Ancient kings were quite different from medieval and modern monarchs. In this issue of Ancient History, we explore the concept of ‘royalty’ in the ancient world.

Theme: Royalty in the ancient world

• Josho Brouwers, 'Royalty in the ancient world - Historical introduction'.
• Eugenia Russell, 'Greek writers on the ideal of kingship - Basileus'.
• Guy D. Middleton, 'Mycenaean kings and kingdoms - A great kingdom?'
• Matthew Lloyd, 'Royal tombs in the Iron-Age Mediterranean - A grave fit for a king?'
• Andrew Calimach, 'A Greek tale mocking all tyrants - Archias and his two boyfriends'.
• Joshua Hall, 'The kings of ancient Rome - Between myth and reality'.
• Michael J, Taylor, 'The court of Hellenistic kings, 359-31 BC - Friends and parasites'.
• Giuseppe Restaino, 'A "golden house" worthy of a king - Domus Aurea'.
• Rebecca Batley, 'Role of the empress in second-century Rome - Whore to goddess'.
• Josho Brouwers, 'Recommended books on ancient royalty - Beyond the magazine'.

Features:

• Marc G. DeSantis, 'Of J.R.R. Tolkien and the ancient world - History as inspiration'.
• Tang Long, 'The Chinese goddess of life - Nu Wa'.
• Holger Michiels, 'The first modern anchor - The two-armed anchor'.
• Graham Sumner, 'The Roman army on screen, part 7 - King of Kings'.
• Fausto Bica & Josho Brouwers, 'Periander of Corinth, tyrant or sage - Periander'.