Season 1

Go into the very heart of ancient and medieval urban life to examine the crucial and historic steps towards civilization, in cities such as Athens, Carthage, Rome, Venice, Paris, and many more.

Episodes

Each episode has its own detail page.

Episode 152 min2003-09-13

Athens - The Rule of the People

Athens gave the world its modern political system - the birth of "democracy" is a long and complicated yet utterly galvanizing process. Even the Gods have a say in worldly doings. The city beneath the Acropolis becomes the very cradle of western culture.

Episode 252 min2004-01-10

Alexandria - The Centre of Knowledge

Alexandria, a royal Greek city in the land of the Pharaohs. Along the sandy banks of the Nile delta on the African Mediterranean coast, the most powerful metropolis of its time rose from virtually nothing. The Hellenistic culture mingled with the legacy of the Pharaohs and bore the fruits of a glorious new heritage.

Episode 352 min2005-03-26

Carthage - City of Seafarers

Carthage came into being as a Phoenician trading base, its strategically favourable location eventually allowing it to develop into a major centre of trade and seafaring. Carthage, Rome's fierce adversary, is the gateway to the treasures of Africa

Episode 452 min2005-06-26

Rome - The Heart of the Empire

Rome would never have made it into the history books without the backing of its huge military apparatus. The life and the incredible luxury the ancient city of over a million inhabitants enjoyed was only made possible through the exploitation of its colonies, a course of action that never would have been possible without its troops.

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