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. British Museum Highlights

      When: July 22 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

      These tours of the British Museum last 90 minutes and take in up to 15 highlights from the museum’s vast collection.  They are at 11:30 am and 2:00 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The tours cover both main floors of the museum plus some of the side rooms and examine objects from Africa, Europe,… Read more »

    2. British Museum Ancient Greek Tour

      When: July 29 @ 11:30 am - 12:10 pm

      This British Museum tour of the Greek Galleries takes place every day at 11:30 am.  We work on a four week rota and mine are on a Sunday.  The dates for my tours in 2018 are January 14th, February 11th, March 11th, April 8th, May 6th, June 3rd, July 1st (although I shall probably swap this one), July… Read more »

    3. British Museum Mediaeval Tour

      When: July 29 @ 2:45 pm - 3:25 pm

      This British Museum tour of the Mediaeval Galleries takes place every day at 2:45 pm.  We work on a four week rota and mine are on a Sunday.  The dates for my tours in 2018 are January 14th, February 11th, March 11th, April 8th, May 6th, June 3rd, July 1st (although I shall probably swap this one), July… Read more »

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Featured articles

The Etruscans

This course was being run by the City Lit on Saturday 13th April 2013 and Saturday 29th April 2017.  Although their language has been lost the influence of the Etruscans on the Greeks and Romans was enormous and many objects survive today. The course included a visit to the British Museum. The Etruscans are one of… Read more »

George IV

Life and Times of King George IV 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 in fashion. The Regency Period is still one of the most admired in architecture typified… Read more »

George II

Life and Times of King George II This workshop was run to complement the Music Appreciation Class on Handel and Royalty. George II is perhaps best remembered as the last British monarch to lead his troops into battle and also as the instigator of the custom of standing for the Hallelujah Chorus in Handel’s Messiah.… Read more »

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