Videos

The Alexander Mosaic, dating from circa 100 BCE, depicts the Battle of Issus (333 BCE) between Alexander the Great and Darius III of Persia. It is one of the most spectacular and recognisable depictions of Alexander the Great and Darius III...

Money Matters: The Development of Money through the Ancient World. A four-part series that traces the development of economic systems in the ancient world and explore how money as a financial instrument has evolved over the millennia...

The ancient Egyptians developed a sophisticated method to preserve a dead body for the afterlife: mummification. First, the internal organs were removed and all moisture from the body was eliminated. Next, the body was wrapped with long strips...

Chariot-racing was the only Olympic sport in which women could take part, as owners of teams of horses. Kyniska, a princess of Sparta, was the first woman to win the Olympic crown in this sport. British Museum curator Judith Swaddling describes...

The long jump was the only type of jumping contest in the ancient Olympics. It differed vitally from our long jump in that athletes used pairs of weights or halteres, swung forward on take-off and back just before landing, probably as a handicap...

Dr. Alan Peatfield, UCD 'Greek combat sports: from image to technique'. Sport & Competition in Ancient Greece and Rome, 14-15 June 2012 British Museum. The paper was presented by Dr. Hazel Dodge (TCD).

Ancient Roman silversmiths developed their craft to the highest levels of refinement and beauty. Applying fire and basic tools to the shaping of precious metals, many of their sophisticated techniques are still used today. This video illustrates...

Alexander Henshaw plays the reproduction Roman Hydraulis, assisted by designer Richard Ellam. The apparently authentic tune is 'Aulos et Hydraulis' by German ensemble Musica Romana. The water in the chamber holds back a smoothly-regulated...

Professor Stefan Hagel performing Ancient Greek Music at palaestra et odeum - Lund - Sweden. Instruments: Greek Kithara & Aulos

Prof. Stefan Hagel plays the hellenestic auloi, and wears a phorbeia, the cheek restraint wrapped around his face.