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Hammurabi was a king of the First Babylonian dynasty, seen as a god during his life. He is best known for his law code, some of which survives today, that issued severe punishments in the "eye-for-an-eye" style. -
The Greek philosopher, Socrates, was critical of Athenian government and was sentenced to death by suicide for "corrupting the youth of Athens". -
Cleopatra, known for her intelligence and aptitude for leadership, was the last ruler of Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. Her relationship with Roman politician, Mark Antony, was the inspiration for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. -
The Roman emperor, Nero, was rumored to have started the Great Fire of Rome that devastated the city for six days in order to make room for his planned palatial complex. However, he accused the city's Christian community, leading to increased persecutions against Christians within the Empire. -
The Koran, the Muslim holy book, was orally revealed to the prophet, Muhammad, from God, over the course of 23 years. The first Islamic places of worship, mosques, were built in Arabia during Muhammad's lifetime. -
King John, the only "King John" in English history, was noted throughout his rule for his terrible leadership. He was forced to relinquish some of his power when his barons demanded he sign a document, Magna Carta, that would lend to a more balanced power structure between the monarchy and nobility. -
Mansa Musa, a sultan of the Mali Empire, is considered one of the wealthiest historical figures to have lived. During his reign, it is believed that Mali was the world's largest producer of gold. -
The Black Death, a bubonic plague, was one of the worst pandemics in human history, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 30 - 60% of Europe's population. It took around 200 years for the global population to recover! -
Pachacuti, the emperor of the Kingdom of Cusco, which he transformed into the Inca Empire, commissioned the famous site, Machu Picchu, as his estate. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. -
Built as a defense against nomadic invaders from the Eurasian steppes, the Great Wall of China has served many purposes, including as a collection point for duties on good transported via the Silk Road.