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Engineering an Empire

Engineering an Empire

★ 8.1/10•2005•1h 30m•TV-PG•Documentary
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History's greatest engineering and architectural achievements.

Engineering an Empire is a program on The History Channel that explores the engineering and/or architectural feats that were characteristic of some of the greatest societies on this planet. It is hosted by Peter Weller, famous for his acting role as RoboCop but also a lecturer at Syracuse University, where he completed his Master's in Roman and Renaissance Art. The executive producer is Delores Gavin. The show started as a documentary about the engineering feats of Ancient Rome and later evolved into a series. It originally ran for one full season of weekly episodes.

Doug Ross · Writer

StatusEnded
Runtime1h 30m
LanguageEN
First Air DateSep 13, 2005

Episodes

Episode 1 - RomeE1

Rome

See the engineering feats that brought Rome to power in the ancient world. From Julius Caesar and the end of the Roman Republic to the birth of an empire that would transform Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East for at least 500 years with grand feats of engineering.

Sep 13, 2005

Episode 2 - EgyptE2

Egypt

From the year 3000 BC all the way to around 1212 BC, the Egyptians accomplished the impossibe and built the unimaginable. From the Great Pyramid of Giza to the temple at Abu Simbel, see all the incredible engineering feats of the Pharaohs of Egypt.

Oct 9, 2006

Episode 3 - GreeceE360m

Greece

See the engineering feats that gave rise to the Greek empire.

Oct 16, 2006

Episode 4 - Greece: Age of AlexanderE460m

Greece: Age of Alexander

See the engineering feats of Greece under Alexander the Great.

Oct 23, 2006

Episode 5 - AztecsE560m

Aztecs

In less than 200 years the Aztec's transformed themselves from a band of wandering nomads to the greatest civilization the New World had ever known. What records remain of this amazing feat indicate they did it through brilliant military campaigns and by ingeniously applying technology to master the harsh environment they faced. They built their capital city where no city should have been possible: in the middle of a lake. The Aztec also practiced human sacrifice on an unprecedented scale and made many enemies. By the time the Spaniards landed they had no trouble recruiting tribal allies to destroy the Aztecs. Watch with host Peter Weller as we examine the architecture and infrastructure behind the New World's greatest, and last, indigenous society

Oct 30, 2006

Episode 6 - CarthageE660m

Carthage

Carthage, a remarkable city-state that dominated the Mediterranean for over 600 years, harnessed their extensive resources to develop some of the ancient world's most groundbreaking technology. For generations, Carthage defined power, strength and ingenuity, but by the third century B.C., the empire's existence was threatened by another emerging superpower, Rome. However, 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, we will examine the architecture and infrastructure that enabled the rise and fall of the Carthaginian Empire.

Nov 6, 2006

Episode 7 - Maya: Death EmpireE760m

Maya: Death Empire

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 who engineered sky-high temple-pyramids, ornate palaces and advanced hydraulic systems. Where did they come from and what catastrophes caused the collapse of this innovative civilization? From the Temple-Pyramids at Tikal, to the royal tomb at Palenque, to the star observatory at Chichen Itza, this episode will examine the architecture and infrastructure that enabled the rise and fall of the ancient Maya civilization.

Nov 13, 2006

Episode 8 - RussiaE8

Russia

At the height of its power the Russian Empire stretched across 15 times zones, incorporated nearly 160 different ethnicities, and made up one sixth of the entire world's landmass. What started as a few small principalities was shaped into an indomitable world power by the sheer force of its leaders. However, building the infrastructure of this empire came at an enormous price. As Russia entered the 20th century, her expansion reached critical mass as her rulers pushed progress at an unsustainable pace and her population reacted in a revolution that changed history. From the Moscow Kremlin, to the building of St. Petersburg, we will examine the architecture and infrastructure that enabled the rise and fall of the Russian Empire.

Nov 20, 2006

Episode 9 - Great Britain: Blood and SteelE9

Great Britain: Blood and Steel

At its pinnacle, the British Empire spanned every continent and covered one quarter of the Earth's land mass. Through the centuries, the rulers of this enormous powerhouse used extraordinary engineering feats to become an industrial and military titan, loaded with riches. Some of their many pioneering accomplishments include the world's first locomotive, a superhighway of underground sewers, the imposing and grand Westminster Palace, and the most powerful and technically advanced navy in the age of sail.

Nov 27, 2006

Episode 10 - The PersiansE1060m

The Persians

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

Dec 4, 2006

Episode 11 - ChinaE1160m

China

For over 4,000 years the world's greatest empires have come and gone--only China has survived the test of time. Century after century, China's regal emperors mobilized peasant armies to accomplish engineering feats unparalleled in human history. .

Dec 11, 2006

Episode 12 - Napoleon: Steel MonsterE1260m

Napoleon: Steel Monster

Centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire, French kings struggled for control against the church and the aristocracy. Chaos and bloody warfare rampaged and France stood on the edge of utter disaster as the French Revolution turned into a period of brutal repression. From the ashes emerged one of the greatest military strategists in history, Napoleon. Throughout his reign, France built brilliantly innovative, widely influential masterpieces that have given the world some of its greatest feats of engineering.

Dec 18, 2006

Episode 13 - The ByzantinesE13

The Byzantines

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. 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

Dec 25, 2006

Episode 14 - Da Vinci's WorldE14

Da Vinci's World

After the fall of Rome, Italy fell into a dark sleep, and wasn't reawakened until the 11th century. Autonomous city-states emerged and these tiny republics began to revitalize their cities and build on a massive level not witnessed since the rise of Rome. In the late 15th and 16th centuries, alliances among various city-states continually shifted as foreign superpowers tried to sink their claws into Italy. The masters who are best known for creating the works of art and architecture of the Renaissance, were also the greatest military and civil engineers of the time.

Jan 8, 2007

Actors

Peter Weller

Peter Weller

Himself / Host

Michael Carroll

 Narrator

J.J. Huckin

Apprentice/Doctor

Sam Kalidi

Sam Kalidi

Ptolemy II/Jean-Baptist Colbert

Spyros Bakas

Spartan Hoplite

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