Running Time: 30 minutes

In The Rise of the Roman Republic learn how from the humblest beginnings, Rome rose up to become the first self-governing republic. By including their vanquished and allowing anyone to move up through the ranks of their unique society, Rome came to control much of the Mediterranean world.

Chapters:

• The Rise of the Roman Republic - Gives an overview of the first half of the Roman Republic from 750 B.C. to 300 B.C.
• Origin and Homeland of Rome - From an Iron Age village along the Tiber River in central Italy, Rome was well placed because of geography for becoming the most successful city-state of the ancient world. Their origin myth of Remus and Romulus was based on struggle and the ideal of never giving up
• Roman Society - The unique set of relationships derived from the client patron system produced the world's first upwardly mobile economic, political and social structures
• Governing the Republic - Copied by America's founding fathers, Rome's Republic is a form of self rule where everyone counts, although not equally
• The Aqueducts and Roads - The first engineering wonders of the ancient world's greatest engineers
• Latin - The spoken and written language of the Romans was Latin

Running Time: 30 minutes

In Military Triumphs and the Death of the Republic we see how in the second half of the Republic, the Romans became the greatest fighting force in the ancient world. The Romans told themselves through their myths that the gods mandated they were destined to rule the entire ancient world. However, their incredible military success would lead to civil wars as the armies of Julius Caesar and Pompey fought for control of Rome. The only solution to ending these devastating civil wars was to abandon the Republic in favor of a monarchy.

Chapters:

• Military Triumphs and the Death of the Roman Republic - An overview of the second half of the Republic from 300 B.C. to 27 B.C.
• The Military and War - Describes how the Roman military was constituted and explains its strategies and tactics on the battlefield
• Julius Caesar and the Collapse of the Roman Republic - The incredible story of the last days of the Republic, which included such renowned historical figures as Julius Caesar, Gnaeus Pompey, Marcus Brutus, Marc Antony and Cleopatra
• Greek Influence on Rome - Spurred by Greek influence, the Romans launch their own monumental architecture, art and literature
• Greek Gods - A highly religious people, the Romans found parallels between their pantheon of gods and the Greek pantheon of gods
• Free Speech and Public Debate - Two of the most cherished values of the Roman Republic were freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Open public debate insured shared political power. The greatest debater of the Republic was Cicero.

Running Time: 30 minutes

Rome's first Emperor was Augustus. In The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire a series of good and bad emperors from 27 B.C. to 476 A.D. rise to Rome's throne. During this time, Rome assimilates all of the Mediterranean world and most of Western Europe, with the population of empire finally comprising over 10 million Roman citizens. In 312 A.D., Rome's last great Emperor, Constantine, embraces Christianity, setting the stage for Rome's last great accomplishment - making Christianity one of the world's great religions.

Chapters:

• The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire - An overview of the history of the Roman Empire from its founding under Augustus in 27. B.C. to its fall in 476 A.D.
• Augustus and the Making of the Empire - Augustus, Rome's first Emperor, restructured Rome's political and social system, including creating the world's finest professional, citizen army ... An army which for the first time provided retirement benefits
• Julio - Claudian Dynasty - The most notorious set of emperors followed after Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero
• The Golden Age of Imperial Rome - Under the five great rulers, Imperial Rome reached its peak in a time of great peace and accomplishment in every aspect of Roman life. This period saw the building of many of the great monumental wonders of ancient Rome itself
• Christianity in the Roman Empire - In 30 A.D. on the eastern edge of the Roman Empire, a Jewish Messiah began his teachings. He was Jesus of Nazareth. After his death, Sol of Tarsus began the Christian religion.
• Constantine and the Institutionalization of Christianity - 300 years after the death of Christ, the great Roman Emperor Constantine adopted Christianity, thus assuring its survival. Lastly, the true reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire are revealed

Running Time: 30 minutes

During the Imperial period, from Augustus to Constantine, Rome itself became the most magnificent city in the ancient world. In The Splendor of Imperial Rome - from the ancient Roman Forum to one of the seven wonders of the world, the Coliseum - the glories and accomplishments that were once Rome are revealed in stunning High Definition.

Chapters:

• The Splendor of Imperial Rome - An overview of Imperial Rome's engineering and architectural accomplishments
• The Forums - The Forums were the city's great open spaces, where politics, business and religion were practiced
• The Coliseum - An engineering marvel, the Coliseum would dwarf any physical structure for the next 2000 years
• Circus Maximus and the Palatine - Chariot races took place in full view of the Emperor's palace on the founding hill of Rome, the Palatine
• The Pantheon - Today, still as stunning as on the day it was built, the Pantheon is one of the world's great sacred spaces
• Baths - Fed by the water flowing from the famous Roman aqueducts, the Roman baths were a focal point of Roman society
• Roman Walls - The Aurelian Wall surrounding Rome encompassed such monumental pieces of architecture as Hadrian's Mausoleum and an homage to the pyramids of Egypt
• Roman Mosaics and Sculptures - Roman art reached its pinnacle of expression in mosaics and sculptures
• Rome's Lasting Accomplishments - Rome's greatest accomplishments were its self governing republic, the virtue of freedom of speech, an upwardly mobile meritocracy and the making of Christianity into a world religion