Africa

Saladin, seen in a 12th-century portrait, led Muslim opposition to the crusaders and united much of the Middle East. (Photo by Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images)

How to lead like Saladin

Cover of the Voyages Extraordinaires series by the French science fiction writer Jules Verne.

The phantom menace: 10 milestones in science fiction

Photo of bees

First World War

Q&A What was the Battle of the Bees?

One of the statues of Ramesses II at Luxor temple, which is

My favourite place: Luxor, Egypt

Pliny the Elder depicted in a mid-12th century miniature, writing and giving his book to Roman emperor Vespasian. (Photo by Photo12/UIG/Getty Images)

My history hero Pliny the Elder (AD 23–79)

A painting in the cave of Altamira, Spain

General prehistory

The rise of Homo sapiens

The step pyramid of Djoser, Saqqara

Q&A How many pyramid tombs are there in Egypt?

Bust of Emperor Alexander Severus

The Library Ancient Rome in crisis

Archaeologist Howard Carter opens the coffin of Tutankhamun. (Photo by Time Life Pictures/Mansell/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)

What killed Tutankhamun?

Portrait of Hendrik Witbooi

My history hero: Hendrik Witbooi (born c1830)

Nelson Mandela and wife Winnie Mandela upon his release from prison. (Photo by Allan Tannenbaum/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images)

My history hero Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)

(Illustration: Jonty Clark for BBC History Magazine)

Ye olde travel guide: Goree, 1782

Napoleon in exile

Q&A Why was Napoleon exiled to St Helena?

Illustration of the Zodiac Man

General ancient history

Q&A Why did physicians ‘bleed’ their patients?

Portrait of Miranda Kaufmann. (Image by Jeni Nott)

History explorer: Africans in Tudor and Stuart Britain