The First Intermediate Period of Egypt is often characterized as a dark age, a time of famine and war. Yet recently, this view has come under increasing scrutiny — the truth appears to be far more nuanced.

Theme: The First Intermediate Period

• Juan Carlos Moreno García, 'A time of change and misunderstanding - The end of the Old Kingdom in Egypt'.
• Ellen Morris, 'Remembering the First Intermediate Period - The best of times, the worst of times'.
• Wojciech Ejsmond, A land divided - The competing kingdoms of Egypt'.
• Dr Simone Petacchi, 'Ancient Nubia and the Kingdom of Kerma - A new power on Egypt's southern frontier'.
• Marco Daniele, 'A tale of decline and renewal - Egyptian pyramids' changing faces'.

Features:

• Jason Douglas Porter, 'Endemic and crucial - The role of slavery in democratic Athens'.
• Henrik Mouritsen, 'A wild goose chase - Political parties in Republican Rome'.
• Phil Wood, 'An infamous opportunist - The rise and fall of Sejanus'.
• Anneka Rene, 'Helmets and crowns - Hellenistic Macedon's warrior queens'.
• Lauren Morris, 'The kingdoms that connected Eurasia - Central Asia and long-distance exchange'.