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Ancient Worlds

Season 1
From the creation of the first cities in Mesopotamia to the fall of the Roman Empire, BBC Select presents this epic historical documentary series exploring the roots of civilization. Your guide is archaeologist Richard Miles who investigates how the development of religion, power and society made us human. What lessons can we learn from our ancient forefathers about how to live our lives today?
20106 episodesTV-G
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Episodes

  1. S1 E1 - Come Together
    November 9, 2010
    51min
    TV-G
    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?
    Free trial of BBC Select
  2. S1 E2 - The Age of Iron
    November 16, 2010
    50min
    TV-G
    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?
    Free trial of BBC Select
  3. S1 E3 - The Greek Thing
    November 23, 2010
    52min
    TV-G
    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?
    Free trial of BBC Select
  4. S1 E4 - Return of the King
    November 30, 2010
    52min
    TV-G
    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.
    Free trial of BBC Select
  5. S1 E5 - Republic of Virtue
    December 7, 2010
    52min
    TV-G
    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?
    Free trial of BBC Select
  6. S1 E6 - City of Man, City of God
    December 14, 2010
    52min
    TV-G
    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?
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Details

More info

Audio languages
English
Subtitles
English [CC]
Directors
Melanie Archer
Producers
Melanie ArcherTim KirbyEamon Hardy
Cast
Richard Miles
Studio
BBC
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