Aerial view of the ruins of a Roman amphitheatre with a grass-covered arena, surrounded by city apartment buildings.

NB! · Archaeology · Architecture · Heritage

Two ancient Roman amphitheatres of Aquincum survive in Budapest

Two ancient Roman amphitheatres survive in modern Budapest: the Civil and Military Amphitheatres at Aquincum. The first could hold up to 6,000 spectators, the second 12,000.

NB! · Archive · Art · London · Monarchies · People

The mass-produced portrait of Princess Victoria, the future Queen Victoria, aged 4, even bears a facsimile of the princess's childish signature, VICTORIA

Books · Monarchies · Mores · People

The legendary series of photographs in which the Queen Mother sips a beer became the source of the cover image for a new biography by the Northern Irish writer Gareth Russell, Do Let’s Have Another Drink: The Singular Wit and Double Measures of…

The legendary series of photographs in which the Queen Mother sips a beer became the source of the cover image for a new biography by the Northern Irish writer Gareth Russell, Do Let’s Have Another Drink: The Singular Wit and Double Measures of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. The

Observations · Science · People

The need for certainty has always been stronger than the need for truth

The French anthropologist Gustave Le Bon

A warrior in a helmet and red cloak, holding a sword, faces a huge dark multi-headed dragon against a crimson sunset sky and mountains.

Art · Moscow · Museums

Viktor Vasnetsov's 1918 painting in the artist's house museum in Moscow

The Battle of Dobrynya Nikitich with the Seven-Headed Zmey Gorynych. Viktor Vasnetsov, 1918. The painting is in the Vasnetsov House Museum in Moscow.

NB! · Observations

Good night to all, and a happy Friday in advance

NB! · Observations · Pop Culture

I adore the comments on my TikTok

A cartoon boy with a large head and a red top lies under a blue blanket, frowning at a book. An orange teddy bear lies beside him, and a lamp glows above the bed.

NB!

Stewie from Family Guy reads the book Becoming Michelle Obama in bed

Aristocracy · Cinema · Books · Observations · Pop Culture

The English Bear Rupert and the Aristocratic Image of Stewie Griffin in Family Guy

Remember Rupert, Stewie Griffin's beloved teddy bear from the brilliant show Family Guy? In fact, the name Rupert was not chosen at random: the detail is meant to underline Stewie's aristocratic bearing and his special position within a plain American family. Rupert Bear is a famous

Archive · London · Monarchies · Mores

Alexandra of Denmark and Mary of Teck, two queens of England and in-laws

Two Queens of England, the Queen Dowager Alexandra of Denmark (1844-1925), "darling Mama", as George V called her, and George V's consort Mary of Teck (1867-1953), out for a stroll. Alexandra of Denmark was widowed at the age of 66 and lived to 81.

Observations · People · Pop Culture

I understand that after decades of listening to tracks of no more than two or three minutes, Grand Music may be very hard to take in

I understand that after decades of listening to tracks of no more than two or three minutes, Grand Music may be very hard to take in. But in honour of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ralph Vaughan Williams, one of the outstanding composers of the twentieth century, who

Mores · People · Pop Culture

Angela Lansbury moved her family to Ireland after her daughter met Charles Manson

Angela Lansbury recalled how her daughter fell under the spell of a Hollywood layabout who collected the girl from school and made her steal money and food from her parents. Alarmed, Lansbury moved the whole family to Ireland. The young man was Charles Manson. A badass story. *Manson was an

Alexandr Radayev