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1,287 Videos in History - Ancient


Seasons - A Journey into the Forests of Europe
Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud (Directors of the Oscar-nominated, Winged Migration ) return to the lush green forests that emerged across Europe following the last Ice Age, when the ice retreated, and the cycle of seasons was established. SEASONS is…
This documentary investigates what our ancient ancestors looked like and what would have happened when we met them. It turns out that what we thought we knew about them is wrong. They weren't hunched, grunting, knuckle-dragging ape-men at all. In…
2 videos
First Steps
Episode 1 of NOVA: Becoming Human
Where did we come from? What makes us human? An explosion of recent discoveries sheds light on these questions, and NOVA's comprehensive, three-part special, "Becoming Human," examines what the latest scientific research reveals about our hominid relatives. Part 1, "First…
Dawn of Humanity
Breaking the Maya Code - Discovering Remnants of the Mayans
For almost 2000 years, the ancient Maya of Central America recorded their history and ideas in an intricate and beautiful hieroglyphic script. Then, in the 16th century, Spanish invaders burned their books and ruthlessly extinguished hieroglyphic literacy. By the 18th…
Royal Deceit
An ancient Danish story of evil, power and human spirit, that subsequently inspired William Shakespeare on his tragedy, Hamlet. When the king of Jutland is murdered by his brother, the dark prince claims both the throne and Queen Geruth. Although…
Constantine's Sword
This astonishing exploration of the dark side of Christianity follows former priest James Carroll on a journey of remembrance and reckoning. Carroll, a National Book Award winner, is a practicing Catholic whose search for the truth leads him to confront…
Decoding Neanderthals
From Britannia to Britain
Episode 1 of Story of Medieval England
A discussion of how the geography of Britain has shaped political events over the centuries introduces you to the significance of English history between the 5th-century fall of the Roman Empire and the 1485 advent of the Tudor Dynasty.
Hagia Sophia - Istanbul's Mystery
Whether serving as Christian church, Islamic mosque, or secular museum, Hagia Sophia and its soaring dome have inspired reverence and awe. For 800 years, it was the largest enclosed building in the world--the Statue of Liberty can fit beneath its…
Colosseum - Roman Death Trap
The Colosseum is a monument to Roman imperial power and cruelty. Its graceful lines and harmonious proportions concealed a highly efficient design and advanced construction methods that made hundreds of arches out of 100,000 tons of stone. In its elliptical…
Augustine: A Voice for all Generations
Augustine of Hippo (354-430) is one of the greatest theologians of the Christian Church. His works, including The City of God, On the Trinity, and Confessions, have had an inestimable impact on the Church and, by extension, on Western Civilization…
Dante - The Life and Work of Dante Alighieri
Most notable for his vast poem, The Divine Comedy, Dante's work continues to resonate with audiences today. Filmmaker Malcolm Hossick uncovers the Italian poet's background and his influential work from the Renaissance period.
Episode 1 of The History of Ancient Egypt
In the Footsteps of Buddha - The Path to Buddha’s Enlightenment
A journey across India walking in the same path that lead to Buddha's enlightenment. Siddhartha Guatama lived 2500 years ago in an ancient land called Maghada, known today as Bihar, the poorest state in India. He was born in Lumbini…
Secrets of the Parthenon
Europe on the Brink of the Black Death
Episode 1 of The Black Death
Emperor's Ghost Army
In central China, a vast underground mausoleum conceals a life-size terracotta army of cavalry, infantry, horses, chariots, weapons, administrators, acrobats, and musicians, all built to serve China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang Di, in the afterlife. Lost and forgotten for…
Birth of Humanity
Episode 2 of NOVA: Becoming Human
In "Birth of Humanity," the second part of the three-part series "Becoming Human," NOVA investigates the first skeleton that really looks like us-"Turkana Boy"-an astonishingly complete specimen of Homo erectus found by the famous Leakey team in Kenya. These early…
Roman Britain and the Origins of King Arthur
Episode 2 of Story of Medieval England
The collapse of the Roman rule, arrival of barbarian raiders and settlers, and resistance to Germanic immigration serve as a backdrop to tantalizing mystery. Examine the evidence as to whether the unidentified champion who temporarily halted the advance of the…