Curator’s introduction to Luxury and power: Persia to Greece

Join exhibition curator Jamie Fraser and Keeper of the Department of the Middle East Paul Collins (Chair) as they discuss the context, scope, themes and highlights of this phenomenal exhibition. Through dazzling objects from countries from Afghanistan to Greece, they explore a complex story about luxury as a political tool in the Middle East and southeast Europe from 550–30 BC. The royal Achaemenid court of Persia used precious objects in gold, silver and glass as markers of authority, defining a style of luxury that resonated across the empire from Egypt to India. Alexander the Great swept aside the Persian empire to usher in a new Hellenistic age, in which eastern and western styles of luxury were fused as part of an increasingly interconnected world. More information about the exhibition can be found here: Sign up to our newsletters for the latest news on our work, stories about the collection and upcoming events: We’re bringing inspiring stories of humanity’s shared histories and cultural achievements to millions of people online. Your support ensures that we can continue to make the collection and videos like this one available to as many people as possible. If you can, please donate today: or you can text BMLEARN to 70085. Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message. Please see our social media code of conduct: Image credit: Millefiori glass dish, glass and gold, Canosa di Puglia, Italy, about 225–200 BC. © The Trustees of the British Museum