As civilization became more sophisticated, news of some of the great building achievements spread throughout the Ancient Greek Empire. Society had progressed to the point where man-made marvels were just as worthy of admiration as nature's wonders. What prompted the first list of Ancient Wonders is difficult for historians to pinpoint. As early as 250 BC the Greek engineer Philo of Byzantium is thought to have quantified and named humankind's most outstanding feats of construction. Travelers of the ancient world journeyed to view these great sights of the times, from the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the Colossus of Rhodes to the Lighthouse at Alexandria to the Great Pyramids of Giza, the only Ancient Wonder still standing today, and still visited by thousands of tourists each year.
Learn about Viking longships and the remarkable journeys of the "Northmen."
Learn about the Dead Sea Scrolls, a collection of texts that was hidden around 70 years after the birth of Jesus and not rediscovered until the 20th century.
Discover the secrets of the Incas and relive their finest moments and most desperate times.
Learn about the history of Stonehenge, including possible explanations for its construction.
The Maya were an advanced and powerful people who dominated Central America for over 700 years. Combining mystical beliefs with radical advances in science and the arts, their loose coalition of city-states grew to embrace an empire the size of Germany. Yet around AD 900, this flourishing and apparently peaceful society appeared to collapse within less than a century - a mystery that has baffled archaeologists ever since. Follow in the footsteps of renowned Maya expert Dr. Nikolai Gruber as he travels deep into the Guatemalan jungle in an attempt to solve the puzzle of just who, or what, brought about the demise of this once glittering civilization.
Follow the story of how archaeologists discovered the ancient city of Herakleion, with its amazing temple, lying at the bottom of the Bay of Aboukir.
Today, carefully uncovered from the molten rock and ashes, Pompeii and Herculaneum are two of the most extensive and well-preserved archaeological sites in the world. What do these remains reveal about the people who lived and died here?
Rameses II ruled as pharaoh of Egypt during a time of prosperity and empire expansion. The buildings, temples, and monuments created during his time--and still standing today--are some of his most important legacies. Find out how and why this phenomenal man came to power and what drove him to succeed.
Witness one of the most terrifying events in ancient history: the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79. Relive the panic as some people flee their homes, many are trapped inside them and a few huddle in the boathouses of Herculaneum, awaiting a cruel fate.
In the Scottish Highlands of 84 AD, the impressive, armour-clad armies of Imperial Rome lay waste to thousands of Caledonian warriors of Northern Britain. Back at the Roman camp, drunken soldiers celebrate victory. Others write home to relatives with ink on wooden shavings, which are transported via an elaborate delivery system on horseback, much like the pioneer-era 'Pony Express' in the United States. These "letters" document greetings, loneliness, and even requests for mundane goods that soldiers needed sent to them from home such as socks and underwear. This is the amazing story of one of the most remarkable archeological finds of the Roman Empire. While excavating the site of an Ancient Roman battleground a team of archeologists astonishingly discover letters from the past. Preserved Roman letters that offer an incredible insight into the strongest empire the world had ever known.
For over 2,000 years, a battle-ready army of thousands of life-like soldiers stood guard by an Emperor's tomb in China, hidden from the world. Discovered by chance in 1974, they are now internationally renowned as one of the greatest archaeological discoveries ever. The Terracotta Army was the creation of one man, at once a visionary and a harsh dictator: the First Emperor of China. But who was he, what power struggles did he overcome and why did he create his amazing standing army of fierce infantrymen, cavalry, officers and charioteers? Follow the feats of craftsmanship by thousands of workers who sculpted the Emperor's eternal army. And learn, too, about another fascinating army of buried figures and their creator: the great Han emperor, Jing Di.
In the 5th century BC, democratic Athens became the wonder of the Western world thanks to the vision of one man, Pericles. An influential statesman, orator and naval commander with ruthless determination, he diverted folds from the Greek treasury to create a model city. Pericles' Athens boasted an advanced water system, an urban center incorporating shops, commercial and government buildings, and an architectural masterpiece, the Parthenon, which became the crowning glory of the Acropolis. Take a step back in time to one of the turning points of Ancient Greek civilization - the transformation of the city of Athens into an architectural and cultural marvel.
On the cusp of the Middle Ages came a mighty conflict called the Crusades. It began as a holy war launched by Christian Europe against Muslims who had captured Jerusalem. This war lasted for 200 years and left an indelible mark on world affairs.
In 1958, an Italian archaeologist discovered the mummified remains of a two-and-a-half-year-old boy in a cave in southwestern Libya. But this was a mummy with a difference: it was far older than any comparable examples found in Egypt. The discovery raised some profound questions. Who were the ancient inhabitants of the Sahara Desert who put the mummy there? And what influence might those people have had on the glittering civilization that later emerged in the land of the pharaohs? This fascinating film follows Italian professor Savino di Lernia and his colleagues on a trek through the Sahara in the search for answers — a journey that leads to some astounding conclusions.
One of the wonders of the ancient world, the city of Petra was carved out of the Jordanian mountains by the Nabataean people. Defensivley secure, and positioned at the crossroads of two major trading routes, the city became the most important commercial and cultural center of the Middle East between 50 BC and AD 50.
The great Mongol chief Genghis Khan united the tribes of Mongolia and controlled an incredible empire that extended from the Sea of Japan to the Caspian Sea. What was it about Genghis Khan and the Mongol people that allowed them such extraordinary success in such a short period of time.
Of all the Egyptian pharaohs, Queen Hatshepsut remains one of the most intriguing. Descended from the grand lineage of the 18th dynasty founded by Ahmose I, Hatshepsut was wife to a king, regent to his son, then queen, enjoying a long and prosperous rule.
In 1922 the tenacity of archaeologist Howard Carter was rewarded by a stunning find - the tomb of Tutankhamun. Carter's moment of discovery changed the history books and the way people regarded ancient Egypt.
Of all the figures in ancient history, few have continued to capture the imagination like Cleopatra. Two thousand years after she reigned as the last pharaoh of Egypt she remains a character of intrigue and complexity. Was Cleopatra the beautiful and scheming seductress of popular culture? Was she as ruthless as Ancient Roman writers described her? Or was she the highly erudite, skilled politician and popular leader who Arab scribes recorded? Discover the truth about this extraordinary woman, a Greek queen from the Ptolemy dynasty, who embraced local Egyptian culture and drew on her education and ingenuity to advance her position in the face of the all-powerful Roman Empire.
For centuries stories persisted of a prosperous, sophisticated civilization on the island of Crete that dominated the waters of the Aegean 2,000 years before Christ. Homeric tales recalled a sinister labyrinth, a powerful king and fascinating people who enjoyed life.
For close to a thousand years, Delphi ruled supreme as the religious heart of the ancient Greek Empire. Kings, generals, priests and common folk undertook the arduous journey to the mountains of central Greece to consult with the famous oracle of Delphi. Based in an elegant complex of temples and monuments, the oracle was a shrine where messages from the god of Apollo were vocalized by a human intermediary. Wars might be won or lost, fortunes made or squandered, on a word from the oracle. Uncover the layers of mystery shrouding the site of Delphi, the mythology, the ancient accounts and the stories of extraordinary happenings that took place at this spiritual center.
This episode of Ancient Mysteries brings us back more than 3,000 years to the legendary city of Troy. Scholars delve into the secrets of Troy by researching the Greek poet Homer, who related the city’s history in The Iliad. Their discoveries are revealed and shed new light on the legends of the Trojan horse, Achilles, the abduction of Helen, and the fall of Troy.
Greece and Rome dominated much of Europe’s ancient history, an anonymous band of mountain people rose up to develop a thriving civilization to the north of the Alps. Through fearsome battle tactics and commercial savvy they grew rich and powerful. In centuries to come they would be called the Celts.
Her image is one of the most recognizable in the world, and her painted limestone bust, with its graceful neck and perfectly proportioned face, is one of the most copied works of Ancient Egypt. Yet Queen Nefertiti remains a great mystery. Married to the pharaoh Akhenaten, Queen Nefertiti ruled with her husband over a troubled and divided Egypt between 1353 and 1335 BC. Together they pioneered a religious revolution and founded a new, but shortlived, capital - Amarna. For years, leading Egyptologists have debated over her origins, whether or not Nefertiti ever served as pharaoh after the death of her husband, and the identity of her mummy. Now, discover the real story behind this enigmatic and beautiful young Egyptian queen.
The Trojan War was a legendary battle, fought between the Spartan king Menelaus and Paris, Prince of Troy, over Helen, the woman so beautiful that 'her face could launch a thousand ships.' The setting for the final showdown was the fabled city of Troy. But did it ever exist and did the war really happen?
The largest known religious monument, Angkot Wat in Cambodia is truly one of the world's great wonders. Built by the warrior king Suryavarman II (1113-1150) in the 12th century, it was both a funerary monument for the king and a spectacular memorial to the Hindu deity Vishnu.
Of tough warrior stock, the Normans turned a toehold in northern France into one of the great power bases of early Europe. Here they built soaring churches and formidable castles — and launched one of the greatest seaborne invasions ever. The Battle of Hastings is one of the most famous in history. But what events led up to it and was a Norman victory inevitable? What was at stake as the two armies faced each other on that October day in 1066? And, once it was over, was it the end of rebellion and turmoil? Find the answers to these questions as you witness the fortunes of a country turned upside down by that mightiest of warriors, William the Conqueror. Follow his extraordinary story and see how he changed the face of England, and the course of history, forever.
The origins of Christianity, in the teacher and healer named Jesus Christ, are well known - in the western world, major holidays mark his birth and death. Yet the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was just the beginning of the Christian religion.
A treeless spot of volcanic rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is the backdrop for some of the most extraordinary statues ever produced. Giant rock-carved figures known as moai stand with their backs to the ocean, watching over the land of their descendants.
Join the quest for the secrets of the Holy Grail, a tantalizing mystery that has intrigued scholars for generations. Learn how an object, which some believe may have held the very blood of Christ, was connected to two of the world's most secretive groups - the Cathars and the Knights Templar - and to the legends of King Arthur. Was it a real chalice, perhaps the one that Christ drank from at the Last Supper. Or was it used to catch the blood of Christ during his crucifixion? And if it is real, what happened to it? Or is it, as some claim, not a physical object but a symbol of mankind's quest for faith? Find the answers to these enduring mysteries on this incredible journey across the Holy Land and Europe - from Jerusalem in the east to Glastonbury in the west. Is the Grail myth or reality? You decide.
Recent investigations into the exciting but hazardous field of cave archaeology have revealed the strong connection that existed between the Ancient Maya of Central America and the subterranean world. This riveting history digs deep under the earth's surface to reveal caves, caverns, passageways and natural wells, or cenotes, and explore their significance to the Maya people. The extraordinary underground environment of the Central American highlands and lowlands is thought to have influenced the Maya perception of death, the afterlife and the mythological place called Xibalba, which played such a central role in the lives of these fascinating people.
Two thousand years ago, Britain and Ireland were ruled by fiercely independent Celtic tribes. They had made their way here from the continent, perhaps seeking more space for their growing numbers, or looking for new trading opportunities. There was no one Celtic race, but over time the Celts established an influential culture, as rich as it was diverse. Their metalwork and stonemasonry indicate a sophisticated level of artistry, and their agricultural skills transformed their territories into prosperous lands. When the Romans turned their imperial sights on Celtic Britain, the tribes united against their common enemy. Although defeated, the Celtic culture of Britain thrived as a result of occupation, while Ireland developed its own brand of Celtic Christianity. Discover the fascinating Celts and how strongly their legacy is felt today.
In 218 BC Hannibal marched his army and 37 war elephants from Spain to Italy to confront his lifelong enemy, Rome. The journey across the snow-covered Alps was as audacious as it was perilous and earned the young Cathaginian general instant immortality.
The city of Aphrodisias, in modern-day Turkey, was famed throughout the ancient world for its architectural beauty and artistic wealth. The jewel in the crown of the Roman Empire, Emperor Augustus declared it 'the one city from all of Asia that I have selected to be my own.' Built near a marble quarry, the city boasted fine buildings and monuments constructed from fine marble, and its renowned sculptor's workshop produced a vast array of exquisite statues. But there was more to Aphrodisias than elegant architecture and sophisticated culture. It supported a thriving fertility cult devoted to the goddess Aphrodite. Delve into the mysteries of this ancient site and relive its glory days as part of Rome's Empire.
September 20, 1991, two German tourists hiking high in the Otzal Alps, near the Austrian and Italian border, stumbled by chance upon a human mummy that had been preserved in the ice of a rock gully for more than 5,000 years.
It was in March 2005, while excavating an ancient complex of tomb worker's huts, that Egyptologist Otto Schaden happened upon a shaft below one of the huts. It led to a tomb that had been left undisturbed for more than 3,000 years.
Of all the great civilizations the Hittites are often overlooked, yet at one time their great empire rivaled that of Ancient Egypt. Centered on the lands known as Ancient Anatolia (modern Turkey), their sphere of influence ranged from Syria to the Aegean coast.
Paganism is the oldest religion in the world. Dating back to the Stone Age, when people first began to form communities, it incorporated beliefs that helped to explain natural events and forces beyond human control.
The legendary city-state of Atlantis has flourished in the imaginations of some of the great writers and thinkers of the Western world. In ancient times, Atlantis was discussed as a model society, a place characterized by peace, beauty and wealth. But was it merely an ideal? Or did it have some basis in fact?
In September 31 BC, the Roman navy led by Octavian defeated the formidable fleet of Marc Antony and Cleopatra, which sealed the fate of the famous lovers and created the Roman Empire.
For thousands of years, Jerusalem has survived the onslaught of conquerors and colonizers. The first wall was built in 1800 BC, and by the time of Jesus, Jerusalem was a magnificent citadel with fine monuments and public buildings.
In 30 BC, after Cleopatra committed suicide, power in Egypt fell to the Romans. For the first time in its history, Egypt was ruled from overseas. The Romans drew on Egypt's great wealth and the fertile farming lands of the Nile River valley to strengthen their empire. Roman rule brought with it great change in all areas of Egyptian life. The day-to-day running of the country was by officials from Rome - even the position of pharaoh was occupied by a Roman. For a time, Egyptologists considered this a period of great cultural decline. Amazingly, in 1874, a German explorer stumbled upon a desert oasis called Dakhla. Here, the remains of a rich and sophisticated culture are testament to a fascinating age in Egypt's distant past. Follow the incredible story of this once-lost civilization, and discover how the Romans lived and died in their adopted homeland.
An immense and awe-inspiring work of art, the Great Spinx is the world's oldest-known monumental sculpture and has become a symbol of the glories of Ancient Egypt's 3,000-year civilization.
The first inhabitants of Australia and keepers of the oldest continuous culture in the world, Aboriginal Australians have a rich and often mysterious civilization that we are only just starting to understand and appreciate.
At its height - under Emperor Trajan in AD 117 - the Ancient Roman Empire covered almost two million square miles. It stretched across Europe and the Mediterranean, as well as to the northern fringes of Africa and to some of the richest Middle Eastern kingdoms.
Japan's legendary samurai warriors were known for their diehard courage and loyalty to a strict code of honor. For nearly a thousand years, this dedicated caste of fighters dominated Japanese society. It was the samurai clans who gave Japan its effective rules, the shoguns and the men who served them faithfully.
Located on the arid southern fringes of the Sahara, the fabled city of Timbuktu is synonymous with the exotic and the unknown. This was the place that 19th-century European explorers perished in their attemps to reach.
Discover the secrets of the pyramids, the most astonishing creations of the ancient world. Witness the Ancient Egyptians' fascination with the afterlife and marvel at the remarkable feats of architecture and building that this inspired.
For nearly a thousand years the Olmecs ruled over the swampy lowlands of Mexico's Caribbean coastline, building a succession of magnificent ceremonial centers (like modern-day capital cities) amid the surrounding jungle.
Since the dawn of human history, people have sought ways to alleviate illness and injury. Often, they resorted to magic and a belief in gods and spirits, but they also used their knowledge of the natural world and the remedies it offered them. From China and India to Ancient Egypt and Greece, doctors found effective ways to treat disease. Some of their techniques would not be out of place in a modern hospital emergency room. Learn about the world's age-old traditions of healing, many aspects of which have been endorsed by modern science. The Ancient Egyptians, for example, treated wounds with honey, now known to have antibacterial properties.
Tells of a fleet that set sail from China in 1405.