When many people think of Africa, they visualise wide open spaces, incredible wildlife and colourful friendly people with vibrant cultures, costumes and music. We might also contemplate the tragedy of the African slave trade and the consequences of colonialism. But what if I told you there was one powerful African kingdom in particular, that, when they first came into contact with Europeans, voluntarily and enthusiastically transformed their entire civilisation almost overnight– adopting the language, religion, fashion and even feudal aristocratic customs of the Portuguese, establishing diplomatic embassies in Lisbon, Madrid and even the Vatican, training their own clergy and corresponding regularly with popes and monarchs across Europe as well as participating in the political machinations of a post-renaissance Europe at war with itself. Though their story ultimately was to come to a tragic end, it was full of political intrigue, amazon warrior queens, and a quest for power that was integral to the History of the West, particularly in the Americas, which was inexorably linked to the kingdom’s rise and fall. If you’re just a little bit curious about this powerful, deeply catholic kingdom in the darkest heart of Africa, then join us as we dive into the history of the Kingdom of Kongo; its troubled relationship with Portugal and its tragic role in the Transatlantic Slave Trade; whose incredible heroes would go on to inspire generations of their descendants, with stories of mighty Amazon warrior queens; and tales of the Brazilian Black Spartacus and his renegade kingdom of Palmares. #congo #history #portugal #africa #zumbidospalmares #palmares #brazil #gangazumba #Njinga #Nzinga #africanqueen All footage used in this montage is for educational purposes. It remains the property of its respective creators, and is gratefully acknowledged in the end credits. Please contact us on info@heroesandlegends.com.au if you have any concerns about its use. If you enjoy my content, leave your suggestions and comments below, and please consider making a donation via the heart-shaped Thanks link on your Youtube screen; via PayPal; or why not sign up as a Patreon supporter to help me continue making these unfunded free educational videos: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=4D958V58PAVDU https://www.patreon.com/heroesandlegends https://buymeacoffee.com/infoQh For an audio-narration only version of this video please visit the Heroes and Legends Documentary Channel Podcast, via Spotify, Itunes or other leading broadcasters. For resources, links to my other videos, merchandise, the latest social media posts and podcast links, please visit my Heroes and Legends Website: www.heroesandlegends.com.au Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6P4KNEBbMQ

Marcus Junius Brutus is a name that has come down through history as being synonymous with unexpected betrayal. Dante- in his Divine Comedy portrays Brutus as being in the lowest pit of the underworld. He was however a far more complex character, and even William Shakespeare, in his play The Death of Julius Caesar, portrays him as a man torn by his duty to his country and his duty to his friend and benefactor - Caesar. Brutus' monologues and conversations are by far the longest of all the characters - which suggests that the play was really about Brutus, not Caesar. So Brutus is a figure of history that has been twisted and manipulated by emperors and kings to justify their own power, and also by democratic republics as a martyr to the ideals of freedom. But the real story of Brutus is more complex, more human and deserving of a deeper exploration. Film montage references are listed in the credit roll at the end of the video. #brutus #Rome #Caesar. 02:28 Background 10:52 Key Players / 1st Triumvirate 41:52 Marc Antony's "Funeral Speech" (Shakespeare) 47:36 Decimus Junius Brutus 55:10 Aftermath 1:00:00 Second Triumvirate 1:03:00 End of the Republic 1:05:18 Brutus Speech at Caesar's funeral (Shakespeare) Erratum: Any errors subsequently picked up in the video will be added here: If you enjoy my content, leave your suggestions and comments below, and please consider making a donation via PayPal or sign up as a Patreon supporter to help me continue making these unfunded educational videos: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=4D958V58PAVDU https://www.patreon.com/heroesandlegends https://buymeacoffee.com/infoQh For resources, links to my other videos, merchandise, the latest social media posts and podcast links, please visit my Heroes and Legends Website: www.heroesandlegends.com.au ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45BabLOPZio

Many people are unaware that Napoleon Bonaparte was actually Corsican, not French - and proudly so: his parents being partisan fighters against France's occupation and annexation of the Republic of Corsica. His father, a local official and member of the Corsican nobility, negotiated an amnesty for the family, and Napoleon would go on to finish his schooling in France, under constant humiliation by the French elites who viewed him as a provincial hick. It was to have a profound effect on the young man, and influence the course of his psychology for the rest of his life. In this short excerpt, we look at the Pre-Napoleonic history of Corsica, from its Tuscan and Genoese colonisation, to the founding of an enlightened Republic, led by the enigmatic leader Pasquale Paoli, and its fight for independence from French Domination. To understand Napoleon, is to first understand the history of Corsica. You can view our full video on Napoleon, including the history of Corsica here: https://youtu.be/-yFK1UHPbsM #napoleon #corsica #pasqualepaoli #frenchrevolution #history #documentary If you enjoy my content, leave your suggestions and comments below, and please consider making a donation via PayPal or sign up as a Patreon supporter to help me continue making these unfunded educational videos: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=4D958V58PAVDU https://www.patreon.com/heroesandlegends https://buymeacoffee.com/infoQh For resources, links to my other videos, merchandise, the latest social media posts and podcast links, please visit my Heroes and Legends Website: www.heroesandlegends.com.au ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWWz56eQYaA

St Catherine of Alexandria is, according to tradition, a Christian saint and virgin, who was martyred in the early fourth century at the hands of the emperor Maxentius. She was a noted scholar who became a Christian around the age of 14, converted hundreds of people to Christianity and was martyred around the age of eighteen. More than 1,100 years after Catherine's martyrdom, Joan of Arc identified her as one of the saints who appeared to and counselled her. You can watch the full video on Joan of Arc here: https://youtu.be/hBcpOmex8_Y #stcatherine #stkatherine #santacatarina #alexandria #martyrs #joanofarc If you enjoy my content, leave your suggestions and comments below, and please consider making a donation via PayPal or sign up as a Patreon supporter to help me continue making these unfunded educational videos: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=4D958V58PAVDU https://www.patreon.com/heroesandlegends https://buymeacoffee.com/infoQh For resources, links to my other videos, merchandise, the latest social media posts and podcast links, please visit my Heroes and Legends Website: www.heroesandlegends.com.au ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p04HZayzug