stackyFACTS
History

The pharaoh’s bizarre ritual for a fertile Nile

HERE’S THE INTERESTING PART

If you thought modern political stunts were weird, you clearly haven't looked into ancient agricultural subsidies. Egyptian mythology held that the god Atum created the universe through self-pleasure. To honor this and ensure the Nile flooded properly, the Pharaoh was expected to ritually ejaculate into the river during the annual Min festival. Truly a hands-on approach to leadership.

The pharaoh’s bizarre ritual for a fertile Nile
STACKY / History
One discovery leads to another.

Keep exploring facts in this topic.

History →
STACKY FOR IPHONE

A bigger world.
One discovery
at a time.

Keep discovering with Stacky. Interesting facts in an app that is always within reach.

Download on the App Store
ONE MORE DISCOVERY?

Keep exploring

All in this topic →
Queens once gave birth before royal witnesses
History

Queens once gave birth before royal witnesses

To completely guarantee that no one secretly swapped the infant, queens had to endure labor while dozens of random courtiers stared at them to verify the…

Discover more
Balzac wrote novels in a monk's habit
History

Balzac wrote novels in a monk's habit

Deadlines require extreme sartorial choices. To force himself to crank out his massive novels, the French writer would ditch normal clothes and wrap himself…

Discover more
The hot-air balloon that accidentally invaded another country
History

The hot-air balloon that accidentally invaded another country

During the infancy of ballooning, an empty, massive ceremonial hot air balloon accidentally snapped its heavy tethering ropes during a royal celebration.…

Discover more
Why did early movie theaters absolutely hate popcorn and actively ban people from bringing it inside?
History

Why did early movie theaters absolutely hate popcorn and actively ban people from bringing it inside?

Why did early movie theaters absolutely hate popcorn and actively ban people from bringing it inside?

Discover more
Monsieur de Grandpré and Monsieur de Le Pique fought a deadly duel in 1808 while suspended high above Paris in two identical hot air balloons, purely over the affection of a famous opera dancer.
History

Monsieur de Grandpré and Monsieur de Le Pique fought a deadly duel in 1808 while suspended high above Paris in two identical hot air balloons, purely over the affection of a famous opera dancer.

Monsieur de Grandpré and Monsieur de Le Pique fought a deadly duel in 1808 while suspended high above Paris in two identical hot air balloons, purely over the…

Discover more
Robert Dover founded the Cotswold Olimpick Games in England around 1612, featuring a wildly popular and deeply violent sport known as shin-kicking.
History

Robert Dover founded the Cotswold Olimpick Games in England around 1612, featuring a wildly popular and deeply violent sport known as shin-kicking.

Robert Dover founded the Cotswold Olimpick Games in England around 1612, featuring a wildly popular and deeply violent sport known as shin-kicking. Two men…

Discover more
StackyMore discoveries in the app
Download on the App Store