Books published by British Museum Press

How old is the oldest chat-up line between men? Who was the first lesbian? Were ancient Greek men who had sex together necessarily gay? And what did Shakespeare think about cross-dressing? This title deals with these questions.

African textiles are patterned with stories that range far beyond the time of the creation or the lifetime of their creator. Accompanied by 200 stunning illustrations revealing the rich variety of textile traditions throughout Africa, this new work showcases some of the world's finest examples of textile arts.

The Greeks and Romans were not shy about sex. In classical Greece, statues of erect penises served as boundary-stones and signposts. In Rome, marble satyrs and nymphs grappled in gardens. How are we to make sense of this abundance of sexual imagery? Were these images seductive, shocking, humorous? This title answers these questions.

From the common playgoers to the royal patrons, this book explores Britain from the perspective of Shakespeare's audience - revealing how the significant issues of the day were explored at the playhouse through objects and quotations from Shakespeare's plays.

This best-selling cookbook features a delicious collection of recipes from every strata of classical civilization, all accessible to the contemporary cook. Featuring step-by-step instructions, the modern cook will be able to tackle everything from simple meals and street food through to lavish banquets and wedding feasts with an authentic Ancient Greek and Roman flair.

Deniers and ducats, groats and guilders, crowns and cruzados: this fun, engaging and beautifully illustrated little book explores the role of money and medals in William Shakespeare's world and work.

From the domestication of the Arabian horse circa 3500BC onwards, this book explores how entire people and cultures have been characterized by the horse and its central role in society, in peace and war, in mythology and literature.

The powerful image that the kings of Egypt presented to their subjects was so awe inspiring and captivating that people today are still impressed by the compelling stories and imposing statuary of the Pharaoh. This title reveals that the reality of Egyptian kingship was often much more complex.

Traces the story of glass from its origins in Mesopotamia some 5000 years ago, to the creation of the elegant vessels of the Islamic Near East, the superb mastery of Renaissance Venice and the creation of modern glassware for daily use.

Richly illustrated poetry anthology featuring beautiful images of birds from around the world

The Standard of Ur is one of the most famous objects to be discovered from ancient Mesopotamia. It was un earthed in a tomb in 1927 by Leonard Woolley during his archaeological excavations of the `Royal Cemetery' of Ur located in present - day Iraq.

Beautifully illustrated with photographs of the statue and contextual images, and including archival material relating to the British Museum's acquisition, this book tells the story of this magnificent artefact, discussing alongside the draw of colossal Egyptian sculpture, the history of the reign of Ramesses II and the nature of the statue's acquisition.