Real life places/events from the past

I'm writing a completely different story this year. It is about a girl who reincarnates into different eras of life. She has a pretty rough time of things and dies at the end of each sequence in order to reincarnate. So, I'm being vague as I write, but some of you have vast knowledge of historical events and places. My knowledge is based on tv shows... ha ha.

I'm looking for somewhere to start for research to "fill in" the background setting to each of my lives.

1. Greek or Roman temples where girls may have been "voluntered" by their families to serve the God/goddess. Maybe Ephesas about 2000 years ago?

2. American town/era similar to Chicago ganster during prohibition - 1920's - Needs to be on the coast for docks and shipping.

3. War or rebellion where suicide bombers would go into public buildings to ransom hostages. I guess this doesn't have to be during a war. I need a compelling need for the bomber. So some sort of story that I can mine for info on why the bomber did what he did.

Thanks for any guidance on where to start researching.