How old is the oldest chat-up line between men? Who was the first lesbian? Were ancient Greek men who had sex together necessarily gay? And what did Shakespeare think about cross-dressing? This title deals with these questions.

This beautiful book offers a striking and unusual view of a wide array of Indian art. It highlights – close up and in colour – outstanding examples of design, workmanship and craft in dramatic sculptures of metal, stone and wood as well as sumptuous paintings and textiles.

Produced from plants by a process akin to alchemy, indigo has a unique chemistry that renders it compatible with all natural fibres. This title is the story of a commodity that has been central to international trade and textile production for centuries, across time and cultures.

A unique and accessible insight into the world’s oldest writing system, revealing how ancient inscriptions lead to a new way of thinking about the past.

Illustrated with the best examples of inscriptions from the British Museum's Roman collection, this book explores the meaning of putting up public inscriptions and the standardised system of abbreviation that was used to ensure Romans from all areas of the Empire could read them.

This collection features 60 classic haiku by masters such as Basho, Kyoshi and Shiki, arranged by season and covering all the most popular subjects. The text features an introduction explaining the background to Japanese haiku and a short biographical note about each of the major poets.

Takes a fresh look at the life of Nero (r. AD 54–68), providing insight into the inner conflicts of a Roman society in transition and challenging preconceptions of a figure dismissed by a hostile source-tradition as tyrannical, deluded and ineffectual.

Runes employ many techniques from informal scratchings to sophisticated inlaid designs on weapons, or the exquisite relief carvings of the Franks Casket. This book tells the story of runes from their mysterious origins, their development as a script, to their use and meaning in the modern world.

This stunning book offers an introduction to and an exceptional view of an imposing collection of arts from across the Islamic world, highlighting outstanding examples of design, workmanship and craft in paintings and manuscripts, calligraphy, metalwork, ceramics, jade, glass, wood and ivory.