Engineering an Empire

Where to Watch Engineering an Empire

Rome

2005-09-05

The thirst for power shared by all Roman emperors fueled an unprecedented mastery of engineering and labor. Learn about the engineering feats that set the Roman Empire apart from the rest of the ancient world.

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Da Vinci's World

2007-01-09

After the fall of Rome, Italy slowly fell into a dark sleep. It wasn't until the 11th century when the Holy Roman Empire loosened its grip on Italy, that it reawakened.

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The Byzantines

2006-12-25

Brilliance and brutality. Intellect and intrigue. Christianity and carnage. As much of the world descended into the Dark Ages after the fall of Rome, one civilization shone brilliantly: the Byzantine Empire. With ruthless might and supreme ingenuity, the Byzantines ruled over vast swaths of Europe and Asia for more than a thousand years. A bridge to antiquity, it was Byzantium that preserved the classical learning and science that would one day give rise to the Renaissance. Led by rulers who exercised absolute power and architects who pushed beyond Rome's engineering marvels, the Byzantines constructed the ancient world's longest aqueduct, virtually invincible city walls, a massive stadium, and a colossal domed cathedral that defied the laws of nature. The Byzantine Empire was the dominant civilization during the Dark Ages. But after a millennium of rule, its engineering feats would betray them - as an ancient light was extinguished in the glare of modern warfare.

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Napoleon: Steel Monster

2006-12-18

For centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire, French kings struggled for control against the church and the aristocracy and for European dominance. Chaos and bloody warfare rampaged inside and outside the country but one thing drove the nation forward: its unquenchable thirst for glory.

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China

2006-12-11

For over 4000 years, the world's greatest empires have come and gone. Only one has survived the test of time: China.

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The Persians

2006-12-04

The Persian Empire is one of the most mysterious major civilizations in the ancient world. Persia became an empire under the Achaemenid king, Cyrus the Great, who created a policy of religious and cultural tolerance that became the hallmark of Persian rule.

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Britain: Blood and Steel

2006-11-27

"The sun never sets on the British Empire" - for years, these words of pride and optimism were used to describe the largest empire in history: Britain. At its pinnacle, the empire spanned every continent and covered one quarter of the Earth's land mass.

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Russia

2006-11-20

At the height of its power this empire stretched across 15 times zones, incorporated nearly 160 different ethnicities, and made up one sixth of the entire world's landmass. An Empire that started as a few small principalities was shaped into an indomitable world power by the sheer force of its larger than life rulers.

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The Maya: Death Empire

2006-11-13

At the height of its glory, this mysterious civilization ruled a territory of 125,000 square miles across parts of Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Belize. What began as a modest population of hunters and gatherers expanded into more than forty flourishing city-states built within lush rainforests and ruled by dynasties of mighty kings.

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Carthage

2006-11-06

After its founding at the end of the ninth century B.C., this city soon grew into one of greatest civilizations of the Ancient World - a remarkable city-state that dominated the Mediterranean for over 600 years. Over that span of time, Carthaginian engineers harnessed their extensive resources and manpower to develop some of the ancient world's most groundbreaking technology. Like the Egyptian and Greek masters before them, they built colossal structures able to withstand the ravages of time and man. Carthage was protected by a massive harbor that held hundreds of war ships - which formed the core of antiquity's most formidable navy. And to protect the capital, an intricate series of defensive walls were erected that stretched for more than 23 miles, and housed a standing army of more than 20,000 men. For generations, Carthage defined power, strength and ingenuity for the ancient world. But by the third century B.C., the empire's existence was threatened by another emerging superpower across the pond - Rome. The two civilizations clashed in a series of three epic wars; a to-the-death struggle for supremacy that would last 118 years. When all was said and done, it would be the Romans who would inherit unrivalled status as the world's lone superpower, and go on to redefine the meaning of power and ingenuity. But when the Romans engineered their empire, they were only following the lead of the Carthaginians. From the city's grand harbor to the rise of one of history's greatest generals, Hannibal Barca, this episode will examine the architecture and infrastructure that enabled the rise and fall of the Carthage Empire.

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The Aztecs

2006-10-30

The story of the Aztec empire is one wrapped in myth and legend. In less than 200 years they transformed themselves from a band of wandering nomads to the greatest civilization the New World had ever known.

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Greece: Age of Alexander

2006-10-23

438 BC. The Parthenon is complete. This masterpiece is the crowning achievement of a remarkable century for the Greek people. They have enjoyed a burst of creativity rarely seen in the history of mankind. Led by Athens, the world's first democracy, the Greeks charged to new and dazzling heights of accomplishment. Art and form combined with engineering to create some of the most incredible structures ever seen. The brilliance of their ideas had conquered the world's imagination, but Greece's territorial ambitions were stymied by one civil war after another. It would take one man's desire for conquest and domination to unify Greece and then vanquish the world. Without Alexander the Great, it is possible Greece's Golden Era would have been just a footnote in history, but Alexander's triumph had its price. The Athenian experiment with democracy had ended and tens of thousands would die during Alexander's relentless attacks on Persia and Egypt. Still, his armies carried Greek life, culture and values far abroad and this empire became known as the "Hellenistic" world. Greece's amazing engineering achievements and ideas are still with us today. From Pergamon, a city that still stands today as testament to the genius of Greek city planning and engineering, to theaters with acoustics that still amaze sound engineers today, to the world's first lighthouse and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, this episode will examine the architecture and infrastructure engineered by the Greek Empire.

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Greece

2006-10-16

Western Civilization has been influenced by many cultures, from Rome to America, but it was born in Ancient Greece. Centuries before Julius Caesar conquered much of the known world, the Ancient Greeks were laying a foundation that has supported nearly 3000 years of European history.

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Egypt

2006-10-09

It was 5,000 years ago-nearly two millennia before the Romans built their first mud huts-when ancient Egyptians began creating edifices so vast and architecturally sophisticated they remain to this day among the most impressive structures ever built. For thousands of years, without the benefit of computers, cranes, trucks or power tools, Egypt's mighty pharaohs commissioned the construction of monumental masterpieces-pyramids, temples, fortresses, harbors and canals-whose scale, beauty and craftsmanship still boggle the mind.

Watch Engineering an Empire Season 1 Episode 1 Now

Engineering an Empire, which aired on the History channel, from 2005 to 2007, was a captivating and enlightening series that mesmerized viewers with a unique perspective on the masterful engineering feats of historic civilizations. Hosted by the engaging Peter Weller, accomplished actor, director and history lecturer known for his role in 'Robocop', the series promulgated the difficult yet fruitful transition of civilizations from clustered villages to sprawling empires. Engineering an Empire readjusts our viewpoints of the past, transforming prominent figures of history from statues carved in stone and marble to proactive architects, not only of imperial conquests and political machinations, but of civilization itself in the form of acclaimed engineering accomplishments. It doesn't merely look at the monolithic structures of the past, it excavates the arduous processes that breathed life into these constructions, contributing to the rise and continuity of empires. Peter Weller, the esteemed host, masterfully combines his love for history and teaching into narrating the story of the precocious architects of yesteryears. His involvement further energizes this already thrilling journey through time, offering clear and impassioned accounts of remarkable engineering feats, enhancing viewer comprehension of technical concepts, while providing a human touch to the otherwise impersonal brick and mortar. Engineering an Empire chronicles distinctive civilizations, from the Egyptian to the Greek, the benevolent reign of Pericles as well as the malevolent reign of Genghis Khan, from the Roman Empire to the Byzantine Empire, the ingenious Maya to industrious Britain and China. The narrative ingeniously interconnects episodes, seamlessly moving through eras, maintaining a sense of continuity and progression. The amalgamation of historical fact with 3D architectural models and re-creations is an impressive feat, a sincere attempt to visually translate the scale and intricacy of these creations, making this past tangible in our present. The series does a commendable job at underlining how these civilizations and their leaders used engineering to manifest their vision of empire, how each imposing structure represented more than just functional service, being symbolic of the empire's economic prosperity, its cultural zenith, its conquering spirit. Engineering an Empire, therefore, becomes a narrative of a battle for architecture, where the construction and demolition of structures alternate as a mark of power, control and legacy. Engineering an Empire achieves a balance between intellectual rigor and popular appeal, the academic aspects of archaeology and history sculpture, perfectly softened by the human melodrama of power, ambition and genius. The historical authenticity is commendable, adhering to scholarly narratives and expert consultation, ensuring that the artistic licenses taken do not deviate from the truth. There are interviews and commentaries by historians and experts in various fields, further solidifying the authenticity and credibility of each episode. The viewer is provided a detailed gaze into the testament these leaders left behind, not only through their rule but through the infrastructure they conceptualized and realized. It casts ancient architects as innovative problem solvers, dealing with challenges such as the implementation of groundbreaking technology, logistical obstacles and the management of labor forces, often proving victorious against overwhelming odds. The series presents a comprehensive picture, progressively moving from pyramid to coliseum, from aqueduct to road system, tracing the evolution of engineering, the surge of innovation and the clash of human ambition with the rigidity of nature and the limits of technology. The dynamic interplay of culture, politics and architectural prowess is captured beautifully, the series providing multiple pathways into understanding why such buildings were constructed, their cultural and political significance, their engineering aspects, and ultimately, their contribution to the structure and systems of our modern world. Over the span of its twenty episodes, Engineering an Empire proves a thrilling ride that encapsulates the essence of human innovation from antiquity through to the industrial age, elucidating how monumental architecture became a cornerstone of empire building. The series serves to remind us of a time when man dared to challenge the gods, to seek the eternal through stones and mortar and etch their existence into the annals of time with structures standing tall against the whims of time and tide.

Engineering an Empire is a series categorized as a canceled. Spanning 1 seasons with a total of 14 episodes, the show debuted on 2006. The series has earned a mostly positive reviews from both critics and viewers. The IMDb score stands at 8.2.

Genres

Reality Documentary & Biography

Channel

History

Rating