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0:00:04 > 0:00:09- From time immemorial, - people have wondered about God.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17- As images of their God - formed in their minds...
0:00:17 > 0:00:21- ..they began to portray him - in wood, paint and stone...
0:00:21 > 0:00:25- ..and kept him in sacred places.
0:00:26 > 0:00:30- The ancient world - recognised innumerable gods.
0:00:32 > 0:00:36- Today, one God - dominates the world of believers.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41- So where did the old gods go?
0:00:42 > 0:00:44- We shall delve back in time...
0:00:46 > 0:00:51- ..and look at those civilisations - that brought gods to power...
0:00:51 > 0:00:54- ..and honoured them - in art and architecture.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59- We'll attempt to discover - the fate of the lost gods.
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0:01:16 > 0:01:19- The Egyptians
0:01:32 > 0:01:37- This place was once a sea of grass, - waving in the breeze.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40- On that savannah, gazelles grazed, - elephants roamed...
0:01:41 > 0:01:42- ..and men hunted.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47- But 7,000 years ago, - the climate changed.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05- Today, most of Egypt is desert.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13- It is baked to a crisp by the sun.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20- But this barren land - contains treasure...
0:02:20 > 0:02:24- ..that many other civilisations - would covet.
0:02:30 > 0:02:36- The Nile river is a blue ribbon - between two fertile green borders.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40- The Nile gave life to Egypt.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50- As hunters and shepherds - became farmers...
0:02:50 > 0:02:53- ..they began to focus - on higher matters.
0:02:54 > 0:02:55- Gods were born.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09- There was a god for everything.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12- The gods brought order to the world.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17- When the country united - under one king...
0:03:17 > 0:03:20- ..he became the chief priest.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- They called him Pera - "Great House" - - the pharaoh.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31- He would make sure - that the gods were worshipped...
0:03:31 > 0:03:34- ..and that the Nile river - would bring life.
0:03:37 > 0:03:38- What about the afterlife?
0:03:39 > 0:03:43- The Egyptians believed - that every person had a soul...
0:03:43 > 0:03:45- ..that would survive after death.
0:03:45 > 0:03:51- But the body had to be preserved, - to give the soul sustenance.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56- That belief inspired Egyptian art - and architecture...
0:03:57 > 0:04:01- ..which are still considered - to be wonders of the world.
0:04:13 > 0:04:19- Where can we see the first evidence - of the glory of ancient Egypt?
0:04:19 > 0:04:24- Traditionally, the dead left the - dark, fertile land of the Nile...
0:04:24 > 0:04:27- ..for the red sand of the desert.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42- Saqqara is a stone text.
0:04:43 > 0:04:48- It records the history of the art - and architecture of the Old Kingdom.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52- It is a gallery - of religious pictures.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55- There was snobbery even in death.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59- These were the tombs of the elite.
0:04:59 > 0:05:04- These are the remains of a mastaba, - built of mud bricks.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- It illustrates the changes - in Egyptian architecture...
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- ..from the Nile's reeds, wood - and mud...
0:05:11 > 0:05:13- ..to stone.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18- But mastabas - did not preserve bodies.
0:05:19 > 0:05:24- Noblemen like Irukaptah arranged - statues of family members...
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- ..who would accompany them - into the afterlife.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31- But money could not buy immortality.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- Later, they discovered - a substance called natron.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41- Every day, people washed clothes - using washing soda...
0:05:41 > 0:05:44- ..and cleaned their teeth - with baking soda.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- When they put the two together...
0:05:47 > 0:05:50- ..they had a substance - that would dry and preserve bodies.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54- This was the key - to eternal life - mummification.
0:05:58 > 0:06:03- Natron was a combination of the - salts found in washing soda...
0:06:03 > 0:06:05- ..and soda bread.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09- It was applied to the corpse - to draw out moisture...
0:06:09 > 0:06:12- ..and thus preserve - a pharaoh's mummy.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19- A mastaba was far too insignificant - for the immortal pharaoh.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23- Egypt's first pyramid - can be seen here in Saqqara.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- It is the step pyramid of Djoser.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30- Six mastabas - stacked on top of each other...
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- ..each one smaller - than the one beneath.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37- The journey to the afterlife - was fraught with danger.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46- Here are the sacred passwords - to eternal life...
0:06:46 > 0:06:48- ..inscribed almost 4,500 years ago.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52- Prayers, advice and ritual chants.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01- The step pyramid of Djoser - was a work of faith.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05- It was the pharaoh's staircase - to the stars...
0:07:05 > 0:07:09- ..and the prototype for the pinnacle - of ancient Egyptian architecture.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12- It also records its fall.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31- Cairo - the busy, modern, - 21st century capital city.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40- The site of the Giza pyramids...
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- ..has almost been overwhelmed - by Cairo's suburbs.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- The pyramid of the pharaoh Khufu...
0:07:58 > 0:08:03- ..is the biggest individual building - in the history of the world.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- It stands on a rock foundation.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10- 203 steps rise - to a height of 481 feet.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14- It weighs six million tons...
0:08:14 > 0:08:18- ..equal to the total weight - of all Europe's cathedrals.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30- It took 20 years to build.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34- The whole pyramid was covered - with polished limestone...
0:08:34 > 0:08:38- ..and topped with a pyramid-shaped - gold capstone.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46- The world's most famous work of - architecture also stands in Giza...
0:08:47 > 0:08:49- ..the Sphinx.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55- It is 187 feet long.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00- It faces east and the rising sun.
0:09:01 > 0:09:07- It is a symbol of the sun god, Ra, - and his son, the divine pharaoh.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09- Its Greek name is Sphinx.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13- In Arabic, - it's known as Abu al-Hol...
0:09:14 > 0:09:15- .."Father of Terror".
0:09:18 > 0:09:22- But it failed to save - the Old Kingdom from ruin.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- Pharaoh Pepi II lived too long.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29- He reigned for 90 years.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32- His descendants died before him.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- When he himself died in 2181 BC...
0:09:37 > 0:09:38- ..the kingdom collapsed.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42- It was the end of the Old Kingdom.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- But an amazing new development - in Egyptian religion followed.
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0:10:11 > 0:10:14- Abydos became as important - for Egyptians...
0:10:14 > 0:10:16- ..as Mecca is for Muslims.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- Not because it was - a prophet's tomb...
0:10:22 > 0:10:27- ..but because it was the tomb - of Osiris, god of the underworld.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33- Abydos marks a turning point - in Egyptian religious attitude.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- Here, the revolutionary belief - developed that every individual...
0:10:39 > 0:10:43- ..was responsible - for the life given to them...
0:10:43 > 0:10:49- ..and that the afterlife was open to - everyone, whether pharaoh or farmer.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53- Osiris was a god of resurrection, - like Jesus.
0:10:54 > 0:10:55- Osiris's resurrection...
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- ..guaranteed that every pharaoh - would live for ever...
0:10:59 > 0:11:02- ..through reincarnation.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10- According to the myth, Osiris - was resurrected by his wife, Isis.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17- This secured the succession - of the pharaohs.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- But in this life, - power resides with people, not gods,
0:11:37 > 0:11:41- Political priests addressed a god - who had been born in secrecy.
0:11:45 > 0:11:50- Amun rose to become king of the gods - in the new Egyptian capital.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10- Amun was the most important god.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13- His temple was at Karnack.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31- Since the 20th century BC...
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- ..several pharaohs - have left their mark here...
0:12:35 > 0:12:38- ..in art and architecture.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48- Karnack became Egypt's greatest - religious and economic centre.
0:12:48 > 0:12:53- It was a state within a state, - like the Vatican.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55- Here, history is written in stone.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06- The walls depict daily worship.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14- Two pink granite pillars...
0:13:14 > 0:13:18- ..commemorate the union - of Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20- Lotus and papyrus.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26- United to worship - the gods Amun and Ra.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37- Once a year, - during the feast of Opet...
0:13:37 > 0:13:42- ..Amun-Ra was carried - on the Nile to visit his wife...
0:13:42 > 0:13:45- ..in order to ensure - the fertility of crops.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07- If Karnack was the powerhouse - of Egypt, Luxor was its glory.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28- Beyond the Sphinx guardians...
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- ..the pharaoh Ramesses - waits to greet the god.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38- Inside are 70 columns - topped with papyrus.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59- How were these huge walls built?
0:15:00 > 0:15:04- They placed layers of stone and - supported them with ramps of rubble.
0:15:05 > 0:15:10- As the stone layers rose, the rubble - served as scaffolding for workers.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- After the rubble was removed, - the top was beautifully decorated.
0:15:24 > 0:15:29- Artists created stencils of figures - for the inscribers...
0:15:30 > 0:15:34- ..who used copper - and bronze chisels.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37- The walls were then painted - with bright colours.
0:15:40 > 0:15:45- The paint has been worn away - by centuries of sandstorms...
0:15:45 > 0:15:49- ..but an echo of the former glory - still remains.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04- Beyond, stands a hall - of huge reed columns.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08- The floors were once coloured silver, - to look like water.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11- Stars were painted on the ceiling.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- Death held little mystery - for Egyptians of this period.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41- What concerned them - was the safety of the dead.
0:16:42 > 0:16:48- Every dead pharaoh was taken to the - Valley of the Kings in the west...
0:16:48 > 0:16:52- ..and hidden in the earth, - safe for all eternity.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59- The Valley of the Kings - was a dry area.
0:16:59 > 0:17:00- Bodies remained preserved.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05- It was guarded by a small army - of officials and priests.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15- The tombs of the dead - are practically hidden.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19- Some of them can be seen.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33- The decorations are similar - to those in Giza and Saqqara...
0:17:34 > 0:17:36- ..in their mystique and splendour.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39- They depict the circle - of life, death and rebirth...
0:17:40 > 0:17:42- ..carefully organised by priests...
0:17:42 > 0:17:45- ..accompanied by symbols, - chanting and rituals.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49- This circle was expected - to carry on for ever.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04- In the year 1353 BC...
0:18:05 > 0:18:09- ..the young pharaoh Amenhotep - composed a poem to the sun.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- "God, giver of life...
0:18:12 > 0:18:15- .."Only god, - like whom there is no other...
0:18:15 > 0:18:19- .."You created the world - according to your desire...
0:18:20 > 0:18:22- .."You are in my heart."
0:18:29 > 0:18:34- For Christians, Jews or Muslims - today, this is an orthodox prayer.
0:18:34 > 0:18:39- For an Egyptian pharaoh of the - 14th century BC, it was heresy.
0:18:45 > 0:18:50- Amenhotep's vision changed from that - of multiple gods to that of one god.
0:18:50 > 0:18:56- He changed his name to Akhenaten, - in honour of the one god, Aten.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00- It caused a revolution - in Egyptian art and architecture.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06- If the sun was god, - the temple didn't need a roof.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10- The walls - didn't have to be so thick.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14- In art, the divine, perfect pharaoh - was rejected.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17- The pharaoh - became an ordinary man...
0:19:18 > 0:19:21- ..who had weaknesses - like the rest of humanity.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24- Egyptian art was touched by reality.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53- Like Henry VIII - during his Protestant Reformation...
0:19:53 > 0:19:56- ..Akhenaten took possession - of the temple's treasure.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00- When powerful priests - tried to challenge him...
0:20:00 > 0:20:02- ..he shut down Karnack and Luxor...
0:20:03 > 0:20:07- ..and built a new capital - for the new god.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10- Akhenaten ruled for 17 years.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14- Within days of his death...
0:20:14 > 0:20:19- ..every reference to his name - and his god were destroyed.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36- The priests of Amun - got their revenge.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51- Amun was restored, but not for long.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55- The Persian Empire swept through - the desert and encircled Egypt.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59- The priests begged Amun - for someone to save them.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22- "When the gods wish to punish us," - said Oscar Wilde...
0:21:23 > 0:21:25- .."they answer our prayers."
0:21:27 > 0:21:30- The saviour whom the gods - sent to Egypt...
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- ..was a 33-year-old Greek - - Alexander.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38- He repelled the Persians, - declared himself the son of Amun...
0:21:38 > 0:21:43- ..then left Egypt because - he had other worlds to conquer.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47- But he left a Greek general - on the throne...
0:21:47 > 0:21:50- ..the first of the Ptolemy pharaohs.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- The reign of the ancient - Egyptian dynasty had ended.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02- So what happened to Egyptian - religion and its powerful gods?
0:22:03 > 0:22:07- The answer can be found - on a small island in the Nile.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29- Philae, far up the Nile...
0:22:30 > 0:22:33- ..had attracted pilgrims - since the early days.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40- But art and architecture at Philae - reveal the new reality.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45- The powerful figure - on the pylon is Greek.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50- The space between the buildings - is a Greek concept.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53- The pillars - have a Greek perspective.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01- This is where the last - Egyptian hieroglyphic was written...
0:23:01 > 0:23:04- ..on August 24, 394 AD.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09- A tombstone to the glory - of the past.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22- And then there's this.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24- The Kiosk of Trajan.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28- A new power was already spreading - across the Mediterranean Sea.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31- The Romans were on their way.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43- Stability was the foundation - of Egyptian religion.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47- But stability can easily turn - to stubbornness.
0:23:47 > 0:23:52- The Nile floods, crops grow, - the pharaoh dies and lives again.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55- Then the world turned upside-down.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00- Egypt as a whole - was an inverted pyramid...
0:24:00 > 0:24:03- ..supported by one man - - the powerful pharaoh.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05- Everything came crashing down.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17- In religion as in archaeology...
0:24:17 > 0:24:20- ..conservation and progress - go hand in hand.
0:24:20 > 0:24:25- If the Egyptians had accepted this - as they adapted to monotheism...
0:24:25 > 0:24:28- ..perhaps the names of Amun, - Hathor and Osiris...
0:24:29 > 0:24:33- ..would not now - be on the list of lost gods.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20- S4C subtitles by TROSOL Cyf.