| Description |
1 online resource (streaming video file) (49 min. 24 sec.) ; 299733457 bytes |
| Summary |
This four-part documentary series examines the events leading up to the fall of the great empires of Egypt, Persia, Carthage and Rome. Tonight's episode, The Fall of Rome sketches the rise of the Roman empire from the legendary era of Romulus and Remus through its far-reaching military conquests up to its hey-day, but is principally concerned with what led to the downfall of such a great empire. Did Rome fall because her leaders became fat, lazy and corrupted by Bacchanalian feasting? Were they slowly poisoned by their lead water pipes? Did their battles with the barbarians and, in particular, their huge loss at the Battle of Varus, weaken them? Did the clampdown on Christianity and persecuting its followers distract them from their military pursuits? This program comes to the conclusion that all of these factors played a role but none was single-handedly responsible or too great to stop the Roman Empire flourishing one last time under Constantine. He won a major victory over his rival Maxentius, declared Christianity the new state religion and extended Rome's empire to the east. However, the barbaric hordes from the north were growing in number and pressing for expansion. When Emperor Valens decided to let them enter the empire, it slowly but irrevocably changed its nature. (From Germany, in German, Italian and English, English subtitles) |
| Event |
Broadcast 2006-11-19 at 19:30:00 |
| Notes |
Classification: PG |
| Subject |
Augustus, Emperor of Rome, 63 B.C.-14 A.D.
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Battles.
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Civilization, Ancient.
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History, Ancient.
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Romulus, King of Rome.
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Rome.
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| Form |
Streaming video
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| Author |
Duncan, Alastair, cast
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Kafitz, Klaus, director
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Klein, Gunther, director
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