Abstract: The invention pertains to an objective with two viewing directions for an endoscope, with a first distal objective part aligned with its axis in the first viewing direction, a second objective part aligned with its axis in the second viewing direction, and with a proximal objective part directed with its axis on an image sensor or an image guide, as well as a switching device having a prism for switchably deflecting the light path from the first or second distal objective part into the proximal objective part, wherein the switching device includes a ray switching device that can be brought mechanically into the light path.