Archaeology

Jack M. Sasson reads the letters of Shamsi-Adad and describes his humanity, patriarchal wisdom and easy sense of humour.

Herman Ramm unearths the medieval roots of a Jorvik landmark.

J.B. Whitwell describes how a series of excavations since the Second World War has revealed much important detail about Lindum Colonia.

C.E. Carrington describes how, from London to York, and under a succession of Roman Governors, the great road to the north was built during the first century A.D.

Towards the end of the fourth century, writes David Jones, a Spanish emperor from Britain and his Welsh empress held their spendid court in a city on the Moselle.

A.N. Marlow describes how, four thousand years ago, a remarkably advanced civilization flourished on the north-western plains of the Indian sub-continent.

For two thousand years poets, writes Michael Grant, composers and painters have drawn upon the great archetypal myth of Orpheus—one of the myths that will always stir humanity.

The Nok people of Nigeria were smelters of iron but also agriculturalists. The culture they founded may have a deep effect on the ancient history of Africa.

George Woodcock outlines how, by about 515 B.C., architects, sculptors, goldsmiths and silversmiths were assembled from all quarters of the Persian Empire to build a new capital, Parsa, which the Greeks called Persepolis.

Thanks to his gift of foresight, aided by his natural intelligence and a flair for improvization, Themistocles carried through a long-term programme, aimed at making his native city a great imperial power. By Stephen Usher.