Death

An 18th-century public execution and crowd

Q&A When did people stop attending public executions in Britain?

One of the earliest and most famous examples of extremism comes from ancient Rome. Starting in 264 BC and continuing for more than a century, Rome engaged in a series of wars with neighbouring Carthage. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

A brief history of extremism – from ancient Rome to al Qaeda

Peasants in the Middle Ages at a cattle market. Cows appear to have been difficult to manage in the medieval period, and caused several deaths. (Photo by INTERFOTO /Alamy)

5 strange causes of death in the medieval period

Funeral of Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme

Who killed Olof Palme?

A brief history of capital punishment in Britain

Queen Victoria pictured c1862 during her period of mourning

Prince Albert: the death that rocked the monarchy

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Dramatic view of the sun setting over a megalithic tomb and stone circle. (Dreamstime)

Egypt’s lost tombs . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

An Aztec priest performing the sacrificial offering of a living human's heart to the war god Huitzilopochtli. (Photo by Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty images)

General ancient history

Q&A How many people did the Aztecs sacrifice?

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A 14th-century Flemish illustration depicting the burying of plague victims in coffins in Tournai in 1349. (Photo by Granger Historical Picture Archive/Alamy Stock Photo)

Black Death: “Oh father, why have you abandoned me?” . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

The execution of Charles I. (Photo by Universal History Archive/Getty Images)

Murder, conspiracy and execution: six centuries of scandalous royal deaths

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The death of Stalin . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Seeking eternity: 5,000 years of ancient Egyptian burial

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“I’ve been close to death nine times”: John Simpson on life as a foreign correspondent

Illustration of electric chair

Q&A Who invented the electric chair?

16th century engraving depicting a man with leprosy

Q&A How did doctors treat leprosy?