I always loved my little brother. He was cute, clever and smart. His charm was unlike anything I had ever seen — admired by everyone in our house, in our neighbourhood, by every stranger who crossed his path. Our father was occupied with his many duties. Our mother spent her days by his side supporting him....

He conquered kingdoms across three seas. But one thing he never conquered was time. Or did he?

I had been stationed in Alexandria for three weeks when the order came. We were to escort a carpet to Caesar's quarters. A carpet. Rolled tight. Two servants carrying it between them as if it weighed nothing. I was not told what was inside. I stood at the door while they unrolled it on the floor in...

She was not Egyptian. She was Greek. But she was the first ruler of her dynasty in 300 years to learn to speak Egyptian. Why?

I had seen many Indians come through this office. Most kept their heads down. They answered questions quickly and left without making eye contact. It was simply how things were. This one was different from the moment he walked in. He was young. Slight. Unremarkable in appearance. He wore a suit that had been pressed with great...

He wrote thousands of letters. To enemies more than to friends. What did he say to the ones who hated him most?