The Halo series of games are set in the 26th century and focus on the struggle between Earth and various opposing alien factions, such as the “Covenant”. While set in the future, the series takes obvious inspiration from the past.

The Coen Brothers’ movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), starring George Clooney, offers a novel and humorous take on the story of Homer’s Odyssey. If you haven’t seen the movie yet, be sure to check it out.

Inspired by the ancient world, the role-playing game Tyranny, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, offers a fantasy setting that is starkly different from the usual elves, orcs, and goblin fare.

Does history serve a practical purpose? Yes, it does, and nowhere is its practical use more evident than in how it has inspired countless modern works, including Isaac Asimov’s Foundation trilogy.

A good knowledge of history can help fuel creativity, as demonstrated by the works of renowned fiction writers such as Robert E. Howard, Edgar Rice Burroughs, J.R.R. Tolkien, and George R.R. Martin.