Ancient Inventions with Terry Jones

Examines the search for the ultimate weapon, as well as the ability of doctors to repair the damage such weapons cause. Byzantine flame throwers, Chinese poison gas and successful surgical techniques as complex as brain surgery are a few of the Ancient Inventions inspired by warfare.

This episode demonstrates ways in which societies have coped with urban life ever since cities were invented ten thousand years ago. Many aspects of modern urban living, central heating, coin operated slot machines, even taxicab meters, originated in ancient times.

Sex and Love is the focus of the final program. Somebody had to invent the kiss... and the mechanical clock was not invented to tell the time as such, but to keep track of a Chinese emperor's sex life!