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the ancient world on television             february 23-29, 2004
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All times Eastern

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n.b. official descriptions are provided by the respective
networks' websites
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Monday, February 23
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8.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Ancient Clues: The Mummy's Curse
dna

8.30 p.m. |DCIVC| Ancient Warriors: The Vikings
dna
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Tuesday, February 24
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2.00 p.m. |HISTU| The Search for Atlantis
Ted Danson takes viewers on a spectacular 2-hour search for one of
the greatest civilizations the world has ever known--the fabled Lost
City of Atlantis. The epic journey spans the globe from the volcanoes
of the Azores to the uncharted jungles of South America and even to
the archives of Nazi Germany. This program also brings the glittering
Lost City to life once again, with painstakingly recreated islands,
harbors, palaces, and temples.

4.00 p.m. |HISTU| Seven Wonders of the World
The Great Pyramid of Giza, Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, Statue of
Zeus at Olympia, Colossus of Rhodes, Temple of Artemis, Hanging
Gardens of Babylon, the Pharos of Alexandria. Of the 7 wonders, only
the Great Pyramid remains. Why did ancient scholars select these
sites? What can the crumbled remains say about those who built them?

4.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Byzantium: Heaven on Earth
dna

6.00 p.m. |HISTU| America's Stonehenge
Mystery Hill, called America's Stonehenge, is a gigantic confusion
of walls, caves, and tunnels running across 30 acres of hillside in
rural Salem, New Hampshire. This arrangement of ancient stones is
believed to be astronomically aligned to solar and lunar events.
Carbon dating places the site as being 4,000 years old--before
Columbus! What culture was advanced enough to move 11-ton pieces of
stone? Who constructed this sophisticated labyrinth of stones to
measure the summer and winter solstices?

7.00 p.m. |HISTU| Hadrian's Wall
74-miles long and 2,000 years old, Hadrian's Wall winds over the
hills and valleys of Northern England, marking the northernmost
extent of a long-dead empire. Built of stone and mortar by Roman
soldiers, it is the most significant Roman ruin in England. Ordered
built by the Emperor Hadrian around the time of his visit in 122 AD,
it was more a permanent demarcation and less a defensive barrier.
We'll visit this archaeological treasure, which teaches us much of
what the Roman era was like for Britain.

7.00 p.m. |HINT| The Bible's Greatest Secrets
In the Holy Land, specialized archaeologists sift through the living
sands to uncover civilizations that succumbed to time. We trace
biblical archaeology's history and profile some of its prominent
figures like the eccentric professor who had his head preserved for
posterity, and a husband and wife team who have spent their lives
digging the sands of Israel. We also explore the future of biblical
archaeology and examine the high-tech tools that will someday make
digging with pick and shovel obsolete.

9.00 p.m. |HISTC| Secrets of the Dark Ages 3
dna

11.00 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.
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Wednesday, February 25
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5.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Archaeology IV: Death at Pompeii
dna

5.30 p.m. |DCIVC| Archaeology IV: A Roman Plague
dna

7.00 p.m. |HINT| Death Cult of the Incas
The Catholic conquistadors who conquered the Incas received many
cultural shocks--particularly the Inca cult of the dead. We'll
journey back to discover why the Incas held lavish banquets with
mummified ancestors, sought their advice, and built lavish estates in
their honor

8.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Animal Mummies: Creatures of the Gods
dna

8.00 p.m. |DISCU| Who Killed Jesus?
Explore the figures, events and political climate surrounding the
execution of Jesus of Nazareth. Experts examine the motivations and
methods of Herod, Pontius Pilate, the temple priests, the judicial
system and the crowd calling for Jesus' death.

9.00 p.m. |HINT| Lost Civilizations: Aegean: Legacy of Atlantis
This episode of the Emmy Award-winning series explores ancient
civilizations that spread through the Aegean Sea and searches for
historical roots of some of Western civilization's oldest legends,
including an examination of ruins on the Greek Island of Thera for
the basis of the Atlantis legend. On Crete, the Greek mainland, and
Turkey, we follow the trail of clues that leads from ancient myths to
evidence of the Trojan War, Trojan Horse, Minoan civilization, and
the Minotaur. Sam Waterston narrates

10.00 p.m. |HINT| Time Team: Govan, Glasgow
Host Tony Robinson (Baldrick in "Blackadder") and the Time Team face
a fascinating conundrum that spins them back into the Dark Ages of
Scottish history. Their location is Govan, on the banks of the River
Clyde, where 30 large and intricately carved gravestones, in 2
distinct styles, were unearthed in the graveyard of the parish church
by a 19th-century minister. Was this once the burial place of kings,
St. Constantine's last resting place, or a Norman castle? Time Team
has 3 days to find out.
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Thursday, February 26
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6.00 p.m. |DISCC| Ultimate Ten Specials: Archaeological Discoveries
From the ancient cities of Peru to the crypts of Egypt,
archaeologists uncover clues that lead to a better understanding of
the civilizations and events of the past; examine 10 outstanding
discoveries of the 20th century that helped define our history.

7.00 p.m. |HINT| The Greatest Pharaohs, Pt. 1
A chronicle of the legendary rulers of ancient Egypt and the immense
monuments they built to their own greatness. Their wonders include
the Great Pyramid of Giza, the temples of Karnak and Luxor, and the
treasures of King Tut.

8.00 p.m. |HINT| The Assassination of King Tut
dna

8.00 p.m. |HINT| Arms in Action: Slings and Spears
Produced in partnership with England's Royal Armouries located in
the Tower of London, this series action-tests weapons and armor
through the ages. We construct an ancient slingshot and see why it
survives as a street-fighting weapon in the Middle East, and follow
the unbroken history of the spear from mere stick to Roman pilium to
bayonet.

9.00 p.m. |HISTC| Disasters of Athens
This episode tells the story of the Peloponnesian Wars and the
battles that raged on land and sea between the Athenians and the
Spartans. The Spartan policy of annual invasions gave scant reward
for ten years, but the occupation of Decelea and the defeat of the
Athenian fleet at Aegospotami in 405BC finally paved the way for
success; Athens was besieged and captured and a Spartan-backed puppet
regime was installed.

9.00 p.m. |HINT| Foot Soldier: The Medieval Soldier
Saga of the simple men who fought in the feudal wars of the Middle
Ages. They lived by the rules of chivalry, fought hand-to-hand, and
died by the sword or arrow. Richard Karn hosts.

10.00 p.m. |TLC| Mysteries of Noah's Flood
In the face of minimal scientific evidence that the flood described
in the Bible actually occurred, scientists and religious scholars
have long been consumed with the search for Noah's ark. Search for
clues on the icy slopes of Turkey's Mt. Ararat.
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Friday, February 27
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4.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Unearthing the Lost Empire of the Queen of Sheba
dna

7.00 p.m. |HINT| Augustus: First of the Emperors
Story of the bloodthirsty leader who was also one of the most able
statesmen in world history. His rule launched the "Pax Romana" (Roman
Peace) that marked the high point of the empire.

8.00 p.m. |DTC| The Mystery of the Alaskan Mummies
Over the past two centuries, Alaska's Aleutian Islands have been a
hotbed of exploration for both anthropologists and treasure hunters.
Caves there house the Aleutian mummies, whose remains hold keys to
questions of human migration in North America.

8.00 p.m. |HINT| The Great Empire: Rome: The Republic of Rome
A sweeping chronicle of one of history's most dynamic empires. Part
1 features the city's fabled founding by Romulus and Remus; overthrow
of the Etruscan monarchy; and the republic's formation and ultimate
undoing with the rise of Imperial Rome. Host Joe Mantegna introduces
Rome's great faces--Pompey, Cicero, Caesar, Antony, and Cleopatra.

9.00 p.m. |DTC| Mummies: Into the After Life
The "curse" of the Egyptian mummies may be cures for modern disease.
Studying the organs of the ancients allows scientists to locate
disease and fight modern diseases by identifying their cores.

9.00 p.m. |HINT| The Great Empire: Rome: Age of Emperors
After Caesar's murder, his great-nephew Augustus was victorious in
the civil wars that followed, becoming the first emperor. Host Joe
Mantegna explores this sensational, scandalous age when the
proliferation of palace plots, hostile takeovers, and imperial family
intrigues became humdrum. Features Augustus, Caligula, Claudius, and
Nero, among others.

10.00 p.m. |DTC| Deities and Demons
In order to understand the forces of nature, Egyptians had gods for
everything. Only priests and pharaohs were allowed to enter the
temples of the gods, but during festivals, the common people could
communicate with the gods.

10.00 p.m. |HINT| The Great Empire: Rome: Building an Empire
Host Joe Mantegna visits the vast territories conquered by the
imperial army--by the 2nd century AD, the empire spanned three
continents. The over-4,000 Roman cities were cultural melting pots,
where diverse customs and beliefs blended. Features life in Pompeii,
the flamboyant Emperor Hadrian, and religious revolts in Judea.

11.00 p.m. |HINT| The Great Empire: Rome: The Enduring Legacy
The final episode reveals the birth of Christianity and how this
religion that the emperors initially tried to destroy ultimately
passed on the empire's legacy. Highlights include: the crucifixion of
Jesus; religious persecutions; rise of Constantine, the first emperor
to embrace Christianity; and Justinian, Rome's last emperor.
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Saturday, February 28
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8.00 a.m.|HISTU| Ancient Inventions
Was the concept for the computer invented in the 20th century...or
perhaps thousands of years ago? Scholars present evidence indicating
that our ancestors may have conceived such innovations as flight,
brain surgery, steam power, batteries, and the computer, hundreds,
and even thousands of years before their time. We test the truth of
the old saw "everything old is new again" in this salute to the
inventive spirit of mankind.

9.00 a.m.|HISTU| The Cavemen
Cave dwellers known as Neanderthals roamed earth some 70,000 years
ago, possibly coexisting with our predecessors. Fossil records date
the last Neanderthals to 30,000 years ago when they seemed to
disappear. We'll learn how they differed from other primates and what
factors may have led to their demise.

10.00 a.m.|HISTU|Judas: Traitor or Friend?
He was one of the 12 apostles, one of the elect. Yet for 30 silver
coins, Judas Iscariot turned on his teacher and closest friend.
Historians, psychologists, theologians, and religious scholars
investigate Judas's childhood, relationship with Jesus, and
monumental decision that would characterize him for all time. Did
Judas believe his betrayal would force Jesus to display his divine
power and thereby prove he was the Messiah? Or was he acting on
directives given by Jesus to fulfill a prophecy?

11.00 a.m.|HISTU| The Holy Grail
The Holy Grail...Christ's cup from the Last Supper. Medieval poets
sang its praises, and King Arthur's knights chased it to the ends of
the earth. Did Joseph of Arimathea really claim the cup after the
Last Supper and collect Jesus's blood in it at the Crucifixion? Why
are there so many Grail tales, no two of which fully agree? And why
does the scent of heresy linger about the sacred cup? Many treasures
are bigger, but none more precious or elusive as we discover in this
quest for the venerable vessel.

1.00 p.m.|HISTU| Cain and Abel: A Murder Mystery
Biblical brothers' bonds are broken by murder in Eden in one of the
most chilling accounts in the Old Testament. Journey back to the Land
of Nod, where the guilt-ridden fugitive was banished, and find out
how Cain lived out his days.

2.00 p.m.|HISTU| Pompeii
August 24, 79 AD. A day like any other day in the thriving Roman
resort town of Pompeii, sheltered in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius.
Then, the volcano erupts and lava engulfs the city, preserving it in
time. Historians walk us through the daily life of this ill-fated
community.

3.00 p.m. |DTC| The Mystery of the Alaskan Mummies
Over the past two centuries, Alaska's Aleutian Islands have been a
hotbed of exploration for both anthropologists and treasure hunters.
Caves there house the Aleutian mummies, whose remains hold keys to
questions of human migration in North America.

4.00 p.m.|HISTU| The Lost Ark
An intriguing documentary that explores the mystery of the Ark of
the Covenant, in which Moses is said to have placed the two tablets
of stone on which God inscribed the Ten Commandments. Reviews the
3,000-year-old evidence about the missing Ark which may reveal its
location.

4.00 p.m. |DTC| Mummies: Into the After Life
The "curse" of the Egyptian mummies may be cures for modern disease.
Studying the organs of the ancients allows scientists to locate
disease and fight modern diseases by identifying their cores.

5.00 p.m.|HISTU| Sodom and Gomorrah
Did the sinful cities Sodom and Gomorrah really exist before being
destroyed by God? Was the story a morality tale or depiction of an
actual disaster? At the Dead Sea's southern end, archaeologists
uncovered ruins of two ancient cities, Bab-edh-dhra and Numeira, with
signs of fire and collapse. Speculation that they were the biblical
cities was given new life with discovery of a sanctuary in a nearby
mountain. Built beside an ancient cave, it bears an inscription
calling it a shrine to Lot.

5.00 p.m. |DTC| Deities and Demons
In order to understand the forces of nature, Egyptians had gods for
everything. Only priests and pharaohs were allowed to enter the
temples of the gods, but during festivals, the common people could
communicate with the gods.

6.00 p.m.|HISTU| The Shroud of Turin
The Shroud of Turin has long mystified the world, pitting the
faithful against science. Is the ghostly image impressed on a burial
cloth truly Jesus? A 1988 radiocarbon test dated it to between 1260
and 1390 AD. But recent studies question the test's validity, and
scientists are still unable to explain how the image got there.

6.00 p.m. |DTC| Death on the Nile
The Egyptian Empire tottered as the monsoon failed and the desert
moved in. Journey to the Giza pyramids in the remote deserts of
southern Egypt and visit the archaeological excavation where newly
discovered skeletons show that people here died in agony.

7.00 p.m.|HISTU|In the Footsteps of Jesus: The Lost Youth of Jesus
Thousands of Christians make pilgrimages to the Holy Land yearly to
visit sites connected to Jesus. But are they authentic? The search
for the historical Jesus began with the first pilgrim--Constantine
the Great's mother Helena Augusta. Scholars have been trying to prove-
-or disprove--her amazing claims ever since. Traveling to Bethlehem,
Nazareth, and Sepphoris in the footsteps of Jesus, we run into heated
debate about where he was born, baptized, and grew up, and reveal
startling new discoveries.

8.00 p.m.|HISTU| In the Footsteps of Jesus: From Galilee to Jerusalem
Following in the footsteps of Jesus, we dig for the truth behind
"accepted" Holy Land sites and review archaeological controversy
about these important religious places. We examine: an Israeli
scholar's 1987 discovery of the lost city of Bethsaida, where Jesus
called his first disciples, healed a blind man, and fed the
multitudes; a boat on the Galilee's shoreline dating to the time of
Jesus; a house in Capernaum that may have belonged to St. Peter; and
the possible grave of Lazarus.

9.00 p.m.|HISTU| In the Footsteps of Jesus: The Way of the Cross
The search for evidence of Jesus's life moves to Jerusalem and the
traditional sites associated with his final days. Deep beneath the
city, we explore the buried remains of Herod's temple and tread a
pavement where Jesus may have walked. Delving into the mysterious
histories of the Cenacle Room, Gethsemane, and Roman Praetorium, we
investigate the latest archaeological theories concerning probable
sites of Jesus's last supper, arrest, and trial. Does science support
or refute the Biblical accounts?

10.00 p.m.|HISTU| The Passion of the Christ
How true is Hollywood to history? What are the real stories behind
the people and events portrayed? Featuring interviews with
historians, the director, producers, actors, and film clips, we
compare history with Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ", "a
vivid depiction of the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ's life with
James Caviezel and Monica Belluci." Our panel delves into the
controversy around the film, including charges of anti-Semitism, and
finds out why Jesus speaks in Latin and Aramaic.

11.00 p.m.|HISTU| In the Footsteps of Jesus: The Mysteries of Golgotha
Recounting the final footsteps in the life of Jesus, we explore the
traditional sites of his crucifixion and burial. Does the Church of
the Holy Sepulchre truly contain the Rock of Calvary and Jesus's
tomb, or could the Garden Tomb be the authentic site? We investigate
the most recent archaeological evidence and learn how it may finally
answer this fascinating question.
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Sunday, February 29
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3.00 p.m. |HISTU| Braveheart
Explores how filmmakers, with few established historical facts,
crafted a movie that captured the spirit of legendary Scottish
warrior William Wallace and his country's dream of independence.
Combining film footage with commentary from historians, we discuss
the facts versus fiction as portrayed in the Academy Award-winning
film. Highlights include interviews with Steve Wallace of the Wallace
clan, screenwriter Randall Wallace, Mel Gibson, and producer Alan
Ladd, Jr.

3.00 p.m. |HINT| The Great Empire: Rome: The Republic of Rome
A sweeping chronicle of one of history's most dynamic empires. Part
1 features the city's fabled founding by Romulus and Remus; overthrow
of the Etruscan monarchy; and the republic's formation and ultimate
undoing with the rise of Imperial Rome. Host Joe Mantegna introduces
Rome's great faces--Pompey, Cicero, Caesar, Antony, and Cleopatra.

4.00 p.m. |HISTU| Master and Commander
How true is Hollywood to history? What are the real stories behind
the people and events portrayed in some of the best-known feature
films of our time? We take a behind-the-scene look at the epic
adventure film "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World",
directed by Peter Weir. Russell Crowe stars as Captain Lucky Jack
Aubrey, who sets sail to taste life on the far side of the world, but
encounters danger during the Napoleonic Wars.

4.00 p.m. |HINT| The Great Empire: Rome: Age of Emperors
After Caesar's murder, his great-nephew Augustus was victorious in
the civil wars that followed, becoming the first emperor. Host Joe
Mantegna explores this sensational, scandalous age when the
proliferation of palace plots, hostile takeovers, and imperial family
intrigues became humdrum. Features Augustus, Caligula, Claudius, and
Nero, among others.

5.00 p.m. |HISTU| The Last Samurai
How true is Hollywood to history? Our experts go behind the scenes
of the film "The Last Samurai", director Edward Zwick's look at of
the birth of modern Japan. Tom Cruise stars as Captain Nathan Algren,
hired by the Emperor to train the country's army in modern warfare.
As the Emperor attempts to eradicate the ancient Imperial Samurai
warriors in preparation for modernization, Algren finds himself drawn
to the Samurai philosophy and at the center of a struggle between two
eras and two worlds.

5.00 p.m. |HINT| The Great Empire: Rome: Building an Empire
Host Joe Mantegna visits the vast territories conquered by the
imperial army--by the 2nd century AD, the empire spanned three
continents. The over-4,000 Roman cities were cultural melting pots,
where diverse customs and beliefs blended. Features life in Pompeii,
the flamboyant Emperor Hadrian, and religious revolts in Judea.

6.00 p.m. |HINT| The Great Empire: Rome: The Enduring Legacy
The final episode reveals the birth of Christianity and how this
religion that the emperors initially tried to destroy ultimately
passed on the empire's legacy. Highlights include: the crucifixion of
Jesus; religious persecutions; rise of Constantine, the first emperor
to embrace Christianity; and Justinian, Rome's last emperor.

6.00 p.m. |HISTU| The Samurai
The knights of medieval Japan, the Samurai held power for over 700
years. Ferocious in combat, these masters of sword and bow were bound
by an unforgiving code of ethics. Their legacy of martial artistry,
ceremony, self-discipline, and tenacity persists. Explore the history
and mystery of this elite warrior class as present-day Samurai
demonstrate their ancient skills in this 2-hour special, and
historians and experts examine the meaning and ritual of Bushido--the
way of the warrior.

7.00 p.m. |HINT| Lost Civilizations: Aegean: Legacy of Atlantis
This episode of the Emmy Award-winning series explores ancient
civilizations that spread through the Aegean Sea and searches for
historical roots of some of Western civilization's oldest legends,
including an examination of ruins on the Greek Island of Thera for
the basis of the Atlantis legend. On Crete, the Greek mainland, and
Turkey, we follow the trail of clues that leads from ancient myths to
evidence of the Trojan War, Trojan Horse, Minoan civilization, and
the Minotaur. Sam Waterston narrates.

8.00 p.m. |HINT| Saints and Sinners: Upon This Rock
From Christianity's birth to today, popes have influenced nearly all
aspects of Western civilization--the profound and the profane, the
spiritual and secular. This hour in our history of the world's oldest
surviving institution begins with St. Peter and ends with the papacy
of Leo the Erect, one of only two popes called "Great".

9.00 p.m. |HINT| Saints and Sinners: Between Two Empires
In the Dark Ages, when learning advanced very little, popes enjoyed
spiritual domination over Western Europe. Yet little changed--an 8th-
century monk reincarnated into the 14th century would feel quite at
home. In this hour of a sweeping history of the Papacy, we watch
popes play politics with secular leaders as the Church grows ever
greedier.

10.00 p.m. |HINT| Saints and Sinners: Protest and Division
This hour in our history of the Papacy begins in front of St.
Peter's Basilica, commissioned by Julius II who fathered three
daughters while a cardinal. To meet its massive cost, the pope sold
indulgences. As corruption reared its ugly head, the Protestant
Reformation split the unity of Western Christendom.
================================================================
                        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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Copyright (c) 2004 David Meadows. Feel free to distribute these
listings via email to your pals, students, teachers, etc., but
please include the title and this copyright notice. These
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Thanks!
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10:49:28 AM