This programme brings us into the company of the most brilliant and prolific inventor in the ancient world. ‘Robotics’ explores the life and three key areas of invention of Heron of Alexandria. Beginning in the dark recesses of an Egyptian temple we will witness the awe-inspiring operations of his ‘miracle machines’, from automatic doors and magically suspended spheres, to mechanical singing birds, coin-operated slot machines and speaking statues – all designed to inspire wonder in the congregation and provide revenue for the priests. In Rome’s theatres we will then look behind the scenes at his performing robots from simple thunder and lightning machines to a complete robotic theatre that rolled onto the stage, performed a whole play and then trundled off. But, greatest of all, we will delve into the mystery of Heron’s steam engine, a working device that was not only the first steam engine in history but also the first jet engine.

Follow the dramatic story behind the building of the Colosseum in Ancient Rome. The Romans used innovative technology that we still use today, but the money to pay for the project enslaved the nation.

Ancient Megastructures visits the iconic structure in the heart of Rome to explain how its 1st Century A.D. architects drained a lake the size of five football fields to construct a spectacular arena with a 55,000 capacity for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles.

Building The Impossible: The Seven Wonders Of The Ancient World reveals the secrets behind the seven monuments built over 2000 years ago -- the Pyramids of Egypt; the Hanging Gardens of Babylon; the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus; the Statue of Zeus at Olympia; the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus; the Colossus of Rhodes; and the Pharos of Alexandria. By combing ancient sources for clues and making modern-day comparisons, the ancient wonders are reconstructed using computer imagery and scale models. Narrated by Pierce Brosnan.

The parade ground where triumphal processions mustered is also famous for the games held there.

disc 1 (132 min.). Greece ; Greece : age of Alexander / produced, written & directed by Ted Poole (44 min. each) ; The Aztecs / produced, written & directed by Jim Gaffey (44 min.) -- disc 2 (132 min.). Carthage / produced, written & directed by Jessica Conway (44 min.) ; China / produced, written & directed by Joanna Chejade-Bloom, Doug Ross (44 min.) ; Russia / produced, written & directed by Sarah Hutt (44 min.) -- disc 3 (133 min.). Britain : blood and steel / produced, written & directed by Kristin Gray (44 min.) ; The Persians / produced, written & directed by Hassan Ildari (45 min.) ; The Maya : death empire / produced, written & directed by Dana K. Ross (44 min.) -- disc 4 (133 min.). Napoleon : steel monster / produced, written & directed by Penny Fearon (45 min.) ; The Byzantines / produced, written & directed by Rebecca J. Ratliff (44 min.) ; Da Vinci's world / produced, written & directed by Anna K. Ross, Gabrielle Mahler (44 min.) -- discs 5 & 6. Rome : engineering an empire ; Egypt : engineering an empire / produced, written & directed by Christopher Cassel ; KPI (91 min. each).

Four significant temples, which have proved very complex to excavate.

Presents the stories of the civic buildings and temples of the ancient city of Rome, including places such as the Forum, the Coliseum and the Pantheon.

Examines the ancient city of Carthage, which stood on the northern coast of Africa, near modern day Tunis

Looks at the Acropolis and the Parthenon – now and as they once were – and the remains at Delphi, including the temple of Zeus

The construction of Hadrian’s Wall began in 122 CE, to separate the Romans from barbarians and was built under the direct orders of Emperor Hadrian. Hadrian’s Wall took over a decade to complete and was built out of stone. The wall is over 73 miles long and marks the northern border of the Roman Province of Britain, running between the North Sea and the Irish Sea. The programme provides a glimpse of military life during the Roman occupation

In the year 79 CE, the ancient seaside city of Pompeii was buried beneath a mountain of volcanic ash and pumice when nearby volcano Mount Vesuvius erupted furiously. More than two thousand of Pompeii’s citizens lost their lives. For almost 1,700 years, until its rediscovery in 1748, Pompeii lay hidden – a city and its people suspended in time. Now we can see the streets and buildings almost as they were on the day Pompeii died - an incredible snapshot of Roman civilisation in its heyday

Presents the stories of the works of architecture regarded by the Greeks and Romans as the most extraordinary structures of antiquity: the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, The Statute of Zeus, the Temple of Artemis, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the Pharos of Alexandria and the Pyramids of Egypt and more

Examines the skillful design and mechanics of Roman architecture and engineering, ranging from building materials to aqueducts, bathhouses to military weapons.

The grand gateway to the temple precinct.

The social and political heart of the Roman Empire.

A restoration team is painstakingly reassembling the Parthenon of Athens—a classic Greek building that has suffered from wars, earthquakes, and disastrous previous restoration attempts.

An introduction to the remains of some of the most significant Roman temples in the Campus Martius.

In this episode, marvel at the history and the vivid representations of the unique monuments of the sacred rock of the Acropolis of Athens, the Parthenon, the Erectheion, the Karyatidis, the Propylaia, the Art Gallery, the wondrous Temples of Athena, Pallas, Rome, Augustus, and the Shrine of Artemis .. the great enemies, the catastrophes, and the looting of the most sacred monuments of antiquity.

Michael Wood travels through Syria and Iraq to uncover the story of Alexander the Great's decisive battle against the might of the Persian Empire in 331 BCE. Ancient writers agreed that it was fought somewhere near the city of Irbil in northern Iraq, but the exact location has never been discovered. Using dramatic new finds in the UK, a cuneiform clay tablet in the British Museum and a papyrus dug up in Egypt, Michael sheds new light on the course of events.

Then to reconstruct the campaign, he follows Alexander's route through Damascus and Alleppo to the river Euphrates in Syria and travels into Northern Iraq with the British and US military. Exploring a landscape long barred to outsiders by Saddam Hussein, he carries out a detailed reconnaissance on the ground with US forces on patrol between Mosul and Kurdistan.

Philip of Macedonia created one of the most effective and successful armies of antiquity based on the phalanx, a compact body of infantry armed with long spikes. His even more illustrious son, Alexander the Great, defeated and conquered the great Persian Empire.

In Richard Miles’s epic story of civilization, there have been plenty of examples of the great men of history, but none came close to the legend of Alexander of Macedon, known to us as ‘the Great’. Uniting the fractious Greek city-states, he led them on a crusade against the old enemy, Persia, and in little more than a decade created an empire that stretched from Egypt in the west to Afghanistan in the east.

But it was Alexander’s successors, the Hellenistic Kings, who had to make sense of the legacy of this charismatic adventurer. By knuckling down to the hard graft of politics, taxation and public works, they created something far more enduring than a mere legend – they built a civilization.

Richard traces Alexander’s battle-scarred route through Turkey, Syria and Lebanon to Egypt and ultimately to the western Punjab, Pakistan, where he discovers fascinating traces of a city where Greek west and Buddhist east were united in an intriguing new way.

This episode focuses on the Indian campaigns of Alexander the Great. It goes into great detail of Battle of the Hydaspes.

Michael Wood travels from Europe to India on a 20,000-mile journey in search of the truth behind one of history's greatest stories. Travelling by bus, steam train, ancient sail boat and camel train, Michael follows the tracks of Alexander the Great into the heart of Asia.

“Voyage back in time to the world of six ancient peoples whose contributions to art, culture, and literature had a great effect on civilization. These are the Minoans, the Mycenaeans, Ancient Arabia, the Phoenicians, and the inhabitants of Thera and Troy. Discover their legendary past from the Minotaur and the Labyrinth, to the Trojan War, and to the lost continent of Atlantis.”

Looks at the Acropolis and the Parthenon – now and as they once were – and the remains at Delphi, including the temple of Zeus

Join a Corinthian settler on a tour of 4th Century BC Sicily, the "new Greece" of its day, and visit cultural centers such as Syracuse, Agrigento and the exquisite Valley of the Temples.

Examines the pre-Hellenic cities and the legendary city of Troy.

Since Homer's Iliad was written 3,000 years ago, generations have been enchanted by the tale of the beautiful Helen, impetuous Achilles and mighty Agamemnon - and, of course the horse. But could there be truth in the legend? Since 1988, Professor Manfred Korfmann has been excavating the site of Troy. He has discovered how large the city was, how well it was defended and, crucially, that there was once a great battle there at precisely the time experts believe the Trojan War occurred. But who attacked the city, and why?

Greece, 479, BC: At the Battle of Plataea, brilliant tactics and battlefield discipline help the Spartans defeat the Persians, avenging the devastating defeat of the 300 at Thermopylae.

Classical historian Michael Scott examines how the culture of the ancient Greeks spread across the world

A complete discussion of the Homeric legend as the first significant record of Greek mythology. The programme emphasizes Homer’s relevance to modern literature, psychology, scholarship and popular culture. It analyses the characters in the Iliad and The Odyssey and summarises their myths and legends

Tells the story of Odysseus, the ruler of Ithaca, and his struggle to find his way home after the Trojan War.

Technology and machinery employed in ancient temples and religious sites.

This programme brings us into the company of the most brilliant and prolific inventor in the ancient world. ‘Robotics’ explores the life and three key areas of invention of Heron of Alexandria. Beginning in the dark recesses of an Egyptian temple we will witness the awe-inspiring operations of his ‘miracle machines’, from automatic doors and magically suspended spheres, to mechanical singing birds, coin-operated slot machines and speaking statues – all designed to inspire wonder in the congregation and provide revenue for the priests. In Rome’s theatres we will then look behind the scenes at his performing robots from simple thunder and lightning machines to a complete robotic theatre that rolled onto the stage, performed a whole play and then trundled off. But, greatest of all, we will delve into the mystery of Heron’s steam engine, a working device that was not only the first steam engine in history but also the first jet engine.

Delphi was the centre of the ancient world. The site of the famous Oracle, the city spanned two great classical civilisations - the Greeks and the Romans - and attracted travellers from all over the ancient world. As well as visiting to hear the wisdom of the Oracle, citizens from across the Greek world flocked to the sanctuary to show off their riches and to boast about their latest victories in battle. Within Delphi's sanctuary walls can be read the hopes and dreams, victories and failures, confrontations and violence that defined an entire civilisation. In this programme Dr Michael Scott walks through the pathways of Delphi revealing the voices of the ancients that still ring loudly with every footstep.

A complete discussion of the Homeric legend as the first significant record of Greek mythology. The programme emphasizes Homer’s relevance to modern literature, psychology, scholarship and popular culture. It analyses the characters in the Iliad and The Odyssey and summarises their myths and legends

Investigates the ancient gods of Europe's first major civilisation. Explores the major sites and their associated gods, including the Palace of Knossos, the Acropolis, Delphi and the colony of Paestum in southern Italy.

Provides an informative and memorable introduction, lavishly illustrated with photographs, reproductions and original art. The programme introduces the ‘senior’ gods and goddesses and then focuses on the ‘second generation’ of Olympians: Athena, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Apollo, Ares, Hermes and Dionysus

The First Jewish-Roman War begins when the Jews rise up against their corrupt governor, drive the Romans out of Judea and defeat a counter-attack at the Battle of Beth Horon. The future Emperor Titus is sent to recall his father Vespasian from exile in Greece to lead the legions against the rebels in Galilee. Josephus Ben Matityahu commands the resistance from the city of Jotapata where many Jews take refuge from Vespasian’s campaign of terror. Vespasian leads a three-week Siege of Jotapata and Josephus is captured. Joesephus predicts that Vespasian is destined to be emperor.

Jerusalem prepares for a final stand under the fanatical Yohanan of Giscala who murders the more moderate Hanan and unites the rebel factions. Back in Rome the Empire is thrown into chaos when Nero is overthrown and the army turns to Vespasian to be their new Emperor. Titus accomplishes the Siege of Jerusalem by cutting off the city with an encircling wall. Yohanan ignores Joe’s pleas for surrender and leads subterranean attacks on Roman siege towers that undermine his own walls. Titus leads a bloody assault that massacres the rebels and razes the city.

Tiberius Gracchus first makes a mark on history winning the golden crown from General Scipio Aemilianus by being first over the wall at the victorious Battle of Carthage. Back in Rome, now the capital of the world, he finds the growing gap between rich and poor threatening the foundations of the republic. Urged to achieve greatness through further military exploits he sets out with reinforcements for the campaign of General Mancinus against the rebellious Numantine tribe in Spain but is defeated and forced to negotiate a peace treaty that the Senate later refuses to ratify.

His actions while repudiated in the Senate have made him a hero amongst the Roman people and his new father-in-law Senator Pulcher supports him in a successful campaign to become their Tribune. He snubs the Senate and takes his proposed land reforms directly to the People's Assembly where his old friend Octavius vetoes them. He brings the city to a standstill when he vetoes all other business in response and has Octavius deposed. Octavius and the Senate spread false rumours that he intends to make himself king and in the ensuing unrest he is murdered.

How did an insignificant cluster of Latin hill villages on the edge of the civilised world become the greatest empire the world has known? In the fifth programme of the series, archaeologist and historian Richard Miles examines the phenomenon of the Roman Republic, from its fratricidal mythical beginnings, with the legend of Romulus and Remus, to the all too real violence of its end, dragged to destruction by war lords like Pompey the Great and Julius Caesar.

Travelling to Sicily and North Africa, Richard tells the story of Rome's century-long struggle for dominance with the other great regional power, Carthage. It was a struggle that would end with the total destruction of this formidable enemy and the transformation of landlubber Rome into a seapower, and the Republic into an Empire. But with no-one left to beat, the only enemy that Rome had left was itself.

In the last of the series, archaeologist and historian Richard Miles examines the rise and fall of the Roman Empire.

At the height of its power, the Roman Empire extended the benefits of its civilization to a 60 million citizens and subjects in a swathe of territory that extended from Hadrian's Wall to the banks of the Euphrates. Even under the rule of mad, bad and dangerous emperors, the imperial system proved to be robust, buttressed by the support of elite families in the far-flung corners of the empire whose loyalty was ensured by a system of cultural aspiration, economic opportunity and military coercion.

But the material benefits of the ‘good order’ delivered by Roman rule provided its citizens and subjects with the security to ask profound questions about the meaning of life, questions that the pragmatic, polytheistic Roman belief system was ill-equipped to answer. Christianity grew to fill the spiritual vacuum at the heart of Roman civilization, eventually claiming an Emperor, Constantine, as its greatest prize. The City of Man would be eclipsed the City of God.

Super Siege: They outnumber the Romans 5 to 1 and hold the high ground of the hilltop city of Alesia. But ever fearless General Julius Caesar puts a startling twist on his strategy.

The story of Septimus Severus: Rome's African Emperor who fought a brutal campaign in Britain, crossing Hadrian's Wall and helping to forge the English-Scottish divide familiar to us today.

Nearly two thousand years ago most of Britain was a settled province of the Roman Empire. But the north held out against what was then the world’s only superpower – insurrection flared across Hadrian’s Wall. So, in 208AD, the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus marched into Scotland with 40,000 men - one of the largest invasion armies Rome ever mobilised. This programme brings to life one of most extraordinary conflicts in British history and the thrilling story of how and why Severus came to Britain in the first place. He was not born to be Roman Emperor. He was an African who took Rome’s throne in a murderous civil war, then expanded the Empire to the south and east. He became the most powerful man in the world - the absolute ruler of Europe’s most glittering cities and commander of a terrifying war machine. His enemy in northern Britain didn’t possess a paved street, let alone an army. Severus marched north confident that he would go down in history as the man who united the whole island under Roman rule – better than Hadrian, better than Julius Caesar. But the British gave Severus the fight of his life.

1. Hannibal’s Last Stand
2. The Spartacus Revolt
3. Crossing the Rubicon
4. Rome’s First Emperor
5. Boudica’s Revenge
6. The Downfall of Nero
7. The Colosseum’s Grand Opening
8. The Rebirth of Rome

Hadrian's Wall, as it is known, is just a tiny portion of a massive structure Hadrian had built to protect the Roman Empire, with similar, sister walls running through northern Europe and still more in north Africa. His legacy also includes the Pantheon in Rome.
Hadrian brought the Empire to an unparalleled period of peace and prosperity. At the heart of this great Empire, however, lay a mystery - Hadrian's relationship with a young man, Antinous. The friendship led to Antinous being deified by Hadrian following his death, in strange circumstances, on the Nile. Historian Dan Snow uncovers the genius and the dark side of Hadrian: peace-maker, frontier-builder, star-crossed lover, architect - and ruthless oppressor of the Jews. But still, Dan concludes, Hadrian was one of the greatest Roman emperors.

The General who took on the might of Rome in a legendary campaign; marching his forces over the Alps. Roman armies sent against him were out-manoeuvred and cut to pieces. Dramatic reconstructions tell Hannibal's remarkable tale.

“Detailing the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, I, Caesar takes a fascinating look at the public and private lives of six key men who ruled ancient Rome: Julius Caesar, Augustus, Nero, Hadrian, Constantine and Justinian.”

In 79 CE the entire Roman city of Pompeii was buried in a huge volcanic eruption. These episodes show how new digs and revolutionary technologies are revealing the secrets hidden beneath the ash. Presented by Bettany Hughes, Raksha Dave and John Sergeant.

Examines the ancient city of Carthage, which stood on the northern coast of Africa, near modern day Tunis

The construction of Hadrian’s Wall began in 122 CE, to separate the Romans from barbarians and was built under the direct orders of Emperor Hadrian. Hadrian’s Wall took over a decade to complete and was built out of stone. The wall is over 73 miles long and marks the northern border of the Roman Province of Britain, running between the North Sea and the Irish Sea. The programme provides a glimpse of military life during the Roman occupation

A 2012 documentary written and presented by Mary Beard about the ordinary citizen of Ancient Rome.
1. All Roads Lead to Rome
2. Street life
3. Behind Closed Doors[edit]
(Use the “Other Episodes” in eTV to go to episodes 2 and 3)

With unparalleled access to Pompeii and featuring cutting-edge modern technology, Mary Beard guides us through this amazing slice of the ancient world.

Millions of people - both famous and uncelebrated - play parts in the astonishing rise of Rome. Above them all is Caesar Augustus. Born in times of crisis and raised amid civil war, Augustus comes to personify the people he leads. He is contradictory: capable of both brutal violence and tender compassion. He is influential: forging the image of Roman grandeur that endures to this day. And he is enormously popular. But those that cross Augustus - his rivals Marc Antony and Cleopatra; the love poet, Ovid; even his own daughter, Julia - face dire consequences. The story of Augustan Rome is the story of greatness at a price.

In the year 14 A.D., Caesar Augustus dies and the Empire stands at a crossroads. Will Rome continue the course set by its first emperor - or return to chaos? A reluctant new emperor confronts mutiny and intrigue. At first, Tiberius struggles to emulate his predecessor, but he soon abandons the effort. His ultimate decline from ascetic ruler to reclusive despot ushers in one of the most notorious rulers of the ancient world: Caligula. As fear and conspiracy grip Rome, crisis roils the provinces. In Judaea, a charismatic leader named Jesus challenges the religious and political establishment. The local furore barely touches Rome but the legacy of Jesus will one day engulf the empire.

In the aftermath of Caligula's madness, Claudius, the most unlikely member of the imperial family, rises to become one of the greatest emperors of the Roman Empire, only to fall victim to a brutally ambitious wife. A principled philosopher named Seneca finds himself compromised as tutor to the erratic young Emperor Nero. In Britain, a warrior queen named Boudicca battles Roman legions, and from Judaea, a revolutionary named Paul begins spreading the words of Jesus across Roman lands. Back in the capital, Nero's disastrous rule shakes the empire to its foundation. Rome nearly burns to the ground. The empire is on the edge of disaster.

With Nero's death, the dynasty of Augustus comes to an end. Once again, the Empire faces an uncertain future. Rival generals fight for supremacy in the streets of Rome. A new dynasty brings another tyrant to the throne, and Mount Vesuvius erupts, burying Pompeii and thousands of people beneath a torrent of ash and mud. A young citizen survives the disaster and records the night of terror. But the Empire weathers the traumas. As the first century draws to a close, the Emperor Trajan expands the empire to its greatest geographic extent and offers new prosperity to a greater number of citizens. He sets the course for generations to come and projects the collective voice of ancient Rome across the ages.

This programme, the first in the series, tells the exciting story of how and why the Romans invaded Britannia in the year AD 43. It shows that the invasion was rooted in two things, the emperor Claudius's desire to strengthen his grip on power by chalking up a major military conquest and the Roman state's intention to exploit the rich reserves of gold, silver, corn, timber and other natural resources the island was known to possess. The great Julius Caesar had tried and failed to conquer Britain 100 years before, and yet the Roman soldiers who carried out the invasion under the leadership of a well respected general called Aulus Plautius were confident of success. They saw the Celtic tribes who inhabited Britannia as backward barbarians who couldn't possibly stand up to Rome's awesome military might for a second time. But the programme demonstrates conclusively that this belief was wrong.

We explore one of the most vivid and crucial events in the 400 year-long history of Roman Britain, the widespread rebellion spearheaded by the famous warrior queen known as Boudicca

We examine how the Romans behaved during their 400 year-long occupation of Britannia and conclude that the benign image of Roman Britain that arose during the Victorian era needs to be radically revised.

Journey to the ancient cities, Volterra, Populonia and Cervetari and see why Etruscan civilisation was famous for its lavish wealthy, fine ceramics and bustling trade.

Take a tour of Tripopolitania, a rich Roman province on the shores of the Mediterranean and visit the famous city of Oea, best known as Tripoli.

Best known for his trek across the Alps with 40,000 men and even elephants in tow, Hannibal was a Carthaginian warrior with his sights ever set on destroying Rome. This History Channel special consults archaeologists and military historians to get to the heart of Hannibal's enduring grudge against the mighty empire.

The Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD was the single most destructive force ever encountered by the Roman Empire, lasting nine days and leaving 10 of Rome's 14 districts burnt beyond recognition.

We examine the rise and fall of the best known empire of the ancient world and the gods it revered. Locations include the Forum, Pantheon and San Clemente in Rome, Caerleon in Wales and Ephesus in Turkey.

An introduction to the remains of some of the most significant Roman temples in the Campus Martius.

2019 Gifford Lectures. The lectures consider some of the moral and ethical dilemmas in studying the classical world, asking how we understand remote ancient cultures that have come to stand both for the pinnacle of "civilisation" and for the nadir of corruption and cruelty.

This documentary takes a visually spectacular journey to expose the true story of the soldier, robber, slave and gladiator who led the most memorable slave uprising of the Roman Republic.

Death or Glory Part 1: We explore the origins of the ancient Olympic games - a contest of athletic prowess that began 2,500 years ago in celebration of the god Zeus.

Ancient Megastructures visits the iconic structure in the heart of Rome to explain how its 1st Century A.D. architects drained a lake the size of five football fields to construct a spectacular arena with a 55,000 capacity for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles.

Romano, an archaeologist with a background as an athlete and coach of track and field, gives a history, dating back to mythological times, of the origins of modern athletic competition, including triumphs, scandals and traditions of that time.

Through the eyes of the narrator and ancient philosophers of the time, we are taken on a dramatic journey through history; recounting the incredible and exciting dramas, ceremonies, games, and chariot races of the ancient Greek Olympiad, the Olympic Games of the 5th Century BC.

For years gladiators have been legendary figures of the Ancient World, the stuff of Hollywood blockbusters like ‘Spartacus,’ or ‘Gladiator.’ But our knowledge has been based largely on speculation – until now. We have secured exculsive access to the biggest archaeologial gladiator research project of all time. As it approaches its conclusion, it will reveal the secrets of how gladiators lived, fought and died not from speculation, but forensic Science.

Gladiatorial combat in amphitheatres, a popular and well organized sport, along with fighting animals and others contests constituted an important form of entertainment in the ancient Roman world. David Potter, a professor of Classical Studies with a keen interest in sports, both ancient and modern, re examines the facts about these popular athletes. To learn the truth about this sport, Dr. Potter takes the viewer on an historical tour.

This film offers a brief introduction to the ancient Greek chorus from Edith Hall, before Polly Findlay speaks about her contemporary interpretation of the chorus in Don Taylor’s translation of Antigone for the National Theatre’s Olivier theatre in 2012. This short film contains interviews with dramaturge Ben Power and actor Michael Grady-Hall as well as excerpts of archive footage from the 2012 production.

Professor Edith Hall explores the use of masks and movement in Peter Hall’s 2002 production of Euripides’ Bacchai, designed by Alison Chitty with music composed by Harrison Birtwistle

A short film about Greek Comedy and Satyr Drama, discussing the festival of Dionysus, the original performance conditions and how the style of these shows differ from Greek Tragedy. Featured in this video: Professor Edith Hall, Dr Sean McEvoy, Professor Alan Sommerstein, Dr Laura Swift

Featured in this film are experts Edith Hall, professor of Classics at Kings College, London, Laura Swift from the Open University, Dr Sean McElvoy from Varndean College, Brighton and actor Michael Grady-Hall from the cast of Antigone. The film includes performance footage from the 2012 National Theatre production of Antigone

This film explores the defining aspects of Greek tragedy and why the plays resonate with audiences today. Featured in this film are experts Edith Hall, professor of Classics at Kings College, London, Laura Swift from the Open University and Dr Sean McElvoy from Varndean College, Brighton. This film includes performance footage from the 2012 National Theatre production of Antigone, directed by Polly Findlay, starring Christopher Eccleston as Creon and Jodie Whittaker in the title role.

Professor Edith Hall talks about Paul Brown’s set design for the 2008 production of Sophocles’ Oedipus, directed by Jonathan Kent

Professor Oliver Taplin discusses the staging of the 1981 production of Aeschylus’ The Oresteia, directed by Peter Hall and performed in both the Olivier Theatre in London and at Epidaurus in Greece

Professor Oliver Taplin explains the significance of music and poetry in Peter Hall’s 1981 production of Aeschylus’ The Oresteia, which used Tony Harrison's translation of the text and music composed by Harrison Birtwistle

Professor Oliver Taplin explores the use of masks in the choruses of Peter Hall’s 1981 production of Aeschylus’ The Oresteia. The masks used in the production were designed by Jocelyn Herbert

Professor Oliver Taplin discusses elements of production design in Katie Mitchell’s 1999 version of Aeschylus’s The Oresteia

Professor Oliver Taplin describes how live video projection formed part of Katie Mitchell’s 1999 production of The Oresteia in the Cottesloe theatre

Professor Edith Hall discusses Katie Mitchell’s staging for the 2007 production of Euripides’ Women of Troy in the Lyttelton Theatre, exploring archive images of Bunny Christie’s designs for the production