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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): Parthenon Sculpture: Centaur + Lapith

Parthenon Sculpture: Centaur and Lapith

Parthenon Sculpture: Centaur + Lapith

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), Parthenon Sculpture: Centaur + LapithSearch BBC

Neil MacGregor with some of the world's most disputed objects - the Parthenon sculptures

Neil MacGregor's history of humanity through objects at the British Museum arrives at the Parthenon in Greece and the story of the great sculpture

Neil MacGregor's telling of the story of humanity through individual objects at the British Museum. This week he is looking at the emergence of powerful new forces across the globe around the 5th Century BC, from Confucius in China to Cyrus in Persia. 

Today he looks at the emotionally charged sculptures that were made for the Parthenon in Athens. Carved out of marble around 440BC these beautiful figures continue to generate huge controversy around the world for the fact that they remain in London and have not been returned to Greece. In today's programme the British Museum's director acknowledges the political controversy of the Elgin Marbles (named after the British Lord who carried them off) but concentrates on their artistic story and on exploring the ancient Greek world that created them. He describes a culture besotted with the myths and imagery of battle. The Greek archaeologist Olga Palagia and the classicist Mary Beard help conjure up the extraordinary city of antiquity.

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

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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)

Parthenon Sculpture: Centaur + Lapith

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