A lot of people like to complain that history is boring, but that’s absolutely not true! Humans have always gotten up to strange shenanigans, and these dark and fun historical events and little-known facts will prove it. If history was your least favorite subject in school, we’re here to change your mind. From ancient whale vomit to lethal molasses floods, here are some truly wild, scandalous, and spicy facts you didn’t learn in history class. Beware: many of them are not safe for work! Read at your own discretion and share your favorite fact.
1. All In The Family
Inbreeding was a common practice among ancient royals. This is an obvious taboo today. But, before people knew the scientific ramifications, it was seen as a way to keep and consolidate power within a ruling family. For example, Cleopatra had only two great-great-grandparents. The average person has sixteen!
Ptolemy V and Cleopatra I were her great-grandparents but were related to literally everyone else in her family tree. Gross, we know. Although not considered “beautiful,” Cleopatra isn’t recorded to have any traits characteristic of inbreeding. Nowadays, royal families avoid this practice for obvious reasons. However, many royals in different countries are still distantly related because of this practice.