Legacy: The Origins Of Civilization (Athena DVD)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C Extras: B Episodes: A-
What is
Civilization? How it is created, what it
is made up of, perhaps it's riches or city structure or it's culture... but at
some point in time mankind became organized societies and civilizations became
prominent all over the world. Join Michael
Wood as he travels through 6 of mankind's greatest civilization, its creation,
legacies and its decline and downfall. See
how through the passage of time, how they were governed, changed, conquered and
influenced. Even up to today, it's
lasting effects on modern civilizations and how we can still learn from them. Separated by time, distance, and culture Michael
Wood explains how these great civilizations speak to us, their great legacies
echoing over time... warning us to not forget our roots, lest we repeat their
fates.
This documentary gives insight into the nature of human civilization, from the
earliest of known cities in Iraq,
to ancient Egypt, the mysticism
of China, through Europe to Americas
where Aztec and Mayan cities once flourished. See the ideals in which they were founded upon,
the power to rule, govern and control a mass population in one area. Its culture and traditions, how they survived
through the ages, through a bloody war, revolution, westernization, trade...
with civilization mankind has conquered the world. With civilization mankind has advanced and
achieved great contributions that have changed history, but modern day civilization
still must face the same problems of ancient civilizations, it's population,
resources, cultivation... and mankind's past has never been known for lasting
peace.
The Legacy is a great documentary
you can enjoy. Michael Wood gives fair
recount of humankind's greatest civilizations, it's origins, it's people, it's
history, rise and fall to power, how various groups or individuals have created
and destroyed cities in their name of country, religion or trade. Civilization gave birth to leaders, leaders
gave birth to philosophy, morals on how to live civilly and justly. Through Europe
great wealth and art was achieved/created/lost to spread around the world. How Westernization influence the discovery and
colonization of the Americas, how it dealt with the modernization and revitalization
in the 18th & 19th centuries, and finally how it continues to effect the
civilizations in which we live in today. Extras include a small booklet with highlights
and facts along with profiles of various great thinkers.
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Episode 1: Iraq: Cradle of Civilization
One of the earliest known cities of mankind, but because of over population and
need of resource what once was a fertile land became a dry, arid dessert.
Episode
2: India: Empire of the Spirit
Nurtured by the great river the Ganges India civilization was based on
tradition of renunciation of materialistic world, unlike western civilization
they focused on human internal richness of the soul.
Episode
3: China: The Mandate of Heaven
With the birth of dynastic rule of Chinese Emperors gave birth to great
thinkers such as Confucius and Laozi, giving great contributions in how leaders
should govern and rule society.
Episode
4: Egypt: The Habit of Civilization
Another great civilization founded by river the Nile, Egypt was known it's fertile land
bring organized farming and society and the great pyramids. But unlike India, Egypt became a civilization in
searching of life beyond death, the eternal question of possibility of
resurrection to the eternal after-life.
Episode
5: Central America: The Burden of Time
The great Aztec and Mayan civilization evolved independent for millenniums
without influence from west, gave great achievements in astrology, mathematics
and architecture. It is still a mystery to why Aztec civilization suddenly
disappeared and while the Mayan culture was ultimately destroyed by
westernization.
Episode
6: Europe: The Barbarian West
Perhaps one of the greatest of civilizations, Europe
has been known all over the world for it's influences, through trade, religion,
and industries. Through various conquerors, achievements, expansionism it can
be said Europe has been responsible for spread for the idea of individualism
and of Greek and Roman cultures that can still be seen all over the world
today.
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- Ricky Chiang
