This volume, “The History of the Culture of the Peoples of the World,” presents a most interesting era - ancient, legendary Europe, starting from immemorial pagan times and ending with the establishment of Christian norms and customs. It was during this period that most of European mythology and ancient epic tales took their roots, which more recently gave rise to the mythology of modern times - stories about brave knights and powerful sorcerers, beautiful elves and evil goblins, trolls and orcs. In all these stories, ancient and new, the most important role is played by the exotic settings, rituals, clothing, weapons of the characters - they give the story a completely unique flavor and charm of the legendary time of heroes and wizards. The book presented to the reader contains a story about real swords and cups, crowns, fur coats and robes, amulets and rings of the ancient Germans, Scandinavians, Slavs and Huns. “The History of the Culture of the Peoples of the World” is a unique publication that describes costumes, weapons, furniture, dishes and architectural structures of the peoples of our planet starting from the 4th millennium BC. e. and up to the 19th century. The author of this most interesting work is the outstanding German artist and cultural historian Hermann Weiss (1822–1897), a professor at the Berlin Academy of Arts, who personally created most of the numerous illustrations that adorn the pages of this encyclopedic collection. In terms of the breadth and volume of material, brought together into a single whole with truly German conscientiousness and accuracy, this book still has no equal in Russia.