Section

Politics & Power

Rulers, states and the struggle for control

The meeting of 1884–85 is blamed for the borders of a continent. The record shows something more interesting, and more uncomfortable.

Nov 15, 2026 · 3 min read

The emperor, the violin and the fire make a perfect image of tyranny. Only one of those three things is certain.

Nov 8, 2026 · 2 min read

The most quoted insult in French history was written down when its supposed speaker was a child living in another country.

Nov 5, 2026 · 2 min read

The tyrant with the complex is one of history’s most durable jokes. It begins with a conversion error and a very good propaganda campaign.

Nov 1, 2026 · 2 min read