Challenging the perception framed by Ancient Greek writers, that their enemies in Persia were weak due to decadence, the exhibition instead explains how the royal Persian court used luxurious objects as markers of authority and political tools.

The exhibition features gold, silver and glass examples of Persian craft from the British Museum’s collection alongside some spectacular loans. These include the Panagyurishte Treasure from Bulgaria, discovered in 1949, the nine richly decorated gold vessels demonstrate the influence of Persian and Greek luxury across the Balkans.