of friendly relations with France, began to become more heavily involved in Naples toward the end of Lorenzo (the Magnificent) de Medicis life. When he died in 1492, his son Piero continued this policy, much to the consternation of Charles VIII.Portrait of Alexander VI, by Cristofano dellAltissimo, 16th century. Source: Wikimedia CommonsIn addition to Lorenzo de Medici, Pope Innocent VIII also died in 1492, bringing the infamous Rodrigo Borgia to the papacy as Alexander VI (often referred to later as simply the Borgia pope). Despite the normalization of relations between the papacy and Naples earlier in the year under Innocent VIII, there was soon a falling out between Alexander and Ferrante over a land dispute involving a powerful Roman baron, leading Alexander to send an embassy to Charles VIII inviting him to invade Naples.As Piero de Medici, Lorenzos successor, was on the side of Naples in the dispute, this also caused enmity between Alexander and Florence. Charles VIII made a series of treaties with his main adversariesSpain, England, and the Holy Roman Empireover the course of 1492-3 so that he could focus his attention on Italy, and it became clear to all the Italian powers that a French invasion was becoming more likely by the day, and the threat of one was no longer just another piece to play on the diplomatic game board. Unbeknownst to anyone, the Italian Wars were about to begin.The Invasion, Part I: The Surprisingly Smooth Road to NaplesPortrait of Alfonso II of Naples, Aliprando Caprioli, 1596. Source: The British MuseumIn January of 1494, King Ferrante of Naples died. His son Alfonso, through a series of exorbitant concessions (essentially bribes), received confirmation of the Neapolitan crown from Pope Alexander VI, and Charless claims to Naples were rejected by the Papacy, despite the fact that he had been invited to invade Naples by Alexander himself less than two years previously.After having his emissaries to the pope rebuffed, Charles began to assemble his army. Although initially planned for a smaller force of around 13,500 troops, the army that was assembled was closer to 30,000 troops, including Italian mercenaries and a hired contingent of the much-feared Swiss pikemen, as well as the largest and most modern artillery train anywhere in Europe. Such an army had not been seen on Italian soil in generations and it caused much fear and trepidation, including among Charless allies such as Ludovico Sforza of Milan.French troops under Charles VIII entering Florence 17 November 1494, by Francesco Granacci, 1517. Source: Wikimedia CommonsBy August 1494, Charles and his massive army had crossed the Alps and were in Italy. Alfonso of Naples, having built up his defenses at home, sent forces to attempt to harry and delay the French advance while the army was still in the north, but none of these actions were effective. At Mordano, a combined French and Milanese force besieged a combined Neapolitan, Florentine, and Papal force, eventually taking the town, leading the Swiss troops to murder everyone insidean act which merely increased the fear that the French army created as it moved through Italy.As the French army neared Florentine territory, Piero de Medici himself visited Charles in his camp and made massive concessions in order to ensure the safety of Florentine lands. However, he had overstepped his authority and was forced into exile by the angry Florentines. Charles entered Florence with his army like a conqueror but left it intact, much to the relief of the inhabitants.The French encountered hardly any resistance as they advanced southward. Some towns simply surrendered at the French approach rather than be bombarded or suffer the fate of Mordano. At Rome, Charles was able to come to terms with Pope Alexander VI, and the final push to Naples was at hand. Charles and his commanders expected the easy road thus far to change dramatically, as Alfonso had significant defenses and a strong army. However, before Charles himself had even left Rome for the final stage of the invasion route, Alfonso had abdicated his crown to his son Ferrandino and left for Sicily, most likely out of despair at the relative ease of the French advance.The new young king could muster little support in defending the kingdom against the French, and in less than a month, on February 22, 1495, Charles VIII entered the city of Naples.The Invasion, Part II: The Surprisingly Rough Road Back to FranceBattle Scene: Charles VIII Receiving the Crown of Naples, by Francesco Bassano the Younger, ca. 1585-90. Source: The LouvreYoung Ferrandino also left for Sicily after his request to be left in charge of the city of Naples while the French controlled the rest of the kingdom was dismissed by Charles. In Sicily, King Ferdinand of Aragon had already been building up troops since late the previous year, preparing for a possible offensive against the French. Ferdinand was also in contact with several other Italian powers who now resented the French presence, including Pope Alexander VI, Venice, and even Ludovico Sforza of Milanonce Charless ally but now horrified at the cost of his support and also extremely suspicious of French intentions on Milan itself.On March 31, 1495, an alliance was formed between Aragon, the Papacy, the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian (Habsburg), Milan, and Venice, which came to be known as the Holy League, or sometimes the League of Venice. This was framed as a defensive agreement against other Italian powers, but as Charles was now an Italian power himself and was not part of the league, it was fairly obvious against whom it was targeted.Francesco II Gonzaga at the Battle of Fornovo, by Tintoretto, 1578-80. Source: Wikimedia CommonsMeanwhile, in Naples, Charles was making few friends among the local population. He granted many lands to his followers and appointed Frenchmen to control every city in the kingdom. While most of the local nobles were not adversely affected per se, they nonetheless resented what they saw as haughty French behavior in their kingdom.As summer approached, Charles prepared to return to France, his mission accomplished. In May Charles left a viceroy and a small garrison to maintain control in Naples and left for his return journey. He hoped to receive papal investiture of the Neapolitan crown on the way, but Pope Alexander VI intentionally avoided him, thus making investiture impossible. Charles also angered the Florentines by refusing to return their towns and fortresses that he had borrowed until Naples had been taken.As Charles continued northward he learned that an army of 20,000 troops, mostly Venetian but also including a sizable number of Milanese, was waiting for him near Parma.The Battle of Fornovo, by the Master of the Battle of Fornovo, ca. 1495-1506. Source: National Gallery of ArtThe Battle of Fornovo, the first major battle of the Italian Wars, was fought on July 6, 1495. Charless army numbered around 11-12,000, while the mixed Venetian/Milanese army of the Holy League, under the command of Francesco Gonzaga, numbered around 20,000.Gonzaga had picked a location along Charless route where the French army would be strung out due to the terrain and where the League army would be able to ford a shallow river and attack the French flank. However, Charles was able to arrange his troops into a formation where they could turn and fight if necessary, and a storm the previous day had swollen the river, hindering any easy fording. The ensuing battle was a confused affair by all accounts, and both sides claimed victory at the end. The league army had definitely suffered more casualties, but they had also captured the highly valuable French baggage train, and the French army had been the one to quit the battlefield.The battle sent the message to the other Italian powers that while the French army was formidable, it would not always have its way in on the field of battle. As a further blow to Charles, the city of Naples fell to a Spanish army on the same day as the Battle of Fornovo.Aftermath and Implications for the FutureBattle of Pavia, unknown Flemish artist, after 1525. Source: Wikimedia CommonsCharles was able to return to France, but his position in Italy was thoroughly weakened. The French troops remaining in the Kingdom of Naples fought against the Spanish and Venetians for several years but were ultimately unable to hold the kingdom. By the time the last French garrison, at Taranto, had surrendered in February 1498, Ferrandino had already died, and his uncle, Federigo, was now the king of Naples. Charles died two months later. However unsuccessful it was in taking and holding the Kingdom of Naples, Charless invasion of Italy was only the beginning of the Italian Wars.Over the next 50 years, Italy would be the primary battleground in the great rivalry of the first half of the 16th centurythat between the Valois (French) and Habsburg (Austrian/Spanish) dynasties. Although this rivalry played out in other areas of Europe as well, Italy was the scene of some of its most well-known events.In 1515, French king Francis I led his army to a decisive victory at Marignano, proving that the Swiss pikemen could be beaten. In 1525 Francis himself was also captured at the battle of Pavia and held prisoner by Emperor Charles V. In 1527, Rome was sacked and pillaged and the pope was taken prisoner by the Imperial army. All told, four French and four Habsburg monarchs (including the Spanish and Austrian branches) would be involved in the Italian Wars before they ended in 1559. But it all began with Charles VIIIs fateful decision to invade Italy in 1494.

In the Arthurian legends from medieval Britain and Europe, King Arthur has an alliance of numerous Knights of the Round Table. One of the most famous of these knights is the young Gawain, Arthurs own nephew. Across numerous pieces of Arthurian literature, the various knights engage on individual adventures, but Gawains conflict with the Green Knight is one of the most famous and intriguing of all. Where does this legend come from, and what actually happens in it? Is Gawain able to defeat the Green Knight in the end, or not?The Origin of the Legend of Gawain and the Green KnightThe opening pages of the story of Gawain and the Green Knight in the Pearl Manuscript, c. 14th century. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe legend of Gawain and the Green Knight comes from a Middle English poem dating to the late 14th century. One reason why this story is so interesting is because it survives in just a single manuscript, the Pearl Manuscript (formally known as the British Library MS Cotton Nero A X/2). The author is unfortunately unknown.Although there are no other surviving manuscripts of this poem, the same story is also found in the Percy Folio Manuscript. This contains a 15th century retelling of the legend, with a simplified plot and more explicit character motivations. This is known as The Greene Knight. It would appear that these two manuscripts are the only medieval sources for this famous legend. In many senses, it is remarkable that the story of Gawain and the Green Knight has come to be as famous as it is today, since it was clearly not widely distributed in the medieval era.The Green Knight Arrives at King Arthurs CourtA depiction of a wedding celebration at Arthurs court, by Lancelot Speed, 1912. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe legend of Gawain and the Green Knight opens with King Arthur holding a Christmas feast at his royal court. His knightsmostly kings and princes from all over Britainare present, exchanging gifts. Suddenly, the Green Knight enters the court. He is riding on horseback like a knight normally would, but this is where the similarities end. This knight is not wearing any armor. He is also exceptionally, inhumanly large and completely green all over. Even his horse is green. In one hand, he holds a holly bough. Everything about him suggests that he is some kind of nature deity.Although he is not armored, he does come into the court bearing a weapon. While the holly bough is in one hand, an axe is in the other. Although Arthurs court is full of brave and powerful knights, the Green Knight is by far the most formidable presence there. However, he does not intend to fight any of Arthurs men, nor Arthur himself.The Green Knights ChallengeDepiction of King Arthurs court at Camelot, Gustave Dore, 1867. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe Green Knight himself makes it clear that he does not want to fight any of the Knights of the Round Table. Of course, this is not because he is afraid. Rather, he remarks that every man there is like a child compared to him. Rather, he offers to play a Christmas game with the court. He explains that he will let anyone who dares strike his neck with his axe, to cut off his head. However, there is an important condition. Anyone who accepts the challenge will also have to be willing to receive the same blow of the axe from the Green Knight himself in a year and a day.At first, it seems as if there is little risk, since the Green Knight will have been slain by anyone who accepts the challenge. Nevertheless, Arthurs men are afraid. Finally, when Arthur sees that no one is going to accept the challenge, the king himself decides to do it.Gawains QuestDepiction of Gawain fighting Yvain, Garrett MS 125, c. late-13th century. Source: Princeton University LibraryHowever, before Arthur can go through with it, the young Sir Gawain steps forward and takes the axe. The Green Knight willingly lets Gawain strike him with it and cut off his head. However, to everyones shock, he does not fall down dead. In fact, he calmly picks up his head and mounts his green horse. He presents his bleeding head to a terrified Guinevere, and then turns toward Gawain to remind him of the agreement. In a year and a day, Gawain is obliged to allow the Green Knight to strike Gawains neck with the axe. At this point, the Green Knight tells Gawain that when that time comes, he needs to meet him at the Green Chapel. He also mentions that everyone nearby knows where it is.This challenge presents a massive test for Gawains integrity. Nevertheless, he decides to keep his word. As the time approaches, Gawain sets off to find the Green Chapel and fulfill his side of the deal.Lord Bertilaks ArrangementLuds Church, Staffordshire, England, one of the most popular candidates for the setting of the climax of Gawains journey. Source: Chris Morriss via FlickrEventually, Gawain comes across a glorious castle, the home of a lord and his wife. Gawain explains to them why he is there and that the time for him to face the Green Knight is just a few days away. The lord of the castle, later named as Lord Bertilak, reveals to him that the Green Chapel is just a short distance away, so he encourages him to rest at the castle until it is time to go there.While staying there, Lord Bertilak makes a deal with Gawain. He will go out hunting every day and give to Gawain whatever he catches, while Gawain will give to Bertilak whatever he received that day. Each day, while the lord is away hunting, the lady of the castle attempts to seduce Gawain. On each occasion, Gawain mostly rejects her, accepting only a kiss. Whenever Bertilak would return and give Gawain what he had hunted that day, Gawain would give Bertilak the kisses that he had received from his wife.A depiction of Bertilaks wife tempting Gawain, Pearl Manuscript, c. 14th century. Source: Wikimedia CommonsOf course, Gawain never revealed to Bertilak where he had received the kisses. He attempted to maintain the appearance of pure chastity and honesty, even though he was not being completely pure with Bertilaks wife. On the final day before Gawains appointment to face the Green Knight, the lady offered him something special. It was a green sash that would protect him from any physical harm. However, he was to keep it a secret from her husband.Since Gawain was going to face the Green Knight the following day, almost certainly meaning his death, he accepted the gift. When Lord Bertilak returned, Gawain did not mention the sash, just as the lady had instructed him. Hence, not only was he not being completely chaste, but he had also become dishonest in another sense. In fact, this is one of the reasons for the storys popularity. It is a story which tests Gawains integrity to the full, and in several different ways.Facing the Green KnightA depiction of Gawain approaching the Green Chapel, Pearl Manuscript, c. 14th century. Source: Wikimedia CommonsFinally, the next day, it was time to face the Green Knight. Gawain tied the sash around his waist and went to the Green Chapel. The Green Knight was there, waiting for him with his axe. He had Gawain bend forward, offering his neck. The Green Knight went to strike him, but then stopped at the last moment. This caused Gawain to flinch, for which reason the Green Knight makes fun of him. A second fake blow is delivered, at which Gawain does not flinch. At this, Gawain demanded that the Green Knight strike him properly. He does, but Gawain received only a minor cut.The Green Knight then revealed the truth behind everything. He was actually Lord Bertilak, with his appearance transformed by magic. It was Morgan le Fay, Arthurs evil half-sister, who was behind all this. She had sent the Green Knight in an attempt to scare Guinevere to death, due to her hatred for her and Arthur.Although Gawain received a minor cut due to his dishonesty regarding the green sash, Bertilak assured him that he was the most blameless knight in all the land.The Story of Gawain and the Green KnightA depiction of the Green Knight at King Arthurs court, Pearl Manuscript, c. late 14th century. Source: Wikimedia CommonsIn conclusion, the story of Gawain and the Green Knight is one of the most famous of all the Arthurian legends. The original poem survives in just a single manuscript by an unknown author in the late 14th century. It tells the story of how the Green Knight challenged Arthurs court to cut off his head in exchange for the same blow a year and a day later. The young Gawain is the one who accepted the challenge, successfully beheading the knight. The rest of the story shows how Gawain deals with the difficulties of keeping his word, remaining chaste, and being honest in the face of what appears to be certain death. As the story progresses, we see that Gawain is brave and virtuous, yet flawed. He succumbs to some pressures, while resisting others. Ultimately, he survives the ordeal with only a minor wound for his dishonesty, and the whole scenario is revealed to have been crafted by the evil Morgan le Fay.

Ever since the first movie in The Conjuring film series premiered in 2013, the franchise has released many box office horror successes. Based on the accounts of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, the films have chronicled some of their most high-profile cases with many creative liberties taken by the screenwriters and directors at Warner Bros. The films portray the Warrens as righteous do-gooders combatting the forces of evil and helping families impacted by paranormal phenomena. The Warrens, in the movies, seem like a devout and happy couple driven by a divine purpose, but the truth about the real Ed and Lorraine Warren is said to be much different, with many troubling allegations about their investigative work and their personal lives emerging over the years. Many of their cases, too, were different from their silver screen counterparts. Dive into the true stories behind The Conjuring movies below.The True Story Of The Perron Family And The Events In The Conjuring MovieFacebookThe Perron family resided in The Conjuring House for nearly a decade.In January 1971, Roger and Carolyn Perron, along with their five daughters, moved into a 14-room farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island. Almost immediately, strange occurrences began. Carolyn noticed odd things: the broom disappearing or shifting locations, mysterious scraping sounds near an empty kettle, and piles of dirt appearing on freshly cleaned kitchen floors. Meanwhile, her daughters reported seeing spirits most of whom were harmless, though a few of them seemed to be overtly angry. Carolyn said she researched the house and learned that it had belonged to one family for eight generations. She also found that tragic, mysterious, and violent deaths littered the homes history. Several children allegedly drowned in a nearby creek, at least one person was murdered, and others hanged themselves in the homes attic. One name in particular stood out to her: Bathsheba Sherman. She lived on the property in the mid-1800s, and, disturbingly, she may have been involved in the death of a neighbors child. Because of this, Carolyn came to believe that Bathsheba Sherman was one of the malevolent spirits haunting her family,even though much about the real Bathsheba Shermans story remains unconfirmed. The Perrons oldest daughter, Andrea, later stated that she believed her family was actually being haunted by a woman named Abigail Arnold, but even that version of events is murky at best. The evil spirit, whoever it was, seemed to target Andreas mother the most, though, and Andrea later said, Whoever the spirit was, she perceived herself to be mistress of the house and she resented the competition my mother posed for that position. Warner Bros. PicturesA dramatic scene from The Conjuring movie, which was inspired by the true story of the Perron family.Eventually, the haunting purportedly intensified. Some spirits emitted the odor of rotting flesh and caused beds to rise off the homes floor. In the basement, Roger sensed a cold, stinking presence behind him. He tried to avoid the cellar as much as he could, yet its heating equipment often failed, forcing him to go down to the basement and check it regardless.Over the decade the Perrons lived on the farm, the Warrens visited multiple times. During one seance conducted by Lorraine, Carolyn was said to have become possessed, speaking in tongues and levitating from her chair. Andrea claimed to have watched this unfold, while keeping herself hidden, later writing, My mother began to speak a language not of this world in a voice not her own. Her chair levitated and she was thrown across the room. Roger, concerned about Carolyns mental health, asked the Warrens to leave. Financial difficulties anchored the family to the home until around 1980, but once they were able to move, the hauntings reportedly ended. Today, the old Perron home is billed as The Conjuring House, largely operating as a tourist attraction for ghost hunters, paranormal enthusiasts, and devoted fans of the famous horror movie.Some parts of The Conjuring differed from the real investigation conducted by the Warrens, especially since the film depicted them performing an exorcism, which Lorraine said that she and her husband would never do, as an exorcism is supposed to be performed only by a Catholic priest. But Lorraine, who served as a consultant on the movie, also claimed that most of the events portrayed on-screen really happened.The post Were <em>The Conjuring</em> Movies Based On True Stories? Inside 7 Real-Life Cases Of Ed And Lorraine Warren appeared first on All That's Interesting.

Trustees of the British MuseumThe ancient clay cup is 3,500 years old and was likely used to drink wine at Minoan feasts.The discovery of thousands of ancient 3,500-year-old disposable cups seems to have put a swift end to the notion that modern civilizations introduced the throwaway cup. According to The Guardian, the clay vessels were unearthed from archeological sites on the Greek island of Crete.One of the first advanced civilizations of Europe, the Minoans who lived on Crete most likely used the cups to drink wine, researchers believe. According to The Washington Post, one of these wine vessels will be displayed alongside a paper cup from the 1990s at the British Museum.Equal parts endearing and depressing, the fact that we as a species have prioritized comfort over the environment for thousands of years is a striking reminder of how little weve changed. For British Museum curator Julia Farley, the exhibit will ideally leave people pondering their everyday choices.Just like us, they didnt want to wash up, said Farley. In one way, it shows this universal desire for convenience. But today, were making more than 300 billion disposable paper cups every year as a species. Its so completely different in terms of the scale.British MuseumOne of the thousands of cups will be displayed in an exhibit at the British Museum.People may be very surprised to know that disposable, single-use cups are not the invention of our modern consumerist society, but in fact can be traced back thousands of years, said Farley. The Minoans frequently gathered for parties at the palace on Crete. With lavish feasts and festivals, they thoroughly enjoyed their civilizations successes and celebrated in style. Farley explained that the elite were showing off their wealth and status by hosting these events.Unfortunately, sizable gatherings often lead to a diffusion of responsibility and the Minoans were no different in this respect.People were getting together in large groups and much like today, nobody wants to do the washing up, she said. As well as being convenient, the cup was a means of showing off wealth because of all the resources poured into making it.'As such, the disposable cup retained yet another inherent feature besides its convenience. Namely, that the very act of throwing it away meant one was well off. In that sense, one can see a culture of wanton disposable behavior not dissimilar from the one we see thriving today.This is a sobering message about scale and consumption and I think we need to find that balance, which humans have never been very good at finding, said Farley. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju_2NuK5O-E%5B/embed]Human beings have always produced rubbish, said Farley. Making some rubbish is an unavoidable by-product of being human. We are tool-using animals. We wear clothes. Nothing lasts forever. Its in the very nature of our existence that we make rubbish.Of course, while the Minoans made disposable cups, they were made of clay and at a glaringly smaller scale. They certainly disposed of them lazily, just as we do today, but they did so while building a remarkable Bronze Age civilization complete with palaces, art, and a written language. As for us, the stark contrast is marked by excess and environmental indifference. As such, while weve clearly not changed too much regarding our behavior perhaps we should, as our ability to damage the planet has definitely grown stronger over the years.As Farley put it, we are doing what human beings have always done but we are doing it on an unprecedented scale with materials that are going to take hundreds, if not thousands of years, to biodegrade.While researchers have thousands of these ancient clay vessels at their disposal, just one is confirmed to go on display next to its modern counterpart. Other items will include a fishing basket made from plastic wrapping, and photos depicting the pollution across the Pacific Ocean.After learning about the ancient 3,500-year-old disposable Minoan clay cups, read about newly-discovered remains suggesting the earliest humans came from Europe, not Africa. Then, learn about the Greek farmer who accidentally discovered a 3,400-year-old Minoan tomb.The post This 3,500-Year-Old Disposable Cup Shows Ancient Humans Werent Too Green, Either appeared first on All That's Interesting.

A blind kitten tried to break into another cat's pen, determined to be his best friend. Theo and BillieFoster the FurbabiesEarlier this year, Gianna and Gab, sisters and co-founders of Foster the Furbabies, rescued a tiny kitten who was in desperate need of help.Her eyes were so severely infected that they couldn't be saved. But despite everything, her spirit never faded. After surgery, she bounced back with a hearty appetite and a renewed zest for life.Though blind, the kitten, named Billie, refused to let anything dim her joy. All she wanted was love and a friend to share it with. BillieFoster the FurbabiesBillie's little purr engine never seemed to stop running. She made "biscuits," rolled onto her back for belly rubs at mealtime, and filled the room with her playful antics.She quickly learned to navigate her world through sound and scent, chasing toys, finding her food bowl, and mapping her surroundings with astonishing confidence. The only thing missing was a constant playmate. Foster the FurbabiesAround that time, the rescue took in a young tabby named Theodore (Theo), who arrived with leg and foot injuries that made walking difficult. He couldn't bear much weight on his front legs, but didn't let that stop him from seeking affection.The moment he saw his foster mom, his face lit up, and his purr filled the room. TheoFoster the FurbabiesGianna set up a cozy playpen for Theo while he recovered and completed quarantine. But the moment Billie heard him, she became instantly intrigued. She was determined to be with him, and nothing was going to stand in her way."Billie kept finding ways to open the playpen and climb in with him," Gianna told Love Meow. Billie was immediately intrigued by her new friendFoster the FurbabiesBillie proved clever and unstoppable. She figured out how to unzip the playpen, sneaking in again and again just to curl up beside her new friend. Using her other senses, she outsmarted every barrier in her path."When they were finally able to meet, she wanted to be best friends immediately." She managed to unzip the playpen so she could curl up beside TheoFoster the FurbabiesAs Billie's confidence grew, so did her sense of adventure. She explored every corner of the house, discovered the cool breeze drifting through the window, and listened to the chatter of birds and neighbors outside.Gianna's resident dog, Gemma, took Billie under her wing. Billie adored her, rubbing her face affectionately against her canine friend. Billie and GemmaFoster the Furbabies"Once they were both healed, they started playing together like crazy. They chase each other all around the house and entertain each other all day long. And they both love playing with their foster sister, Gemma."Theo quickly took on the role of big brother, showing Billie the lay of the land. Theo, Gemma, and BillieFoster the Furbabies"She would follow his sounds and learn how to navigate from him. Neither of them let their ailments stop them from doing anything."When they're not tumbling around, they can usually be found snuggled uppaws entwined, heads tucked close. "Theo likes to give Billie baths, and she loves the attention. They are always together, no matter what they're doing." Best of friendsFoster the FurbabiesThrough resilience and love, the two best friends are thriving, and now they're ready for their next chapter: finding a forever home together.Billie and Theo came from different paths with no connection to each other, until fate brought them together. They formed an instant bond. "I feel like they're soulmates." Foster the FurbabiesToday, Theo, Billie's seeing-eye kitty, runs around the house like a happy little T. rex, with Billie faithfully following close behind. Though Billie can't see and Theo has a bent leg, neither of them seems to be bothered.Together, they are whole. Foster the FurbabiesShare this story with your friends. More on Billie and Theo (in South NJ) and Foster the Furbabies on Instagram @fosterthefurbabies and Facebook.Related story: After Days They Found Missing Cat, When She Saw Her Kittens Again, She Immediately Went to Work

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Meta is diving headfirst into the AI arms race, and Wall Street isnt thrilled. Despite reporting record third-quarter revenue of $51.2 billiona 26% jump from the previous yearMetas stock plunged

The people that are organizing the occupation of Washington DC that will begin on November 5th actually believe that it will result in the end of the Trump presidency. Anti-Trump groups have been planning

Manufacturing is the cornerstone of today's industry and business, enabling the production of products that define the world of everyday life as well as global trade. The industry is in a state of major transformation by infusing the conventional processes with the latest technologies and eco-friendly practices. The current estimates indicate a CAGR of 4% through 2032 and the market...