Welcome

Defining Moments

© Alamy 30-31 October 2005 ROSA PARKS’ CASKET

SIEGE OF SERINGAPATAM

MYSORE, INDIA, APRIL-MAY 1799

FREDERICK III OF GERMANY HAD SURVIVED?

He was a respected military hero and liberal visionary, so did a different future for Germany and Europe die with him?

SYMBOLS THROUGH TIME

Instantly recognisable, symbols are an important part of daily life – from radioactivity to anarchy, male and female to Mercedes-Benz

REVIEWS

The books, TV shows and films causing a stir in the history world this month

HISTORY VS HOLLYWOOD

Fact versus fiction on the silver screen

AISH BALADI

© Alamy Did you know? Aish baladi transcended

Key Events

C.1500 BENIN TRADES SLAVES In the centuries following

THE GREAT WALLS OF BENIN

Nigeria c.1200 – 1897

OBA OF BENIN

Nigeria 16th-18th century

BRONZE OBA HEAD

A superb example of one of the looted Benin Bronzes Nigeria, c.18th century

BENIN’S BIGGEST NAMES

Some of the influential people who helped to shape the Kingdom of Benin throughout its long history

BENIN, BRONZES AND BEYOND

Allegra Otsaye Ayida discusses the history of the West African kingdom and the return of its stolen art

VIEWING THE BENIN BRONZES

The museums across the world where the magnificent artefacts are on display

TUTANKHAMUN

How Egypt’s legendary boy king came to power and who was really in control

CURSE OF THE MUMMY'S TOMB

From a fashionable Victorian fad to a murdering 20th century horror icon, we trace the origins of the mummy’s curse

THE LIFE OF SOJOURNER TRUTH

Meet the African American woman who escaped slavery and became an abolitionist, women’s rights activist, orator, author and preacher

THE OPIUM KING IN THE CITY OF SIN

Who was the man who struck fear into the hearts of the people of Shanghai?

History behind MIDDLEEARTH

Uncover the events, legends and people who inspired JRR Tolkien’s Hobbit and Lord of the Rings

The Search for RICHARD III

Philippa Langley discusses her hunt for the king’s grave as we mark ten years since his rediscovery

IN TO THE MEAT GRINDER

Military historian Prit Buttar on his latest book, which recounts one of the bloodiest – and least known – battles of World War II