Religious History

Classics and Classical Civilisation · Modern and Contemporary Studies

Contemporary Preppers in the Light of Ancient Apocalypticism

Due to popular media and recent events, preppers have entered the mainstream. In this blog post, Tim van Amersfoort seeks to understand how modern prepper visions concerning the apocalypse relate to the ideas of ancient Jewish and Christian apocalypticism.

Tim van Amersfoort • 01-09-2026

Medieval and Early Modern Studies

The End in 112 Steps: Counting Down the Popes

The world was supposed to end after the 112th pope. Following Pope Francis’ death, an obscure prophecy attributed to Saint Malachy went viral once again. This post explores the prophecy’s origins, examines why scholars reject its authenticity, and asks why apocalyptic countdowns remain compelling.

Dante Aramideh • 02-07-2026

Medieval and Early Modern Studies

The Cat in Medieval Western Europe

How come cats were worshipped in ancient Egypt and reviled in medieval times? It seems that the spread of Christianity is to be blamed. Fortunately for the cat, the feline folklore is still going strong.

Johanna Feenstra • 06-02-2020

Classics and Classical Civilisation · Medieval and Early Modern Studies

The Crux of the Matter: The Truths and Fictions of Crucifixions

How did Roman crucifixions work? And did medieval artists depict the Crucifixion accurately? An ancient historian and a medievalist combine forces to shed their light on matters of the cross.

Lieke Smits + 1 other • 17-10-2019

Classics and Classical Civilisation

Digging Deeper

Why spend your summer digging and carrying dirt? Because it’s both educational and incredibly worthwhile, that’s why. Renske Janssen talks about participating in the Kinneret Regional Project’s excavations at Horvat Kur (Israel).

Renske Janssen • 25-10-2018

Medieval and Early Modern Studies

Dolls for Adults

Dolls as devotional aids, liturgical props and objects of desire: on the various ways medieval adults interacted with dolls and lifelike sculptures.

Lieke Smits • 23-11-2017

Classics and Classical Civilisation

Who’s with me? Cultural Identity and the Alexandrian riots of 38 CE

Disputes about cultural identity can be traced throughout history. In the first century C.E., Alexandria was one of the most diverse, multicultural cities of the Roman Empire. In 38 CE large-scale riots broke out between Greek and Jewish Alexandrians.

Renske Janssen • 27-04-2017

Classics and Classical Civilisation

The Emperor’s New Laws

Research has a habit of catching up with you everywhere and anywhere.

Renske Janssen • 15-09-2016

Blogs

Contemporary Preppers in the Light of Ancient Apocalypticism

The End in 112 Steps: Counting Down the Popes

The Cat in Medieval Western Europe

The Crux of the Matter: The Truths and Fictions of Crucifixions

Digging Deeper

Dolls for Adults

Who’s with me? Cultural Identity and the Alexandrian riots of 38 CE

The Emperor’s New Laws