Who could fail to be fascinated by the ancient world? From the pyramids of Egypt to the great emperors of Rome, it is filled with astonishing stories, momentous achievements and people who can be both surprisingly similar and utterly different to those of today.In this special edition ofBBC History Magazine, some of the world’s leading experts on ancient history will give you the lowdown on the key events and themes of the distant past. Among other things, you will discover the secrets of the Egyptian Book of the Dead, the workings of Greek democracy, the private lives of the Romans and the truth behind the Maya vision of an apocalypse. Plus you will get to meet some of the most remarkable individuals to have populated this era, including Alexander the Great, Tutankhamun and Julius Caesar.We have produced this special edition by bringing together some of the best articles on the ancient world to have appeared inBBC History Magazineover recent years. I hope that you find it an enjoyable read and do check out our monthly magazine – if you haven’t already – where we will continue to explore the stories of these amazing civilisations.