The sole mention of the arcuballista occurs in the work of the late-Roman period author Vegetius' Epitoma rei militaris. Was the arcuballista the first ever crossbow?

The discarded bone of a chicken leg, still etched with teeth marks from a dinner thousands of years ago, provides some of the oldest known physical evidence for the introduction of domesticated chickens to the continent of Africa.

In every issue of BBC History Magazine, picture editor Sam Nott presents a recipe from the past. In this article, from December 2015, Sam recreates a delicate chewit - a meat and fruit pie enjoyed in the 16th-century.

Ballistas, catapults and scorpions: are these interchangeable names for Roman artillery pieces or different machines entirely?

Refurbishing a recreated Roman-era catapult at the Lunt Roman Fort, Baginton.

Gladiator deaths in the arena were probably not as high as many modern commentators often portray. Gladiators were expensive to provide for and train, and perhaps to protect the investment, most only fought two or three times per year. Dispelling some of the myths surrounding these iconic Roman fighters.

In the summer of 2015 archaeologists from the University of Edinburgh attempted to recreate a style of Stone Age cooking based on their discovery of a 9,000 year old barbecue pit.

A brief history and description of common ingredients, in this case, the common pheasant.

Every so often, over the last decade at least, our modern-day bards, the media, regurgitate a story about “European-looking” people in north-west China claiming ancient Roman descent. This tale of a “lost legion” is just another myth that does not stand up to scrutiny.

A brief history and description of common ingredients, in this case, tea.

A brief history and description of common ingredients, in this case, salt.

A brief history and description of common ingredients, in this case, broccoli.

A brief history and description of common ingredients, in this case, strawberries.

A brief history and description of common ingredients, in this case, chocolate.

A behind-the-scenes look at the press call for an English Heritage event where we recreated Roman burgers.

Recreating a "cooker", known as a "craticula", the original having been found in a garden in Pompeii.

All Romans ate dormice didn't they? You may have been told that in school, and it's still a popular and persistent belief, but it's simply not true. Find out why?

Depending on who you choose to believe, the saintly George is variously thought to be a martyr who defied Emperor Diocletian’s “persecution” of the Christians, an early Christian Bishop, or a disgraced supplier of dodgy pork to the Roman army.

A brief history and description of common ingredients, in this case, the tomato.

A brief history and description of common ingredients, in this case, the carrot.