Images

In 1274 BCE, Ramesses II (The Great) of Egypt led his forces against the Hittite army, under King Muwatalli II, at The Battle of Kadesh. Both sides claimed victory and the conflict resulted in the world's first peace treaty, The Treaty of...

A bamboo version of 'The Art of War' (composed late 6th century BCE) widely attributed to the Chinese military strategist Sun-Tzu. (University of California, Riverside)

The Arch of Septimius Severus in Rome was built in 203 CE and was dedicated by the Senate and the People of Rome (S.P.Q.R.) to both Septemius Severus and his son Caracalla in honour of their victories against the Parthians, relief scenes...

The Arch of Constantine in Rome, built in c. 315 CE to commemorate the Roman emperor's victory over Maxentius in 312 CE. It is the largest surviving example of a Roman Triumphal Arch.

A detail of the Arch of Constantine in Rome, built in c. 315 CE to commemorate the Roman emperor's victory over Maxentius in 312 CE. On each side of the arch four free-standing Corinthian columns support statues of Dacian prisoners taken...

A detail of the celebrated Athenian black-figure belly amphora (Type A) by Exekias, c. 530 BCE. The central scene depicts Achilles and Ajax playing a board game during a respite in the Trojan War. (Museo Gregoriano Etrusco, The Vatican, Rome...

A polychrome Krater fragment (mid 7th century BCE) depicting the blinding of the Cyclops Polyphemus, one of Odysseus' many adventures on his long voyage home to Ithaka following the Trojan War. (Argos Archaeological Museum, Greece)

An Attic red-figure stamnos from Vulci c. 480-450 BCE depicting the myth of Odysseus tied to his ship's mast in order to resist the enchanting song of the Sirens. The episode occurs during the hero's long voyage home to Ithaka following the...

A detail from the handle of one of the finest surviving examples of Attic black-figure pottery, the Francois Vase (570-565 BCE) depicting Ajax carrying the body of Achilles during the Trojan War. (Archaeological Museum, Florence)

A Qing Dynasty print showing Confucius presenting Gautama Buddha to the philosopher Lao-Tzu.