I am Professor of Ancient History at King's College London, where I have taught for over twenty years. I have always been interested in the religious practices of ancient societies, and this is a subject I have explored in two books, 'Classical Athens and the Delphic Oracle' (2005) and 'Mystery Cults of the Ancient World' (2010). I think that world events in the last few years have shown that understanding the nature of religion, its origins and its forms is vital for making sense of both the past and the present. I have also written Alexander the Great: A Very Short Introduction (2014). I am married with two children, and live in London, a city I love.