Ancient Worlds

In Mesopotamia, 6,000 years ago, the first cities emerged alongside the development of religion, art and commerce. Archaeologist Richard Miles begins his epic jaunt, tracing the history of civilization in this spellbinding history documentary series for BBC Select. What drove ancient people to abandon clan living with the security of family around them and form cities, living alongside strangers?

A vast catastrophe wiped out the hard-won achievements of civilization about 3,000 years ago. As this epic BBC Select historical documentary continues, archaeologist Richard Miles looks at the winners, losers and survivors of the great Bronze Age collapse. What brought about this brutal change of circumstance and how did the new age of iron change society, technology and warfare?

Greece is known as the cradle of Western civilization, pioneering many of the democratic political systems we still employ today. But, as archaeologist Richard Miles explores in this compelling history documentary for BBC Select, it was a paradoxical world of political discord, social injustice and endless war. Why did so much art, philosophy and science blossom in this febrile atmosphere?

Few historical figures have a legacy as far-reaching as Alexander the Great. His empire stretched from Egypt in the West to Afghanistan in the East. But, as Richard Miles discovers in this epic history documentary for BBC Select, it was Alexander's successors, who attempted to maintain control via cunning rather than warfare, who would have a profound impact on the development of humanity.

How did an insignificant cluster of Latin hill villages on the edge of the civilized world become the greatest empire the world has ever known? Archaeologist Richard Miles continues his journey through the history of civilization for BBC Select by focusing on the Roman Empire. But did its bloodthirsty ambitions and perpetual expansion sow the seeds for its own, ultimate, destruction?

Archaeologist Richard Miles concludes his epic jaunt for BBC Select though the history of civilization by examining the fall of the Roman Empire. At the height of its power, the Empire extended from Hadrian's Wall to the Euphrates with 60 million subjects. But did the freedoms that these citizens enjoyed allow them to ask difficult questions about religion and power which led to Rome's demise?