Images

The possible positions taken in the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BCE between Sparta and Thebes. The Thebans, led by the brilliant general Epaminondas, won the battle and established Thebes as the most powerful polis in Greece.

A marble relief depicting theatre masks as worn by actors in both Greek and Roman tragedies and comedies. 2nd century CE (Vatican Museums, Rome).

Archimedes is considered one of the most important mathematicians. He was extremely well known for his involvement in the defense of Syracuse against the Roman siege in the Second Punic War.

The Shichifukujin or Seven Gods of Luck from Japanese folklore. From left to right: Daikoku, Bishamonten, Ebisu, Fukurokuju, Benzaiten, Hotei, Jurojin.

A 2nd century CE Roman sculpture depicting the infant Hercules strangling the snake put into his cradle by Hera jealous of her husband Zeus' infidelity with Alkmene which produced Hercules. (Capitoline Museums, Rome).

Kali is the Hindu goddess (or Devi) of death, time and doomsday and is often associated with sexuality and violence but is also considered a strong mother-figure.

Orpheus mosaic from the dining room of a Roman private house at Miletus, first half of 2nd century CE (Pergamon Museum, Berlin)

Attic red-figure amphora depicting a running Gorgon, Medusa's flight from the hero Perseus, c. 490 BCE. Staatliche Antikensammlungen, Munich.

The bronze head of Medusa is a decorative element from one of the Nemi Ships built by Caligula around 37-41 CE. It is now in the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme in Rome.

A bronze statue of the Greek hero Perseus who has just slain the Gorgon Medusa. (By Cellini 1545-54 CE, Florence).