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)
The World in the Age of Confucius (500 - 300 BC)
Available now on BBC iPlayer
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Listen to the latest programme
Chinese Bronze Bell
Listen now (15 minutes)
Available since Fri, 26 Feb 2010.
5/5. Neil MacGregor tells the story of a Chinese bronze bell from the age of Confucius.
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Also available
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Olmec Stone Mask
Listen now (15 minutes)
Available since Thu, 25 Feb 2010.
4/5. Neil MacGregor tells the story of a forgotten people of ancient Mexico.
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Basse Yutz Flagons
Listen now (15 minutes)
Available since Wed, 24 Feb 2010.
3/5. Neil MacGregor explores the early world of the Celts through two bronze drinking flagons.
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Parthenon Sculpture: Centaur and Lapith
Listen now (15 minutes)
Available since Tue, 23 Feb 2010.
2/5. Neil MacGregor on some of the world's most disputed objects: the Parthenon sculptures.
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Oxus Chariot Model
Listen now (15 minutes)
Available since Mon, 22 Feb 2010.
1/5. Neil MacGregor tells the story of a tiny gold chariot from ancient Persia.
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Featured
WHERE THESE OBJECTS WERE FOUND
26 Oxus Chariot Model
27 Parthenon Sculpture: Centaur and Lapith
28 Bass Yultz Flagons
29 Olmec Stone Mask
30 Chinese Bronze Bell
Browse all of the British Museum objects on the A Histroy of the World site
THE WORLD IN THE AGE OF CONFUCIUS
Classical Greece is often regarded as a golden age in western civilisation. However, this was not only an important period in European history. Across the world different cultures were creating their own visions of society that would remain influential for thousands of years. During this period, Socrates lectured the people of Athens, while Confucius taught his political philosophy in China. In Central America the Olmecs created the sophisticated calendars, religion and art that would characterise future Central American civilisations until the European conquest. The Persians created the first global superpower spanning three continents. In northern Europe many tribes shared a common language. This formed the basis for the creation of a modern Celtic identity.
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