Military history

A plaque which decorated the palace of the Benin Obas, The Obas butchers sacrificing a cow, the most prestigious animal sacrifice

Benin: a kingdom cast in bronze, brought to ruin by Britain

The Byzantines and a flamethrower

General ancient history

Q&A What was Greek fire?

Brazilian peacekeepers under UN command in Haiti during general election 2006

When should countries intervene in others’ affairs?

Concerned that Russia was expanding its influence in the region, Britain invaded Afghanistan in 1839, ousting ruler Dost Mohammad and replacing him with Shah Shuja, who had been king from 1803–10. (Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images)

Britain’s first war in Afghanistan: what happened and why?

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A panel of eyewitnesses recall their memories of the divided city and the dramatic events of November 1989. (Image by Getty Images)

Witnesses to the Berlin Wall . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival (far right) marches to the Japanese camp to surrender Singapore. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun Premium via Getty Images)

VJ Day: turning the tide in the east

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Colin Jones tells the story of Maximilien Robespierre’s fall from power – a dramatic 24 hours that ended with the revolutionary titan facing the guillotine. (Image from Getty Images)

Robespierre’s brutal downfall . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Following the horrors of the First World War, people around the world set out to create “perfect” societies – with mixed results. Anna Neima charts their efforts. (Image from Getty Images)

Building utopia after WW1 . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Portrait of Saladin (1560) by Cristofano Dell Altissimo.

Why does Saladin have such an enduring reputation?

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Eugene Rogan answers listener questions on one of history’s most powerful and long lasting empires. (Image from Getty Images)

The Ottoman empire: everything you wanted to know . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Scientists Frederic Joliot-Curie and his wife, Irene, at work in their Paris laboratory in December 1932. The couple were among a wide-ranging group of scientists whose work paved the way for the atomic bomb. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)

Hiroshima: the race to the atomic bomb . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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John Zubryzcki shares the story of the party-loving royals of the House of Jaipur, who turned to politics following Indian independence. (Image from Getty Images)

The transformation of India’s glamorous golden couple . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Ronald Hutton discusses Oliver Cromwell’s early life and career, exploring the brilliance and cruelty of the future Lord Protector. (Image by Getty Images)

Oliver Cromwell’s remarkable rise to power . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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In the 16th century, Antwerp was a global centre of trade, talked about around the world. Michael Pye considers its rise and bloody fall. (Image from Getty Images)

Antwerp: city of innovation & intrigue . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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With the Olympics underway in Tokyo, Chris Harding looks back at 1964 – the last time Japan hosted the competition. (Image by Getty Images)

How the 1964 Tokyo Olympics redefined Japan . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.