Ancient art

With debates over the expression "childless cat ladies" dominating the 2024 US election, the BBC explores the historic links between women and their feline friends.

A new book tells the history of the ancient world through women and what they had to say about their own sexuality – flying in the face of misogynist male stereotypes.

A little-known Mesopotamian poet and priestess, Enheduanna, is the subject of a new exhibition in New York. Diane Cole explores the political power she wielded.

There was a particular moment in history when no artistic field was immune to the influence of Islamic design, writes Cath Pound.

The contemporary superheroine has a backstory inspired by Greek mythology, which in turn was inspired by real-life ancient warrior women, writes Kimiya Shokoohi.

A spectacular jade carving may hold the clue to an early society that predates what many historians believed to be China’s oldest, writes Alastair Sooke.

The idea of Mesopotamia has intoxicated the West for centuries. Alastair Sooke takes a look at a civilisation where much of modern culture took form.

Nicolas Flamel was a real person, and many of Rowling’s fantastic beasts she borrowed from elsewhere – including from the ancient world, writes Natalie Haynes.