In this issue, we take a look at Early Republican Rome: although torn apart by foreign and domestic crises, it laid the foundation for western law.

Theme: Rome of the Twelve Tables

• Jona Lendering, 'Rome in the fifth century BC - A crisis and its consequences'.
• Richard Kroes, 'The laws of the Twelve Tables - Clarifying the rules'.
• Marijke Gnade, 'The fifth century in Latium - An archaeological dark period'.
• Sidney E. Dean, 'Roman patrician and plebeian pantheons - Upstairs, downstairs'.
• Andrei Pogacias, 'Coriolanus and his legend - Hesitant traitor, tragic hero'.
• Mark McCaffery, 'Death and funerals in Republican Rome - Three veils, a purple tunic and then flute-players'.
• Jona Lendering, 'The significance of the Twelve Tables - Epilogue'.

Features:

• Svenja Grosser, 'Female gladiators - Fight to the draw'.
• Jona Lendering, 'The chronology of Mesopotamia - Deeper and deeper'.
• Lauren van Zoonen, 'The Nike of Samothrace - Winged victory'.
• Mike Manarpies, 'Fossils in ancient Greece - Beasts or heroes?'.
• Patrik Klingborg, 'The dark side of Rome's first emperor - Augustus the monster'.
• Kees Alders, 'A short look at Stoic logic - Does God play dice'.
• Jona Lendering, 'How do we decipher ancient languages - Breaking the code'.
• Book reviews