Ancient pleasures, modern spice (AD 1 - 500)

Available for over a year

Neil MacGregor, the director of the British Museum in London, continues his global history as told through objects from the Museum's collection. In this episode, Neil is exploring the ways in which people were seeking pleasure around the world 2000 years ago, from pipe smoking in North America to court etiquette in China and the conspicuous consumption of pepper in Roman England. But he begins his investigation with a silver cup that offers a rare glimpse into the world of sex in ancient Rome. Producers: Paul Kobrak and Anthony Denselow