William Sterling

Introducing

Achilles killing Penthesilea, queen of the Amazons by Exekias of Athens c. 560 BC. This type of pot is called Black Figure ware as the figures were filled in using the liquid or slip clay which miraculously turned black during the firing process. One of the incidents during the Trojan War not recorded by Homer was the fight between Achilles, hero of the Greeks, and Penthesilea, queen of the tribe of warrior women called the Amazons. Achilles won but at the moment he drove his spear into her neck their eyes met for the first time and they fell in love with each other. Exekias shows this ultimate Greek Tragedy by suggesting Achilles is trying to pull the spear out rather than thrust it home but all too late. Image © Trustees of the British Museum
My name is Dr William Sterling ~ welcome to my website. I have degrees in History and Geography with additional qualifications in Music and Education. I taught full-time at an Independent School in Kent for four years before joining the Civil Service. I worked for 16 years in the Department of Transport… Read more »

Look out for…

  • Upcoming Events

    1. Life and Times of King George IV

      When: June 6 @ 11:00 am - June 13 @ 1:30 pm

      George IV waited till he was nearly 60 before succeeding as king but once he had was diligent and successful. Course Description George IV is perhaps best remembered as the Prince Regent whose extravagance was matched by his good taste.  He built Brighton Pavilion in an exotic style which led the way to great changes… Read more »

    2. The Ancient Olympics

      When: June 12

      As the Modern Olympic Games are going to take place this summer, it is time to reflect on their origin in Ancient Greece. Other Greek cities held games and the class will include a virtual visit to the British Museum. What is the course about? Using images from sculpture and pottery and the descriptions by… Read more »

    View All Events

Featured articles

Baltic Cruise Lecture 3

Lectures for Baltic and St Petersburg Cruise on the Ocean Countess July 2011 ANGLO-SAXONS AND VIKINGS – THE MAKING OF ENGLAND Lecture 3 The Vikings are Coming Summary of Lecture 2 In the first lecture we saw how Roman Britain was transformed by the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons and in Lecture 2 we examined how… Read more »

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Mozart’s Finale This was a detailed examination of Mozart’s last 12 months in which he wrote some of his greatest works (including the Clarinet Concerto, the Magic Flute, La Clemenza di Tito, Ave Verum Corpus, the Requiem, the last Piano Concerto and the last two String Quintets) but struggled financially and professionally. I ran this… Read more »

Walmer Suite

Walmer Suite This suite of five short piano pieces were written or revised whilst I was teaching at a small school in Walmer, Kent.  The pieces are all suitable for teaching piano techniques.  I was the head of History at the school but also taught History of Music and Music Theory to the older pupils. … Read more »

Resources

  • The Music Section

  • Composers’ lives

  • Music courses

  • My music

  • Shakespeare

  • The History Section

  • British Museum Tours

  • History courses

  • Kings & Queens

  • Anglo Saxons & Vikings

  • Shakespeare

Top