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. Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

      When: April 16 @ 5:30 pm - April 30 @ 7:30 pm

      The Seven Wonders fascinate us, but what were they and why were they wonders? Using art, literature and archaeology we’ll explore possible answers. What is the course about? The famous seven wonders of the ancient world: the Pyramids, the Alexandrian Lighthouse, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the statue of… Read more »

    2. Heroes and Gods: 19th and 20th Century Classical References in the British Museum and elsewhere

      When: April 24

      What is the course about? Delve into classical myths used in naval related items by examining some objects from various collections. What topics will we cover? Following on from the previous course we shall look at what Classical artworks were available to artists in the C19th and what literary works were studied in schools and… Read more »

    3. 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 »

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Featured articles

Victoria and Albert

Life and Times of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert Queen Victoria was our longest reigning monarch (so far). She gave her name to an Age and her family life set the moral standard that is still referred to today as the ideal. Her family called her “more a pocket-sized Hercules than a pocket-sized Venus” and… Read more »

Anglo-Saxon Queens

When the final version of my PhD was accepted by the University of London I had removed a long section on the early Anglo-Saxon queens and other royal women.  I was told this was worthy of an MPhil but not PhD material.  As it no longer forms part of the thesis it is not subject… Read more »

Beethoven’s String Quartets

Beethoven’s String Quartets A detailed examination of all the quartets, often with scores, placing them in context with comparisons to other works being written at the same time. Possibly the greatest composer of string quartets, the pinnacle of chamber music, Beethoven wrote 16 masterpieces in this genre over his whole career. Each week we analysed… Read more »

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