Leaders and rulers

Marble bust of Hadrian in military dress

History is filled with stories of great empires and the people who led and ruled them. Their impact can still be felt in the world today.

Discover the lives and legacies of some of history's most renowned leaders and rulers through objects from the British Museum collection. In the first part of a growing theme, read on to discover the lives of:

Hadrian
For 21 years he ruled an empire that stretched from Scotland to the Sahara, the Atlantic Ocean to the River Euphrates

Qin Shihuangdi (the First Emperor)
He turned a small state into a mighty empire and created the modern country of China


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Glass cat pendant, £35.00

Glass cat pendant, £35.00