Eleithyiae, Zeus, the birth of Athena, Athenian
tripod kothos C6th B.C., Musée du Louvre

EILEITHYIA (or Ilithyia) was the goddess of childbirth and labour pains. According to some there were two Eileithyiai, one who furthered birth and one who protracted the labour. Her name means “she who comes to aid” or “relieve” from the Greek word elêluthyia. Her Roman counterpart was Natio (“Birth”) or Lucina (“Light bringer”). read more

890 –“The Kabyles or Kabaily of Algerian and Tunisian territories…besides tillage, work the mines contained in their mountains…They live in huts made of branches of trees and covered with clay which resemble the Magalia of the old Numidians…They are of middle stature, their complexion brown and sometimes nearly black.” Written in The Encyclopedia Britannica: Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and General Literature Henry G. Allen Company p. 261 Volume I 1890. read more

Look who is laughing now:

African leaders initially welcomed the ICC after it indicted Joseph Kony, leader of the Lords Resistance Army responsible for recruiting child soldiers and other crimes in Uganda. read more

Amid the mutual backslapping taking place between leaders of African countries attending the Mandela funeral, the Prince of Wales cut, at times, a lonely figure. The heir to the throne was relegated to a seat a number of rows back from the front position that a senior member of the Royal Family would expect to occupy on such an occasion. read more

Neanderthals could speak like modern humans

An analysis of a Neanderthal’s fossilised hyoid bone – a horseshoe-shaped structure in the neck – suggests the species had the ability to speak. read more

“I received a call in the morning and I was told … there were difficulties about Tata,” she said, referring to Mr Mandela by his Xhosa name, which means “Father”. read more