Blurs

Tartarus (Ancient Greek: Τάρταρος, Tártaros) is a primordial entity and a deep cosmic region in ancient Greek mythology.  In early Greek cosmology, particularly the Theogony of Hesiod, Tartarus is one of the earliest entities to come into existence, alongside Chaos, Gaia (Earth) and Eros. It is simultaneously described as a vast, dark abyss beneath the Earth and, in some traditions, as a primordial divine being. Tartarus should not be regarded simply as another name for Hades. In the earliest surviving Greek literature, Hades is the realm of the dead, whereas Tartarus is a much deeper cosmic region associated particularly with imprisonment, divine punishment and the confinement of enemies of the Olympian gods.  Homer describes Tartarus as lying as far beneath Hades as the heavens are above the Earth. Over time, the concept developed. Later Greek writers increasingly associated Tartarus with punishment after death, while Roman authors, particularly Virgil, developed a more elab...

For generations, Lough Neagh was simply part of the landscape of Northern Ireland: a vast freshwater lake supporting fishing, farming, wildlife, recreation and communities around its shores. Then, in the summer of 2023, something became impossible to ignore. Large areas of the lake turned green. Thick surface scums accumulated around marinas, jetties and lock gates. Images of vivid green water spread rapidly, and what might once have been regarded as an occasional natural phenomenon became a national environmental story. But the colour was only the visible part of a much larger problem. Beneath the surface was a lake receiving enormous quantities of nutrients, experiencing warmer conditions, containing an invasive species capable of altering its food web — and accumulating pollutants from a catchment covering thousands of square kilometres. The phenomenon did not end in 2023. A significant bloom returned in 2025. As of 2026, scientists and government agencies are still trying to determ...

On a windswept rise above the north Antrim coast stands a small prehistoric monument with an evocative name: the Druid Stone. The name suggests ancient priests, secret ceremonies and perhaps human sacrifice beneath the shadow of a great stone. But there is a problem with the story. The monument almost certainly has nothing whatsoever to do with Druids. Instead, archaeologists believe the structure was built thousands of years before the Druids emerged as a recognisable religious class. And a new investigation at the site in 2026 is beginning to reveal more about the people who constructed it — and perhaps where their ideas came from. A Monument Above the Irish Sea The Druid Stone lies at Ballintoy in County Antrim, close to the spectacular coastline overlooking White Park Bay. Today, the remains occupy a small elevated position with commanding views across the surrounding landscape. It is a relatively modest monument compared with some of Britain's better-known megalithic structure...

Religious institutions have long preached values such as humility, charity, and detachment from material wealth.  Yet many of the world’s largest churches and religious organisations are also among the wealthiest institutions globally.  This apparent contradiction raises an enduring question: how do organisations that emphasise spiritual simplicity accumulate and maintain significant financial power? The answer lies in history, economics, governance structures, and the unique way religious wealth is defined and managed. 1. The Core Teaching: Wealth vs Spiritual Values Across major Christian traditions, including the Christianity, teachings often emphasise: - humility over pride - charity toward the poor - warnings about the moral risks of wealth - detachment from material possessions Biblical references such as “the love of money is the root of all evil” are frequently cited in sermons and theological discussions. However, religious doctrine and institutional structure are not...

For more than two decades, a small stone-lined grave on the Isles of Scilly posed an unusual archaeological puzzle. Inside were the possessions of someone who appeared to occupy two very different worlds. There was a sword and shield, objects strongly associated with warfare and traditionally linked to male burials. But there was also a beautifully made bronze mirror, an object much more commonly found in Iron Age graves associated with women. Only one person had been buried there. So who was this mysterious individual? When the grave was discovered on the island of Bryher in 1999, archaeologists could not answer the question. It would take more than 20 years — and a sophisticated scientific technique — to finally reveal the identity of the person buried there. A Discovery in a Cornish Field The discovery happened almost by accident. In 1999, archaeological investigations began after a farmer uncovered an Iron Age sword while working at Hillside Farm on Bryher. The excavation revealed ...