Along the Spice Trail
The Egyptians mummified their dead with cumin, the Chinese burnt cloves to commune with the spirit world, and some medieval Europeans believed nutmeg was the only cure for the Plague…
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Sunday, December 7, 2025
East Asia
The Barbarian Emperor of Mongolia
Genghis Khan is not only the most famous – or infamous – name to have come out of Mongolia, but also a name that brings to mind a savage and relentless warmonger. However, to the Mongolian’s he is a very different figure, a king and hero rather than a savage, a force of unity…
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The New Silk Road: Economic Imperialism in the 21st Century
Beijing’s multibillion dollar Belt and Road Initiative – a so-called “Chinese Marshall Plan” – is a state-backed campaign for global dominance in the way of Chinese investment around the world.
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The Journey of Spices
Spices conjure images of tempting culinary art, fascinating travels and bitter struggles for supremacy. Expressions like variety are the spice of life and sugar and spice and all that is nice illustrate how spellbound were people of letters about the fascination of spices.
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