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0:00:02 > 0:00:04- In the 8th Century BC...
0:00:04 > 0:00:07- ..when the Greek City States - were coming to power...
0:00:08 > 0:00:12- ..many tribes were living on the - hills above the river Tiber, Italy.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18- They were farmers. Their lives - were being ruled by their gods.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22- Shapeless ghosts - expressing themselves ...
0:00:22 > 0:00:26- ..through nature's powers - and the circle of the seasons.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31- It was as the tribes grew - into an Empire...
0:00:31 > 0:00:34- ..that stretched from the - Atlantic Ocean to the Dead Sea...
0:00:35 > 0:00:39- ..that the gods - took on different forms.
0:00:40 > 0:00:45- By the 2nd Century AD - there were 53,000 miles of road...
0:00:45 > 0:00:50- ..carrying their laws, their money, - their armies and their beliefs...
0:00:50 > 0:00:52- ..to more than 400 nations.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59- Their achievements in art, - architecture and engineering...
0:01:00 > 0:01:02- ..are still awe-inspiring.
0:01:03 > 0:01:10- Their famous poet, Horace said, - "Carpe diem" - seize the day.
0:01:11 > 0:01:16- They seized the land, treasures - and gods of other civilizations.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20- They were the Romans.
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0:01:44 > 0:01:46- Rome, Italy
0:01:51 > 0:01:54- This is one of Rome's most famous - symbols.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00- Romulus, the founder of Rome - and his brother, Remus...
0:02:01 > 0:02:03- ..sucking on a female wolf.
0:02:04 > 0:02:09- The wolf is Etruscan, - dating from about 500 years BC.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13- The twins were added - 200 years later.
0:02:14 > 0:02:19- The history of Rome and its gods - begins elsewhere.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25- Cerveteri, Italy
0:02:43 > 0:02:47- The Romans adopted and adapted - the customs and the beliefs...
0:02:48 > 0:02:50- ..of the people they conquered.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54- One of the most influential - was the Etruscans.
0:02:58 > 0:03:03- By the year 650 BC - Caisra, or Cerveteri today...
0:03:03 > 0:03:06- ..was one of the wealthiest cities - in Europe...
0:03:07 > 0:03:09- ..trading with Egypt and Venice.
0:03:09 > 0:03:14- As in Greece at the time, - the Etruscans had City States...
0:03:15 > 0:03:19- ..which were separated by politics - but unified by religion.
0:03:21 > 0:03:26- The Etruscans believed in the - afterlife, similar to this one.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30- They kept their ancestors - in the city of the dead.
0:03:36 > 0:03:41- They carved thousands of graves - in the soft volcanic rock...
0:03:41 > 0:03:44- ..in a pattern similar to a city.
0:04:19 > 0:04:24- In 1827, frescoes were found, as - fantastic as the best in Greece...
0:04:25 > 0:04:27- ..in Tomba dei Rilievi.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30- They were painted on damp plaster.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32- They show the cult of the dead...
0:04:32 > 0:04:35- ..similar to the one in Egypt - during the same era.
0:04:40 > 0:04:45- The dead needed the pottery and - the pieces of art in the next life.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49- What about their gods?
0:04:50 > 0:04:55- The Etruscans believed in vernacular - and communal gods.
0:04:55 > 0:05:02- They also believed in powerful gods, - based on the Greek Zeus and Hera.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13- What the Etruscans took - from the Greeks...
0:05:13 > 0:05:16- ..the Romans took - from the Etruscans.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19- From the Father god and the Mother - goddess to the ordinary gods...
0:05:19 > 0:05:21- ..the Romans stole it all...
0:05:21 > 0:05:26- ..when they conquered the Etruscans - in the year 280 BC.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31- The Forum, Rome, Italy
0:05:35 > 0:05:38- The Forum - the centre for trade - and religious custom.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42- It was the heart - of the Roman republic.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49- The Romans' religion included and - celebrated nature's powerful gods...
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- ..side by side - with the ordinary gods.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- In the shadow of Jupiter's temple, - the Father god...
0:05:57 > 0:05:59- ..who ruled thunder and lightning...
0:05:59 > 0:06:03- ..there would be maids - keeping the holy flame alight.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- It was a holy symbol - to the goddess Vesta...
0:06:06 > 0:06:09- ..who protected the homes - of the Romans.
0:06:13 > 0:06:19- As the Empire expanded, - more and more kingdoms fell to Rome.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- The Romans would bring their loot - along the Via Flaminia...
0:06:27 > 0:06:29- ..and across the Milvius Bridge.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36- They had mastered the craft - of the arch.
0:06:36 > 0:06:42- They used it to bridge the Empire - and bring the wealth home to Rome.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- The victorious generals - would gain power...
0:06:47 > 0:06:51- ..and would compete for the main - prize - ruling Rome.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54- The republic was under threat.
0:06:54 > 0:06:59- A man came to stand in the breach - who claimed he was a descendent...
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- ..of the goddess Venus - and the Greek hero, Aeneas.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06- He crossed the Rubicon - and occupied the capital city.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10- His name was Julius Caesar.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12- He gave the city a new Forum...
0:07:12 > 0:07:16- ..among grand buildings - that have long disappeared.
0:07:16 > 0:07:21- He gave himself a title - pontifex - maximus, Rome's high priest.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26- In 44 BC, - Caesar was murdered by senators...
0:07:27 > 0:07:31- ..who thought they were restoring - Rome's democratic values.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- What they did was exchange a tyrant - for an Emperor.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39- Augustus' reign - was Rome's golden age.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42- Art and architecture were thriving.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- Temples and marble monuments - were built for the gods...
0:07:45 > 0:07:48- ..who had been borrowed - from the Greeks.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53- Zeus was changed to Jupiter.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- His wife, Hera was changed to Juno.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01- Aphrodite became Venus.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05- Poseidon, god of the Sea, - became Neptune.
0:08:08 > 0:08:13- In Rome, the public could bathe - in the warm baths of Caracallia.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- They could swarm to the Colosseum - for their entertainment.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42- The Pantheon, - home to all the gods...
0:08:42 > 0:08:45- ..became the religious heart - of the Roman Empire.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51- It was designed by Hadrian - as a sanctuary for the Roman gods.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- It was dedicated to Emperor Augustus - who promoted the idea...
0:08:55 > 0:08:57- ..that he himself was a god.
0:09:00 > 0:09:05- Pax Romana, the Roman peace, spread - to every corner of the Empire.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12- Caerleon, Gwent, Wales
0:09:16 > 0:09:18- There's a fort in Caerleon-on-Usk...
0:09:18 > 0:09:21- ..which was on the Roman Empire's - furthest borders.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26- It was built in 75 AD - - it stretches over 50 acres.
0:09:30 > 0:09:35- The walls that kept the Welsh out, - kept the Romans in.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- They recreated Rome - within these walls.
0:09:44 > 0:09:50- There were 5,500 soldiers - living in 60 barracks in Caerleon.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53- There are four ruins still here.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- The only Roman barracks in Europe - to survive.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02- The Roman soldiers would bring their - gods with them everywhere.
0:10:02 > 0:10:07- The Emperor could offer a sacrifice - to Minerva, the goddess of wisdom...
0:10:07 > 0:10:09- ..to light up his kingdom.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14- Far from the safety of Rome, - the legionnaires in Caerleon...
0:10:14 > 0:10:17- ..would ask for the blessing - of Mars, the god of war.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44- It would not be Rome or home - without an amphitheatre.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- Why did they build this one - outside the walls of the fort?
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- I wonder if the only fighting - the soldiers saw...
0:10:51 > 0:10:56- ..were the gladiator contests - here, in front of a crowd of 6,000.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07- There were many other Caerleons - along the borders of the Empire...
0:11:08 > 0:11:12- ..in forts and towns that were true - to the Roman customs and gods...
0:11:12 > 0:11:15- ..and they were protecting Rome - from the barbarians.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19- Within the powerful Empire...
0:11:19 > 0:11:24- ..the line between the State and - religion became more and more fuzzy.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27- Why should they be scared - of foreign gods?
0:11:32 > 0:11:34- 888
0:11:37 > 0:11:39- Villa Hadrian, Rome, Italy
0:11:50 > 0:11:54- Emperor Hadrian's villa in Tivoli...
0:11:54 > 0:11:57- ..was larger - than the Imperial Centre in Rome.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59- Here, Hadrian created...
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- ..one of the largest exhibitions - of art and architecture ever.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07- Most of it was copied - from the Greeks.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14- The Romans believed - foreign gods had power...
0:12:14 > 0:12:17- ..over those who worshipped them.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21- Hadrian hoped, by giving the gods - a fantastic home in Rome...
0:12:21 > 0:12:25- ..to channel that power - for the good of the Empire.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- His most ambitious design - was the Canopus.
0:12:29 > 0:12:34- It was a replica of the Egyptian god - Serapis' sanctuary in Alexandria.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40- For this, - he dug a canal 130 yards long...
0:12:40 > 0:12:43- ..with statues imported from Egypt - along the banks...
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- ..similar to those on the Acropolis.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53- The statues of the Greek gods - in Tivoli...
0:12:53 > 0:12:58- ..show how the Roman gods had - evolved from shapeless deity...
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- ..into human forms and characters.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05- The Greeks - gave the Roman gods faces.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25- On an island in a round pool - among the columns...
0:13:25 > 0:13:29- ..the man who ruled the lives - of 50 million of his subjects...
0:13:29 > 0:13:31- ..found peace and quiet.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36- Since the line between the State - and religion had disappeared...
0:13:37 > 0:13:41- ..it was only a small step from - being an Emperor to being a god.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47- Here, in the maritime theatre...
0:13:47 > 0:13:51- ..much of the art and architecture - is a tribute to Antinous...
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- ..a young man Hadrian - was in love with.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56- Antinous drowned in the river Nile.
0:13:57 > 0:14:02- By order of Hadrian, he was made - a Roman god - the last one.
0:14:04 > 0:14:09- In Tivoli, Hadrian built a refuge - with walls for foreign gods.
0:14:09 > 0:14:14- It was also home to the art and - architecture of conquered nations.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18- But, the threat to the Roman gods - would come from the East...
0:14:18 > 0:14:22- ..from a city given to Rome - as a gift from the Greeks.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- Ephesus, Selcuk, Turkey
0:14:36 > 0:14:39- According to the historian, - Aristides...
0:14:39 > 0:14:43- ..Ephesus was Asia's largest trade - and banking centre.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49- It was a city of marble streets - and splendid temples.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- Subject of admiration.
0:14:54 > 0:15:00- It was established in the 13th - Century BC by the Greek, Androclus.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04- Ephesus was presented to the Romans - in 133 BC.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11- The Romans were willing for the - Ephesians to pay homage...
0:15:11 > 0:15:14- ..to the Greek goddess Artemis, - the Egyptian goddess Isis...
0:15:15 > 0:15:19- ..or any other god with a following - in the cosmopolitan city...
0:15:19 > 0:15:23- ..as long as they paid Roman taxes.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36- Ephesus had been dedicated - to Artemis...
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- ..the goddess of the moon, - woods and fertility.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41- A goddess who hated men.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46- Her temple is one of the seven - wonders of the world.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56- A simple column stands.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10- Isolated on a swamp...
0:16:11 > 0:16:14- ..it's a worthy memorial - to the Greek architect, Theodorus.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27- Someone dared him - to build a building on a swamp.
0:16:27 > 0:16:32- He filled the foundations with coal - and then put leather on top of it.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34- On that strange foundation...
0:16:34 > 0:16:41- ..he built a temple - which was 377ft long and 180ft wide.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44- It was the largest marble temple - in the world.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- Theodorus' vision was amazing.
0:16:55 > 0:17:01- 127 columns supported a huge wooden - roof with cedar beams.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05- It was the subject of great pride - in Ephesus.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12- The city has other - architectural marvels.
0:17:29 > 0:17:34- Celsus library was built in Ephesus - in the 2nd Century AD by Aquila...
0:17:34 > 0:17:39- ..as a decorative grave for his - father, the governor Polemaeanus.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44- The challenge for the architect - was getting enough room for it...
0:17:44 > 0:17:47- ..between two existing buildings.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58- He managed to create the impression - of height...
0:17:58 > 0:18:02- ..by putting an arch in the stairs - between the centre and the edges.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08- He made the columns in the centre - larger than the ones on the side...
0:18:08 > 0:18:12- ..making the building look taller - than it was.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21- The Romans' most beautiful gift - to Ephesus...
0:18:21 > 0:18:26- ..was dedicated to Emperor Hadrian - in the 2nd Century AD.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33- It was famous because of the - craftsmanship of its facade.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38- Two columns with Corinthian heads - support the stone lintel...
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- ..which contains a relief of Tyche, - the goddess of fortune.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48- On the highest lintel, - there's a relief of Medusa...
0:18:48 > 0:18:51- ..one of the three Gorgons - of Greek mythology.
0:18:51 > 0:18:56- When she appeared, - she could turn men into stone.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02- But, the frieze around the door's - highest lintel...
0:19:02 > 0:19:06- ..is the clearest sign - of the Romans' influence on Ephesus.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10- The Greek gods - and the Roman Emperors...
0:19:10 > 0:19:15- ..share the frieze with mythological - gods and heroes - everyone is equal.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21- What kind of threat could there be - to the divine Roman Emperor...
0:19:22 > 0:19:26- ..who was equal to Zeus and Apollo, - in Ephesus, a conquered city?
0:19:45 > 0:19:50- In this city, with its many gods, - a new god was being introduced...
0:19:50 > 0:19:55- ..in a theatre which could hold - 24,000 Ephesians.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01- Paul of Tarsus was here...
0:20:02 > 0:20:07- ..announcing the coming of a new god - - Jesus of Nazareth.
0:20:10 > 0:20:15- The Romans were about to accept - one god too many.
0:20:18 > 0:20:23- The new religion with one god - was about to grow roots in Rome...
0:20:23 > 0:20:27- ..and shatter the Pantheon - of Roman gods.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41- San Clemente, Rome, Italy
0:20:45 > 0:20:49- The Church of San Clemente - was built in the 12th Century...
0:20:49 > 0:20:54- ..above where some of Rome's secret - cults met underground.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21- Meeting secretly - under the busy streets...
0:21:21 > 0:21:24- ..there were people - who longed for more...
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- ..than what the State's religion - could offer.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31- The legionnaires - who were defending the Empire...
0:21:31 > 0:21:34- ..brought the cult of Mithras - from Persia to Rome...
0:21:34 > 0:21:36- ..in the 1st Century BC.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39- He was a god of the sun and a hero.
0:21:39 > 0:21:44- Mithras killed a bull until its - blood ran to rejuvenate the land...
0:21:44 > 0:21:48- ..and cleanse the followers - who met here...
0:21:48 > 0:21:51- ..at the lowest level - under San Clemente.
0:21:55 > 0:22:00- In the 4th Century AD, on the level - above the Mithras temple...
0:22:00 > 0:22:04- ..another cult began worshipping - a man called Jesus.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06- His blood, they said...
0:22:06 > 0:22:10- ..would rejuvenate the world - and save the believers.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20- But, for a State which insisted - worshipping the Emperor...
0:22:20 > 0:22:24- ..and was home to, - and honoured many gods...
0:22:24 > 0:22:27- ..a religion which worshipped - one god and no-one else...
0:22:27 > 0:22:29- ..wouldn't be accepted.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36- The Roman legions and Hadrian's - walls couldn't stand forever...
0:22:36 > 0:22:38- ..against the flow of history...
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- ..and the spiritual curiosity - in people's hearts.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46- Emperor Constantine...
0:22:47 > 0:22:51- ..who was certain the new God, Jesus - had helped him in his battles...
0:22:51 > 0:22:53- ..became a Christian.
0:22:56 > 0:23:01- Under Constantine, Christianity - became the State's religion.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14- On street level, the majestic Church - of San Clemente...
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- ..is an ancient monument - to a religion...
0:23:17 > 0:23:20- ..which would spread to the furthest - fringes of the Empire...
0:23:20 > 0:23:24- ..and make Rome a religious capital.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47- What about the Roman gods?
0:23:47 > 0:23:51- In some ways, they had become - servants of the State...
0:23:51 > 0:23:55- ..after being elevated - because of its military power.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15- Rome would turn into a city - of temples...
0:24:16 > 0:24:19- ..which were dedicated - to the new God...
0:24:20 > 0:24:23- ..and a cemetery to the lost gods.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20- S4C Subtitles by- TROSOL Cyf.