Sicily culture and conquest – British Museum

Sicily has been shaped by waves of conquest and settlement by different peoples over 4,000 years. Over time, this series of conquests forged a cultural identity unlike any other.

This exhibition at the British Museum tells Sicily’s fascinating stories – from the arrival of the Greeks and their encounters with the Phoenicians and other settlers, to the extraordinary period of enlightenment under Norman rule in the 11th to 13th centuries.

In the exhibition, ancient Greek sculpture, architectural decorations from temples, churches and palaces, early coinage, stunning gold jewellery, and Norman mosaics and textiles demonstrate Sicily’s diversity, prosperity and significance over hundreds of years.

Discover an island with a cosmopolitan history and identity.