Lions play an important part in ancient Greek art and myth from the Late Bronze Age onwards. But did these animals really once exist on the European continent?

In a recent lecture, I argued that the Battle of Marathon wasn’t as much of a big deal as our Greek sources would have us believe.

A good knowledge of history can help fuel creativity, as demonstrated by the works of renowned fiction writers such as Robert E. Howard, Edgar Rice Burroughs, J.R.R. Tolkien, and George R.R. Martin.

Public puzzlement over an exhibit at the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden leads me to be invited to another exhibition in Amsterdam.

This is an excellent book, clearly laid out, and written in an engaging and pleasant manner, that comes warmly recommended.

Disney does Hercules, resulting in an entertaining movie that’s fun for all the family – although purists may scoff at the liberties taken with the source material.

The sequel to Steve Moore’s first graphic novel treatment of the hero Hercules is essentially more of the same.

Some of the best so-called Peplum movies are two Italian-produced films about Hercules starring Steve Reeves.

The earliest known text about one of Heracles’ adventures is the so-called Shield of Heracles, attributed to Hesiod.

Based on the comic book by Steve Moore, this energetic Hercules movie also borrows from classic Peplum films.