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Roman

1,138: The number of London children recorded as dying of “teeth” in 1685. (Illustration: James Albon for BBC History Magazine)

History’s most surprising statistics

Larry Siedentrop photographed for BBC History Magazine. (Image by Geraint Lewis)

Books interview with Larry Siedentop: "What is distinctive about the west is that the organising social role is no longer the patriarchal family and instead the individual". This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Historian Miles Russell. (Photography by Philip Hartley for BBC History Magazine)

History explorerExtravagance in Roman Britain: a visit to Fishbourne Roman Palace. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

This detail from the Gundestrup Cauldron – a richly decorated silver vessel thought to date from the second-century BC – depicts a Celtic god or druid surrounded by beasts. (Werner Forman/Universal Images Group/Getty Images)

The genius of the Celts

Never-before-seen Roman artefacts to go on display for first time

A depiction of Hannibal at the battle of Trasimene, which is "today remembered as one of the most stunning victories in military history". (Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images)

A big day in history: Hannibal smashes his foes "at the very gates of Rome"

Aerial view of the Roman fort of Vercovicium

10 places where history was made

A Pompeian fresco from the first century showing a woman tuning a musical instrument. Excavations at the partially buried Roman city reveal that women played a prominent role in the home, and that they took personal grooming very seriously indeed. (Photo by: Werner Forman/UIG via Getty Images)

At home with the Romans

Grosvenor Museum, Chester

A noisy history of the world

A ceiling fresco depicting Christ. (DeAgostini/Getty Images)

Christianity under Roman rule: a new church is born

A relief showing Emperor Constantine's over Maxentius at the battle of Milvian Bridge. (Prisma/UIG/Getty Images)

A big day in history: “A cross of light” leads Constantine to victory

Rochester Castle

The Fire of Rome, by Hubert Robert (1733-1808). "It was the worst possible place for a fire to break out, and fear turned into outright panic," says Dominic Sandbrook. Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

The LibraryA big day in history: the Great Fire of Rome

Q&A: How did the Romans write fractions?

A cast of a Roman warship carrying armed soldiers. (Photo By DEA / G. NIMATALLAH/De Agostini/Getty Images)

The Roman invasion: whose side were the Britons on?

Whithorn Priory, Dumfries and Galloway

The LibraryYe Olde Travel Guide: Mainz 1455. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

An illustration of Nikephoros II. (Photo by INTERFOTO/Alamy Stock Photo)

A big day in history: the all-conquering Byzantine emperor Nikephoros II loses his head

Illustration by Jonty Clark

Ye olde travel guide: Pompeii 79 Ad. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

View towards Steel Rigg from Hadrian's Wall in Northumbria. (Photo by VisitBritain/Rod Edwards via Getty Images)

History explorer: Early Roman Britain. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Illustration by Jonty Clark

Ye olde travel guide: Kiev 978 AD. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Britain under Roman rule and the truth about the crusades. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Mystery and drama with the Romans and the Elizabethans. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Two women from South America. Six centuries ago South American civilisations matched the west in some respects. (Getty Images)

The wonder of the west

Hadrian's Wall photographed at Hotbank Crags and looking towards Crag Lough in Northumberland National Park. (Photo by Roger Coulam/Getty Images)

The LibraryApocalypse then circa 410: the end of Roman Britain

The Battle of Zama – Hannibal meets his nemesis

Inside Pompeii and a date with Elizabeth I. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A second-century bronze head of Roman Emperor Hadrian

Hadrian: rescuer of the Roman Empire

A 1950s illustration of Vladimir Lenin on the sealed train between Switzerland and Russian. (Alamy)

10 ways to start a revolution