Throughout this week Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, explores the ways in which people sought pleasure around the world 2,000 years ago: from pipe smoking to sex.

Read more about the North American Otter Pipe.

Throughout this week Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, explores the ways in which people sought pleasure around the world 2,000 years ago: from pipe smoking to sex.

Read more about the Warren Cup.

Neil MacGregor continues his global history told through objects. This week he is with the great rulers of the world around 2,000 years ago.

Read more about the Head of Augustus.

Neil MacGregor continues his global history told through objects. This week he is with the great rulers of the world around 2,000 years ago.

Read more about the Chinese Han Lacquer Cup.

Neil MacGregor continues his global history told through objects. This week he is with the great rulers of the world around 2,000 years ago.

Read more about the Rosetta Stone.

Neil MacGregor continues his global history told through objects. This week he is with the great rulers of the world around 2,000 years ago.

Read more about the Pillar of Ashoka.

Neil MacGregor continues his global history told through objects. This week he is with the great rulers of the world around 2,000 years ago.

Read more about the Coin with Head of Alexander.

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?

Read more about the Chinese Bronze Bell.

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?

Read more about the Olmec Stone Mask.

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?

Read more about the Basse Yutz Flagons.

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?

Read more about the Parthenon Sculpture: Centaur and Lapith.

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?

Read more about the Oxus Chariot Model.

From the very first coinage to burial shrouds, Neil MacGregor decodes five objects to reveal the ambition of new regimes across the world.

Read more about the Gold Coin of Croesus.

From the very first coinage to burial shrouds, Neil MacGregor decodes five objects to reveal the ambition of new regimes across the world.

Read more about the Paracas Textile.

From the very first coinage to burial shrouds, Neil MacGregor decodes five objects to reveal the ambition of new regimes across the world.

Read more about the Chinese Zhou Ritual Vessel.

From the very first coinage to burial shrouds, Neil MacGregor decodes five objects to reveal the ambition of new regimes across the world.

Read more about the Sphinx of Taharqo.

From the very first coinage to burial shrouds, Neil MacGregor decodes five objects to reveal the ambition of new regimes across the world.

Read more about the Lachish Reliefs.

4,000 years ago societies were becoming more sophisticated. Among this week's objects are the earliest examples of literature and science.

Read more about Statue of Ramesses II.

4,000 years ago societies were becoming more sophisticated. Among this week's objects are the earliest examples of literature and science.

Read more about the Mold Gold Cape.

4,000 years ago societies were becoming more sophisticated. Among this week's objects are the earliest examples of literature and science.

Read more about the Minoan Bull Leaper.

4,000 years ago societies were becoming more sophisticated. Among this week's objects are the earliest examples of literature and science.

Read more about the Rhind Mathematical Papyrus.