On this day in history
August 31
Graeco-RomanMesopotamianScience
YahrzeitHebrew-calendar remembrance
The Hebrew anniversary of a passing drifts against the civil calendar; these fall on August 31 this year.
- The Maharal of Prague (Judah Loew)d. 1609 CE
Prague Talmudist and philosopher linked to the Golem legend
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- 12 CEGraeco-Roman · born
Gaius Caesar Germanicus, later the Roman emperor known as Caligula, was born at Antium (modern Anzio).
- 161 CEGraeco-Roman · born
Lucius Aurelius Commodus, son of Marcus Aurelius, was born at Lanuvium near Rome; he later reigned as Roman emperor from 180 to 192.
- 2005 CEMesopotamian · died
H. W. F. Saggs, British Assyriologist and author of standard works on ancient Mesopotamia, died at Long Melford, Suffolk.
- 1821 CEScience · born
Hermann von Helmholtz, the German polymath who helped formulate the conservation of energy and studied the physics of vision and hearing, was born in Potsdam.
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