HIST 204 - Western Civilization I - Sean Murphy: Streaming Videos

This film depicts the cultural adaptations and far-flung migrations that continued to shape European societies from the end of the Ice Age through the development of agriculture to the invention of writing.

Literally "the land between the rivers," Mesopotamia was host to some of the world's earliest and most powerful civilizations. Shot on location, this program seeks to understand how the Sumerian city-states, cradled by the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, built a vibrant agricultural economy—and why, after centuries, the wheat crop suddenly failed.

Despite centuries of suffering and displacement, the fabric of Jewish culture has never broken. This program examines the theme of survival and its connection to Jewish achievements.

Beginning with 1st- and 2nd-century Judaism, this program examines the struggle to reinvent the religion of Moses and David after the Roman annihilation of the Temple.

After introducing early Athens, this classic program examines the rule of Pisistratus and the growth of Athens, the slide into chaos that followed Pisistratus’ death, the alliance between the Athenians and Sparta to overthrow Hippias, and the subsequent Athenian revolution that saw the birth of democracy.

This classic program presents the Battle of Marathon, Persia’s ill-fated campaign against Greece in the aftermath of the Ionian revolt; the Battle of Salamis, where the Greeks decisively defeated the Persian navy; Pericles, “the first citizen of Athens”; and the building of the incomparable Parthenon.

Beginning with a spotlight on Socrates, this program addresses the Plague of Athens, which struck like an omen during the second year of the Second Peloponnesian War, and the resounding defeat of the Greek invasion of Syracuse. Socrates’ trial and execution complete the program.

Greek History and Greek civilization, including the Greek City-State, Democracy, the Parthenon and Athens, are examined in this program on Ancient Greece.

Greek History and Greek civilization are examined in this program on Ancient Greece, Ancient History chronicles the world's greatest civilizations from 5,000 B.C. to 1500 A.D., revealing previously unknown aspects of these ancient peoples.

Combines two classic models - Plato's Parable of the Cave and the character Socrates - with contemporary philosophers' comments on the subject.

Hundreds of names figure prominently in Roman history from the first century A.D., but Augustus stands head-and-shoulders above them all. This program profiles the man who, through cunning, wealth, and military might, transformed the title of “Imperator” into a focal point of unprecedented power.

In this program, scholars discuss Roman unification of Europe, Roman culture and institutions, and the family structure. The role of the army as a major force in Roman society and politics, along with its military structure and tactics, are discussed. The Christianization of Rome and the enduring legacy of Roman Law and institutions in Western government today are also analyzed.

This program focuses on Marcus Aurelius, a figure known to history both as a Roman emperor and a proponent of Stoic philosophy.

This program provides a study of Constantine the Great, the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity and the founder of Constantinople.

This program covers the social and economic organization of Europe in the Middle Ages.

This program examines the ideas of the medieval philosophic theologians, particularly St. Thomas Aquinas.

Part one contrasts the ill health of Rome and its Church with the spiritual and material vitality of Byzantium. But all was not well even in the east, as war with Persia and the rise and swift spread of Islam made the Holy Land off-limits, while arguments about the nature of Christ continued to split the Christian world. Part two focuses on the conversion of the Saxon tribes first by Bishop Boniface—the Apostle of Germany—and then by King Charlemagne, who was crowned Holy Roman Emperor.

Niall Ferguson explains how by juxtaposing the West and 'the Rest', we can uncover the keys - the six killer applications - of Western ascendancy: the real explanation of how, for roughly five centuries, a clear minority of mankind managed to secure the lion's share of the Earth's resources.

Niall Ferguson explains how by juxtaposing the West and 'the Rest', we can uncover the keys - the six killer applications - of Western ascendancy: the real explanation of how, for roughly five centuries, a clear minority of mankind managed to secure the lion's share of the Earth's resources.