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Sylvia Rose
Sep 4, 20245 min read
How to Make Venetian Red Artisan Pigment
Venetian Red, also called Mars Red, is a non-toxic iron oxide pigment used by dyers, painters and craftspersons since the early days of...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 4, 20245 min read
Lucrezia Borgia: Exploring the Enigma
Lucrezia Borgia is an enigmatic figure of the Italian Renaissance (c. 1350 - 1550 AD). This period sees revival of art, culture and...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 3, 20244 min read
Titans of the Renaissance: Powerful Italian Families
Powerful Medici, Borgia, Sforza, Gonzaga and Este families rise to prominence in the Renaissance. Behind the vast artistic innovations...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 3, 20243 min read
Science of Onion Tears: Demystifying Acids
What exactly causes onions to make a person cry? The answer involves a combination of chemistry and enzymes. The trigger behind the tears...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 3, 20243 min read
Leap to Flames: Why Did Empedocles Jump into Mount Etna?
The ancient Greek philosopher Empedocles of Sicily is an important figure in science and metaphysics. Based on Plato's work he...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 3, 20245 min read
Alchemy Process of Congelation: Freezing, Crystallization
Congelation is transformation of matter by freezing and crystallization. It's a straightforward process with many nuances. In spiritual...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 2, 20244 min read
Alchemy: Philosophers' Stone History & Lore
The Philosophers' Stone or lapis philosophorum is a miraculous legendary substance. It holds secrets to an elixir of life, a cure for...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 2, 20245 min read
Salt in Alchemy: Alchemical Uses & Lore
Salt is important from ancient to Renaissance alchemy, and still used today in alchemical projects, dyeing, cuisine and medicine. In...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 1, 20245 min read
Equipment Alchemists Need: Essential Tools of the Trade
Alchemy begins with several elements coming together at a crucial time in Alexandria, Egypt. As an international glass center, the city...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 31, 20243 min read
Making Sulfuric Acid in History & Today
Sulfuric acid (Hâ‚‚SOâ‚„) is one of the most important chemicals in the world, with many uses from car battery production to fertilizer...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 31, 20244 min read
How to Make Copperas Red: Simply Science
Copperas, iron(II) sulfate or green ferrous sulfate, is a versatile compound in various applications, from agriculture to water...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 31, 20245 min read
Natural Purple Dyes: Ancient & Medieval
Dyers, coloring professionals, metal workers and gemologists seek vibrant colors and tones since early civilization. The first use of...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 29, 20244 min read
How to Extract Red from Hematite: A Step-by-Step Guide
Hematite, an iron oxide mineral with the chemical formula Fe2O3, is prevalent around the world. Known for metallic luster and red earth...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 29, 20243 min read
How to Make Copperas Ferrous Sulfate: Process
Copperas, known chemically as ferrous sulfate (FeSOâ‚„), has been a vital compound across various industries for centuries. Although...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 29, 20243 min read
Caput Mortuum: Dead Head Purple Pigment
Caput mortuum (Latin "dead head") is a purple hematite iron oxide pigment, used in oil paints and dyes. Due to cultural significance of...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 29, 20247 min read
Question of Alchemy in Ancient Rome
Alchemy, a fusion of science, philosophy and mysticism, emerges in practice from the 1st century AD. Among the power civilizations of...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 28, 20244 min read
Famous Women of Ancient Rome
Women are second class citizens in ancient Rome, but a few bright stars shine through this mutable civilization. Renowned for art,...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 28, 20244 min read
Status & Rights of Women in Imperial Rome
The status and rights of women in ancient Rome are complex and evolve significantly over time. This societal structure is influenced by...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 28, 20245 min read
Roman Empire: Situation 300 AD
In 300 AD, the Roman Empire is falling apart. Under the rule of Emperor Diocletian, who wants to restore the grandeur of Rome, the empire...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 27, 20247 min read
Renaissance Wars: Venice vs. Ottoman
The Ottoman-Venetian Wars are seven major conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Venice from the late 14th to the 18th...
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