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Episodes
- S1 E1 - Palaces Past and PresentOctober 11, 201834minBegin your tour of the ancient world by a look at our modern one as you explore the palaces of Saddam Hussein. Discover how he called upon the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians for inspiration and also how the architecture changed over time in response to threats from Iran and the United States. #HistoryFree trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E2 - Malkata Palace: Pharaoh, Foreigners, and GodsOctober 11, 201832minNow, travel back to the 14th century B.C., a time of peace, prosperity, and plentitude for Egyptians. Learn how the Malkata Palace represents a microcosm of Egypt. Architectural details reveal little-known facts about religious rituals and telling insights into how pharaohs attempted to assert their domination over others.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E3 - Amarna: Palace of the First Sun KingOctober 11, 201831minPharoah Amenhotep IV takes on a new name - Akhenaten - and shifts Egypt's capital to the fascinating city of Amarna. See how his worship of the sun disk defined an era built on temple crops, sacrifices, and complete subservience to the pharaoh. Also learn how relocating his seat of power helped Akhenaten wrestle authority away from religious leaders.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E4 - Phaistos: Palaces between Asia and EuropeOctober 11, 201832minArchaeology often involves a great deal of detective work, as is the case with the mysterious Bronze Age Crete. The myth of Daedalus and his labyrinth symbolizes Crete's location at the intersection of multiple cultures. Discover the Phaistos Palace, where extravagant religious rituals and entertainment spectacles were held.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E5 - Palace of Nestor at Pylos and Bronze Age GreeceOctober 11, 201832minExplore the Palace of Nestor, an extraordinary complex centered around the throne room. We travel in time from the immense treasures discovered in 2015 back to the ancient styles the Mycenaeans developed to bring these elaborate structures to life. Consider what the arrangement of rooms reveals about how royals lived and maintained control.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E6 - The Assyrian Palace at Nimrud: Empire in StoneOctober 11, 201833minThe Assyrian palace at Nimrud, with its imposing 20-foot gates, was designed by Ashurnasirpal II. An epic braggart, he loved to write of his conquests of nature and his knowledge of tree species. Clearly an intellectual, he describes in detail the glory of feasts he threw - and the math behind them.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E7 - Nineveh: The Architecture of Assyrian PowerOctober 11, 201834minDiscover the last great Assyrian palace and the largest city the world had ever seen before the Babylonian conquest. See how its designers accomplished incredible civil engineering feats, diverting entire rivers into canals that offered protection and transportation. Also meet the magnificent lamassu guardians that flanked the palace entrances, each of which stood over 12 feet tall.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E8 - Persepolis: Palace of the PersiansOctober 11, 201833minThe lore of Persepolis includes the exploits of many great kings. Explore the great citadel at Persepolis with its famed flight of 111 steps leading to the Gate of All Nations, which held a set of wood and bronze doors standing 20 feet high. Learn of the spectacular stone masonry and powerful art filled with lions and mythological creatures.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E9 - Greek Palaces in Conquered Lands IOctober 11, 201831minWhile scholars debate the details, it's undeniable that Alexander the Great's conquest of the Persian Empire profoundly changed the world. View his astonishing palaces, boasting gymnasiums and enormous swimming pools and home to elite drinking parties. Examine the unmistakable Greek style blended with Persian and Assyrian influences characteristic of the period.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E10 - Greek Palaces in Conquered Lands IIOctober 11, 201831minThis is the tale of two palaces - one in Jordan, the other in Libya - in the wake of Alexander the Great's death. Both were products of military expansion and occupation, but they displayed distinct identities. Learn how the palace origins influenced the design and layout of each.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E11 - Greek Palaces Come to Roman ItalyOctober 11, 201832minTwo men, Marcus Claudius Marcellus and Lucius Licinius Lucullus, were largely responsible for the transformation of Roman architecture; their story is one of political strategy, Persian influence, and sheer determination. Consider why Lucullus may be the most important yet underrated figure in the history of palace creation.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E12 - Masada: Herod the Great between East and WestOctober 11, 201832minHerod the Great is a well-studied, yet controversial, figure. Examine in depth his brilliant methods and materials, including the construction of Masada, which involved many logistical challenges as giant marble tesserae slabs were shipped across the desert and hoisted up as walls. Discover Herod's most startling and mesmerizing architectural invention.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E13 - Herod the Great's Summer and Winter PalacesOctober 11, 201831minHerod was a complex king whose royal image was defined by insecurity, innovation, and a need to reflect his Jewish identity. Starting with his heated Roman baths in each palace, understand how the king was a master of the land and was able to give his people a marvelous oasis in the desert.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E14 - Caligula's Floating PalacesOctober 11, 201833minTaking inspiration from Cleopatra as well as the ancient Hellenistic rulers, Caligula's Floating Palaces included all the amenities you would expect to find onboard modern cruise ships: spacious baths, banquet halls, and live music. Caligula, himself, is also quite fascinating, as is the story of the ships' rediscovery.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E15 - Nero's Domus Transitoria at RomeOctober 11, 201832minA huge fan of spectacle, Nero sponsored grand chariot races and began an architectural revolution. We find Nero's palaces made of a new Roman concrete where bespoke designs could finally replace the utilitarian boxes of stone, thus making way for domed ceilings, custom columns, and any form he desired.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E16 - Nero's Golden House: A Roman Palace TheaterOctober 11, 201832minNero built the infamous Domus Aurea (Golden House), a 124-acre Xanadu that enraged the rich whose land he occupied. It featured a lavish watered garden with incredible rotating sculptures that could spray perfume. Walking distance from the Colosseum, this palace was literally covered in gold.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E17 - Rome's Great Imperial Palace of DomitianOctober 11, 201832minThe word "palace" comes from the Palatine Hill in Rome, which housed Domitian's 200-year-old palace. This structure - impeccably built and placed - was essentially the White House for Roman emperors. Learn why the enormous residence and its innovative design was mythologized by poets, who compared Domitian to Jupiter.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E18 - Hadrian's Villa, TivoliOctober 11, 201832minHadrian was an artistic genius who personally designed the palace of his dreams to reflect his many passions, including his love of Greek philosophy. His luxurious villa, now a UNESCO world heritage site, set the standard for Roman architecture. Understand more about Hadrian, a figure so influential that he redefined the concept of Virtus, or manliness.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E19 - Diocletian's Retirement Palace, SplitOctober 11, 201832minDiocletian came to power in the 3rd century A.D., a turbulent time for the Roman Empire, which had seen 25 emperors over the course of 50 years. Learn how Diocletian, a visionary and problem-solver, brought stability to the empire and how his palace represented a radical departure from traditional styles.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E20 - Constantine's Palace, ConstantinopleOctober 11, 201833minConstantinople was a fresh start for the then-600-year-old Roman Empire, becoming the greatest European city of the Middle Ages. Its founder, Constantine, was (supposedly) a devout Christian. Explore his palace, which featured colossal sculptures and the famed hippodrome, where chariot races, animal hunts, and prisoner executions were held.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E21 - China's Endless Palace: Weiyang PalaceOctober 11, 201832minWeiyang, China's Endless Palace, represented not only an emperor but the very concept of the ever-expanding empire itself. Covering an area of 1,200 acres, it was the largest imperial palace ever built. You'll learn how the construction of the palace reflected imperialism as well as Confucianism, the cornerstone of Chinese philosophy.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E22 - The Palace of Montezuma II at TenochtitlánOctober 11, 201832minThe Aztec capital, founded in a swamp, developed into the largest city in the Pre-Columbian Americas. Meet Montezuma II, creator of Tenochtitlán, a staunch believer in omens, and father to hundreds. Learn how a Spanish army of a few hundred men led by Hernan Cortes conquered an empire of millions.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E23 - Renaissance Palaces and the Classical RevivalOctober 11, 201833minHere we visit such highlights of Renaissance architecture as Kensington Palace and the Tuileries Palace and discover how they were influenced by classical forms. Perhaps most impressive is the Palace of Versailles, which boasted Europe's largest orange tree collection and now attracts tourists from all over the world.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
- S1 E24 - Palaces in a World of DemocraciesOctober 11, 201838minIn this final episode, reflect on the timeless themes explored in this series. First, investigate the White House, where each decorative decision reflects political agenda (and defiance to the previous administration). Then, discover the surprising connection between the Amazon headquarters and ancient imperial palaces as ancient ideas come full circle in our modern era.Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
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