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A History of the World in 100 Objects

Factual: History

Director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor, retells humanity's history through objects

Director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor, narrates 100 programmes that retell humanity's history through the objects we have made.

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A History of the World in 100 Objects: The World in the Age of Confucius (500 - 300 BC): Oxus Chariot Model

Oxus Chariot Model

The World in the Age of Confucius (500 - 300 BC)

A History of the World in 100 Objects Omnibus

BBC Radio 4 - A History of the World in 100 Objects, The World in the Age of Confucius (500 - 300 BC), Oxus Chariot Model

Neil MacGregor tells the story of a tiny gold chariot from ancient Persia.

Neil MacGregor continues his history of the world, told through individual objects at the British Museum. Today, the story of a great Persian king and a tiny 2500-year-old chariot.

Neil MacGregor's world history told through objects at the British Museum arrives in Persia 2500 years ago. Throughout this week, Neil is looking at powerful leaders across the ancient world. Today he focuses on Cyrus, the first Persian emperor who created the largest empire the world had ever known. It stretched from Turkey to Pakistan and required a hugely sophisticated network of communications and control. 

At the heart of today's programme is a gold chariot pulled by four gold horses. This hand-sized model helps explain the rule of Cyrus, the "king of kings", and his ambitions for his vast territory - with contributions from the historian Tom Holland and Michael Axworthy of the University of Exeter. How does this glorious pre-Islamic past sit with the people of Iran today?

A History of the World in 100 Objects: The World in the Age of Confucius (500 - 300 BC)

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Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Can meanings hidden in friezes and flagons tell us as much as the writings of great men?

2,500 years ago thinkers such as Confucius and Plato were exploring how people should live, but can objects like the Parthenon sculptures or a golden chariot tell us more?

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A History of the World in 100 Objects

The World in the Age of Confucius (500 - 300 BC)

Oxus Chariot Model

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