More than two thousand years ago, the world was ruled by Rome. From England to Africa, from Syria to Spain, a quarter of the planet’s population lived and died under Roman law. The Roman Empire in the first century AD was complex and brutal, and could suddenly move from civilization, greatness, and crumbling power to terror, tyranny, and greed.
The leader of the package. Leading the charge is the Emperor, a strange bunch (always men). Few people are doing well: some are fine – some are even great – but too many abuse their status and power. They have a job for life, but that job can always be shortened. Murder is an occupational hazard. The emperor sat at the apex of the Roman social order. That is as fine as flour. In order to be admitted as a rider or senator, special qualifications are required. Even freed slaves had different rights than commoners.
Daily life in ancient Rome. Furthermore, the social status of each citizen determines the life he leads. While all Romans enjoyed bathing and arranging their dinners, their dress and food, homes and hobbies were all products of their class. Those who tried to rise too quickly were cruelly mocked by Petronius, just one of many Roman writers whose observation and wisdom still breathed life into a long-dead society.
Not just a city. Petronius knew his city well, but Rome itself was much more than a city. His empire was a vast collection of states supported by force. It’s not always peaceful. Enemies and rebels such as Cleopatra and Boudica reveal the Roman steel behind his civilization. Even allowing for the occasional rebellion, the empire is a colossal achievement. It is a vast market where citizens can trade and travel freely. This contributed to the spread of foreign religions such as Judaism and early Christianity as far as Rome. Slowly, these religions eroded the traditional Roman spirit and gods. At the end of the first century AD, Rome was even ruled by the Spaniard Trajan. He was the first of many foreign emperors to demonstrate that the Roman Empire was a vast, multicultural melting pot that still holds true more than 2,000 years later. (From pbs.org)
The following playlist contains 4 episodes of approximately 55 minutes each in HD:
- Order of Chaos,
- Year of Trial,
- Winds of Change,
- Year of Outbreak.
