Images

Position of troops on the eve of the Battle of Yarmouk (636 CE). Rashidun army is depicted as red, while the Byzantines are represented by blue. Solid colored blocks are infantry, while colored and white blocks are cavalry.

Historical reenactment of a Sassanian-era cataphract, complete with a full set of scale armor for the horse.

The Armada Jewel by Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619). This combined brooch and locket shows different layers of portraits of Elizabeth I of England (r. 1588-1603). Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

A c. 1601 CE painting by George Vertue showing Elizabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603 CE) in a procession.

A 1579-83 CE portrait by Quentin Metsys the Younger of Elizabeth I of England (r. 1588-1603 CE). It is known as the 'Sieve Portrait' because the queen holds a large sieve in her left hand which is a traditional symbol of chastity. The queen...

A c. 1601 CE portrait of Elizabeth I of England (r. 1588-1603 CE). The 'Rainbow Portrait', so-called because the queen grasps a rainbow - a traditional symbol of peace - in her right hand, has been attributed to various artists: Isaac Oliver...

Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Bangkok, Thailand, viewed from the outer court of the Grand Palace, just inside the Wisetchaisi Gate. Built in 1784 CE.

A c. 1590 CE painting by an unknown Flemish artist of English fireships being sent in to cause havoc amongst the vessels of the Spanish Armada of 1588 CE. (National Maritime Museum, Greenwich)

The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam (l. 1048-1131 CE), illuminated by William Morris.

Early 20th-century CE edition of the Rubaiyat.