March 17

Publius Attius Varus served as governor of the Africa Province and raised legions in support of Pompey the Great. He secured an early victory against Caesar's lieutenant Gaius Scribonius Curio but was later outmaneuvered by Julius Caesar's main forces. Varus commanded Pompeian troops at the Battle of Thapsus in 46 BC and suffered a decisive defeat. After the loss, he fled by sea and died in 45 BC. His career exemplifies the political and military turbulence of the late Roman Republic.

Marcus Aurelius co-ruled with Lucius Verus before becoming sole emperor and overseeing the eastern and northern frontiers of the Roman Empire. He faced wars against Parthians and Germanic tribes while maintaining stability during the Pax Romana. A devoted Stoic, he wrote Meditations as a guide to self-discipline and virtue. His philosophical work became a cornerstone of Stoicism and influenced thinkers for centuries. Marcus Aurelius's reign blended intellectual rigor with practical leadership, leaving a lasting legacy on both philosophy and governance.

Li Yu, known as the Prince of De, was a member of the imperial family during the late Tang dynasty. In the aftermath of rebellions and court intrigues, he was placed on the throne but ruled only for a short period. His reign was marked by efforts to restore stability to a crumbling empire beset by warlordism. Soon after, he was deposed as rival factions vied for power. Li Yu died in 905, and his brief tenure reflects the decline of Tang authority prior to the dynasty's collapse.

Emperor Kazan ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne in 984 at the age of 16. His reign saw political maneuvering among Fujiwara regents, leading him to abdicate in 986. After abdication, Kazan entered monastic life at Kannon-ji temple and adopted the Buddhist name Nyakazari. He founded the Toji-in temple in Kyoto and was revered for his piety. His life illustrates the complex interplay of religion and politics in Heian Japan.

Harold Harefoot was the son of King Canute and Ælfgifu of Northampton. After Canute's death, he asserted his claim against his half-brother Harthacnut and established his rule in the north. Despite disputes over legitimacy, Harold maintained authority until Harthacnut returned from Denmark. His reign was marked by political factionalism and shifting loyalties among the English nobility. He died in 1040, paving the way for Harthacnut's accession.

Lulach was the stepson of King Macbeth and assumed the Scottish throne after Macbeth's death at Lumphanan. Nicknamed 'Lulach the Fool', he struggled to consolidate power amid rival claims. His short reign ended when Malcolm III defeated him at Essie in 1058. Lulach was killed soon after, and Malcolm solidified his rule. Lulach's reign represents a turbulent moment in early Scottish monarchy and succession politics.

Go-Saga was the 88th emperor of Japan, reigning from 1242 until his abdication in 1246. Born in 1220, he ascended the throne during a period of political transition. Though he abdicated early, he continued to wield influence through cloistered rule alongside retired emperors. His reign saw relative stability and the strengthening of imperial authority against the Kamakura shogunate. Go-Saga’s descendants included several future emperors, shaping the lineage of the Chrysanthemum Throne. He died in 1272, remembered for balancing ceremonial duties with behind-the-scenes governance.

An-Nasir Hasan was the Mamluk sultan of Egypt, reigning in two separate terms between 1347 and 1361. He ascended to power as a young ruler and pursued administrative reforms to strengthen the state. Hasan attempted to curb the authority of powerful emirs, seeking to centralize governance. Under his rule, Cairo remained a vibrant center of Islamic art, learning, and architecture. His efforts faced resistance, and he was eventually assassinated by rival factions in 1361. His reign is noted for both cultural patronage and the challenges of Mamluk politics.

Louis of Enghien was a French noble from a prominent aristocratic family of the Low Countries. Though lesser-known, he played a role in the regional politics of France and Flanders. As a landholder, he managed estates and upheld feudal duties in service to the French crown. His lineage connected him to influential European dynasties of the medieval period. Louis’s life reflects the complexities of noble alliances and feudal loyalties in late medieval France. He died in 1394, his tenure illustrating the intricate web of medieval noble power.

Giuliano de' Medici was a member of the influential Medici family in Florence, born in 1479. As a patron of artists and humanists, he supported early Renaissance figures in literature and art. He held various political roles within the Florentine Republic alongside his brother Lorenzo. Giuliano’s refined taste and cultural interests helped shape the artistic flowering of his era. He died tragically in 1516, remembered for his generosity and the promise of his cultural leadership. His legacy lives on in the works of art and scholarship he helped to commission.

Rana Sanga was the king of Mewar in Rajasthan, leading the Rajput confederacy in the early 16th century. Born in 1482, he united various Rajput clans to resist the Sultanate of Delhi and other invaders. Sanga achieved notable victories at battles such as Khatoli and Makrana. He challenged the expansion of Ibrahim Lodi and later faced the Mughal emperor Babur at Khanwa. Despite his defeat at Khanwa, Rana Sanga remains celebrated for his valor and sense of honor. He died in 1527, his legacy inspiring Rajput resistance for generations.

Born the daughter of King Gustav I in 1547, Sophia of Sweden married Duke Magnus II and assumed the title Duchess of Saxe-Lauenburg. During her tenure, she maintained strong political and cultural ties between the Swedish and German courts. She was a patron of the arts and supported charitable works throughout the duchy. Known for her diplomatic acumen, she played a key role in fostering alliances in Northern Europe. Sophia’s legacy endures in the cultural exchanges she championed until her death in 1611.