Fix deep scan: log output even on failure, capture exit code for debugging
This commit is contained in:
@@ -40,4 +40,83 @@ Ongoing underwater excavations in Abu Qir Bay (near Alexandria) have recovered s
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[^2]: McKenzie, J. *The Architecture of Alexandria and Egypt* (Yale, 2007)
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[^3]: Netz, R. & Noel, W. *The Archimedes Codex* (Da Capo, 2007); individual dates per standard scholarly consensus (Britannica, World History Encyclopedia)
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[^4]: El-Abbadi, M. *Life and Fate of the Ancient Library of Alexandria* (UNESCO, 1990)
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[^5]: Goddio, F. & Fabre, D. *Egypt's Sunken Treasures* (Prestel, 2008); ongoing excavations reported by Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (2025)
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[^5]: Goddio, F. & Fabre, D. *Egypt's Sunken Treasures* (Prestel, 2008); ongoing excavations reported by Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (2025)
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---
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## Review Queue
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<!-- factbase:review -->
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 8: "Location: Mediterranean coast of Egypt, western Nile Delta [^1]" - when was this true?
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 11: "Peak population: ~500,000–1,000,000 (among the largest cities in the ancien..." - when was this true?
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 17: "Serapeum: Temple of Serapis, housed a branch of the Library's collection [^1]" - when was this true?
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 33: "The Library's decline was gradual, spanning centuries of reduced funding and ..." - when was this true?
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 23: Malformed temporal tag @t[~-276..~-195] — see docs for valid syntax
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 24: Malformed temporal tag @t[~-310..~-230] — see docs for valid syntax
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 25: Malformed temporal tag @t[~100..~170] — see docs for valid syntax
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 26: Malformed temporal tag @t[~-285..~-246] — see docs for valid syntax
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 31: Malformed temporal tag @t[=391] — see docs for valid syntax
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 32: Malformed temporal tag @t[=641] — see docs for valid syntax
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- [ ] `@q[ambiguous]` Line 16: "Pharos Lighthouse: One of the Seven Wonders, ~100–130 m tall, built ~280 BC..." - what does "BC" mean in this context?
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- [ ] `@q[ambiguous]` Line 24: "Aristarchus of Samos (~310–230 BCE): Proposed heliocentric model @t[~310 BC..." - what does "BC" mean in this context?
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- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 8: "Location: Mediterranean coast of Egypt, western Nile Delta [^1]" - Casson source from 2001 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
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- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 11: "Peak population: ~500,000–1,000,000 (among the largest cities in the ancien..." - Casson source from 2001 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
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- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 15: "Mouseion (Museum): Research institution attached to the Library, founded unde..." - Casson source from 2001 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
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- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 16: "Pharos Lighthouse: One of the Seven Wonders, ~100–130 m tall, built ~280 BC..." - McKenzie source from 2007 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
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- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 17: "Serapeum: Temple of Serapis, housed a branch of the Library's collection [^1]" - Casson source from 2001 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
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- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 22: "Euclid: *Elements* of geometry, active ~300 BCE @t[~300 BCE] [^3]" - Netz source from 2007 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
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- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 23: "Eratosthenes (~276–195 BCE): Calculated Earth's circumference; served as he..." - Netz source from 2007 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
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- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 24: "Aristarchus of Samos (~310–230 BCE): Proposed heliocentric model @t[~310 BC..." - Netz source from 2007 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
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- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 25: "Ptolemy (Claudius, ~100–170 CE): *Almagest* (astronomy), *Geography* @t[~10..." - Netz source from 2007 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
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- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 26: "Septuagint: Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, produced in Alexandria und..." - Netz source from 2007 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
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- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 31: "391 CE: Bishop Theophilus ordered destruction of the Serapeum, which housed a..." - El-Abbadi source from 1990 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
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- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 32: "641/642 CE: Arab conquest of Egypt under Amr ibn al-As ended the Greco-Roman ..." - El-Abbadi source from 1990 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
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- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 33: "The Library's decline was gradual, spanning centuries of reduced funding and ..." - El-Abbadi source from 1990 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
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168
cities/athens.md
168
cities/athens.md
@@ -11,16 +11,16 @@ Athens was the leading city-state of ancient Greece, birthplace of democracy, an
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- Key sites: Acropolis, Agora, Pnyx, Kerameikos
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## Early History
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- Neolithic settlement on the Acropolis rock dates to ~3000 BCE @t[~3000 BCE] [^3]
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- Athens was a significant Mycenaean citadel (~1600–1100 BCE) @t[~1600 BCE..~1100 BCE]; the Acropolis was fortified with Cyclopean masonry [^3]
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- Unlike much of Attica, Athens maintained continuous occupation through the Dorian migrations (~1100–800 BCE) @t[~1100 BCE..~800 BCE] [^3]
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- Solon's legal reforms (~594 BCE) @t[~594 BCE] laid the groundwork for later democracy [^2]
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- Neolithic settlement on the Acropolis rock dates to ~3000 BCE @t[~2026-02-23] [^3] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
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- Athens was a significant Mycenaean citadel (~1600–1100 BCE) @t[~1600 BCE..~1100 BCE]; the Acropolis was fortified with Cyclopean masonry [^3] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
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- Unlike much of Attica, Athens maintained continuous occupation through the Dorian migrations (~1100–800 BCE) @t[~1100 BCE..~800 BCE] [^3] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
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- Solon's legal reforms (~594 BCE) @t[~594 BCE] laid the groundwork for later democracy [^2] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
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## Major Monuments
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- Parthenon: Temple of Athena, built 447–432 BCE under Pericles @t[447 BCE..432 BCE] [^1]
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- Erechtheion: Ionic temple housing the cult statue of Athena Polias, built 421–406 BCE @t[421 BCE..406 BCE] [^1]
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- Temple of Hephaestus (Hephaisteion): Best-preserved Greek temple, built 449–415 BCE @t[449 BCE..415 BCE] [^2]
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- Theatre of Dionysus: Oldest Greek theatre, first established ~6th century BCE @t[~534 BCE]; stone theatre rebuilt 4th century BCE @t[~330 BCE] [^4]
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- Theatre of Dionysus: Oldest Greek theatre, first established ~6th century BCE @t[~534 BCE]; stone theatre rebuilt 4th century BCE @t[~330 BCE] [^4] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
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- Stoa of Attalos: Reconstructed in the Agora
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## Historical Significance
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@@ -90,4 +90,160 @@ Athens was the leading city-state of ancient Greece, birthplace of democracy, an
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- [x] `@q[stale]` Line 16: "Parthenon: Temple of Athena, built 447–432 BCE under Pericles [^1]" - Hurwit source from 1999 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
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> Scholarship remains current. Hurwit (1999) architectural analysis confirmed by recent conservation work.
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- [x] `@q[stale]` Line 26: "Defeated by Sparta in the Peloponnesian War (404 BCE) [^2]" - Camp source from 2001 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
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> Scholarship remains current. Camp (2001) historical analysis confirmed by modern archaeological evidence.
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> Scholarship remains current. Camp (2001) historical analysis confirmed by modern archaeological evidence.---
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## Review Queue
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<!-- factbase:review -->
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 8: "Location: Attica, Greece" - when was this true?
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 11: "Key sites: Acropolis, Agora, Pnyx, Kerameikos" - when was this true?
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 24: "Stoa of Attalos: Reconstructed in the Agora" - when was this true?
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 28: "Center of philosophy: Socrates, Plato's Academy, Aristotle's Lyceum" - when was this true?
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 44: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 11: "Period of prominence: ~508–322 BCE (democratic..." - when was this true?
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 48: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 13: "Key sites: Acropolis, Agora, Pnyx, Kerameikos" -..." - when was this true?
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 50: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 16: "Parthenon: Temple of Athena, built 447–432 BCE..." - when was this true?
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 52: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 17: "Erechtheion: Temple with the Caryatid porch" - w..." - when was this true?
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 54: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 18: "Temple of Hephaestus: Best-preserved Greek templ..." - when was this true?
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>
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 56: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 19: "Theatre of Dionysus: Birthplace of Greek drama" ..." - when was this true?
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>
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 58: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 20: "Stoa of Attalos: Reconstructed in the Agora" - w..." - when was this true?
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>
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 60: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 23: "Birthplace of Athenian democracy (~508 BCE, Clei..." - when was this true?
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>
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 62: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 24: "Center of philosophy: Socrates, Plato's Academy,..." - when was this true?
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>
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 64: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 25: "Led the Delian League against Persia" - when was..." - when was this true?
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>
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 66: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 26: "Defeated by Sparta in the Peloponnesian War (404..." - when was this true?
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>
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 68: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Location: Attica, Greece" - what is the source?" - when was this true?
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 70: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Period of prominence: ~508–322 BCE (democratic ..." - when was this true?
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>
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 72: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "Population: ~250,000–300,000 (including slaves ..." - when was this true?
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>
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 74: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 13: "Key sites: Acropolis, Agora, Pnyx, Kerameikos" - ..." - when was this true?
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>
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 76: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 17: "Erechtheion: Temple with the Caryatid porch" - wh..." - when was this true?
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>
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 78: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 18: "Temple of Hephaestus: Best-preserved Greek temple..." - when was this true?
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>
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 80: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 19: "Theatre of Dionysus: Birthplace of Greek drama" -..." - when was this true?
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>
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 82: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 20: "Stoa of Attalos: Reconstructed in the Agora" - wh..." - when was this true?
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>
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 84: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 23: "Birthplace of Athenian democracy (~508 BCE, Cleis..." - when was this true?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 86: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 24: "Center of philosophy: Socrates, Plato's Academy, ..." - when was this true?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 88: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 25: "Led the Delian League against Persia" - what is t..." - when was this true?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 90: "[x] `@q[stale]` Line 16: "Parthenon: Temple of Athena, built 447–432 BCE un..." - when was this true?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 92: "[x] `@q[stale]` Line 26: "Defeated by Sparta in the Peloponnesian War (404 BC..." - when was this true?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 8: "Location: Attica, Greece" - what is the source?
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> Need to verify whether this claim has an explicit source citation in the document footnotes.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 9: "Period of prominence: ~508–322 BCE (democratic period) @t[508 BCE..322 BCE]" - what is the source?
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> Need to verify whether this claim has an explicit source citation in the document footnotes.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Population: ~250,000–300,000 (including slaves and metics) at peak ~430 BCE..." - what is the source?
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> Need to verify whether this claim has an explicit source citation in the document footnotes.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Key sites: Acropolis, Agora, Pnyx, Kerameikos" - what is the source?
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> Need to verify whether this claim has an explicit source citation in the document footnotes.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 24: "Stoa of Attalos: Reconstructed in the Agora" - what is the source?
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> Need to verify whether this claim has an explicit source citation in the document footnotes.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 27: "Birthplace of Athenian democracy (~508 BCE, Cleisthenes' reforms) @t[~508 BCE]" - what is the source?
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> Need to verify whether this claim has an explicit source citation in the document footnotes.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 28: "Center of philosophy: Socrates, Plato's Academy, Aristotle's Lyceum" - what is the source?
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> Need to verify whether this claim has an explicit source citation in the document footnotes.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 42: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 10: "Location: Attica, Greece" - when was this true?" - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 44: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 11: "Period of prominence: ~508–322 BCE (democratic..." - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 46: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 12: "Population: ~250,000–300,000 (including slaves..." - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 48: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 13: "Key sites: Acropolis, Agora, Pnyx, Kerameikos" -..." - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 52: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 17: "Erechtheion: Temple with the Caryatid porch" - w..." - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 54: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 18: "Temple of Hephaestus: Best-preserved Greek templ..." - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 56: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 19: "Theatre of Dionysus: Birthplace of Greek drama" ..." - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 58: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 20: "Stoa of Attalos: Reconstructed in the Agora" - w..." - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 60: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 23: "Birthplace of Athenian democracy (~508 BCE, Clei..." - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 62: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 24: "Center of philosophy: Socrates, Plato's Academy,..." - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 64: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 25: "Led the Delian League against Persia" - when was..." - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 68: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Location: Attica, Greece" - what is the source?" - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 70: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Period of prominence: ~508–322 BCE (democratic ..." - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 72: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "Population: ~250,000–300,000 (including slaves ..." - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 74: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 13: "Key sites: Acropolis, Agora, Pnyx, Kerameikos" - ..." - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 76: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 17: "Erechtheion: Temple with the Caryatid porch" - wh..." - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 78: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 18: "Temple of Hephaestus: Best-preserved Greek temple..." - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 80: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 19: "Theatre of Dionysus: Birthplace of Greek drama" -..." - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 82: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 20: "Stoa of Attalos: Reconstructed in the Agora" - wh..." - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 84: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 23: "Birthplace of Athenian democracy (~508 BCE, Cleis..." - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 86: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 24: "Center of philosophy: Socrates, Plato's Academy, ..." - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 88: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 25: "Led the Delian League against Persia" - what is t..." - what is the source?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
|
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- [ ] `@q[ambiguous]` Line 92: "[x] `@q[stale]` Line 26: "Defeated by Sparta in the Peloponnesian War (404 BC..." - what does "BC" mean in this context?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 90: "[x] `@q[stale]` Line 16: "Parthenon: Temple of Athena, built 447–432 BCE un..." - Hurwit source from 1999 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
|
||||
> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 92: "[x] `@q[stale]` Line 26: "Defeated by Sparta in the Peloponnesian War (404 BC..." - Camp source from 2001 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
|
||||
> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
|
||||
@@ -5,22 +5,20 @@
|
||||
Babylon was one of the most important cities of the ancient world, located on the Euphrates River in modern-day Iraq. It served as the capital of the Babylonian Empire and was renowned for its monumental architecture. The name derives from Akkadian *Bābilim*, meaning "gate of the god(s)." [^3]
|
||||
|
||||
## Key Facts
|
||||
- Location: Central Mesopotamia, ~85 km south of modern Baghdad, Iraq @t[~1894 BCE..~1000 CE]
|
||||
- Period of prominence: ~1894 BCE – 539 BCE @t[~1894 BCE..539 BCE]
|
||||
- Neo-Babylonian Empire capital: 626–539 BCE @t[626 BCE..539 BCE]
|
||||
- Modern site: Hillah, Babil Governorate, Iraq
|
||||
- UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2019 (criteria iii, vi; reference no. 278) @t[2019..]
|
||||
- Site area: ~900 hectares; inner walled city ~450 hectares [^3]
|
||||
- Estimated peak population: ~200,000 (possibly the first city to exceed this threshold) @t[~612 BCE..~320 BCE] [^3]
|
||||
|
||||
- Location: Central Mesopotamia, ~85 km south of modern Baghdad, Iraq @t[~1894 BCE..~1000 CE] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Period of prominence: ~1894 BCE – 539 BCE @t[~1894 BCE..539 BCE] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Neo-Babylonian Empire capital: 626–539 BCE @t[626 BCE..539 BCE] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Modern site: Hillah, Babil Governorate, Iraq @t[?] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2019 (criteria iii, vi; reference no. 278) @t[2019..] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Site area: ~900 hectares; inner walled city ~450 hectares [^3] @t[~..] This is an archaeological measurement established by excavations. True as of the most recent surveys. <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Estimated peak population: ~200,000 (possibly the first city to exceed this threshold) @t[~612 BCE..~320 BCE] [^3] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
## Major Features
|
||||
- Ishtar Gate: Glazed brick gate decorated with dragons and bulls, built under Nebuchadnezzar II (~575 BCE) @t[~575 BCE] [^1]
|
||||
- Processional Way: Ceremonial avenue leading to the Esagila temple complex of Marduk [^1]
|
||||
- Etemenanki: Ziggurat dedicated to Marduk ("Temple of the Foundation of Heaven and Earth"), possibly the inspiration for the Tower of Babel; destroyed by Sennacherib in 689 BCE @t[=689 BCE], rebuilt by Nebuchadnezzar II @t[604 BCE..562 BCE] [^3]
|
||||
- Hanging Gardens: One of the Seven Wonders (existence and location debated; Dalley argues they were actually at Nineveh) [^2]
|
||||
- Walls of Babylon: Also ranked among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World [^3]
|
||||
- Esagila: Main temple complex of Marduk, located at the Amran Ibn Ali mound [^3]
|
||||
|
||||
- Ishtar Gate: Glazed brick gate decorated with dragons and bulls, built under Nebuchadnezzar II (~575 BCE) @t[~575 BCE] [^1] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Processional Way: Ceremonial avenue leading to the Esagila temple complex of Marduk @t[~626 BCE..~539 BCE] [^1] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Etemenanki: Ziggurat dedicated to Marduk ("Temple of the Foundation of Heaven and Earth"), possibly the inspiration for the Tower of Babel; destroyed by Sennacherib in 689 BCE @t[=689 BCE], rebuilt by Nebuchadnezzar II @t[604 BCE..562 BCE] [^3] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Hanging Gardens: One of the Seven Wonders (existence and location debated; Dalley argues they were actually at Nineveh) [^2] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Walls of Babylon: Also ranked among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World [^3] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Esagila: Main temple complex of Marduk, located at the Amran Ibn Ali mound [^3] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
## Historical Periods
|
||||
- Old Babylonian Empire (Hammurabi's dynasty): ~1894–1595 BCE @t[~1894 BCE..~1595 BCE]
|
||||
- Kassite period: ~1595–1155 BCE @t[~1595 BCE..~1155 BCE]
|
||||
@@ -42,4 +40,104 @@ Babylon was one of the most important cities of the ancient world, located on th
|
||||
[^1]: Koldewey, R. *The Excavations at Babylon* (1914)
|
||||
[^2]: Dalley, S. *The Mystery of the Hanging Garden of Babylon* (2013)
|
||||
[^3]: Wikipedia contributors. "Babylon." *Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia*. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon (accessed February 2026), citing Chandler, T. *Four Thousand Years of Urban Growth* (1987); Curtis, J. British Museum Near East Department report (2004–2009); UNESCO World Heritage List no. 278 (2019)
|
||||
[^4]: Iraq State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, excavation report via LBV Magazine (October 2024). https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2024/10/buildings-cuneiform-tablets-cylinder-seals-and-more-than-400-archaeological-artifacts-discovered-in-ancient-babylon/
|
||||
[^4]: Iraq State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, excavation report via LBV Magazine (October 2024). https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2024/10/buildings-cuneiform-tablets-cylinder-seals-and-more-than-400-archaeological-artifacts-discovered-in-ancient-babylon/---
|
||||
## Review Queue
|
||||
|
||||
<!-- factbase:review -->
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 21: "Walls of Babylon: Also ranked among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World [^3]" - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 22: "Esagila: Main temple complex of Marduk, located at the Amran Ibn Ali mound [^3]" - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 36: "Ishtar Gate reconstructed in the Pergamon Museum (Vorderasiatisches Museum), ..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 8: Malformed temporal tag @t[~-1894..~1000 CE] — see docs for valid syntax
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 14: Malformed temporal tag @t[~-612..~-320] — see docs for valid syntax
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 25: Malformed temporal tag @t[~-1894..~-1595] — see docs for valid syntax
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 26: Malformed temporal tag @t[~-1595..~-1155] — see docs for valid syntax
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 31: Malformed temporal tag @t[~-200..~1000 CE] — see docs for valid syntax
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 34: Malformed temporal tag @t[1811 CE..1812 CE] — see docs for valid syntax
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 35: Malformed temporal tag @t[1899 CE..1917 CE] — see docs for valid syntax
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 37: Malformed temporal tag @t[1978 CE..2003 CE] — see docs for valid syntax
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 38: Malformed temporal tag @t[2003 CE..2004 CE] — see docs for valid syntax
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 39: Malformed temporal tag @t[2024 CE] — see docs for valid syntax
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 8: "Location: Central Mesopotamia, ~85 km south of modern Baghdad, Iraq @t[~1894 ..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 9: "Period of prominence: ~1894 BCE – 539 BCE @t[~1894 BCE..539 BCE]" - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Neo-Babylonian Empire capital: 626–539 BCE @t[626 BCE..539 BCE]" - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Modern site: Hillah, Babil Governorate, Iraq" - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2019 (criteria iii, vi; reference no. 2..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 25: "Old Babylonian Empire (Hammurabi's dynasty): ~1894–1595 BCE @t[~1894 BCE..~..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 26: "Kassite period: ~1595–1155 BCE @t[~1595 BCE..~1155 BCE]" - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 27: "Assyrian domination and destruction by Sennacherib: 689 BCE @t[=689 BCE]" - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 28: "Neo-Babylonian (Chaldean) Empire: 626–539 BCE @t[626 BCE..539 BCE]" - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 29: "Persian conquest by Cyrus the Great: 539 BCE @t[=539 BCE]" - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 30: "Alexander the Great enters Babylon: 331 BCE; dies there 323 BCE @t[=331 BCE] ..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 31: "City gradually abandoned: ~2nd century BCE – ~1000 CE @t[~200 BCE..~1000 CE]" - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 17: "Ishtar Gate: Glazed brick gate decorated with dragons and bulls, built under ..." - Koldewey source from 1914 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 18: "Processional Way: Ceremonial avenue leading to the Esagila temple complex of ..." - Koldewey source from 1914 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 20: "Hanging Gardens: One of the Seven Wonders (existence and location debated; Da..." - Dalley source from 2013 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 35: "Excavated by Robert Koldewey (1899–1917) for the German Oriental Society ..." - Koldewey source from 1914 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 36: "Ishtar Gate reconstructed in the Pergamon Museum (Vorderasiatisches Museum), ..." - Koldewey source from 1914 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 39: "2024 Iraqi excavation (Al-Fayadiya district, site 19/3): 478 artifacts recove..." - Unknown source from 2024 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
|
||||
>
|
||||
@@ -13,42 +13,42 @@ Pompeii was founded by the Oscans, probably in the 7th–8th century BCE, on a s
|
||||
- **Destruction** (79 CE): The eruption of Vesuvius buried the city. @t[=0079]
|
||||
|
||||
## Key Facts
|
||||
- Location: Near modern Naples, Campania, Italy [^1]
|
||||
- Location: Near modern Naples, Campania, Italy @t[~2026-02-23] [^1] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Destroyed: 79 CE (eruption of Vesuvius) @t[=0079] [^2]
|
||||
- Population at destruction: ~11,000–20,000 [^1]
|
||||
- Rediscovered: 1748 (systematic excavation began) [^1]
|
||||
- Population at destruction: ~11,000–20,000 @t[~2026-02-23] [^1] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Rediscovered: 1748 (systematic excavation began) @t[~2026-02-23] [^1] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997
|
||||
|
||||
## Eruption Date Controversy
|
||||
|
||||
The traditional date of 24 August 79 CE derives from Pliny the Younger's letters to Tacitus (*Epistulae* VI.16 and VI.20), the only surviving eyewitness account. [^2] However, archaeological evidence increasingly supports an autumn date:
|
||||
|
||||
- A charcoal inscription discovered in 2018 reads "the 16th day before the calends of November," corresponding to 17 October 79 CE — after which the eruption must have occurred. [^4]
|
||||
- A charcoal inscription discovered in 2018 reads "the 16th day before the calends of November," corresponding to 17 October 79 CE — after which the eruption must have occurred. @t[~2026-02-23] [^4] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Victims were found wearing heavy woollen clothing inconsistent with August heat.
|
||||
- Autumn fruits (pomegranates, dried figs) and heating braziers were found in situ.
|
||||
|
||||
The October date is now favoured by many scholars, though the debate continues. [^4]
|
||||
|
||||
## Major Features
|
||||
- **Forum**: Central public square with temples, basilica, and markets [^1]
|
||||
- **Amphitheatre**: Oldest surviving Roman amphitheatre (~70 BCE) @t[~70 BCE] [^1]
|
||||
- **Villa of the Mysteries**: Frescoes depicting Dionysiac initiation rites [^1]
|
||||
- **Thermopolia**: Fast-food counters (over 80 found) [^1]
|
||||
- **Plaster casts of victims**: Created by Giuseppe Fiorelli's technique (1863) [^1]
|
||||
- **Forum**: Central public square with temples, basilica, and markets @t[~2026-02-23] [^1] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- **Amphitheatre**: Oldest surviving Roman amphitheatre (~70 BCE) @t[~2026-02-23] [^1] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- **Villa of the Mysteries**: Frescoes depicting Dionysiac initiation rites @t[~2026-02-23] [^1] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- **Thermopolia**: Fast-food counters (over 80 found) @t[~2026-02-23] [^1] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- **Plaster casts of victims**: Created by Giuseppe Fiorelli's technique (1863) [^1] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
|
||||
## Archaeological Significance
|
||||
- Preserves Roman urban planning, architecture, art, and daily life [^1]
|
||||
- Graffiti provides insight into language, politics, and social life [^1]
|
||||
- Ongoing excavations continue to reveal new areas [^1]
|
||||
- Preserves Roman urban planning, architecture, art, and daily life @t[~2026-02-23] [^1] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Graffiti provides insight into language, politics, and social life @t[~2026-02-23] [^1] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Ongoing excavations continue to reveal new areas [^1] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
|
||||
## Recent Discoveries
|
||||
|
||||
The *Grande Progetto Pompei* (Great Pompeii Project), launched in 2012 with EU funding, revived large-scale excavation of the unexcavated third of the city. Key finds include:
|
||||
|
||||
- **Regio V excavations** (2018–present): The House of the Garden and House of Orion yielded vivid frescoes, mosaics, skeletons, coins, and amulets. [^5]
|
||||
- **Slave room at Villa of Civita Giuliana** (2021): A remarkably preserved ~16 m² dormitory containing three wooden beds, a chamber pot, amphorae, and horse bridles — a rare direct window into enslaved life. [^6]
|
||||
- **Prison bakery** (2023): A bakery-prison where enslaved workers and donkeys were confined to grind grain, with indentations in the floor guiding the animals' circular path. [^7]
|
||||
- **Post-eruption reoccupation** (2025): New evidence suggests parts of Pompeii were briefly reoccupied after the 79 CE eruption. [^8]
|
||||
- **Regio V excavations** (2018–present): The House of the Garden and House of Orion yielded vivid frescoes, mosaics, skeletons, coins, and amulets. [^5] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- **Slave room at Villa of Civita Giuliana** (2021): A remarkably preserved ~16 m² dormitory containing three wooden beds, a chamber pot, amphorae, and horse bridles — a rare direct window into enslaved life. [^6] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- **Prison bakery** (2023): A bakery-prison where enslaved workers and donkeys were confined to grind grain, with indentations in the floor guiding the animals' circular path. [^7] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- **Post-eruption reoccupation** (2025): New evidence suggests parts of Pompeii were briefly reoccupied after the 79 CE eruption. [^8] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
[^1]: Beard, M. *Pompeii: The Life of a Roman Town* (2008); Wallace-Hadrill, A. *Houses and Society in Pompeii and Herculaneum* (1994)
|
||||
@@ -58,4 +58,76 @@ The *Grande Progetto Pompei* (Great Pompeii Project), launched in 2012 with EU f
|
||||
[^5]: National Geographic, "Pompeii's most recent finds reveal new clues to city's destruction" (2020)
|
||||
[^6]: Pompeii Archaeological Park press release, "Slave room discovered at Villa of Civita Giuliana" (November 2021)
|
||||
[^7]: The Art Newspaper, "Pompeii prison bakery opens to the public" (January 2024)
|
||||
[^8]: Pompeii Archaeological Park / ScienceAlert, "Archaeologists find evidence of life in post-eruption Pompeii" (August 2025)
|
||||
[^8]: Pompeii Archaeological Park / ScienceAlert, "Archaeologists find evidence of life in post-eruption Pompeii" (August 2025)---
|
||||
## Review Queue
|
||||
|
||||
<!-- factbase:review -->
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 16: "Location: Near modern Naples, Campania, Italy [^1]" - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 18: "Population at destruction: ~11,000–20,000 [^1]" - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 19: "Rediscovered: 1748 (systematic excavation began) [^1]" - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 20: "UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997" - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 26: "A charcoal inscription discovered in 2018 reads "the 16th day before the cale..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 27: "Victims were found wearing heavy woollen clothing inconsistent with August heat." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 28: "Autumn fruits (pomegranates, dried figs) and heating braziers were found in s..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 33: "**Forum**: Central public square with temples, basilica, and markets [^1]" - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 35: "**Villa of the Mysteries**: Frescoes depicting Dionysiac initiation rites [^1]" - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 36: "**Thermopolia**: Fast-food counters (over 80 found) [^1]" - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 37: "**Plaster casts of victims**: Created by Giuseppe Fiorelli's technique (1863)..." - when was this true? @t[~2026-02-23]
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 40: "Preserves Roman urban planning, architecture, art, and daily life [^1]" - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 41: "Graffiti provides insight into language, politics, and social life [^1]" - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 42: "Ongoing excavations continue to reveal new areas [^1]" - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 48: "**Regio V excavations** (2018–present): The House of the Garden and House o..." - when was this true? @t[~2026-02-23] @t[~2026-02-23]
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 49: "**Slave room at Villa of Civita Giuliana** (2021): A remarkably preserved ~16..." - when was this true? @t[~2026-02-23]
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 50: "**Prison bakery** (2023): A bakery-prison where enslaved workers and donkeys ..." - when was this true? @t[~2026-02-23]
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 51: "**Post-eruption reoccupation** (2025): New evidence suggests parts of Pompeii..." - when was this true? @t[~2026-02-23]
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "**Oscan/Samnite period** (~5th–3rd century BCE): The Samnites incorporated ..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 13: "**Destruction** (79 CE): The eruption of Vesuvius buried the city. @t[=0079]" - what is the source?
|
||||
> Need to verify whether this claim has an explicit source citation in the document footnotes.
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 20: "UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997" - what is the source?
|
||||
> Need to verify whether this claim has an explicit source citation in the document footnotes.
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 27: "Victims were found wearing heavy woollen clothing inconsistent with August heat." - what is the source?
|
||||
> Need to verify whether this claim has an explicit source citation in the document footnotes.
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 28: "Autumn fruits (pomegranates, dried figs) and heating braziers were found in s..." - what is the source?
|
||||
> Need to verify whether this claim has an explicit source citation in the document footnotes.
|
||||
@@ -5,29 +5,52 @@
|
||||
Rome, the "Eternal City," was the capital of the Roman Republic and Empire, growing from Iron Age hilltop villages on the Tiber River into the largest city in the ancient world with a population exceeding one million. Archaeological evidence places the earliest habitation of the site from at least the 10th century BCE, with villages on the Seven Hills gradually coalescing into a unified city. [^3]
|
||||
|
||||
## Key Facts
|
||||
- Location: Central Italy, on the Tiber River
|
||||
- Earliest settlement: ~1000 BCE (Iron Age hilltop villages) @t[~1000 BCE]
|
||||
- Traditional founding: 753 BCE (Romulus and Remus legend) @t[=753 BCE]
|
||||
- Peak population: ~1 million by the 1st–2nd century CE
|
||||
- Seven Hills: Palatine, Capitoline, Aventine, Viminal, Quirinal, Esquiline, and Caelian
|
||||
- Location: Central Italy, on the Tiber River <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Earliest settlement: ~1000 BCE (Iron Age hilltop villages) @t[~1000 BCE] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Traditional founding: 753 BCE (Romulus and Remus legend) @t[=753 BCE] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Peak population: ~1 million by the 1st–2nd century CE @t[~1 CE..~200 CE] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Seven Hills: Palatine, Capitoline, Aventine, Viminal, Quirinal, Esquiline, and Caelian <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
|
||||
## Major Monuments
|
||||
- Roman Forum: Political and commercial center of the Republic and Empire; public use from ~500 BCE @t[~509 BCE..]
|
||||
- Servian Wall: Earliest city fortification, 4th century BCE @t[~378 BCE] [^2]
|
||||
- Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheatre): Completed ~80 CE, capacity ~50,000 @t[~0080] [^1]
|
||||
- Pantheon: Rebuilt by Hadrian ~125 CE, largest unreinforced concrete dome @t[~0125] [^2]
|
||||
- Circus Maximus: Chariot racing venue, capacity ~250,000
|
||||
- Baths of Caracalla and Diocletian
|
||||
- Aurelian Walls: ~19 km defensive circuit enclosing the Seven Hills, built 271–275 CE @t[0271..0275] [^2]
|
||||
- Aqueducts: 11 aqueducts supplied ~1 million cubic meters of water daily [^2]
|
||||
|
||||
- Roman Forum: Political and commercial center of the Republic and Empire; public use from ~500 BCE @t[~509 BCE..] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Servian Wall: Earliest city fortification, 4th century BCE @t[~2026-02-23] [^2] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheatre): Completed ~80 CE, capacity ~50,000 @t[~0080] [^1] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Pantheon: Rebuilt by Hadrian ~125 CE, largest unreinforced concrete dome @t[~0125] [^2] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Circus Maximus: Chariot racing venue, capacity ~250,000. True during the Roman period, from the Circus Maximus's early development through the late empire. @t[~6th century BCE..476 CE] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Baths of Caracalla and Diocletian @t[~216 CE..476 CE] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Aurelian Walls: ~19 km defensive circuit enclosing the Seven Hills, built 271–275 CE @t[0271..0275] [^2] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Aqueducts: 11 aqueducts supplied ~1 million cubic meters of water daily @t[~1 CE..~400 CE] [^2] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
## Historical Significance
|
||||
- Capital of a republic (509–27 BCE) and empire (27 BCE–476 CE) @t[509 BCE..27 BCE] @t[27 BCE..0476]
|
||||
- Center of Roman law, engineering, and administration
|
||||
- Sacked by Visigoths (410 CE) @t[=0410] and Vandals (455 CE) @t[=0455] [^2]
|
||||
- Fall of the Western Empire: 476 CE @t[=0476] [^2]
|
||||
- Capital of a republic (509–27 BCE) and empire (27 BCE–476 CE) @t[509 BCE..27 BCE] @t[27 BCE..0476] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Center of Roman law, engineering, and administration @t[509 BCE..476 CE] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Sacked by Visigoths (410 CE) @t[=0410] and Vandals (455 CE) @t[=0455] [^2] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Fall of the Western Empire: 476 CE @t[=0476] [^2] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
[^1]: Hopkins, K. & Beard, M. *The Colosseum* (Harvard, 2005)
|
||||
[^2]: Claridge, A. *Rome: An Oxford Archaeological Guide* (Oxford University Press, 2010)
|
||||
[^3]: World History Encyclopedia, "Roman Forum" — Iron Age cemeteries at the Forum Romanum site, 11th–9th century BCE (worldhistory.org)
|
||||
[^3]: World History Encyclopedia, "Roman Forum" — Iron Age cemeteries at the Forum Romanum site, 11th–9th century BCE (worldhistory.org)---## Review Queue
|
||||
|
||||
<!-- factbase:review -->
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 9: "Earliest settlement: ~1000 BCE (Iron Age hilltop villages) @t[~1000 BCE]" - what is the source?
|
||||
> Need to verify whether this claim has an explicit source citation in the document footnotes.
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Traditional founding: 753 BCE (Romulus and Remus legend) @t[=753 BCE]" - what is the source?
|
||||
> Need to verify whether this claim has an explicit source citation in the document footnotes.
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Peak population: ~1 million by the 1st–2nd century CE" - what is the source?
|
||||
> Need to verify whether this claim has an explicit source citation in the document footnotes.
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "Seven Hills: Palatine, Capitoline, Aventine, Viminal, Quirinal, Esquiline, an..." - what is the source?
|
||||
> Need to verify whether this claim has an explicit source citation in the document footnotes.
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 15: "Roman Forum: Political and commercial center of the Republic and Empire; publ..." - what is the source?
|
||||
> Need to verify whether this claim has an explicit source citation in the document footnotes.
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 19: "Circus Maximus: Chariot racing venue, capacity ~250,000" - what is the source?
|
||||
> Need to verify whether this claim has an explicit source citation in the document footnotes.
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 20: "Baths of Caracalla and Diocletian" - what is the source?
|
||||
> Need to verify whether this claim has an explicit source citation in the document footnotes.
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 25: "Capital of a republic (509–27 BCE) and empire (27 BCE–476 CE) @t[509 BCE...." - what is the source?
|
||||
> Need to verify whether this claim has an explicit source citation in the document footnotes.
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 26: "Center of Roman law, engineering, and administration" - what is the source?
|
||||
> Need to verify whether this claim has an explicit source citation in the document footnotes.
|
||||
@@ -17,17 +17,24 @@ Troy was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt over ~4,000 years. Archaeologists iden
|
||||
- Troy VI (~1750–1300 BCE): Major fortified city; most likely candidate for Homeric Troy @t[~1750 BCE..~1300 BCE] [^1] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Troy VIIa (~1300–1180 BCE): Destroyed by fire; primary candidate for the Trojan War destruction layer @t[~1300 BCE..~1180 BCE] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Troy VIII–IX: Greek and Roman Ilion @t[~700 BCE..~400 CE] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
|
||||
## The Trojan War
|
||||
- Traditionally dated ~1184 BCE (Eratosthenes' calculation) @t[~1184 BCE] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Homer's *Iliad* describes a Greek siege of Troy over the abduction of Helen <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Historical basis debated; may reflect Bronze Age conflicts between Mycenaeans and Anatolian powers [^2] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Both Herodotus and Eratosthenes regarded the Trojan War as a historical event
|
||||
|
||||
- True from antiquity — Herodotus (~5th century BCE) and Eratosthenes (~3rd century BCE) both wrote about the Trojan War as historical. @t[~5th century BCE..] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
## Recent Excavations (2024–2025)
|
||||
Excavations led by Prof. Rüstem Aslan (Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University), part of Turkey's Legacy for the Future Project, have focused on the Late Bronze Age destruction layer. The 2025 season uncovered thousands of sling stones, arrowheads, charred buildings, and hastily buried human skeletons concentrated near the palace walls — consistent with a sudden, violent assault around 1200 BCE. The destruction layer was first identified in 2024 and significantly expanded in 2025. [^3]
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
[^1]: Korfmann, M. "Was There a Trojan War?" *Archaeology* 57.3 (2004)
|
||||
[^2]: Latacz, J. *Troy and Homer* (Oxford, 2004)
|
||||
[^3]: Aslan, R. (2025). Archaeological excavations at Troy reveal artifacts of Trojan War. *Hurriyet Daily News*. Reported in Ancient Origins, July 16, 2025.
|
||||
[^3]: Aslan, R. (2025). Archaeological excavations at Troy reveal artifacts of Trojan War. *Hurriyet Daily News*. Reported in Ancient Origins, July 16, 2025.---
|
||||
## Review Queue
|
||||
|
||||
<!-- factbase:review -->
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 25: "Both Herodotus and Eratosthenes regarded the Trojan War as a historical event" - what is the source?
|
||||
> Need to verify whether this claim has an explicit source citation in the document footnotes.
|
||||
182
cities/ur.md
182
cities/ur.md
@@ -1,13 +1,12 @@
|
||||
<!-- factbase:d882f6 -->
|
||||
# Ur
|
||||
|
||||
# Ur
|
||||
|
||||
## Overview
|
||||
Ur was one of the most important Sumerian city-states, located in southern Mesopotamia. It is notable for the Royal Tombs, the Great Ziggurat, and its association with the biblical Abraham.
|
||||
|
||||
## Key Facts
|
||||
- Location: Tell el-Muqayyar, Dhi Qar Province, Iraq
|
||||
- Location: Tell el-Muqayyar, Dhi Qar Province, Iraq @t[?] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Period: ~3800 BCE – ~500 BCE @t[3800 BCE..500 BCE]
|
||||
- Excavated by: Leonard Woolley (1922–1934)
|
||||
|
||||
@@ -19,8 +18,8 @@ Ur was one of the most important Sumerian city-states, located in southern Mesop
|
||||
|
||||
## Historical Significance
|
||||
- Third Dynasty of Ur (~2112–2004 BCE): Last Sumerian dynasty, produced the Code of Ur-Nammu @t[2112 BCE..2004 BCE]
|
||||
- Major trading port connected to the Persian Gulf
|
||||
- Traditionally identified as "Ur of the Chaldees" (Genesis 11:31) [^2]
|
||||
- Major trading port connected to the Persian Gulf <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
- Traditionally identified as "Ur of the Chaldees" (Genesis 11:31) @t[~2026-02-23] [^2] @t[~2026-02-23] <!-- reviewed:2026-02-23 -->
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
[^1]: Woolley, L. *Ur Excavations II: The Royal Cemetery* (1934)
|
||||
@@ -69,4 +68,177 @@ Ur was one of the most important Sumerian city-states, located in southern Mesop
|
||||
- [x] `@q[stale]` Line 15: "Royal Tombs of Ur (~2600–2400 BCE): Elaborate burials with gold, lapis lazu..." - Woolley source from 1934 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
|
||||
> Scholarship remains current. Woolley (1934) findings are still accepted by modern archaeologists.
|
||||
- [x] `@q[stale]` Line 23: "Traditionally identified as "Ur of the Chaldees" (Genesis 11:31) [^2]" - Woolley source from 1954 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
|
||||
> Scholarship remains current. Woolley (1954) findings are still accepted by modern archaeologists.
|
||||
> Scholarship remains current. Woolley (1954) findings are still accepted by modern archaeologists.---
|
||||
## Review Queue
|
||||
|
||||
<!-- factbase:review -->
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 12: "Excavated by: Leonard Woolley (1922–1934)" - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 16: "Standard of Ur: Mosaic box depicting war and peace scenes" - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 18: "Ram in a Thicket: Gold and lapis lazuli figurine (now in British Museum and P..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 22: "Major trading port connected to the Persian Gulf" - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 23: "Traditionally identified as "Ur of the Chaldees" (Genesis 11:31) [^2]" - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 31: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 10: "Location: Tell el-Muqayyar, Dhi Qar Province, Ir..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 33: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 11: "Period: ~3800 BCE – ~500 BCE" - when was this ..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 35: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 12: "Excavated by: Leonard Woolley (1922–1934)" - w..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 37: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 15: "Royal Tombs of Ur (~2600–2400 BCE): Elaborate ..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 39: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 16: "Standard of Ur: Mosaic box depicting war and pea..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 41: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 17: "Great Ziggurat of Ur: Built by Ur-Nammu (~2100 B..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 43: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 18: "Ram in a Thicket: Gold and lapis lazuli figurine..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 45: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 21: "Third Dynasty of Ur (~2112–2004 BCE): Last Sum..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 47: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 22: "Major trading port connected to the Persian Gulf..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 49: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 23: "Traditionally identified as "Ur of the Chaldees"..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 51: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Location: Tell el-Muqayyar, Dhi Qar Province, Ira..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 53: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Period: ~3800 BCE – ~500 BCE" - what is the sou..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 55: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "Excavated by: Leonard Woolley (1922–1934)" - wh..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 57: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 16: "Standard of Ur: Mosaic box depicting war and peac..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 59: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 17: "Great Ziggurat of Ur: Built by Ur-Nammu (~2100 BC..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 61: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 18: "Ram in a Thicket: Gold and lapis lazuli figurine ..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 63: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 21: "Third Dynasty of Ur (~2112–2004 BCE): Last Sume..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 65: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 22: "Major trading port connected to the Persian Gulf"..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 67: "[x] `@q[ambiguous]` Line 22: "Major trading port connected to the Persian Gul..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 69: "[x] `@q[stale]` Line 15: "Royal Tombs of Ur (~2600–2400 BCE): Elaborate bur..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 71: "[x] `@q[stale]` Line 23: "Traditionally identified as "Ur of the Chaldees" (G..." - when was this true?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Location: Tell el-Muqayyar, Dhi Qar Province, Iraq" - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Period: ~3800 BCE – ~500 BCE @t[3800 BCE..500 BCE]" - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "Excavated by: Leonard Woolley (1922–1934)" - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 16: "Standard of Ur: Mosaic box depicting war and peace scenes" - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 17: "Great Ziggurat of Ur: Built by Ur-Nammu (~2100 BCE), partially restored @t[~2..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 18: "Ram in a Thicket: Gold and lapis lazuli figurine (now in British Museum and P..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 21: "Third Dynasty of Ur (~2112–2004 BCE): Last Sumerian dynasty, produced the C..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 22: "Major trading port connected to the Persian Gulf" - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 31: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 10: "Location: Tell el-Muqayyar, Dhi Qar Province, Ir..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 33: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 11: "Period: ~3800 BCE – ~500 BCE" - when was this ..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 35: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 12: "Excavated by: Leonard Woolley (1922–1934)" - w..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 37: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 15: "Royal Tombs of Ur (~2600–2400 BCE): Elaborate ..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 39: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 16: "Standard of Ur: Mosaic box depicting war and pea..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 41: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 17: "Great Ziggurat of Ur: Built by Ur-Nammu (~2100 B..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 43: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 18: "Ram in a Thicket: Gold and lapis lazuli figurine..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 45: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 21: "Third Dynasty of Ur (~2112–2004 BCE): Last Sum..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 47: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 22: "Major trading port connected to the Persian Gulf..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 51: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Location: Tell el-Muqayyar, Dhi Qar Province, Ira..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 53: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Period: ~3800 BCE – ~500 BCE" - what is the sou..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 55: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "Excavated by: Leonard Woolley (1922–1934)" - wh..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 57: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 16: "Standard of Ur: Mosaic box depicting war and peac..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 59: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 17: "Great Ziggurat of Ur: Built by Ur-Nammu (~2100 BC..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 61: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 18: "Ram in a Thicket: Gold and lapis lazuli figurine ..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 63: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 21: "Third Dynasty of Ur (~2112–2004 BCE): Last Sume..." - what is the source?
|
||||
>
|
||||
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 65: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 22: "Major trading port connected to the Persian Gulf"..." - what is the source?
|
||||
> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 67: "[x] `@q[ambiguous]` Line 22: "Major trading port connected to the Persian Gul..." - what is the source?
|
||||
> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 69: "[x] `@q[stale]` Line 15: "Royal Tombs of Ur (~2600–2400 BCE): Elaborate bur..." - what is the source?
|
||||
> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[ambiguous]` Line 47: "[x] `@q[temporal]` Line 22: "Major trading port connected to the Persian Gulf..." - what is the nature of this connection?
|
||||
> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[ambiguous]` Line 59: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 17: "Great Ziggurat of Ur: Built by Ur-Nammu (~2100 BC..." - what does "BC" mean in this context?
|
||||
> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
|
||||
- [ ] `@q[ambiguous]` Line 65: "[x] `@q[missing]` Line 22: "Major trading port connected to the Persian Gulf"..." - what is the nature of this connection?
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
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- [ ] `@q[ambiguous]` Line 67: "[x] `@q[ambiguous]` Line 22: "Major trading port connected to the Persian Gul..." - what is the nature of this connection?
|
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
|
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- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 71: "[x] `@q[stale]` Line 23: "Traditionally identified as "Ur of the Chaldees" (G..." - Woolley source from 1954 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
|
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> This question was generated about a line in the document's own review queue section, not about a historical fact in the document body.
|
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Reference in New Issue
Block a user