A History of the World in 100 Objects

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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.

A History of the World in 100 Objects: Empire Builders (300 BC - AD 10): Pillar of Ashoka

Pillar of Ashoka

Empire Builders (300 BC - AD 10)

A History of the World in 100 Objects Omnibus

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Neil MacGregor on the life and legacy of the great Indian ruler Ashoka

A global history of the world told through objects at the British Museum. This week Neil MacGregor is exploring power around the world over 2000 years ago. Today he is in India.

The history of the world as told through objects at the British Museum arrives in India over 2000 years ago. Throughout this week Neil MacGregor is exploring the lives and methods of powerful new leaders. 

Today he looks at how the Indian ruler Ashoka turned his back on violence and plunder to promote the ethical codes inspired by Buddhism. He communicated to his vast new nation through a series of edicts written on rocks and pillars. Neil tells the life story of Ashoka through a remaining fragment of one of his great pillar edicts and considers his legacy in the Indian sub-continent today. Amartya Sen and the Bhutanese envoy to Britain, Michael Rutland, describe what happened when Buddhism and the power of the state come together. 

Producer: Anthony Denselow



A History of the World in 100 Objects: Empire Builders (300 BC - AD 10)

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Neil MacGregor launches the second part of his history of the world told through objects

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

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A History of the World in 100 Objects

Empire Builders (300 BC - AD 10)

Pillar of Ashoka

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