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The Ancient World on Television      January 31-February 6, 2005
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All times Eastern

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n.b. official descriptions are provided by the respective
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Monday, January 31
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8.00 p.m. |HINT| The Weapons That Made Britain: The Sword
Mike Loades is a medieval weapons expert and one of Hollywood's foremost historical fight stunt arrangers. Now, in his unique hands-on fashion, he illustrates the great advances in fighting technology that underpinned British medieval history and goes back to the historical record to find out how the weapons were really used. In this episode, he explores the weapon most associated with the medieval period--the sword. Mike focuses on the Battle of Barnet, during the brutal War of the Roses, where on Easter Sunday 1471, 24,000 soldiers fought desperately for over three hours--the sword was the principal weapon. To see how the swords would have been used in a conflict like Barnet, Mike brings along 10 students for a crash course in 15th-century techniques. And swordsmith Hector Cole makes an intricate Anglo-Saxon sword, revealing the secrets of ancient techniques. 
 
9.00 p.m. |HINT| The Roman Conquests
Although Caesar invaded it in 54 BC, Britain wasn't conquered until 43 AD when Claudius established Roman garrisons at Lincoln, York, and Chester. Viewers go inside this savage period of British history and enter the battlefield from an unique perspective--of those who fought and died there. And a bloody period it proved to be for the Romans had not reckoned on the ferocious campaign mounted against the all-powerful Legions under the leadership of the legendary Queen Boudicca.

9.00 p.m. |HISTU| Pompeii Secrets Revealed
In 79 AD, the volcano Vesuvius exploded in one of history's deadliest eruptions, burying the city of Pompeii and other Roman towns along the Bay of Naples beneath layers of ash and pumice. Pompeii was rediscovered in the 18th century, but only recently have archaeologists and volcanologists come to understand exactly how the eruption unfolded, and why it took the people of Pompeii almost entirely by surprise. Intrigued, host Josh Bernstein visits the Bay of Naples, and learns the entire area is built on ancient volcanic rock, some of it still steaming. He climbs the world's most active volcano--Stromboli--an island near Sicily, where "fireworks" from the mountain are a nightly entertainment. Back at Pompeii, he searches for clues that might have enlightened the Romans to the growing threat in their midst. And he literally plays with fire as he follows the story right into the heart of Vesuvius.
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Tuesday, February 1
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4.00 p.m. |DCIVC| The Quest for the True Cross
dna

6.00 p.m. |HISTU| The Enduring Mystery of Stonehenge
For 5,000 years, the sacred site of Stonehenge has stood on the plain of Salisbury, England, silent witness to myriad mysteries. Who built the prehistoric stone circle? Druids? Merlin the Magician? Was it an altar for human sacrifice, or landing pad for UFOs? Experts, anthropologists, and astronomers assess the mystery.

7.00 p.m. |HINT|  Archenemy: The Philistines
Filmed on location in the Holy Land, this hour chronicles the history of the Philistines, the ruthless warriors of the Hebrew Bible's early period. Visits to archaeological digs reveal fascinating artifacts that provide new information about Philistine culture.

8.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Mystery of the Shroud
dna

8.00 p.m. |DISCU| Pompeii: The Last Day
On August 24, 79, Mount Vesuvius showered the city of Pompeii with ash, smoke and rock. The city lay undisturbed under volcanic debris for more than 1,500 years. Follow a compelling account of the city's final 24 hours, based on the buried evidence. 

9.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Saving the Sphinx
dna
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Wednesday, February 2
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6.00 p.m. |HINT| The Odyssey of Troy
What is it about the legendary city that more than 3,000 years after its fall, we still try to unravel Troy's mysteries? Scholars attempt to answer the question by researching the Greek poet Homer, possibly one of the greatest poets in Western Europe's history, and his epic tale of love and war, and comparing his text to archaeological sites.

7.00 p.m. |HINT| The Sunken City
The ancient Roman City of Ostia was once a vital seaport. Yet it died a slow, painful death. This documentary explores the reasons for its demise and looks at the abandoned wasteland today. 

8.00 p.m. |HINT|  The Cities of the Pharaohs
Perhaps no person in the history of mankind has wielded more power than a pharaoh in ancient Egypt. The pharaohs ruled the population with an iron hand and were worshipped as direct descendents of the Sun God. They were considered immortal, capable of subduing the forces of nature and of laying down a challenge to the centuries. A challenge that was taken up and won by the pharaohs' magnificent tombs and the sacred temples erected in honor of the gods. We visit the sanctuaries of Karnak and Luxor and explore the temples, residences, shops, and streets of ancient cities such as Memphis and Thebes.

8.30 p.m. |HINT| Egypt According to Cleopatra
Walk the streets of Alexandria, during the time of the Ptolemies, alongside its citizens as their pharaoh, Cleopatra, serves as virtual tour guide of Egypt. From the exotic yet cosmopolitan capital, built by her ancestor Alexander the Great, to the Sanctuary of Dendera to the magical Isle of Philae, we explore her empire by land and sea. And, we follow Queen Cleopatra as she sets sail for Italy on a visit to Caesar and end our journey within the city walls of Rome, where an Egyptian temple is being erected for Cleopatra's deity protector, Isis.

10.00 p.m. |HINT|   Time Team: Bawsey
Time Team investigates the murder of a man whose skull had been sliced through at Bawsey St. James near England's Norfolk coast. Rarely do archaeologists have the opportunity to piece together the cause of a victim's death. But on their final day of the dig, Time Team found a remarkably preserved skeleton that's wound could only have been inflicted by an expert swordsman traveling at high speed on a horse. This unique stretch of coast was exposed to invasion from the North, particularly by Vikings. 

11.00 p.m. |HINT| Rome: The Ultimate Empire
Sam Waterston narrates this Emmy Award-winning series that sweeps through 7,000 years of history--from Ancient Mesopotamia to modern-day Tibet--and transports viewers across the ages using dramatic reenactments, location footage from 25 countries, and recent archaeological discoveries to reconstruct the ancient past. In this episode, we explore the glory of Rome--from founding to its zenith--and march along as the Romans conquer the then-known world.
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Thursday, February 3
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4.00 p.m. |DISCC| Pompeii: The Last Day
On August 24, AD79, Mount Vesuvius showered the city of Pompeii with ash, smoke and rock; the city lay undisturbed under volcanic debris for more than 1,500 years; follow a compelling account of the city's final 24 hours, based on the buried evidence.

7.00 p.m. |HINT| The Greatest Pharaohs, Part 2
A visit to the newly opened pyramid complex of the Pharaoh Snefru and the ancient burial ground of Abydos.

8.00 p.m. |HINT|   Who Wrote the New Testament?
In Part 3, we examine how heresies emerged, the literature they produced, and the dangers they posed to the early Christian Church. Few have heard of the 50 "other" gospels that circulated in antiquity, including the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, and writings by Judas Iscariot and Pontius Pilate. Then, there are countless letters--some of them valid, others dangerously heretical, and a few that nearly made it into the accepted canon. And we learn in this investigation that if these "heresies" had been included in the New Testament, Christianity and our understanding of Christ would be fundamentally different.
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Friday, February 4
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6.00 p.m. |HINT|  The Colosseum
Nothing symbolizes the Roman Empire at its height or Rome in magnificent ruins more than the Colosseum. Built in 70 AD, it seated 80,000 people, boasted a retractable roof, underground staging devices, marble seating, and lavish decorations. It still serves as the prototype for the modern stadium. The complexity of its construction, the beauty of its architecture, and the functionality of its design made it the perfect place for massive crowds to congregate for the bloody spectacles it contained. 

7.00 p.m. |DCIVC| The Lost Frescoes
dna

7.00 p.m. |HINT| Constantine: The Christian Emperor
Portrait of the ruler who overcame civil war and barbarian invasions to bring Rome a long period of peace. Nevertheless, the city of Rome itself was facing disaster. In response, Constantine founded the new Roman capital, Constantinople, and also converted his empire to Christianity. 

8.00 p.m. |DTC| The Assassination of King Tut
Did King Tut's gleaming death mask hide an ancient homicide? Dead since 1323 B.C. and hastily mummified, Egypt's boy king lay in an unfinished tomb until its 1922 discovery. Modern forensics sheds light on what caused the blows to the King's skull.

8.00 p.m. |DCIVC|Seven Wonders of the World:The Magic Metropolis
dna

9.00 p.m. |DTC| Napoleon's Obsession: Quest for Egypt
In a plot to conquer Egypt, Napoleon set sail with 17,000 troops, 700 horses and 150 scientists. Though his conquest failed, research of the scientists that accompanied him gave birth to modern archeology and Egyptology.

10.00 p.m. |DTC| Hannibal
No shortlist of the greatest generals in history would be complete without the name of Hannibal, who was both feared and respected by his enemies. Hannibal's tactical genius is illustrated with exciting dramatic reconstructions of his victories.
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Saturday, February 5
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3.00 p.m. |DISCU| Pompeii: The Last Day
On August 24, 79, Mount Vesuvius showered the city of Pompeii with ash, smoke and rock. The city lay undisturbed under volcanic debris for more than 1,500 years. Follow a compelling account of the city's final 24 hours, based on the buried evidence.
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Sunday, February 6
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1.00 p.m. |DISCC| Vesuvius: Deadly Fury
Remains of 300 skeletons found huddled in 12 vaults on the beach at Herculaneum offer a unique chance to reconstruct life in the 1st century AD; computer graphics re-create the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. 

7.00 p.m. |HINT|   Time Team: Bawsey
Time Team investigates the murder of a man whose skull had been sliced through at Bawsey St. James near England's Norfolk coast. Rarely do archaeologists have the opportunity to piece together the cause of a victim's death. But on their final day of the dig, Time Team found a remarkably preserved skeleton that's wound could only have been inflicted by an expert swordsman traveling at high speed on a horse. This unique stretch of coast was exposed to invasion from the North, particularly by Vikings.

8.00 p.m. |HISTU| Who Wrote the Bible?
What are the origins of the Bible? Who actually wrote it? We'll explore possible answers with visits to Egypt, the Galilee, the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, and the caves of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. (2.5-hour version)
 
9.00 p.m. |HINT| : The Roman Conquests
Although Caesar invaded it in 54 BC, Britain wasn't conquered until 43 AD when Claudius established Roman garrisons at Lincoln, York, and Chester. Viewers go inside this savage period of British history and enter the battlefield from an unique perspective--of those who fought and died there. And a bloody period it proved to be for the Romans had not reckoned on the ferocious campaign mounted against the all-powerful Legions under the leadership of the legendary Queen Boudicca.

10.30 p.m. |HISTU| Sex in the Bible
From erotic poetry to sinful sex, we'll explore the uncensored Bible. Discover scriptures brimming with lustful tales like King Solomon's 700 concubines, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Jesus and the adulteress. Dr. Ruth Westheimer and other experts discuss a Bible where passion and sexual deviancy live alongside the quest for the Holy. (90-minute version)
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                        Channel Guide

A&E     The Arts and Entertainment Channel (cable)
DTC     Discovery Times Channel (U.S. Cable)*
DCIVC   Discovery Civilization (Canadian Cable)
DISCC   Discovery Channel (Canadian Cable)
DISCU   Discovery Channel (U.S. Cable)
HINT    History International (U.S. Cable)
HISTU   The History Channel (U.S. Cable)
HISTC   History Television (Canadian Cable)
NGU     National Geographic Channel (U.S. Cable)*
PBS     Public Broadcasting System (U.S. National Schedule)
TLC     The Learning Channel (cable)

*n.b. Canadian versions of these two channels have recently
been made available although the Canadian versions don't seem
to be making their schedules available yet. For what it's worth,
the Canadian version does seem to 'match up' in regards to
ancient programming most of the time.
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::Sunday, January 30, 2005 12:13:31 PM::
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