National Geographic | National Geographic

National Geographic

WAS THE ROMAN EMPEROR CRAZY?

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

In today’s newsletter, we learn the truth about Caligula, revisit the dazzling temples that once graced Myanmar’s skyline … and ask whether you can actually boost your body’s ‘happy harmone.’

A bust of the Roman Emperor, Caligula

PHOTOGRAPH BY BRIDGEMAN IMAGES

At age 24, he was handed absolute power. He obliterated standards and norms in his violent push for control.

Caligula (depicted in the gilt bronze, above) is history’s poster child for a twisted, tortuous dictator, but historians say the rap against him may be too cut-and-dried—and that he was sane, in the way of the Kremlin’s murderous Joseph Stalin. What about the gladiators?

WORST ROMAN EMPEROR?

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

A view of the pagoda-filled skyline of Pagan

PHOTOGRAPH BY STEVE ALLEN PHOTO/ GETTY IMAGES

The thousands of Buddhist temples that once graced Myanmar’s skyline (pictured above)

Who was the Ice Maiden of Ampato?

We may finally know the real Egyptian pharoah who went after Moses (Free article)

Can psychedelics help treat patients with severe brain injuries?

Your workout can have profound impacts on digestion. Here’s how.

History’s greatest April Fools’ jokes (Free article)

With swimwear weather approaching, how much sun does your body really need?

Next Monday’s solar eclipse is igniting a boom in astrotourism (Free article)

Scientists are finally studying women’s bodies. This is what we’re learning.

These common US snack ingredients are banned or restricted abroad (Free article)

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

A rainbow of rounded colorful crystals amid a smearing of golden yellow and red

MICROGRAPH BY MICHAEL W. DAVIDSON, SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Can you really boost your body’s serotonin? There are widespread claims that supplements can do the trick. Is it true? While serotonin (illustrated in the micrograph, above) can affect mood, sleep, and even digestion, experts say the neurotransmitter’s role is far from settled science.

‘HAPPY HORMONE’

Today’s soundtrack: Happy, Pharrell Williams

We hope this newsletter brightened your Wednesday! It was curated and edited by David Beard, Nancy San Martín, and Nishita Naga. Know someone who might want our newsletter in their inbox? Here’s the signup. See you tomorrow!

Clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply.

This email was sent to: [email protected]. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored.

This email contains an advertisement from:
National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036

Stop all types of future commercial email from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences.

Manage all email preferences with the Walt Disney Family of Companies.

© 2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved.