Over three terms I shall give an art-historical analysis of the wonderful Egyptian and Greek antiquities in the Fitzwilliam Museum. We shall look attentively at the beautiful artifacts, the sculptures, reliefs, painted vases, clay figurines and small bronzes, proceeding chronologically through successive eras from about 3000 BC to 300 AD. We will explore the astonishing influence of ancient Greece on neighbouring cultures, such as Cyprus, Etruria, Rome, Syria and even (believe it or not) India. Our focus will be on both appreciating the aesthetic beauty of the objects, and understanding their social function (which is often sacred or funerary, or the promotion of an ideology). Numbers are limited to a dozen for reasons of space. In order for everyone to actually see the pieces we will be obliged to stand (and walk between the cabinets); there is no room to sit. We will meet at the Fitzwilliam's Greek gallery.