David Meadows: Ancient World on Television

~ On TV: March 28-April 3

Mon, 28 Mar 2005 00:50:56 GMT

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The Ancient World on Television March 28 - April 3, 2005
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All times Eastern

Please visit our blog:

http://www.atrium-media.com/rogueclassicism/

Comment/Review these programs at Classics Central:

http://s9.invisionfree.com/Classics_Central/

For UK television, see the Historyvision blog:

http://www.eratosthenese.com/historyvision/

n.b. official descriptions are provided by the respective
networks' websites
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Monday, March 28
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5.00 p.m. |SCI| Who Killed Julius Caesar?
Historians, writers and film-makers have puzzled over the assassination of Julius Caesar for centuries. Using the latest technology and modern profiling techniques, experts reveal the truth behind history's most famous crime.

8.00 p.m. |SCI| What the Ancients Knew: The Chinese
Ancient Chinese researchers harnessed the power of the earth, wind, water and fire to provide emperors practical solutions for ruling empires. Many inventions such as movable type and the multistage rocket are creations of ancient Chinese scientists.

8.00 p.m. |HINT| Christianity: The First 1000 Years, Part 1
The story of the crucifixion of Jesus, Paul's preachings to the Gentiles, the crackdown by Roman authorities, the conversion of Constantine, and the fall of Rome to the Goths in 461 AD. [part 2 follows]

9.00 p.m. |SCI| Secrets of the Buried Armies
In 1990, construction workers stumbled upon one of the most lavish mausoleums ever constructed. Over 8,000 silk-clad, life-size sculptures of soldiers accompanied Imperial Emperor Jing Di into the afterlife. Meet the ruler behind this palatial tribute.

10.00 p.m. |SCI| Mysterious Hanging Coffins of China
China's leading explorers have been trying to save the last vestiges of a society that buried their dead in coffins hanging off the side of limestone cliffs. Pollution, encroaching urbanization and graverobbers threaten to destroy these artifacts.
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Tuesday, March 29
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3.00 p.m. |DISCC| The Mystery of the Pharaoh's Eternal Stone
The second biggest pyramid in Egypt was built by the pharaoh Khephren, who also built the Sphinx; one of his statues was carved from gneiss, a rare stone that has not been found within 800 kilometres of his pyramid; where did the pharaoh find the stone?

3.30 p.m. |DISCC| The Mystery of the Rebel Pharaoh
Akhenaten is ancient Egypt's most mysterious and puzzling pharaoh; for no apparent reason, he destroyed the established religion of Egypt and moved 50,000 people to a lonely bay on the edge of the Nile, where he built a magnificent city from scratch.

7.00 p.m. |HINT| Joshua at the Walls of Jericho
We know the walls of the legendary city "came tumblin' down." We'll explore when. Archaeologist Kathleen Kenyon argues that Jericho fell before Joshua arrived, and Professor Bryant Wood supports the biblical version of events

8.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Egypt Uncovered: Chaos and Kings
dna

9.00 p.m. |DCIVC| The Emperor of the Steppes
dna

10.00 p.m. |HINT| Lost Treasures of the Ancient World--The Celts
In the First Millennium BC, the tribes known as the Celts were the dominant force on the continent of Europe. In fringe regions like Ireland, the Celtic people continued to flourish long into the Christian Age. These were warriors with a unique way of life, as this fascinating episode reveals. Dark religious rituals and a love of bloody fighting were a vital part of their life, and classical writers condemned what they saw as a barbarian lifestyle. But we now know that Celtic culture was rich and sophisticated. Buried Celtic treasures have revealed their achievement in crafts such as jewelry, while the great legends of Irish literature confirm that epic storytelling was also part of the life of this still-mysterious ancient people.
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Wednesday, March 30
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6.00 p.m. |HINT| Pyramids: Majesty and Mystery
Standing majestically for centuries, the world's great pyramids have long inspired and mystified scholars. Leading experts and historians explore the engineering genius that created some of the largest structures on the planet. From ancient Egypt to Central America, we visit these technological masterpieces.

7.00 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.

8.00 p.m. |HINT| Sailing with the Phoenicians
Sail with a Phoenician captain along the trade routes of the Mediterranean to the ancient ports of Byblos, Rhodes, Tharros, Motya, and the famous Roman naval base at Carthage. Phoenicians, the ancient inhabitants of modern-day Lebanon, were known to be expert sailors. State-of-the-art technology and 3-D graphics allow viewers to see through the eyes of one these seaworthy Phoenicians, and insights from leading archaeology experts enhance the reality.

8.30 p.m. |HINT| The Roman Empire in Africa
During the 2nd century AD, Roman war veterans were granted land in Northern Africa as a sign of gratitude from the politicians. This arid climate proved beneficial in the planting of vast olive groves and wheat fields. The area was prosperous and began to take on many aspects of Roman culture. We'll take a virtual tour through some of the numerous wealthy provinces, including the amphitheatre at El-Djem and the ingenious villa built to escape the hot African climate, and aided by state-of-the-art technology and 3-D graphics, see them as only the original inhabitants could have.

9.00 p.m. |HINT| Great Scientists: Aristotle
Dr. Allan Chapman, Oxford University professor and historian of science, presents this humorous and entertaining series charting the life and times of some of the world's most influential scientists. Using a blend of archive footage, animation, and comedy dramatizations, Chapman presents engaging and accessible introductions to their complex theories and ideas. We begin with the Father of Science--Aristotle, a man whose ideas were so important in the foundation of science that they remained unchallenged for nearly 2,000 years. A student of Plato's Academy, Aristotle challenged commonly held--and incorrect--views of the world. Allan Chapman journeys from Oxford's lecture theaters to the sunny beaches of Greece to tell us about the man who discovered the four elements--earth, air, wind, and fire--and first established the idea that there is a logical explanation for everything.

9.00 p.m. |HISTU|William the Conqueror
William's story begins in Northern France with his accession as William of Normandy in 1035. Over the next 30 years, he solidifies his rule through marriage, diplomacy, battle, intrigue, and savage intimidation. His foes prove no match. He builds numerous castles and cathedrals in Normandy to legitimize his rule, while laying claim as the rightful heir of Edward the Confessor and the throne of England. But when Edward dies in 1066, he bestows heir status on the Anglo-Saxon King Harold of Godwin. An enraged William, feeling betrayed by Edward and Harold, seeks papal support of his claim to the English throne. When it is granted what follows is the first D-Day--but in reverse: William's invasion of England from France. Join us for a riveting look at the invasion and the innovations William brought to his new empire.

9.30 p.m. |HINT| Meet the Ancestors, Part 1
Charismatic archaeologist Julian Richards visits sites around the globe and uses the latest forensic techniques to illuminate the lives of ancient peoples. We follow him and his scientists as they seek out and then unravel a wide variety of material clues from graves and cremations that let our ancestors speak for themselves.

10.00 p.m. |NGU| Atlantis
What do we really know about the lost city of Atlantis and what happened on the day it died? Legend tells us that the golden civilization became so corrupt and depraved that it was destroyed by the angry gods, but did the city ever exist at all?

10.00 p.m. |HISTU| The Real Attila the Hun
No ruler in history represents the unbridled rage and brutality of the barbarian as much as Attila the Hun. In the 5th century, Attila swept through Europe, effectively extinguishing the classical Roman Empire. And for a time, he held the destiny of all of Western Europe firmly in his grasp. But in the end, it was Attila who unwittingly secured the future of the civilized world and Christian Europe. After his death, the Hun Empire began to break up, and the marauding Huns "scattered to the winds."

11.00 p.m. |HINT| Time Team: Beauport Park, Sussex
A Roman bathhouse unearthed near a huge mound of iron slag near the golf course at Beauport Park, Sussex, England, leads host Tony Robinson (Baldrick in Blackadder) to ask: "What is a Roman bathhouse doing here completely on its own, 40 miles from the nearest Roman town?" The search for other Roman buildings is on. There could be a lost city or forgotten fort, and Time Team, aided by surveyors, geophysicists, and even a dowser, have just three days to find it.
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Thursday, March 31
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3.00 p.m. |DISCC| Malaria and the Fall of Rome
Was malaria behind the decline and fall of one of the most powerful empires the world has ever seen?

7.00 p.m. |SCI| Mummies of the Philippines
The recent discovery of ancient mummies in the Philippines ignites new interest among scientists. A modern, high-tech examination reveals a surprisingly sophisticated mummification technique used by these warrior/headhunters.

10.00 p.m. |HISTU| Caligula: Reign of Madness
Caligula ruled the Roman Empire fewer than four years, and was only 28 when assassinated by officers of his guard in 41 AD. His reign was a legendary frenzy of lunacy, murder, and lust. Between executions, he staged spectacular orgies, made love to his sister, and declared himself a living god. Join us for a look at this devoted son, murderer, pervert, and loving father whose anguished life was far more bizarre than the myth that surrounds him.

11.00 p.m. |HISTU| Ancient Civilizations
In this hour, we study sex in the ancient world--from Mesopotamians, who viewed adultery as a crime of theft, to Romans, who believed that squatting and sneezing after sex was a reliable method birth control. We also look at revealing Egyptian and Greek practices--from the origins of dildos, to intimate relations between Egyptian gods and goddesses, to the use of crocodile dung as a contraceptive.
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Friday, April 1
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5.00 a.m. |DCIVC| Empires in The Americas
dna

7.00 p.m. |DTC| Pyramids Are Everywhere
Travel beyond Egypt to Java, China and Iraq to learn why civilizations around the globe constructed pyramids. Ancient people were striving to be closer to God and the laws of physics required them to start with a broad base as they built upward.

7.00 p.m. |HINT| Adam & Eve: Lost Innocence
A look at the world's first couple, who are credited with inventing civilization as we know it. We also compare similar stories in religions around the world.

8.00 p.m. |DTC| The Emperor of the Steppes
In a huge undertaking, researchers and archaeologists working in Upper Mongolia unearthed the sepulcher of the Emperor of the Steppes. This expedition may reveal insight into Mongolian history dating back to the second century BC.

9.00 p.m. |DTC| Mummies That Made Themselves
Travel to Japan to learn how Shingon Buddhist monks mummified their own bodies while still alive as a way to become Buddha in their own body. Learn how they stopped decomposition and if this painful process was worth the ultimate prize of immorality.

9.00 p.m. |DCIVC| The Mystery of the Miami Circle
dna

9.00 p.m. |DISCC| Who Killed Julius Caesar
Historians writers and film-makers have puzzled over the assassination of Julius Caesar for centuries. Using the latest technology and modern profiling techniques experts reveal the truth behind history's most famous crime.

10.00 p.m. |DTC| Quest for the Lost Pharaoh
Follow Egyptologist Vassil Dobrev as he uncovers a hidden tomb of enormous proportions. By analyzing the hieroglyphics and the structure and placement of the tomb, Vassil reveals that the tomb dates back some 4,500 years.
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Saturday, April 2
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6.00 p.m. |DTC| The Quest for the True Cross
Based on the New York Times best-seller, scholarly detective work and historical adventure draw conclusions about the remains of Christ's actual cross. This comprehensive study could overturn centuries of academic assumptions about the crucifixion.

8.00 p.m. |NGU| Who Built Stonehenge?
dna

9.00 p.m. |SCI| The Helike: Real Atlantis
In 373 BC, the Greek city of Helike was destroyed by an earthquake and tsunami and disappeared into the sea. Modern archaeologists have spent decades searching for the lost underwater city until crucial clues finally came from geology.
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Sunday, April 3
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7.00 p.m. |HINT| Time Team: Beauport Park, Sussex
A Roman bathhouse unearthed near a huge mound of iron slag near the golf course at Beauport Park, Sussex, England, leads host Tony Robinson (Baldrick in Blackadder) to ask: "What is a Roman bathhouse doing here completely on its own, 40 miles from the nearest Roman town?" The search for other Roman buildings is on. There could be a lost city or forgotten fort, and Time Team, aided by surveyors, geophysicists, and even a dowser, have just three days to find it.

7.00 p.m. |HISTU| The Real Attila the Hun
No ruler in history represents the unbridled rage and brutality of the barbarian as much as Attila the Hun. In the 5th century, Attila swept through Europe, effectively extinguishing the classical Roman Empire. And for a time, he held the destiny of all of Western Europe firmly in his grasp. But in the end, it was Attila who unwittingly secured the future of the civilized world and Christian Europe. After his death, the Hun Empire began to break up, and the marauding Huns "scattered to the winds."

8.00 p.m. |HISTU| The True Story of Hannibal
One of history's greatest military leaders, at age nine Hannibal accompanied his father Hamilcar Barca on the Carthaginian expedition to conquer Spain. Before embarking, the boy vowed eternal hatred for Rome, his people's bitter rival. Twenty years later, in 218 BC, he left New Carthage (now Cartagena, Spain) to wage war on "The Eternal City" with an army of about 40,000, including cavalry and elephants. After crossing the Pyrénées and Rhône River, he traversed the Alps while beset by snowstorms, landslides, and hostile mountain tribes. This 2-hour special brings to life the story of the Carthaginian general who struck fear in all Roman hearts and wreaked havoc with his masterful military tactics, bringing the mighty Roman Republic to the brink of ruin. Archaeologists, historians, and military experts guide us through ancient Carthage and give insight into his military strategy up to defeat at Zama in 203 BC.

9.00 p.m. |HINT| The Third Crusade
Proclaimed by Pope Gregory VIII, the Third Crusade (1189-1192) set out to reclaim Jerusalem from Saladin, Sultan of Egypt and Syria, who had seized it after the Battle of Hittin in 1187. Led by the three great leaders of Western Christendom--Richard I, Frederick I, and Philip II--the Crusaders left home with high hopes and expectations. Using groundbreaking 3-D CGI animation, combined with atmospheric recreations, we'll show viewers why their hopes would be dashed and expectations go largely unmet.

9.00 p.m. |TLC| Noah's Ark: The True Story
Search for the truth behind the story of Noah and his ark. Find out how Noah could have built such a structure and whether or not a great flood took place on the earth. The search for remains of the ark continues today.
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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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Copyright (c) 2005 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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~ On TV March 21-27

Sun, 20 Mar 2005 14:12:05 GMT

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The Ancient World on Television March 21-27, 2005
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All times Eastern

Please visit our blog:

http://www.atrium-media.com/rogueclassicism/

Comment/Review these programs at Classics Central:

http://s9.invisionfree.com/Classics_Central/

n.b. official descriptions are provided by the respective
networks' websites
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Monday, March 21
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3.00 p.m. |DISCC| Mystery of the Shroud
Students discover a 2 000-year-old shroud at a cemetery near Jerusalem; if it is from the 1st century its discovery could undermine claims that the infamous Shroud of Turin is Christ's burial cloth.

7.00 p.m. |NGU| Return of the Mummy
dna

8.00 p.m. |HINT| Paganism
Presenter Christy Kenneally explores the art and architecture of the ancient creed of paganism. His journey takes him to the huge capstone dolmen of Pentre Ifan in Wales, and the magnificent megalithic Neolithic Passage Tomb of Newgrange, in County Meath, Ireland. In France, he explores the 3,000 standing stones of Carnac, Brittany, and in northern Spain, he rediscovers the ancient rock art-filled Altamira caves. Finally, he visits the fascinating Dogon Tribal Lands in Mali, West Africa, where he witnesses a chicken being slaughtered in a pagan ritual and joins the locals to watch a typical Dogon Mask Dance.

8.00 p.m. |NGU|The Diva Mummy
Two thousand years ago the lords and ladies of China's Han Dynasty lived lives of such opulent splendour they wanted to live forever - and some of them came close.

8.00 p.m. |SCI| What the Ancients Knew: The Egyptians
Belief in the afterlife propelled the ancient Egyptian culture and civilization. Using only rudimentary techniques and tools they created unrivaled objects of perfection.

9.00 p.m. |SCI| Seven Wonders of Ancient Egypt
The ancient Egyptians showed the world how boundless ambition and vast quantities of human labor could transform rock and stone into the most incredible monuments ever created. Meet the pharaohs, engineers and laborers who built the wonders of Egypt.

9.00 p.m. |NGU|Hidden Pyramids of Peru
It is one of humanity’s epic journeys. Thousands of years ago people first came out of the wild and formed civilisation. They would build huge monuments, like the pyramids and all the great cities of the Ancient World, but why did they do it? What forces gave birth to civilisation? For years archaeologists have been trying to get back to when it all began to find the answer and now at last it seems they may have done it for they are now exploring a lost city of pyramids in Peru.

9.00 p.m. |HISTU| Secrets of the Nasca Lines
Etched into the driest desert in the world, the mysterious lines and figures of Nasca in Southern Peru are invisible from the ground. Thought to have been made by the Nasca people, who flourished between 200 BC and 600 AD, in fact, these huge drawings were not discovered until the 1930s--and only then by commercial airline pilots who happened to over-fly them. Ever since, they have intrigued the world. Who built them, and why? Host, explorer, and survival expert Josh Bernstein takes on the secrets of the Nasca Lines, while flying micro-lites and powered para-gliders, clambering through thousand-year old irrigation tunnels, and even recreating rituals with contemporary Native Americans.

10.00 p.m. |NGU| Curses of Ancient Egypt
dna

10.00 p.m. |SCI| Great Sphinx: Lord of the Pyramids
New theories suggest the Great Sphinx may predate the pyramids, and some believe the legendary Hall of Records may be hidden under it. Explore the mystery of the history of the Sphinx and attempts at its restoration.
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Tuesday, March 22
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3.00 p.m. |DISCC| The Mystery of the First Egyptians
The team searches in a desert valley where Egyptian culture began to take shape and in Egypt's oldest city for clues to the identity of the ancient people who created this remarkable civilization.

3.30 p.m. |DISCC| The Mystery of the Pyramids
The teams tries to piece together the logic behind the geography of the royal tombs, including Saqqara and Giza; does the answer lie in the geology of the Nile Valley, or in Egyptian religion and myth?

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.

7.00 p.m. |NGU| Ancient Tomb Robbers
dna

8.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Journey Through the Valley of the Kings
dna

8.00 p.m. |NGU| Egypt's Warrior King
dna

9.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Lost Empire of the Queen of Sheba
dna

9.00 p.m. |NGU| Into the Great Pyramid
Join Dr. Zahi Hawass as he unravels the mystery of both how the Great Pyramid of Giza was built, and who executed the awe-inspiring enterprise

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. |HINT| The Forgotten Civilizations of Anatolia
Throughout the course of history, many great civilizations have flourished in the area we now identify as Turkey, which forms a natural bridge between Europe and Asia. Join us on a virtual tour of Gordiyon (also known as Gordium), the domain of King Midas, Hattusa, the famous Hittite capital with its spectacular royal citadel, and the later cities ruled by the Greeks during the days of the Byzantine Empire. Using state-of-the-art computer technology and the latest in archaeological exploration, we walk viewers through ancient sites along with the citizens of the time.

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.

8.30 p.m. |HINT| Travels through Greece
By the 2nd century AD, Greece had long been steeped in myth, tradition, and a rich history that made it a major tourist destination even then. In this episode, we travel with a Roman senator as he journeys to artistic and cultural treasures of Greece, including Corinth's welcoming agora (the center of civic activity), the acoustically perfect Theater at Epidaurus, and the famous sporting competitions and chariot races of Olympia, as well as its majestic Temple of Zeus. Experience the cutting edge of archaeological exploration as we explore these celebrated ancient sites and see them as only the original inhabitants could.

9.00 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.

10.00 p.m. |HINT| Time Team: Thetford, Norfolk
Time Team goes back to school when they are invited to investigate a mystery at Thetford Grammar School in Norfolk, England, where clues in the school grounds may lead to the remains of a Norman cathedral and prove that the site might also have been the ancient ecclesiastical center of East Anglia. They are also assigned another task: to trace the origins of the medieval walls in the school playground. Were they part of a 14th-century friary? Can they solve the mysteries in the 3-day time limit?

10.00 p.m. |DTC| The Pyramid of Doom: An Ancient Murder Mystery
Excavations at an ancient pyramid in Peru reveal some 70 skeletons grotesquely splayed across a mud plaza in positions of sudden, violent death. An archaeological team reveals a dark side of one of antiquity's most brilliant civilizations.

11.00 p.m. |HINT| Ancient Egypt: Quest for Immortality
Beneath the sands of Egypt in 1922, Howard Carter prepares to breach the final barrier between the modern world and the most coveted prize in archaeology--the tomb of the Boy-King, Tutankhamun, intact and untouched for thousands of years. Join us as we probe the enduring legacy of the pharaohs in this Emmy Award-winning series narrated by Sam Waterston. Features dramatic reenactments, location footage, and recent archaeological discoveries to help reconstruct the ancient past.
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Thursday, March 24
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3.00 p.m. |DISCC| Mysteries of Noah and the Flood
Despite 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.

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| What is Truth?
This is the story of a book, which at first sight is not very impressive--a collection of 27 compositions; and 21 of them letters. All were originally written in Greek. We do not have a single page or even the smallest scrap of any of the original writings. All we have are copies of copies written many years afterwards. And yet the impact of this book on the world is hard to exaggerate; impossible to measure. Christians have confidently revered the New Testament as authoritative--the word of God. But ours is a questioning age, and this series examines the truth behind the writings of the New Testament. Part 1 looks at the most famous quartet in history--Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Were they the men who wrote the four gospels? Who were they? Why did they write them and when?

11.00 p.m. |HISTU| 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.
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Friday, March 25
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5.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Lost Treasures of the Ancient World: The Celts
dna

7.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Ancient Ancestors: The Princess and The Pauper
dna

7.00 p.m. |SCI| Mummies
Thousands of years before Egyptians began mummifying their dead, Chileans mastered the art. Mummies discovered under a sand dune in Chile were wrapped in embroidered cloth depicting severed human heads and hallucinogenic plants.

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.

9.00 p.m. |DISCC| The Holy Grail & Noah's Ark
Sought for millennia by kings, knights and adventurers, the Holy Grail represents the ultimate treasure to its possessor; researchers combines science with theology to prove that Noah and his ark actually existed.

9.00 p.m. |HISTU|The Search for John the Baptist
John the Baptist's time on the biblical stage was brief, yet he left an indelible mark on Christianity. We know that he began the sacrament of baptism, but was he also the man behind the message of Jesus? Does a secretive Middle Eastern sect practice ancient rituals handed down directly from John? Despite mentions in the Gospels and the works of the Jewish historian Josephus, little was known about the historical John until now. We follow in the footsteps of the prophet and examine startling new archaeological evidence that provides the first concrete proof of the life of this enigmatic biblical character.

9.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Mary: Mother of Jesus
dna

9.00 p.m. |NGU| Quest for Noah's Flood
dna

10.00 p.m. |NGU| King Solomon's Tablet
dna

10.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Conquerors: Peter the Great
dna
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Saturday, March 26
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4.00 p.m. |HISTU| Jesus of Nazareth
Movie. In this reverent depiction of the life of Christ, director Franco Zeffirelli uses the Gospel accounts and an all-star cast to mighty effect. Beginning before the Nativity, Part 1 stars Olivia Hussey as Mary and Yorgo Voyagis as Joseph. The Three Wise Men are portrayed by James Earl Jones, Donald Pleasence, and Fernando Rey. Christopher Plummer plays King Herod Antipas, who has John the Baptist (Michael York) put to death.

8.00 p.m. |NGU| Da Vinci and The Mystery of the Shroud
dna

9.00 p.m. |NGU| Unlocking Da Vinci's Code : The Full Story
dna
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Sunday, March 27
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10.00 a.m. |DISCU| Discovery Channel is running a marathonish sort of thing on Jesus-related matters beginning at 10.00 a.m., interrupted by a program on Genghis Khan at 3.00 p.m. and one on Kublai Khan at 4.00.

4.00 p.m. |HISTU| 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.

5.00 p.m. |HISTU| 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.

6.00 p.m. |HISTU| 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 the Roman Praetorium, we investigate the latest archaeological theories concerning probable sites of Jesus's last supper, arrest, and trial. Does science support or refute biblical accounts?

7.00 p.m. |HINT| Time Team: Thetford, Norfolk
Time Team goes back to school when they are invited to investigate a mystery at Thetford Grammar School in Norfolk, England, where clues in the school grounds may lead to the remains of a Norman cathedral and prove that the site might also have been the ancient ecclesiastical center of East Anglia. They are also assigned another task: to trace the origins of the medieval walls in the school playground. Were they part of a 14th-century friary? Can they solve the mysteries in the 3-day time limit?

7.00 p.m. |HISTU| 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 Sepulcher truly contain the Rock of Calvary and the tomb of Jesus, 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.

8.00 p.m. |DISCC| Spear of Jesus
In the Hofsburg Museum in Vienna, Austria, lies a metal spearhead said to have been used to pierce the side of Christ during his crucifixion; for the first time, scientific testing establishes if this ancient relic really is the Spear of Christ.

9.00 p.m. |DISCC| Noah's Ark: The True Story
Search for the truth behind the story of Noah and his ark; find out how Noah could have built such a structure and whether or not a great flood took place on Earth; the search for remains of the ark continues today.

9.00 p.m. |NGU| The Crucifixion
dna

9.00 p.m. |DISCU| Real Family of Jesus, The - Part One
Little is known about Jesus' family—who they were and what role they played in his public life. Uncover evidence from the gospels and archeology that reveals Jesus as a part of a large extended family that spearheaded the spread of Christianity.

10.00 p.m. |DISCU| Real Family of Jesus, The - Part Two
The traditional image of the Holy Family includes Jesus, Mary and Joseph, but Jesus lived in a society in which the extended family was the norm. Find out how Jesus' network of relations inspired and supported his work as founder of Christianity.

10.00 p.m. |SCI| Who Killed Julius Caesar?
Historians, writers and film-makers have puzzled over the assassination of Julius Caesar for centuries. Using the latest technology and modern profiling techniques, experts reveal the truth behind history's most famous crime.
================================================================
Channel Guide

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~ On TV March 14-20

Mon, 14 Mar 2005 00:32:55 GMT

================================================================
The Ancient World on Television March 14-20, 2005
================================================================
All times Eastern

Please visit our blog:

http://www.atrium-media.com/rogueclassicism/

Comment/Review these programs at Classics Central:

http://s9.invisionfree.com/Classics_Central/

n.b. official descriptions are provided by the respective
networks' websites
================================================================
Monday, March 14
================================================================
7.00 p.m. |HINT| Mystery Gold of the Black Sea Warriors
Long before Egypt and Babylon left their imprint on history, a remarkable culture crafted a vast treasure trove of exquisite golden objects that dazzles the eye and tantalizes the senses. They were the Thracians. Feared and ruthless warriors, they challenged the might of the Greek and Roman empires. According to Homer, they fought on the side of Troy during the Trojan Wars. They left behind an enduring legacy, epitomized by the renegade slave Spartacus, then disappeared into history's mists.

8.00 p.m. |SCI| What the Ancients Knew: The Romans
Backed by the legions, military and engineering skills, the Romans built one of the largest empires in human history. Technology helped shape the ancient world and reverberates in our western lifestyle and amenities today.

9.00 p.m. |SCI| Seven Wonders of Ancient Rome
Recreate these spectacular, awe-inspiring monuments. The men who envisioned the Pantheon, the Aqueducts of Rome, the Via Appia, the Baths of Caracalla, Trajan's Markets, Circus Maximus and the Colosseum created the epitome of human achievement.

9.00 p.m. |HISTU| The Lost Tribe of Israel
The mystery of the 10 Lost Tribes of Israel has fascinated people through the ages. Explorers claim to have discovered evidence of the "lost tribes" all over the world, from Australia to Siberia, but few if any such claims have been backed up by solid evidence. But now a provocative possibility about the whereabouts of one of the tribes has emerged--and it's 4,000 miles from Israel--in Southern Africa. Host and explorer Josh Bernstein retraces the amazing journey that the Lemba people claim they made centuries ago. It stretches from the heart of modern South Africa to the ancient stone cities of Zimbabwe...and then onto the shores of the Mediterranean and the city of Jerusalem. And the evidence for this journey is more than anecdotal. As Josh discovers, recent DNA studies point to the Lemba's true origin in the Middle East.

10.00 p.m. |SCI| The Mummies of Rome
The discovery of two Roman-age mummies in a tomb outside Rome was a shock to the scientific community, since there is no record of mummification in Rome's annals. Trace the ongoing steps being taken to unravel this mystery.

10.00 p.m. |HISTU| Mummy: The Inside Story
In an incredible investigation that uncovers the inside story of how the British Museum in London resurrected an Egyptian mummy in cyberspace, we begin in the museum basement and end where no one has gone before. Egyptologist John Taylor and a team of virtual reality experts from computer giant SGI transformed the mummified body of Nesperennub--an ancient Egyptian priest--into the world's first virtual mummy. From a set of 1500 CAT scans, they created a 3-D model of the mummy that could be "unwrapped" in the computer. The stunning stereoscopic images reveal Nesperennub's body in amazing clarity--and exactly like the embalmers left it in 800 BC! By going under the wraps of Nesperennub, we journey into the life and times of this ancient Egyptian.

11.00 p.m. |HISTU| Flying Pyramids Soaring Stones
How did the ancient Egyptians build the pyramids and lift obelisks? These spectacular feats of engineering defy explanation. Theories about ropes, ramps, ingenuity, and brute force abound. Even aliens have been credited. But no definitive answer to this enigma exists. Now, an extraordinary new theory is being tested. Expert sailors, Egyptians used wind power on the Nile. Could they also harness the power of the wind on land and use land sails, or kites, to help lift heavy stones?
================================================================
Tuesday, March 15
================================================================
3.00 p.m. |DISCC| Legend Hunters: The Holy Grail & Noah's Ark
Sought for millennia by kings, knights and adventurers, the Holy Grail represents the ultimate treasure to its possessor; researchers combines science with theology to prove that Noah and his ark actually existed.

7.00 p.m. |HINT| Jerusalem: Holy Deadly City
The history of the city that is the spiritual center of three of the world's major religions. Explores the mysteries hidden under the city, far from the view of tourists, and shows what the city was like at the time of the great kings David and Solomon.

8.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Pyramid of Doom: An Ancient Murder Mystery
dna

9.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Mystery of the Persian Mummy
dna

10.00 p.m. |NGU| Stealing History
Vestiges of Egypt's proud history still stand aboveground--and are also buried below. This is the story of an ancient land and the priceless treasures it holds.

8.00 p.m. |DISCC| Superweapons of the Ancient World: The Claw
History says that Archimedes created a terrifying secret weapon that plucked Roman warships from the sea and smashed them against the rocks; could such a devastating weapon have been built using available technology in 213 BC?

8.00 p.m. |HINT| The Road to El Dorado
Discover the gems of the 15th century Incan empire, a domain which covered much of South America. The splendid cities of Cuzco and Chairana and the grandeur of Machu Picchu captivated the imagination and, unfortunately, greed of the Spanish conquistadors. Lifelike virtual construction gives viewers a close look at the massive sacred grounds of the Temple of the Sun at Cuzco, religious and political capital of a world known to generations of European adventurers as El Dorado.

8.30 p.m. |HINT| The Lost Cities of the Maya
Between the 3rd and 10th centuries AD, the Mayan civilization ruled much of Central America. Travel back to the magnificent Mayan cities of Uxmal, Tulúm, Chichén Itzá, and the capital Palenque, with its breathtaking pyramid built by master mathematicians. Experience the cutting edge of archaeological exploration as we take viewers on a virtual tour of these ancient cities to see them as only their inhabitants could have done.

9.00 p.m. |DISCC| Superweapons of the Ancient World: The Ram
The team, including top military engineers from the U.S. military academy at West Point, re-creates a Roman tortoise ram and tests it by trying to demolish a specially re-created replica of an ancient six-metre-high, 3.5-metre-thick city wall.

10.00 p.m. |HINT| Time Team: Hartlepool, Northumbria
In 640 AD, on a storm-swept headland surrounded on three sides by the sea, St. Aidan founded a monastery at what is now modern-day Hartlepool in Northumbria, England. Occupied by both monks and nuns, it survived for three centuries before finally being destroyed by the Danes in the 9th century. Join Time Team as they investigate the site and unearth a piece of metal thought to be a clasp from a book used in the monastery and a complete female burial--all in three days!

11.00 p.m. |HINT| 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 (modern-day Santorini) 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.
================================================================
Thursday, March 17
================================================================
4.00 p.m. |DISCC| Superweapons of the Ancient World: The Claw
History says that Archimedes created a terrifying secret weapon that plucked Roman warships from the sea and smashed them against the rocks; could such a devastating weapon have been built using available technology in 213 BC?

5.00 p.m. |DISCC| Superweapons of the Ancient World: The Ram
The team, including top military engineers from the U.S. military academy at West Point, re-creates a Roman tortoise ram and tests it by trying to demolish a specially re-created replica of an ancient six-metre-high, 3.5-metre-thick city wall.

7.00 p.m. |HINT| The Greatest Pharaohs, Part 4
Cleopatra uses her cunning mix of politics and seduction in a desperate bid to maintain her power, but fails.

9.00 p.m. |NGU| Stonehenge
Why was it built? Who did it? These questions surround Stonehenge -- one of the history's greatest unsolved mysteries. Explore cutting edge theories and watch as a leading scientist attempts to crack the mystery.
================================================================
Friday, March 18
================================================================
7.00 p.m. |DCIVC| MTA: The Lost City of Roman Britain
dna

9.00 p.m. |DISCC| The Sphinx Unmasked
The Sphinx is the largest free-standing stone sculpture on Earth, but for most of the 4,500 years of its existence, its true origin and the identity of its face have been cloaked in mystery; an Egyptologist is on the verge of cracking the riddle.

10.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Conquerors: Alexander the Great
dna
================================================================
Sunday, March 20
================================================================
7.00 p.m. |HINT| Time Team: Hartlepool, Northumbria
In 640 AD, on a storm-swept headland surrounded on three sides by the sea, St. Aidan founded a monastery at what is now modern-day Hartlepool in Northumbria, England. Occupied by both monks and nuns, it survived for three centuries before finally being destroyed by the Danes in the 9th century. Join Time Team as they investigate the site and unearth a piece of metal thought to be a clasp from a book used in the monastery and a complete female burial--all in three days!

8.00 p.m. |DISCU| Secrets of the Great Wall
The greatest defensive structure ever built by man, China's Great Wall has remained a mystery. For 3,000 years, it dominated China's landscape and culture. With unprecedented access, discover the secrets of the Wall's design and construction.

9.00 p.m. |DISCU| Genghis Khan: Rise of the Conqueror
He was a man who combined savagery with sheer tactical genius. Follow the rise to glory of Genghis Kahn, a man who became the greatest conqueror the world has ever known, measuring his territories not in thousands but in millions of square miles.

9.00 p.m. |HINT|Viking! The Norse Raiders
During the long years of the Dark Ages, there was no more feared sight than that of a Viking longship on the horizon. The Norsemen were ruthless warriors who plundered for land and gold as they made settlements in Britain, most notably in York. We take viewers back to 991 BC to experience the Battle of Maldon--a battle for which history provides the only detailed description of an Anglo-Saxon army during the Viking era. Features groundbreaking 3-D CGI animation combined with atmospheric recreations.

10.00 p.m. |DISCU| Khubla Khan: Fall of the Mongol Hordes
The night before his invasion of Japan, Kublai Khan's fleet of 4,000 ships was decimated by a catastrophic hurricane. Now, a team of underwater archaeologists uses the wreck of a huge Mongol warship to revisit the final moments of Khan's legendary glory.
================================================================
Channel Guide

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~ March 7 - 13

Sun, 06 Mar 2005 22:44:58 GMT

================================================================
The Ancient World on Television March 7-13, 2005
================================================================
All times Eastern

Please visit our blog:

http://www.atrium-media.com/rogueclassicism/

If you're using an (ahem) old or clunky browser, try accessing
it via Bloglines:

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n.b. official descriptions are provided by the respective
networks' websites

n.b. 2 ... this week we are happy to add the Science Channel
(designated as SCI) to our weekly scan

n.b. 3 ... if you'd like to post a review of one of the
programs which deals with the ancient Mediterranean world,
please visit our incipient online forum: Classics Central

http://s9.invisionfree.com/Classics_Central/
================================================================
Monday, March 7
================================================================
10.00 p.m. |HINT| Gods & Goddesses
The world of the Ancient Greeks lives on today through its mythology. For countless generations prior to biblical times, tales of gods and goddesses were passed down by storytellers and interwoven into traditions and philosophies. Each city devoted itself to particular gods. But these gods also had human frailties. Where did the pantheon originate? Did any of the stories in Greek mythology actually occur? We look at new archaeological evidence that supports the possibility.

10.00 p.m. |SCI| Queen of Sheba: Behind the Myth
The name of the Queen of Sheba is synonymous with the exotic and the erotic, and yet she has remained a tantalizing mystery. Follow the work of archaeologists as they piece together the dramatic life of one history's most enigmatic queens.
================================================================
Tuesday, March 8
================================================================
4.00 a.m. |DCIVC| Leonardo's Dream Machines
dna

3.00 p.m. |DISCC| Ancient Clues: In Search of Warrior Women
Excavation of a series of large earthen burial mounds near the Black Sea leads to new discoveries about the role women played in defensive and offensive warfare within the ancient nomadic Sarmation culture.

3.30 p.m. |DISCC| Ancient Clues: The Mummy's Curse
When an amateur archaeologist opens an unmarked crypt beneath a church in the Italian hamlet of Cereto, he stumbles onto the epic tale of a doctor excommunicated for practising early forms of surgery.

7.00 p.m. |HINT| Herod the Great
Explores the life of King Herod, the great builder who left behind Masada and the Temple Mount. Was he a great king or a ruthless killer?

8.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Mystery of the Tibetan Mummy
dna

9.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Atlantis in the Andes
dna
================================================================
Wednesday, March 9
================================================================
7.00 p.m. |HINT| The Puzzling Pyramids of Mexico
Travel to the ancient city of Teotihuacán, home of the magnificent pyramids and Temple of the Feathered Spirit.

8.00 p.m. |HINT| Secrets of Archaeology: Greek Cities in Italy
Nearly 2,800 years ago, a group of Greek settlers landed on the coast of Italy, an event that marked the start of the process that created Magna Graecia--(Latin for Greater Greece)--Greek colonization of Southern Italy and Sicily. Explore the computer-recreated streets of the original Greek colonies as we walk through Cumae, Pasteum, Puteoli, and Neapolis, reconstructed using the most advanced computer graphics.

8.30 p.m. |HINT| Secrets of Archaeology: The Pyramids of the Sun
Aztec civilization reached its height in the early 16th century. Explore the capital of their empire, Tenochtitlán, home to elaborate sacred temples that sit atop gigantic stepped pyramids. Witness the majesty of this warrior culture that has been unearthed by preeminent archaeologists below what is modern-day Mexico City. Take a virtual walking tour, right along with Aztec citizens, as our state-of-the-art technology coupled with enhanced 3-D graphics allow us to see the ancient sites as only the original inhabitants could.

9.00 p.m. |HISTC|Great Fire of Rome
In the early hours of July 19, 64 A.D, fire broke out in Rome. More than one million people ran for their lives as flames devoured their homes. The fire raged for more than a week. For centuries, questions surrounding the fire have remained unanswered. What—or who—started this raging inferno? This program takes viewers back to ancient times in search of definitive explanations.

10.00 p.m. |NGU| Who Built Stonehenge?
With the help of animation, CGI, and special effects, investigate who-or what-built Stonehenge.

10.00 p.m. |HINT| Time Team: Cirencester
Around 1,700 years ago, Corinium--modern day Cirencester--was the second-most important city in Roman Britain after Londinium. By about 300 AD, it had developed into a bustling, wealthy city. Time Team was drawn to Cirencester by the opportunity to excavate in the gardens of a number of properties near the center of old Corinium. Though it has been said that you can't put a shovel into the ground in Cirencester without unearthing Roman relics, Time Team adds their 2-spades worth!

11.00 p.m. |HISTU|Mesopotamia: Return to Eden
Leap back through time as this Emmy Award-winning series travels to the Fertile Crescent to recreate the ancient past using dramatic reenactments, visits to actual locations, and recent archaeological discoveries. This episode, narrated by Sam Waterston, explores ancient Mesopotamia, now located in Iraq; examines the kingdoms of Sumeria, Babylon, and Assyria; studies the origins of the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths; and follows clues leading to the locations of the Garden of Eden, Tower of Babel, and Noah's Ark.
================================================================
Thursday, March 10
================================================================
7.00 p.m. |HINT| The Greatest Pharaohs, Part 3
Akhenaten the Heretic King and Queen Nefertiti rock Egypt to its foundations, and King Seti the First wages brilliant military campaigns against Egypt's enemies.

8.00 p.m. |HINT|Maintaining the Truth
Part 2 investigates the letters of the New Testament, many of which warn the early Christian communities against heretics and their teachings. We examine the letters of the brothers of Jesus, James and Jude, and look at how the Jewish movement in Jerusalem, led by James, eventually clashed with Paul's preachings on Christ. And speaking of Paul, we look at Saul's conversion to Paul, and how his subsequent correspondences with the Mediterranean congregations helped Christianity grow from a seed movement in its homeland into a pullulating global movement.
================================================================
Friday, March 11
================================================================
7.00 p.m. |DTC| Sodom and Gomorrah
Examine geological clues to a natural disaster responsible for one of the most dramatic apocalyptic events in history. Search for evidence of earthquakes and landslides that sparked the fires that consumed the Biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

7.00 p.m. |HINT| Christopher Columbus: Explorer of the New World
An original profile of the explorer that reveals details of his life that will surprise many viewers. Columbus received little credit for his discoveries and died a broken and largely forgotten man.

8.00 p.m. |DTC| The Early Years
Explore the strange fables that surround Jesus' birth. Follow the childhood and early adult years of Jesus using a first century living museum newly opened in Nazareth. Find out why Jesus began his mission and why he chose to live his life the way he did.

9.00 p.m. |DTC| The Mission
Learn how Jesus carried out his ministry as a healer and exorcist and how his taste for parties with undesirable guests became an attack on religious authorities. Follow him to Jerusalem and see how dangerous it was for him during the Passover Festival.

9.00 p.m. |SCI| Leonardo's Incredible Machines - Part One
Leonardo da Vinci was a brilliant inventor and engineer as well as a gifted painter. Modern engineers try to rebuild da Vinci's inventions to his specifications as found in his famous coded drawings.

9.00 p.m. |DISCC| Mysterious Death of Cleopatra
The daughter of an incestuous marriage, Cleopatra married and murdered her brothers, inheriting the throne of Egypt at age 17; her life was filled with the unexplained; experts reexamine the circumstances of Cleopatra's untimely death.

10.00 p.m. |DTC| The Last Days
Look at the last days of Jesus' life: the Last Supper; the Mount of Olives where he prayed and sweat blood; and the trial where he is condemned for blasphemy. Explore what may have accounted for his resurrection and find out what he may have looked like.

10.00 p.m. |SCI| Leonardo's Incredible Machines - Part Two
Leonardo da Vinci was a brilliant inventor and engineer as well as a gifted painter. Modern engineers try to rebuild da Vinci's inventions to his specifications as found in his famous coded drawings.

11.00 p.m. |DTC| The Quest for the True Cross
Based on the New York Times best-seller, scholarly detective work and historical adventure draw conclusions about the remains of Christ's actual cross. This comprehensive study could overturn centuries of academic assumptions about the crucifixion.

12.00 a.m. |DTC| Spear of Jesus
In the Hofsburg Museum in Vienna, Austria, lies a metal spearhead said to have been used to pierce the side of Christ during his crucifixion. For the first time, scientific testing will establish if this ancient relic really is the Spear of Christ.
================================================================
Sunday, March 13
================================================================
7.00 p.m. |HINT| Time Team: Cirencester
Around 1,700 years ago, Corinium--modern day Cirencester--was the second-most important city in Roman Britain after Londinium. By about 300 AD, it had developed into a bustling, wealthy city. Time Team was drawn to Cirencester by the opportunity to excavate in the gardens of a number of properties near the center of old Corinium. Though it has been said that you can't put a shovel into the ground in Cirencester without unearthing Roman relics, Time Team adds their 2-spades worth!

8.00 p.m. |DISCC| Superweapons of the Ancient World: The Claw
History says that Archimedes created a terrifying secret weapon that plucked Roman warships from the sea and smashed them against the rocks; could such a devastating weapon have been built using available technology in 213 BC?

9.00 p.m. |DISCC|Superweapons of the Ancient World: The Ram
The team, including top military engineers from the U.S. military academy at West Point, re-creates a Roman tortoise ram and tests it by trying to demolish a specially re-created replica of an ancient six-metre-high, 3.5-metre-thick city wall.
================================================================
Channel Guide

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~ On TV February 21-27

Sun, 20 Feb 2005 16:33:15 GMT

================================================================
The Ancient World on Television February 21-27, 2005
================================================================
All times Eastern

Please visit our blog:

http://www.atrium-media.com/rogueclassicism/

If you're using an (ahem) old or clunky browser, try accessing
it via Bloglines:

http://www.bloglines.com/preview?siteid=21809

n.b. official descriptions are provided by the respective
networks' websites
================================================================
Monday, February 21
================================================================
6.00 p.m. |HISTU| Digging for the Truth: The Holy Grail
For all its fame, the Holy Grail remains shrouded in mystery. What exactly was it? Could it have survived to this day? Why has it inspired so many treasure seekers? To Christians, it is the holiest of objects, the cup from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper, also believed to be the chalice that Joseph of Arimathea used to catch Christ's blood as he died on the cross. Though now thought of as a goblet, the actual word "grail" comes to us from the Latin word gradalis--a flat dish or shallow vessel brought to the table during various courses of a meal. The story itself did not originate until medieval times, when it helped inflame the Crusaders' quest. Host and adventurer Josh Bernstein follows the Grail's trail from Holy Land to medieval French castles to a dark chapter in the Nazi saga, when Hitler financed a search for the Grail to unite a secret society of knights. On the way, Josh learns its true meaning and power.

7.00 p.m. |BIO| Pompeii: Buried Alive
Exploration of the archaeological site of the city that was encrusted by incendiary ash when deadly Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Archaeological director Baldasarre Conticello takes viewers on a tour of Pompeii's ruins, and visits Herculaneum, which was destroyed by Vesuvius at the same time.

9.00 p.m. |HISTU|Digging for the Truth: The Iceman Cometh
In 1991, a pair of vacationing German hikers stumbled onto one of the most remarkable finds in the history of archaeology: the perfectly preserved body of a 5,000-year old man. What made the discovery so important was more than just his state of physical preservation, but also the period of time from which he came--the very cusp of the age between stone and steel. Host and adventurer Josh Bernstein heads for the high Alps on the Austrian-Italian border to discover the latest secrets revealed by the clothes, weaponry, and body of Ötzi the Iceman. Josh faces down a deadly blizzard, helicopters out of near disaster, and comes face-to-face with a stone-cold, stone-age killer. Along the way, he discovers that the Iceman is rewriting our ideas about the life of our ancestors at the dawn of civilization--and he learns much about the character of Ötzi!
================================================================
Tuesday, February 22
================================================================
3.00 p.m. |DISCC| Ancient Clues: Huaca de la Luna
Along the coast of northern Peru, a jumble of bones reveals the violent secret ceremonies of the Moche people.

3.30 p.m. |DISCC| Ancient Clues: Mass Death in Marseille
A work crew digging the foundation for a new apartment building comes across an ancient mass grave; scientists isolate the DNA of the infamous plague of 1720 which killed half the city in three months.

8.00 p.m. |DISCU| Murder in the Old West/ The Turin Mummies
In Wyoming, the skeleton of a man was uncovered in a sand dune. John and Heather apply their skills in 21st century forensics to a long-cold case. Can they reconstruct the last moments of this man from the 1850s?

8.00 p.m. |DCIVC| The Priests of Amun
dna

9.00 p.m. |DCIVC| The Nile: The River of the Gods
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.
================================================================
Wednesday, February 23
================================================================
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. |HINT| The Forgotten Civilizations of Anatolia
Throughout the course of history, many great civilizations have flourished in the area we now identify as Turkey, which forms a natural bridge between Europe and Asia. Join us on a virtual tour of Gordiyon (also known as Gordium), the domain of King Midas, Hattusa, the famous Hittite capital with its spectacular royal citadel, and the later cities ruled by the Greeks during the days of the Byzantine Empire. Using state-of-the-art computer technology and the latest in archaeological exploration, we walk viewers through ancient sites along with the citizens of the time.

8.00 p.m. |DTC| Pyramids Are Everywhere
Travel beyond Egypt to Java, China and Iraq to learn why civilizations around the globe constructed pyramids. Ancient people were striving to be closer to God and the laws of physics required them to start with a broad base as they built upward.

9.00 p.m. |DTC| Pyramid Builders
Discover the genius of a handful of men responsible for one of man's greatest achievements. Rulers like Egypt's Imhotep, China's Emperor Chin and Mayan ruler Yax K'uk Mo masterminded some of the most ambitious structures in history.

10.00 p.m. |DTC| Why Build Pyramids?
Pyramids served many purposes throughout history, from a gateway to heaven for Buddhists to a sacrificial altar for Mayans. Learn how the same structure that guarded Pharaoh's treasures in the afterlife served to honor the gods with human sacrifice.

11.00 p.m. |DCIVC|Greece: Journeys to the Gods
dna

11.00 p.m. |HINT| Ancient Egypt: Quest for Immortality
Beneath the sands of Egypt in 1922, Howard Carter prepares to breach the final barrier between the modern world and the most coveted prize in archaeology--the tomb of the Boy-King, Tutankhamun, intact and untouched for thousands of years. Join us as we probe the enduring legacy of the pharaohs in this Emmy Award-winning series narrated by Sam Waterston. Features dramatic reenactments, location footage, and recent archaeological discoveries to help reconstruct the ancient past.
================================================================
Thursday, February 24
================================================================
4.00 p.m. |DCIVC| The Priests of Amun
dna

5.00 p.m. |DCIVC| The Most Evil Men in History: Caligula
dna

6.00 p.m. |DTC| Finding Atlantis
The search for the lost civilization of Atlantis has captured the imagination for the last 2,000 years. Examine the evidence gathered by three teams, each with its own theory. Discover mysterious links to ancient civilizations lost to time.

7.00 p.m. |NGU| Egyptian Mummies
Hidden for 25 centuries, a mummy lies among the remains of an elaborately carved coffin. Examine the mysteries surrounding the life and death of this Egyptian official and the secrets his tomb promises to unlock.

8.00 p.m. |DISCU| Pompeii: The Last Day
On August 24, AD 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.

8.00 p.m. |HINT| But Whose Truth Was the Truth?
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 25
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7.00 p.m. |DTC| The Pyramid of Doom: An Ancient Murder Mystery
Excavations at an ancient pyramid in Peru reveal some 70 skeletons grotesquely splayed across a mud plaza in positions of sudden, violent death. An archaeological team reveals a dark side of one of antiquity's most brilliant civilizations.

7.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Meet The Ancestors: Napoleon's Lost Army
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8.00 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.

9.00 p.m. |DTC| Sodom and Gomorrah
Examine geological clues to a natural disaster responsible for one of the most dramatic apocalyptic events in history. Search for evidence of earthquakes and landslides that sparked the fires that consumed the Biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

9.00 p.m. |DISCC|Becoming Alexander
Follow actor Colin Farrell as he prepares to bring Alexander the Great to life on the big screen; the political, military and historical context in which Alexander operated.

10.00 p.m. |DTC| The Maya Collapse
Journey into the heart of the Belize jungle to uncover clues to the demise of an extraordinarily advanced civilization. Could a devastating drought be the cause of the sudden death of millions? Examine the archaeological evidence.
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Saturday, February 26
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5.00 p.m. |HISTC| Beasts of the Roman Games
This program tells the story of how the Romans procured and transported thousands of wild animals from every corner of their Empire to feed the blood-thirsty sensationalism of "to the death" animal fights in Rome.

11.00 p.m. |HISTU| The Medici Assassination
As head of the powerful 15th-century Florentine family, Lorenzo de' Medici was the ultimate Renaissance man. The leadership of Lorenzo and his family created an atmosphere of culture, sophistication, and wisdom that enabled Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Botticelli to flourish artistically. Just as skilled at politics, the wealthy Medici ruled Florence for centuries without holding an office. Their power to bestow and withhold favors made them feared and revered, loved and hated. On April 26, 1478, a gang of men repeatedly attacked Lorenzo and his brother Giuliano with knives in the Duomo cathedral during high Mass. Giuliano died, but a wounded Lorenzo survived. For centuries, historians believed the Pazzi family, Medici banking rivals, were at the center of the complex plot. Now, Dr. Marcello Simonetta, a historian at Wesleyan University, offers a shocking twist. Did the Pazzi Conspiracy include a much broader range of perpetrators, reaching all the way to the Vatican?
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Sunday, February 27
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7.00 p.m. |HINT| Time Team: Thetford, Norfolk
Time Team goes back to school when they are invited to investigate a mystery at Thetford Grammar School in Norfolk, England, where clues in the school grounds may lead to the remains of a Norman cathedral and prove that the site might also have been the ancient ecclesiastical center of East Anglia. They are also assigned another task: to trace the origins of the medieval walls in the school playground. Were they part of a 14th-century friary? Can they solve the mysteries in the 3-day time limit?
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Channel Guide

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~ On TV February 14-20

Sun, 13 Feb 2005 17:19:26 GMT

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The Ancient World on Television February 14-20, 2005
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All times Eastern

Please visit our blog:

http://www.atrium-media.com/rogueclassicism/

If you're using an (ahem) old or clunky browser, try accessing
it via Bloglines:

http://www.bloglines.com/preview?siteid=21809

n.b. official descriptions are provided by the respective
networks' websites
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Monday, February 14
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7.00 p.m. |HINT| Mystery Gold of the Black Sea Warriors
Long before Egypt and Babylon left their imprint on history, a remarkable culture crafted a vast treasure trove of exquisite golden objects that dazzles the eye and tantalizes the senses. They were the Thracians. Feared and ruthless warriors, they challenged the might of the Greek and Roman empires. According to Homer, they fought on the side of Troy during the Trojan Wars. They left behind an enduring legacy, epitomized by the renegade slave Spartacus, then disappeared into history's mists.

8.00 p.m. |HINT| Heaven on Earth: Christianity
Christy Kenneally explores the art and architecture of Christianity and visits some of the earliest outposts of Christianity. He begins his journey on Ireland's Island of Inishmurray, where Celtic monks took sanctuary in beehive-shaped stone huts built to survive both the extreme climate and Viking attacks. Some of the other spectacular locations he visits include the monolithic rock-hewn cave churches of Lalibela in Ethiopia, Santa Sophia (Hagia Sophia in Greek) in Istanbul, and the spectacular Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona.

8.30 p.m. |HINT| Heaven on Earth: Islam
Presenter Christy Kenneally explores the art and architecture of Islam. He begins his journey in Djenné, Mali, West Africa, where he discovers the largest mud structure in the world--the Djenné Mosque. He continues on to the largest mosque in India, the Jama Masjid Mosque in Dehli. From there, he travels to the Muslim Mosque of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, once a Christian Cathedral. Next, Christy explores the artistic splendor of the Great Mosque of Córdoba, Spain and, finally, the unique and imposing structure that is the New York Mosque.

9.00 p.m. |HISTU| The Holy Grail
For all its fame, the Holy Grail remains shrouded in mystery. What exactly was it? Could it have survived to this day? Why has it inspired so many treasure seekers? To Christians, it is the holiest of objects, the cup from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper, also believed to be the chalice that Joseph of Arimathea used to catch Christ's blood as he died on the cross. Though now thought of as a goblet, the actual word "grail" comes to us from the Latin word gradalis--a flat dish or shallow vessel brought to the table during various courses of a meal. The story itself did not originate until medieval times, when it helped inflame the Crusaders' quest. Host and adventurer Josh Bernstein follows the Grail's trail from Holy Land to medieval French castles to a dark chapter in the Nazi saga, when Hitler financed a search for the Grail to unite a secret society of knights. On the way, Josh learns its true meaning and power.
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Tuesday, February 15
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3.00 p.m. |DISCC| Ancient Clues: Neanderthals
The discovery of a 120,000-year-old skull fragment in a cave in southern France provides scientific proof that Neanderthals engaged in ritual cannibalism.

3.30 p.m. |DISCC| Ancient Clues: The Wounded King
A Mayan king is found to have survived incredible injuries that cannot have been simply battle wounds; fascinating details of the life of Yax KukMo are revealed.

8.00 p.m. |DCIVC|Ancient Egyptians - Tomb Robbers
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8.00 p.m. |DISCU| The Emperor's Mummy/ Death of a Warrior
In Peru, analysis of skeletons in a burial pit reveals throats that were slit with enough force to nearly decapitate the victims. These deaths were part of an organized ritual. But why did they need to appease their gods with so much blood?

9.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Quest for the Lost Pharaoh
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11.00 p.m. |HINT| Atlantis: The Lost Civilization
Why has the legend of a continent under the sea captivated the imaginations of generations of people that have searched for Atlantis? Did Atlantis really exist, and if so, where? Plato discussed the legend in two of his dialogues, Timaeus and Critias, the only known written accounts from ancient sources that refer specifically to Atlantis. Atlantis has been linked to Bimini, the Canary Islands, Santorini, and Troy, among other places. What kind of people were the Atlanteans? According to scholars of Atlantis, they developed a technologically advanced civilization that has yet to be surpassed. Did Atlantis sink to the bottom of the ocean in a day and a night? What catastrophic events may have led to its demise? Or is the tale pure fiction invented by a Plato to illustrate a philosophic argument?
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Wednesday, February 16
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7.00 p.m. |HINT| Secrets at Delphi
An exploration of the hallowed Greek ground at Delphi, where Zeus's two eagles crossed paths and the Oracle prophesied the fortunes of kings and countries.

8.00 p.m. |HINT| The Road to El Dorado
Discover the gems of the 15th century Incan empire, a domain which covered much of South America. The splendid cities of Cuzco and Chairana and the grandeur of Machu Picchu captivated the imagination and, unfortunately, greed of the Spanish conquistadors. Lifelike virtual construction gives viewers a close look at the massive sacred grounds of the Temple of the Sun at Cuzco, religious and political capital of a world known to generations of European adventurers as El Dorado.

9.00 p.m. |HISTC| Dawn of the Maya
In the tangled jungle of northern Guatemala lie clues to the origin of the great Maya civilization. A one-hour Special follows archaeologists as they excavate magnificent Preclassic ruins, from an enormous carved mask to temples that may hold tombs of the first Maya kings to a stunning mural depicting a Maya creation myth.

11.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Discovery Time Capsule: Ancient Civilizations
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Friday, February 18
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8.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Seven Wonders of the World: Ghosts of Wonder
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Saturday, February 19
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7.00 p.m. |DCIVC| Legend Hunters: The Holy Grail & Noah's Ark
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Sunday, February 20
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6.00 p.m. |HINT|Atlantis: The Lost Civilization
Why has the legend of a continent under the sea captivated the imaginations of generations of people that have searched for Atlantis? Did Atlantis really exist, and if so, where? Plato discussed the legend in two of his dialogues, Timaeus and Critias, the only known written accounts from ancient sources that refer specifically to Atlantis. Atlantis has been linked to Bimini, the Canary Islands, Santorini, and Troy, among other places. What kind of people were the Atlanteans? According to scholars of Atlantis, they developed a technologically advanced civilization that has yet to be surpassed. Did Atlantis sink to the bottom of the ocean in a day and a night? What catastrophic events may have led to its demise? Or is the tale pure fiction invented by a Plato to illustrate a philosophic argument?

7.00 p.m. |HINT| History Explorer
In 640 AD, on a storm-swept headland surrounded on three sides by the sea, St. Aidan founded a monastery at what is now modern-day Hartlepool in Northumbria, England. Occupied by both monks and nuns, it survived for three centuries before finally being destroyed by the Danes in the 9th century. Join Time Team as they investigate the site and unearth a piece of metal thought to be a clasp from a book used in the monastery and a complete female burial--all in three days!

9.00 p.m. |HINT| Line of Fire: Viking! The Norse Raiders
During the long years of the Dark Ages, there was no more feared sight than that of a Viking longship on the horizon. The Norsemen were ruthless warriors who plundered for land and gold as they made settlements in Britain, most notably in York. We take viewers back to 991 BC to experience the Battle of Maldon--a battle for which history provides the only detailed description of an Anglo-Saxon army during the Viking era. Features groundbreaking 3-D CGI animation combined with atmospheric recreations.

10.00 p.m. |TLC| Noah's Ark: The True Story
Search for the truth behind the story of Noah and his ark. Find out how Noah could have built such a structure and whether or not a great flood took place on the earth. The search for remains of the ark continues today.
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