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42 films
Gladiators consumed a diet rich in carbohydrates, primarily barley and beans, to fuel their intense training and combat in ancient Rome.
Two and a half million Germanic tribes inhabited Europe in the first century BC, laying the groundwork for modern nations and languages.
50,000 spectators once filled the Colosseum, a monumental structure completed in 80 AD, as archaeologists investigate its historical significance.
A lift takes workers up 55 meters to restore the Colosseum, revealing details hidden beneath centuries of grime.
Hadrian, known for his architectural achievements and complex legacy, is examined for his role as a peace-maker and oppressor during his reign as Roman emperor.
In rural Devon, 97 baby skeletons and a Roman cult figure were found buried near the Thames, revealing insights into ancient burial practices.
A church graveyard in Britain is excavated by Time Team in search of a potentially significant Roman palace structure buried beneath.
The lives of legendary leaders such as Julius Caesar and Pompey are examined alongside the pivotal events that led to the rise and fall of the Roman Republic.
Nero's reign in Ancient Rome is marked by his obsession with divinity, the marriage to his slave, the murder of his wife, and eventual overthrow.
In Maryport, a Roman altar dedicated to Jupiter, carved in the 2nd century, is unearthed as part of the coastal defenses linked to Hadrian's Wall.
Ancient Roman writing tablets found in London provide insights into the daily life and administration of Roman Britain.
In an Ancient Roman slave burial site in Britain, Alice Roberts examines the unsettling phenomenon of decapitated skeletons among the remains.
Bibracte, the ancient city of the Aedui tribe in Burgundy, reveals its advanced defenses and Roman influences through modern archaeological techniques like LIDAR.
By 30 A.D., food shops lined the streets of Rome, catering to a population that valued culinary refinement and exotic ingredients.
Eleven miles of colossal defenses known as the Servian walls were built in ancient Rome after a devastating attack by the Gauls in 390 BC.
Julius Caesar's rise to power marked the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of imperial rule, reshaping the course of history in ancient Rome.
The Colosseum, completed in 80 CE, could seat up to 50,000 spectators and hosted brutal games that lasted for three months, resulting in thousands of deaths.
The Roman Empire at its peak covered an area of over 5 million square kilometers, driven by elite soldiers and complex military strategies.
Rome's history spans 28 centuries, with ancient temples and amphitheaters integrated into the city's modern urban design.
In the first millennium BCE, the Roman Senate played a crucial role in the political and economic expansion that led to the establishment of the Roman Empire.
At 70 meters high, Temple 4 in Tikal is the second highest pyramid ever built, following the Great Pyramid of Giza.
In southern Britain, archaeologists have uncovered a significant unrecorded Ancient Roman fort, revealing its crucial role in the Roman Empire's presence in the region.
Hannibal Barca, the Carthaginian general, is examined for his military strategies and campaigns against Rome, highlighting his legacy in ancient warfare.
Carthage and Rome engage in a series of brutal conflicts during the Punic Wars, culminating in a decisive victory for Scipio over Hannibal.
In the 9th century BC, Phoenicians established Carthage as a major Mediterranean trade hub, which ultimately fell to Rome after the Third Punic War.
Scorpus, a charioteer in ancient Rome, achieved over 2,000 victories before dying at the age of 27 on the race course, marking a tragic end to his fame.
Rome's ancient megastructures, including the Pantheon, Colosseum, and Emperor Nero's palace, showcase the architectural brilliance of the Roman Empire.
The decline of the Roman Empire is examined through the impact of ineffective leadership and external pressures from barbarian invasions.
Archaeological finds in Rome during the filming of Gladiator revealed the remains of female gladiators, shedding light on their roles in the Coliseum.
Emperor Nero, the fifth Roman emperor and stepson of Claudius, is examined through his rise to power, notorious reign, and the aftermath of the Great Fire of Rome.
The Roman Forum, built with 163 tons of gold and twice as much silver, includes a basilica, two libraries, and a colonnaded courtyard.
Ancient Rome's transformation from a small city-state to a vast empire is examined through its legendary commanders, epic battles, and enduring legacy.
Ancient Rome's transformation from a small city-state to a vast empire is examined through its military conquests, political intrigue, and influential leaders.
Ancient Rome's transformation from a small city-state to a vast empire is examined through its legendary commanders, epic battles, and political intrigue.
The fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD resulted from internal strife, economic collapse, plagues, and barbarian invasions, notably the Visigothic sack of Rome.
Cursing chariots was a common practice in Ancient Rome, where spectators would hire sorcerers to cast spells on opposing drivers and horses.
Two women in ancient Rome, Messalina and Agrippina, shaped history while facing accusations of madness and crime for their quest for power.
Vespasian builds the Colosseum to unite Rome and boost morale, leaving it unfinished at his death.
On the opening day of the Colosseum, the gladiatorial fight between Priscus and Verus ended in a draw, surprising the audience of thousands.
Between one in four and one in ten gladiators faced death in the arena, where they fought for the entertainment of Roman spectators.
Ancient Rome, with nearly 1 million inhabitants around 90 A.D., faced significant sanitation issues due to a lack of toilets and waste management.