Egyptian Treaties, Roman Malls & Chinese Feet

Did you know Rameses the Great was the first person to sign a peace treaty?

Rameses the Great or Rameses II ruled Egypt in the 12^thcentury BCE. He is one of the most-known Egyptian pharaohs. He signed the first peace treaty in history with his enemies, the Hittites. The copy of the treaty he signed can be found in the General Assembly building of the United Nations.

Did you know there were shopping malls 4 floors high in ancient Rome?

Trajan’s market in ancient Rome was 4 floors high and had about 150 shops and offices! Trajan’s market was built from 100-110 CE by Apollodorous of Damascus at the opposite end of the Colosseum. Traces of the marble flooring and a library can still be seen. Now that is a modern mall. I too have been there in my vacation last year.

Did you know people in ancient China thought girls with small feet looked pretty?

To ensure that the feet remained small, Chinese families bound the girl’s feet after she was 6 years old. The girl’s feet were soaked in a mixture of animal blood and herbs. Then her toenails were cut, and her feet were massaged and wrapped in long silk bandages, this stunted the foot’s growth. I am sure Chinese today must be wearing fancy shoes so for sure they don't practice this tradition any more.