776 B.C:
The winners of the ancient Olympic Games are thought to have enjoyed considerable popular status, making them the world's first true celebrities.

100 – 44 BC:
The focus of a cult following, Julius Caesar had his own image consultants and merchandising experts. His likeness even appeared on Roman coins during his lifetime.

1509 - 1547:
Henry VIII was the first English monarch to establish himself as the icon of the state rather than just its chief lawmaker and overseer of civil behaviour.

1564 - 1616:
He may have been labelled an “upstart crow” by one of his contemporaries, but Shakespeare was sufficiently high profile for his group of actors to be renamed The King’s Players on the accession of James I. And the royal connection was a lengthy one – the troupe was to entertain the court for the next ten years.

1756 - 1791:
The extraordinary talent of child prodigy Amadeus Mozart led to his fame spreading modern Europe.