History 101: History of Western Civilization To 1715

In series 2 of The Ascent of Civilizastion, our scholars take a new approach to the rise, glory, and collapse of empires around the world. It is a mission to understand the ancient world of the Arabs, the Carthaginians, and the Germanic tribes.
2016, ZDF. 3 videos, 50 minutes each.

The road to modern society has been paved with the achievements of the past, not least those of the ancient Greeks, the Romans, and the Vikings. The Ascent of Civilization takes a fresh look at these three trailblazer cultures to unearth what made them tick, how they lived, and laid the foundations for our lives today. This is a gripping 3-part landmark series with a new take on ancient history.
2014, ZDF. 3 videos, 50 minutes each.

Having lived as mobile foragers for 99 percent of our time on Earth, why did humans set out on the road to civilization? How did they create villages, towns, cities, and states, and establish the blueprint for the modern world? First Civilizations identifies four cornerstones of civilization - war, religion, cities and trade - and explores each in the context of a different location, from Mexico, Guatemala, Iraq, Turkey, Egypt, India, and Pakistan, to Oman, Morocco, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Unearth the latest archeological discoveries, test new theories, and uncover original information as dramatic reconstructions and computer graphics visualize the lost world of the first civilizations. In each of the four episodes, discover how our ancestors were motivated by the same impulses that persist today - the inevitability of war, a need for religion, the lure of the city, and a love of trade.
2018, PBS. 4 videos, 53 minutes each.

This video clip library of 36 two-minute segments provides a concise survey of 12 history-changing empires. Each empire is given an overview segment, including a timeline graphic to place it within the context of world history, and two additional segments that delve deeper into areas of particular importance. Connections to modern life and society are emphasized throughout, to help viewers see ancient history as a living presence in today’s world.
2010, Films for the Humanities & Sciences. 1 hour 23 minutes.

From search engines and social media to philosophies of government, finance, manufacture, and law, many aspects of modern life owe their existence to a single defining era: the 18th century’s Age of Enlightenment. Filmed in locations across Britain, France, Germany, Portugal, and the United States, this two-part series shines a light on some of the key ideas and personalities of that era.
2012, BBC Worldwide Learning. Portions with English subtitles, 2 parts, 50 minutes each

The 14th – 18th centuries was a notable period in history that radically transformed the way we see the world and our place in it. Traditional understandings and worldviews faced major challenges and changes in science, philosophy and society. This was a revolutionary time for scholars, artists, radicals, scientists, free thinkers and philosophers. It was a time for the new ideas which would ultimately shape our modern world.
2016, ClickView Pty Limited. 14 minutes.

Secrets of the Dead is part detective story, part true-life drama that unearths evidence from around the world, challenging prevailing ideas and throwing fresh light on unexplained events.
2019, PBS. 3-part series, 55 minutes each.