Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:11,520
Thousands of years ago,
2
00:00:11,520 --> 00:00:18,360
ancient powers ruled
our world--
3
00:00:18,360 --> 00:00:28,200
Egypt, China, India,
Greece, and Rome,
4
00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:35,240
players in a high-stakes game
of strategy and luck.
5
00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:39,760
Success will bring them wealth
and immortality...
6
00:00:39,760 --> 00:00:47,680
failure, oblivion and death.
7
00:00:47,680 --> 00:00:51,480
In their battle for survival,
each civilisation
8
00:00:51,480 --> 00:00:55,400
will face the same challenges.
9
00:00:55,400 --> 00:00:58,640
How they respond
will shape their destiny.
10
00:01:06,760 --> 00:01:13,800
In this episode,
"Law and Order,"
11
00:01:13,800 --> 00:01:15,720
in an unruly world,
12
00:01:15,720 --> 00:01:20,520
our ancient powers must
lead their people,
13
00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:28,040
create ways to govern,
and keep rebellion at bay.
14
00:01:28,040 --> 00:01:31,400
Who will find the right
way to rule?
15
00:01:55,000 --> 00:02:00,080
Our ancient powers have
established their cultures,
16
00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:04,360
built monuments
and trade links,
17
00:02:04,360 --> 00:02:09,720
and fought battles
to protect their homelands.
18
00:02:09,720 --> 00:02:13,240
Now they confront
their next challenge...
19
00:02:42,040 --> 00:02:47,720
Egypt is peaceful, prosperous,
and powerful.
20
00:02:47,720 --> 00:02:54,880
Its three million people
are happy and well fed.
21
00:02:54,880 --> 00:02:57,040
But the sudden death
of its pharaoh,
22
00:02:57,040 --> 00:03:03,360
Thutmose II, plunges
this ancient power into crisis
23
00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:07,840
because the heir to the throne
is only a child.
24
00:03:15,840 --> 00:03:17,960
Thutmose II'’s son,
25
00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:20,240
he was about
two or three years of age,
26
00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:23,600
and so, although he was crowned
king, he needed a regent.
27
00:03:25,760 --> 00:03:28,360
Without a strong guiding hand,
28
00:03:28,360 --> 00:03:31,640
the boy king'’s rule
is in danger.
29
00:03:31,640 --> 00:03:36,040
Who can step in
and take charge?
30
00:03:36,040 --> 00:03:41,520
The only choice is
Thutmose'’s wife and queen.
31
00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:48,880
Hatshepsut was a woman
of royal blood,
32
00:03:48,880 --> 00:03:52,760
but in terms of kingship,
a king was male,
33
00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:58,200
so Hatshepsut being female
was a little bit confusing.
34
00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:03,440
She needs a way
to secure her reign,
35
00:04:03,440 --> 00:04:10,960
so Hatshepsut embarks
on a radical transformation.
36
00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:13,600
She showed herself as a man,
37
00:04:13,600 --> 00:04:16,480
dressed in
pharaoh'’s paraphernalia.
38
00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:19,720
There'’s nothing female
about her.
39
00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:24,960
So for all the Egyptians,
the pharaoh is as he should be,
40
00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:27,040
it just happened to be she.
41
00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:34,040
While these visual tricks
work for some,
42
00:04:34,040 --> 00:04:39,320
others see her rule
as dangerous and unacceptable.
43
00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:42,520
But Hatshepsut understands
her people
44
00:04:42,520 --> 00:04:44,800
and knows that to succeed,
45
00:04:44,800 --> 00:04:48,600
she needs
to make a permanent mark,
46
00:04:48,600 --> 00:04:51,440
and she has a plan.
47
00:04:51,440 --> 00:04:54,640
The ancient Egyptians were
big on propaganda and imagery
48
00:04:54,640 --> 00:04:57,600
and that'’s how they communicated
what was going on.
49
00:04:57,600 --> 00:05:02,760
So Hatshepsut built throughout
Egypt saying, "I am king."
50
00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:10,920
But building alone
isn'’t the answer.
51
00:05:10,920 --> 00:05:14,040
She also needs to have the Gods
on her side.
52
00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:19,800
At Karnak Temple in Thebes,
53
00:05:19,800 --> 00:05:23,480
Hatshepsut erects
a huge obelisk,
54
00:05:23,480 --> 00:05:26,360
carved from a single
30-metre-high block
55
00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:30,560
of granite, it is dedicated
to the God Amun-Re.
56
00:05:32,680 --> 00:05:35,160
An obelisk is a symbol
of the sun god.
57
00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:37,760
It'’s like a sunbeam.
58
00:05:37,760 --> 00:05:40,600
And that'’s why the top,
which is also a little pyramid,
59
00:05:40,600 --> 00:05:43,320
would have been covered
by electrum,
60
00:05:43,320 --> 00:05:46,640
and when the sun hit it
at certain times of day,
61
00:05:46,640 --> 00:05:50,280
the whole area
would just explode with light.
62
00:05:57,680 --> 00:05:59,960
For the common Egyptians,
it would look as if
63
00:05:59,960 --> 00:06:04,000
the Gods were really present
and radiating their light out.
64
00:06:08,440 --> 00:06:12,040
And by putting her obelisks
here, it'’s establishing
65
00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:14,520
a close rapport
and relationship
66
00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:17,640
between Hatshepsut
and the God Amun,
67
00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:22,120
which also is a way
of giving her more legitimacy.
68
00:06:22,120 --> 00:06:26,440
Hatshepsut convinces
her subjects of her power.
69
00:06:26,440 --> 00:06:31,600
But there is another formidable
group she must get onside,
70
00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:35,720
the priests.
71
00:06:35,720 --> 00:06:39,240
They gather taxes and receive
lucrative offerings
72
00:06:39,240 --> 00:06:41,880
for the Gods.
73
00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:46,680
They are powerful
and influential,
74
00:06:46,680 --> 00:06:50,040
strong enough
to depose a pharaoh.
75
00:06:50,040 --> 00:06:52,480
To buy their loyalty,
76
00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:55,920
Hatshepsut plans
an enormous temple complex.
77
00:07:08,200 --> 00:07:13,120
This huge temple
takes 13 years to construct.
78
00:07:13,120 --> 00:07:15,520
Built of dazzling limestone,
79
00:07:15,520 --> 00:07:19,040
it'’s a stunning
architectural achievement
80
00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:25,040
and is propaganda
on the grandest possible scale.
81
00:07:25,040 --> 00:07:30,760
This is one of the most unusual
of Egyptian funerary temples.
82
00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:33,240
The mountain is embracing
this monument.
83
00:07:41,160 --> 00:07:43,760
The approach was lined
with sphinxes,
84
00:07:43,760 --> 00:07:45,200
which all had her face.
85
00:07:49,880 --> 00:07:54,720
On the facade, Hatshepsut
depicts herself as Osiris,
86
00:07:54,720 --> 00:07:59,240
the male God of the dead.
87
00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:02,200
On the walls,
she creates reliefs
88
00:08:02,200 --> 00:08:06,640
illustrating her royal exploits,
89
00:08:06,640 --> 00:08:08,360
and inside,
90
00:08:08,360 --> 00:08:12,240
in a sacred space
where only priests are allowed,
91
00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:17,520
Hatshepsut makes
an audacious claim,
92
00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:20,360
part of her divine origin myth.
93
00:08:32,080 --> 00:08:33,800
Here you have
the Goddess Hathor,
94
00:08:33,800 --> 00:08:36,040
who is crowning Hatshepsut
95
00:08:36,040 --> 00:08:41,120
and sort of presenting her
to Amun as the rightful ruler.
96
00:08:41,120 --> 00:08:46,240
Hathor is the Goddess of love,
beauty, and fertility.
97
00:08:46,240 --> 00:08:50,320
Here, she is represented
as a cow.
98
00:08:50,320 --> 00:08:54,360
And we have these fabulous
images of the Goddess Hathor
99
00:08:54,360 --> 00:08:58,240
and Hatshepsut suckling,
and by taking in the milk,
100
00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:00,760
she herself is getting
even more divine
101
00:09:00,760 --> 00:09:03,160
because she'’s ingesting
from the Goddess.
102
00:09:08,360 --> 00:09:12,600
Hatshepsut'’s remarkable
power play pays off,
103
00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:15,400
and she rules
for over 15 years.
104
00:09:20,520 --> 00:09:25,520
Hatshepsut'’s reign was
a wonderful time for Egypt.
105
00:09:25,520 --> 00:09:27,480
She was innovative.
106
00:09:27,480 --> 00:09:32,440
She had good ideas
with architecture, decoration,
107
00:09:32,440 --> 00:09:36,040
programmes for establishing
the legitimacy of kingship
108
00:09:36,040 --> 00:09:38,880
and setting out
the whole mechanism
109
00:09:38,880 --> 00:09:41,000
for large scale
Egyptian propaganda
110
00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:43,200
for the new kingdom pharaohs.
111
00:09:47,160 --> 00:09:51,920
Hatshepsut changes history
by proving a pharaoh'’s gender
112
00:09:51,920 --> 00:09:56,600
doesn'’t always matter.
113
00:09:56,600 --> 00:10:00,240
The people and priests
can accept women
114
00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:06,920
who they believe are divine.
115
00:10:06,920 --> 00:10:13,280
And this pharaoh secures
a golden age for Egypt.
116
00:10:13,280 --> 00:10:14,960
I have to say that she has
always been
117
00:10:14,960 --> 00:10:16,280
one of my favourite pharaohs
118
00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:18,120
because when you have
a woman pharaoh
119
00:10:18,120 --> 00:10:22,120
and you yourself are a woman,
it'’s quite a buzz.
120
00:10:35,400 --> 00:10:38,160
In Egypt,
the power of the Gods
121
00:10:38,160 --> 00:10:44,800
legitimises a pharaoh'’s
claim to rule.
122
00:10:44,800 --> 00:10:50,320
To the east, ancient India has
many different belief systems,
123
00:10:50,320 --> 00:10:55,640
but here too, religion is key
to maintaining law and order.
124
00:11:25,040 --> 00:11:33,080
Power in India is fragmented.
125
00:11:33,080 --> 00:11:37,360
In the north, small kingdoms
battle for control,
126
00:11:37,360 --> 00:11:42,160
but soon, one wins out--
127
00:11:42,160 --> 00:11:44,760
the Guptas.
128
00:11:44,760 --> 00:11:48,520
The territory they conquer
stretches from coast to coast
129
00:11:48,520 --> 00:11:52,440
across the northern half
of the Indian subcontinent.
130
00:11:52,440 --> 00:11:56,000
Two decades into
their imperial rule,
131
00:11:56,000 --> 00:12:00,680
India'’s greatest king
takes the throne--
132
00:12:00,680 --> 00:12:03,480
Samudragupta.
133
00:12:20,520 --> 00:12:23,920
Samudragupta was a man
of many, many talents.
134
00:12:23,920 --> 00:12:25,960
On the one hand,
he was a great warrior.
135
00:12:25,960 --> 00:12:29,040
We read about how his body
was adorned with the scars
136
00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:33,840
he received in various battles
from axes and swords.
137
00:12:33,840 --> 00:12:36,240
But he was also something
of a creative thinker--
138
00:12:36,240 --> 00:12:38,680
a poet king who composed
a lot of poetry himself.
139
00:12:43,440 --> 00:12:47,680
Samudragupta has millions
under his command,
140
00:12:47,680 --> 00:12:53,200
but faces a challenge.
141
00:12:53,200 --> 00:12:59,920
How can he keep control of
his vast and diverse kingdom?
142
00:12:59,920 --> 00:13:04,400
He turns to his religion,
Hinduism, for answers.
143
00:13:07,560 --> 00:13:11,360
Oh Lord, lead me
from ignorance to truth,
144
00:13:11,360 --> 00:13:16,240
lead me from darkness to light
145
00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:20,400
lead me from death
to immortality.
146
00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:24,960
The Vedas are the sacred
foundation of Hinduism.
147
00:13:24,960 --> 00:13:28,680
The Vedic Samhitas are
collections of mantras.
148
00:13:30,280 --> 00:13:37,400
They are passed on
to disciples by their master
from generation to generation.
149
00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:50,680
The Vedas are the roots.
150
00:13:50,680 --> 00:13:53,000
Without the roots
the tree cannot exist,
151
00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:56,400
so the Vedas are crucial
to Hinduism.
152
00:14:01,360 --> 00:14:04,000
The oldest of
these sacred texts,
153
00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:09,600
the Rigveda, discusses rituals
and the praise of Gods,
154
00:14:09,600 --> 00:14:14,400
the origin of the universe,
and the nature of the divine.
155
00:14:17,360 --> 00:14:20,600
But crucially for
Emperor Samudragupta,
156
00:14:20,600 --> 00:14:25,160
one of these hymns suggests how
society should be structured.
157
00:14:27,440 --> 00:14:29,000
There'’s one
controversial verse
158
00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:30,920
in the Rigveda
that talks about how
159
00:14:30,920 --> 00:14:33,280
from the body
of the cosmic creator,
160
00:14:33,280 --> 00:14:35,320
God himself,
it was from the mouth
161
00:14:35,320 --> 00:14:37,680
that the Brahmin emerged.
162
00:14:37,680 --> 00:14:41,360
The Brahmins are the sacred
theological priestly community.
163
00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:44,400
It was from the arms
that the Kshatriyas emerged.
164
00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:47,000
The Kshatriyas were the fighters
and the warrior class.
165
00:14:47,000 --> 00:14:50,520
It was from the thighs that
the mercantile class emerged.
166
00:14:50,520 --> 00:14:53,200
And finally, the Shudras
from the feet.
167
00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:54,880
And the Shudras
are the service communities
168
00:14:54,880 --> 00:14:58,400
that serve everybody else--
peasants and so on.
169
00:14:58,400 --> 00:15:00,480
This was used as
a justification to say
170
00:15:00,480 --> 00:15:03,200
that in the most sacred
of the Hindu scriptures,
171
00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:06,280
there is reference
to stratification.
172
00:15:06,280 --> 00:15:10,960
Samudragupta and the other
Gupta kings take this idea
173
00:15:10,960 --> 00:15:13,640
and build on it,
dividing society
174
00:15:13,640 --> 00:15:17,640
into distinct classes
or castes.
175
00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:22,480
This system proves to be
a powerful form of control.
176
00:15:22,480 --> 00:15:24,400
The caste system
in the early Gupta period
177
00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:25,920
wasn'’t necessarily set
in stone.
178
00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:27,680
It was a lot more fluid.
179
00:15:27,680 --> 00:15:29,440
There are strong indications
180
00:15:29,440 --> 00:15:31,760
that the Guptas might'’ve been
Brahmins themselves,
181
00:15:31,760 --> 00:15:33,800
and if the kings themselves
were Brahmins, of course,
182
00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:36,160
you see Brahmins
receiving state power
183
00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:38,880
and thereby becoming stronger
in Hindu society.
184
00:15:41,680 --> 00:15:47,080
Samudragupta cements his power
at the top of the caste system
185
00:15:47,080 --> 00:15:49,600
and transforms Indian society.
186
00:15:55,320 --> 00:15:58,120
You see that there'’s arts
and cultures thriving,
187
00:15:58,120 --> 00:16:02,200
the empire'’s stable,
there'’s economic activity.
188
00:16:02,200 --> 00:16:04,200
In fact,
to many Hindus,
189
00:16:04,200 --> 00:16:07,200
this was the golden age
of Hindu civilisation.
190
00:16:18,240 --> 00:16:21,000
The Guptas use religion
to organise
191
00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:22,600
and control their people.
192
00:16:28,560 --> 00:16:31,680
In China,
the ruler of a new dynasty
193
00:16:31,680 --> 00:16:34,480
faces a similar problem,
194
00:16:34,480 --> 00:16:37,040
but will find
a very different solution.
195
00:17:01,240 --> 00:17:04,480
For over two centuries,
different states compete
196
00:17:04,480 --> 00:17:08,240
for domination of China.
197
00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:10,720
Eventually there'’s a winner--
198
00:17:10,720 --> 00:17:15,720
the Qin.
199
00:17:15,720 --> 00:17:22,240
But its new emperor,
Qin Shi Huang, has a problem.
200
00:17:22,240 --> 00:17:25,680
How can he unify
over 30 million people
201
00:17:25,680 --> 00:17:27,840
from different cultures
202
00:17:27,840 --> 00:17:30,880
who have different customs
and beliefs?
203
00:17:40,280 --> 00:17:42,640
He begins at ground level,
204
00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:45,720
creating 36
new administrative districts
205
00:17:45,720 --> 00:17:51,800
known as commanderies
and building 7,000 kilometres
206
00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:53,960
of new roads to link them.
207
00:17:57,240 --> 00:18:00,480
Next, to make trade
between regions easier
208
00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:02,960
and collect taxes,
209
00:18:02,960 --> 00:18:08,720
he standardises currency,
units of length, and weights.
210
00:18:08,720 --> 00:18:10,840
But he doesn'’t believe these
unifying measures
211
00:18:10,840 --> 00:18:13,000
will be enough.
212
00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:14,800
Something else is needed.
213
00:18:18,760 --> 00:18:22,720
The text on these bamboo slips
is Qin Shi Huang'’s solution
214
00:18:22,720 --> 00:18:24,560
to the problem--
215
00:18:24,560 --> 00:18:27,320
hundreds of rules
and instructions,
216
00:18:27,320 --> 00:18:32,840
a legal code detailing the dos
and don'’ts of his new empire.
217
00:18:40,400 --> 00:18:43,000
This is from
the Shuihudi tombs strip.
218
00:18:43,000 --> 00:18:45,520
which mentions
219
00:18:45,520 --> 00:18:49,360
'’Gu zhe min ge you xiang su'’
220
00:18:49,360 --> 00:18:53,880
means in the past,
people had different customs
221
00:18:53,880 --> 00:18:58,320
'’huo bu bian yu min,
hai yu bang'’
222
00:18:58,320 --> 00:19:01,200
means some of these
are inconvenient
223
00:19:01,200 --> 00:19:03,040
and harmful to the country.
224
00:19:03,040 --> 00:19:05,240
'’Shi yi sheng wang'’
225
00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:11,000
'’zuo wei fa du'’
226
00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:15,080
So the emperor has made laws.
227
00:19:15,080 --> 00:19:18,760
'’qu qi xie pi chu xi e su'’
228
00:19:18,760 --> 00:19:25,480
means to get rid of
bad behaviours and customs.
229
00:19:27,800 --> 00:19:31,560
This new way of ruling
is known as legalism.
230
00:19:34,880 --> 00:19:38,280
It suggests that the
human nature is evil,
231
00:19:38,280 --> 00:19:42,120
people need to be
motivated with benefits.
232
00:19:42,120 --> 00:19:44,480
It imposes great restrictions
on ordinary people.
233
00:19:44,480 --> 00:19:47,400
Severe restrictions.
234
00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:50,480
And ultimately the Qin
uses Legalism
235
00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:51,800
as a means
to unify the six states.
236
00:19:56,000 --> 00:20:04,000
Brutal and absolute, legalism
is strict authoritarian rule.
237
00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:09,480
It makes Qin Shi Huang
China'’s most powerful emperor.
238
00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:16,040
His enormous tomb reveals
the secrets of his rule.
239
00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:22,520
Covering over
56 square kilometres,
240
00:20:22,520 --> 00:20:27,200
this burial ground is a mirror
of his empire in life.
241
00:20:40,920 --> 00:20:43,360
On one hand, it'’s his lifestyle
242
00:20:45,680 --> 00:20:51,280
and he also wants to bring his
established political system
243
00:20:51,280 --> 00:20:55,520
and the government structure
to the underground.
244
00:20:58,120 --> 00:21:00,840
He'’s buried
with his fearsome army,
245
00:21:00,840 --> 00:21:06,720
critical to enforcing his rule.
246
00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:11,480
But he'’s also accompanied
by some less familiar figures.
247
00:21:13,840 --> 00:21:17,560
They all wear a long headdress.
248
00:21:17,560 --> 00:21:21,480
So their level is very senior.
249
00:21:21,480 --> 00:21:26,320
On their waist,
we found a small knife
250
00:21:26,320 --> 00:21:29,280
and a knife-sharpening stone.
251
00:21:29,280 --> 00:21:34,040
The knife is used for
scraping the bamboo slips.
252
00:21:34,040 --> 00:21:38,200
If you make a mistake
writing on the slips,
253
00:21:38,200 --> 00:21:41,480
you can use the knife
to scrape it off.
254
00:21:41,480 --> 00:21:44,560
It'’s just like a rubber today.
255
00:21:50,280 --> 00:21:54,320
Based on the appearance
of these figures,
256
00:21:54,320 --> 00:21:59,640
we believe this pit represents
the department of Tingwei.
257
00:22:01,000 --> 00:22:04,960
What kind of office is Tingwei?
258
00:22:04,960 --> 00:22:09,480
It'’s a department that manages
justice and prisons.
259
00:22:11,520 --> 00:22:14,320
These men are buried
much closer to their emperor
260
00:22:14,320 --> 00:22:16,880
than his army.
261
00:22:16,880 --> 00:22:20,520
The officials'’ pit is at
the southwest corner
of the tomb mound.
262
00:22:20,520 --> 00:22:23,720
It is very close,
less than 100 metres.
263
00:22:23,720 --> 00:22:27,480
It shows that it'’s
very important
264
00:22:27,480 --> 00:22:30,680
and they have a very close
relationship to the emperor.
265
00:22:33,840 --> 00:22:35,920
These officials write the laws
266
00:22:35,920 --> 00:22:41,200
that maintain the emperor'’s
iron grip on power,
267
00:22:41,200 --> 00:22:45,640
so crucial to his rule
that he keeps them close,
268
00:22:45,640 --> 00:22:48,360
even in death.
269
00:22:55,400 --> 00:22:58,480
In China, strict laws
and regulations
270
00:22:58,480 --> 00:23:01,560
help unify this ancient power.
271
00:23:04,880 --> 00:23:10,160
Far to the west, Rome also
needs to exert authority
272
00:23:10,160 --> 00:23:12,200
on its ever-expanding
territory.
273
00:23:32,840 --> 00:23:38,440
Rome'’s population is now
almost 60 million people,
274
00:23:38,440 --> 00:23:44,360
but the empire is in turmoil.
275
00:23:44,360 --> 00:23:48,200
Divided by bloody civil war
as different factions
276
00:23:48,200 --> 00:23:55,120
attempt to seize control,
how can its new emperor,
277
00:23:55,120 --> 00:23:59,560
Vespasian, get the people
back onside and restore law
278
00:23:59,560 --> 00:24:04,040
and order to the empire?
279
00:24:04,040 --> 00:24:08,720
His idea is a no-expense-spared
gift to the people,
280
00:24:08,720 --> 00:24:12,680
a mighty monument to house
the greatest show on earth.
281
00:24:23,640 --> 00:24:28,400
This is the largest arena
the world has ever seen,
282
00:24:28,400 --> 00:24:31,560
a place where 50,000 people
can witness
283
00:24:31,560 --> 00:24:34,080
spectacles of bloodlust.
284
00:24:44,200 --> 00:24:45,760
Gladiatorial games
were fundamental
285
00:24:45,760 --> 00:24:49,320
for Roman society.
286
00:24:49,320 --> 00:24:51,880
On one side,
you'’ve got this society
287
00:24:51,880 --> 00:24:56,160
which we can find ourselves in
in many ways .
288
00:24:56,160 --> 00:24:58,520
They have poetry,
they have democracy,
289
00:24:58,520 --> 00:25:02,920
they have art.
290
00:25:02,920 --> 00:25:05,280
And then on the other hand ,
291
00:25:05,280 --> 00:25:09,360
they appeal
to the brutal side of man .
292
00:25:09,360 --> 00:25:14,160
It'’s this marriage
between beauty and violence.
293
00:25:14,160 --> 00:25:17,800
The Romans love the games.
294
00:25:17,800 --> 00:25:21,840
They'’re a celebration
of macho athleticism,
295
00:25:21,840 --> 00:25:26,520
and the gladiators
are superstars.
296
00:25:31,760 --> 00:25:33,720
They'’re the most
sexually-desired athletes
297
00:25:33,720 --> 00:25:35,960
of the Roman empire.
298
00:25:35,960 --> 00:25:39,680
They are muscly, oiled up men
that ladies love
299
00:25:39,680 --> 00:25:43,280
and men want to be.
300
00:25:43,280 --> 00:25:47,120
Each gladiator
plays a different role.
301
00:25:47,120 --> 00:25:50,880
The Secutor is a heavily
armoured warrior,
302
00:25:50,880 --> 00:25:54,640
the Murmillo,
the enemy from Gaul,
303
00:25:54,640 --> 00:25:58,840
and the Retiarius,
a fisherman.
304
00:25:58,840 --> 00:26:00,800
Each distinctive
character fights
305
00:26:00,800 --> 00:26:05,560
with different armour
and weaponry.
306
00:26:05,560 --> 00:26:12,040
But they are all heroes
that the crowds can cheer on.
307
00:26:19,880 --> 00:26:22,840
The Retiarius,
he has the galera here,
308
00:26:22,840 --> 00:26:24,640
nice bit of armour
on the shoulder ,
309
00:26:24,640 --> 00:26:27,280
which protects the side of
his face so he can look over it.
310
00:26:27,280 --> 00:26:29,560
He'’s got the trident ,
and he'’s got the net.
311
00:26:29,560 --> 00:26:32,160
But his body'’s exposed,
his leg'’s exposed.
312
00:26:32,160 --> 00:26:34,360
You think that'’s hardly fair
because look at this guy.
313
00:26:34,360 --> 00:26:37,440
This guy'’s got the scutum.
314
00:26:37,440 --> 00:26:39,280
He'’s also got
a wonderful helmet .
315
00:26:39,280 --> 00:26:41,000
You'’d say, "I definitely wanna
be this guy. "
316
00:26:41,000 --> 00:26:43,040
Well, don'’t let appearances
fool you ,
317
00:26:43,040 --> 00:26:46,720
because here'’s the problem--
he can'’t breathe very well.
318
00:26:46,720 --> 00:26:49,680
He is gonna get tired
way quicker ,
319
00:26:49,680 --> 00:26:52,080
and it'’s wonderful to see
what the outcome'’s gonna be
320
00:26:52,080 --> 00:26:56,200
because you don'’t know.
321
00:26:56,200 --> 00:27:00,040
But the games aren'’t simply
gory entertainment.
322
00:27:00,040 --> 00:27:02,920
They are powerful propaganda,
323
00:27:02,920 --> 00:27:05,280
reenactments of Rome'’s victories,
324
00:27:05,280 --> 00:27:09,680
which celebrate its control
over its dominions,
325
00:27:09,680 --> 00:27:15,320
a visceral spectacle
that draws the crowd.
326
00:27:15,320 --> 00:27:17,520
The atmosphere
would'’ve been electric .
327
00:27:17,520 --> 00:27:20,120
First of all you'’ve got
the roar of the crowds
328
00:27:20,120 --> 00:27:22,360
chanting for their team .
329
00:27:22,360 --> 00:27:23,960
You'’ve got sounds
from the beasts
330
00:27:23,960 --> 00:27:25,520
so you can already hear them
331
00:27:25,520 --> 00:27:27,800
as you'’re
walking towards the Colosseum.
332
00:27:27,800 --> 00:27:29,400
You go to any sports stadium,
333
00:27:29,400 --> 00:27:31,200
and when you'’re walking
with the crowds,
334
00:27:31,200 --> 00:27:34,600
you feel that enthusiasm,
that passion, that excitement.
335
00:27:34,600 --> 00:27:36,680
For many people, it would'’ve
been the highlight of their week
336
00:27:36,680 --> 00:27:41,600
to go and see
a gladiatorial contest.
337
00:27:41,600 --> 00:27:45,880
These violent displays bring
the Romans together,
338
00:27:45,880 --> 00:27:49,760
a trick repeated
all across their empire,
339
00:27:49,760 --> 00:27:55,320
in more than 200 amphitheatres,
each built to impress,
340
00:27:55,320 --> 00:28:02,560
entertain,
and assert the emperor'’s power.
341
00:28:02,560 --> 00:28:04,480
Ultimately, if you take it from
the emperor'’s point of view,
342
00:28:04,480 --> 00:28:06,680
well, why is the emperor
putting on these lavish games?
343
00:28:06,680 --> 00:28:09,520
It'’s simple.
344
00:28:09,520 --> 00:28:12,200
He needs to distract you
because there'’s famine coming
345
00:28:12,200 --> 00:28:14,040
through the city,
there'’s problems.
346
00:28:14,040 --> 00:28:16,280
It'’s fine, watch the games.
347
00:28:16,280 --> 00:28:18,840
Vespasian'’s distraction works.
348
00:28:18,840 --> 00:28:21,200
For over 400 years
349
00:28:21,200 --> 00:28:25,120
the gladiatorial games
help keep the peace.
350
00:28:25,120 --> 00:28:29,080
All people need is food
and distraction,
351
00:28:29,080 --> 00:28:31,760
bread and circuses,
panem et circenses.
352
00:28:31,760 --> 00:28:34,040
And for the most part,
the mob is happy,
353
00:28:34,040 --> 00:28:35,520
and that'’s what
the emperor wants--
354
00:28:35,520 --> 00:28:37,800
your happiness,
his popularity,
355
00:28:37,800 --> 00:28:41,120
his reign continues,
and everyone'’s good.
356
00:28:43,320 --> 00:28:45,920
And that'’s why
the emperor does it.
357
00:28:55,160 --> 00:28:58,520
In ancient Rome,
entertainment maintains
358
00:28:58,520 --> 00:29:04,440
law and order
across its empire.
359
00:29:04,440 --> 00:29:07,280
Further to the south,
a belief in their Gods
360
00:29:07,280 --> 00:29:11,880
has kept Egypt safe
for millennia...
361
00:29:11,880 --> 00:29:13,200
until now.
362
00:29:33,200 --> 00:29:36,240
In the century after
Hatshepsut'’s reign,
363
00:29:36,240 --> 00:29:40,640
Egypt has gone from strength
to strength.
364
00:29:40,640 --> 00:29:46,160
The great builder pharaoh
Amenhotep III is on the throne.
365
00:29:46,160 --> 00:29:49,640
Like his predecessor,
he uses architecture
366
00:29:49,640 --> 00:29:52,200
to celebrate his religion.
367
00:30:06,520 --> 00:30:11,160
Amenhotep III loved
statues, the bigger the better.
368
00:30:11,160 --> 00:30:13,600
He made gorgeous images
of himself.
369
00:30:13,600 --> 00:30:17,800
He loved to show off
himself and his power.
370
00:30:17,800 --> 00:30:23,160
Key to Amenhotep'’s authority
are Egypt'’s many Gods.
371
00:30:23,160 --> 00:30:26,440
The Gods were the foundation
of the entire economy
372
00:30:26,440 --> 00:30:29,200
and the political structure
of ancient Egypt.
373
00:30:29,200 --> 00:30:35,840
Without the Gods, there wouldn'’t
be an Egyptian state.
374
00:30:35,840 --> 00:30:38,120
Amenhotep, like all pharaohs,
375
00:30:38,120 --> 00:30:42,720
relies on religious belief
to justify his rule
376
00:30:42,720 --> 00:30:44,840
and maintain peace
and stability
377
00:30:44,840 --> 00:30:47,840
in this life and the next.
378
00:30:58,640 --> 00:31:03,120
When Amenhotep dies
after 40 years on the throne,
379
00:31:03,120 --> 00:31:08,760
the priests transport his body
to a huge underground tomb.
380
00:31:08,760 --> 00:31:10,480
Here, his people believe
381
00:31:10,480 --> 00:31:13,480
the Gods of the underworld
are waiting.
382
00:31:21,240 --> 00:31:25,160
I have Amenhotep III here,
portrayed as a young man,
383
00:31:25,160 --> 00:31:27,520
heading off on his journey
to the afterlife.
384
00:31:27,520 --> 00:31:29,840
And the God Anubis,
the God of embalming,
385
00:31:29,840 --> 00:31:31,920
is taking him by the hand
386
00:31:31,920 --> 00:31:37,560
and showing him the way
to the other side.
387
00:31:37,560 --> 00:31:40,240
Over here, there'’s another
version of Amenhotep III
388
00:31:40,240 --> 00:31:41,840
with the Goddess Hathor.
389
00:31:41,840 --> 00:31:44,400
She'’s embracing him,
holding the key of life.
390
00:31:44,400 --> 00:31:46,720
And over there,
I can see Amenhotep III
391
00:31:46,720 --> 00:31:51,320
receiving life from the God
of the underworld, Osiris.
392
00:31:51,320 --> 00:31:55,080
All of these Gods
are helping Amenhotep III
393
00:31:55,080 --> 00:31:58,480
make his way
into the afterlife.
394
00:31:58,480 --> 00:32:01,800
But just as Amenhotep'’s body
is entombed
395
00:32:01,800 --> 00:32:06,280
in his granite sarcophagus,
his son and heir, Akhenaten,
396
00:32:06,280 --> 00:32:08,720
plots a religious revolution.
397
00:32:12,600 --> 00:32:16,200
To turn away from the Gods
would'’ve been unfathomable
398
00:32:16,200 --> 00:32:18,760
to most ancient Egyptians.
399
00:32:18,760 --> 00:32:20,960
But not for Akhenaten.
400
00:32:20,960 --> 00:32:22,560
He closes down the temples
401
00:32:22,560 --> 00:32:25,520
and cults of Egypt'’s
multiple deities
402
00:32:25,520 --> 00:32:28,840
and replaces them
with monotheism,
403
00:32:28,840 --> 00:32:37,400
the worship of just one God.
404
00:32:37,400 --> 00:32:41,280
Akhenaten became fascinated
by the sun disk, Aten,
405
00:32:41,280 --> 00:32:45,160
this only one being that
he thought was the source
406
00:32:45,160 --> 00:32:47,480
for all life for everything,
and it was the only God.
407
00:32:56,960 --> 00:33:02,920
Akhenaten plans a huge new
desert city to honour his God,
408
00:33:02,920 --> 00:33:06,960
known today as Amarna.
409
00:33:06,960 --> 00:33:09,400
It was challenging to build
a new spot in the desert.
410
00:33:09,400 --> 00:33:15,160
He had to build everything--
his own palace, temples, tombs.
411
00:33:15,160 --> 00:33:17,200
Built in great haste,
412
00:33:17,200 --> 00:33:22,720
all is not well for this new
city'’s 30,000 inhabitants.
413
00:33:22,720 --> 00:33:26,960
The rest of Egypt is enjoying
a time of great bounty,
414
00:33:26,960 --> 00:33:31,600
but here, food is scarce
and disease rife.
415
00:33:31,600 --> 00:33:36,280
Recent excavations show
that people were suffering,
416
00:33:36,280 --> 00:33:40,840
that there was malnutrition,
there was illness,
417
00:33:40,840 --> 00:33:42,880
but the biggest problem
in Akhenaten'’s reign
418
00:33:42,880 --> 00:33:45,200
is that he ignored
the rest of Egypt.
419
00:33:45,200 --> 00:33:50,440
He let the rest
of the country fall apart.
420
00:33:50,440 --> 00:33:54,000
With the temples closed
and Gods banned,
421
00:33:54,000 --> 00:33:56,840
Egypt'’s economy suffers.
422
00:33:56,840 --> 00:33:59,160
People thought that he was
a bad king.
423
00:33:59,160 --> 00:34:01,520
They thought that he was
insane, that he ruined Egypt.
424
00:34:04,400 --> 00:34:07,640
But before things
completely fall apart,
425
00:34:07,640 --> 00:34:16,040
Akhenaten mysteriously dies,
and with him his new religion.
426
00:34:16,040 --> 00:34:23,200
His son soon abandons Amarna
and reinstates the old Gods.
427
00:34:23,200 --> 00:34:28,280
Akhenaten is branded a heretic.
428
00:34:28,280 --> 00:34:31,480
He failed to take into account
how important the Gods
429
00:34:31,480 --> 00:34:36,560
were to the Egyptian people
and to the Egyptian state.
430
00:34:36,560 --> 00:34:42,520
Without the temples,
the society crumbled.
431
00:34:42,520 --> 00:34:46,320
As Akhenaten'’s statues
are smashed and his name
432
00:34:46,320 --> 00:34:51,160
is erased from history,
order is restored.
433
00:34:55,960 --> 00:34:58,840
In Egypt, religious revolution
comes close
434
00:34:58,840 --> 00:35:05,120
to bringing down society.
435
00:35:05,120 --> 00:35:08,840
In Greece, traditionally,
power has rested
436
00:35:08,840 --> 00:35:15,560
with whoever seizes control,
but now, change is in the air.
437
00:35:32,760 --> 00:35:38,200
Greece is a loose collection
of individual city-states.
438
00:35:38,200 --> 00:35:41,200
Athens is one
of the most powerful.
439
00:35:41,200 --> 00:35:43,520
It is populated by slaves,
440
00:35:43,520 --> 00:35:49,320
ordinary men and women,
and wealthy hereditary nobles,
441
00:35:49,320 --> 00:35:54,680
and whichever noble manages
to grab power rules the city.
442
00:35:54,680 --> 00:35:59,360
They are known as tyrants,
and the role is now shared
443
00:35:59,360 --> 00:36:03,480
by brothers Hipparchus
and Hippias.
444
00:36:16,560 --> 00:36:20,560
Our historical sources
make it very clear that Hippias
445
00:36:20,560 --> 00:36:24,400
is the one actually ruling
whereas Hipparchus, the brother,
446
00:36:24,400 --> 00:36:29,000
is concerned primarily
with enjoying a good life.
447
00:36:29,000 --> 00:36:31,240
Hippias seems to have ruled
448
00:36:31,240 --> 00:36:35,920
without many problems
for a number of years.
449
00:36:35,920 --> 00:36:40,320
But in 514 BCE,
everything changes
450
00:36:40,320 --> 00:36:42,840
when a love rival
murders Hipparchus.
451
00:36:57,440 --> 00:37:00,280
The assassination occurred
at a famous Athenian shrine
452
00:37:00,280 --> 00:37:02,880
called the Leokoreion,
which was a shrine
453
00:37:02,880 --> 00:37:05,720
to the daughters
of the hero Leos.
454
00:37:05,720 --> 00:37:08,160
And we think that we'’ve
discovered that shrine
455
00:37:08,160 --> 00:37:10,000
because we'’ve discovered
a number of inscriptions
456
00:37:10,000 --> 00:37:12,080
that mention the hero,
Leos.
457
00:37:13,840 --> 00:37:16,000
The impact of
his brother'’s murder
458
00:37:16,000 --> 00:37:21,880
is devastating for both Hippias
and the Athenians.
459
00:37:21,880 --> 00:37:26,920
After the assassination,
his rule becomes more cruel.
460
00:37:26,920 --> 00:37:29,320
He'’s paranoid.
461
00:37:29,320 --> 00:37:30,640
He kills people in the city
462
00:37:30,640 --> 00:37:35,320
that he thinks
were coconspirators
463
00:37:35,320 --> 00:37:38,520
and exiles others.
464
00:37:38,520 --> 00:37:42,200
Hippias'’s brutal rule,
harsh taxes, exiles,
465
00:37:42,200 --> 00:37:48,720
and executions
soon lead to civil strife,
466
00:37:48,720 --> 00:37:53,160
and eventually,
he is deposed.
467
00:37:53,160 --> 00:37:55,040
But the Athenians
are reluctant to live
468
00:37:55,040 --> 00:37:57,880
under another brutal tyrant
469
00:37:57,880 --> 00:38:03,360
and begin to ask,
could there be another way?
470
00:38:07,400 --> 00:38:10,840
The man with a plan
is Cleisthenes.
471
00:38:10,840 --> 00:38:12,680
He is a wealthy noble,
472
00:38:12,680 --> 00:38:16,400
but wants to overturn the idea
of hereditary privilege
473
00:38:16,400 --> 00:38:19,760
and hand power
to the people.
474
00:38:19,760 --> 00:38:24,240
He proposes any Athenian
can attend its governing body,
475
00:38:24,240 --> 00:38:26,320
the assembly.
476
00:38:36,080 --> 00:38:39,080
We'’re at the Pnyx.
We'’re above the Athenian Agora,
477
00:38:39,080 --> 00:38:42,200
and we'’re also in front
of the Acropolis hill.
478
00:38:42,200 --> 00:38:44,600
This is the place
where the citizen assembly,
479
00:38:44,600 --> 00:38:47,440
the Ecclesia,
would'’ve met.
480
00:38:47,440 --> 00:38:49,840
There is a stand where
the speaker could'’ve addressed
481
00:38:49,840 --> 00:38:51,480
the crowd--
that'’s called the bema--
482
00:38:51,480 --> 00:38:53,480
and then there'’s
a large open space
483
00:38:53,480 --> 00:38:56,400
where the crowd
can sit or stand.
484
00:38:56,400 --> 00:38:58,240
And we think that there was
probably space here
485
00:38:58,240 --> 00:39:03,160
for about 6,000 people,
maybe upwards of 10,000.
486
00:39:03,160 --> 00:39:05,760
This is the centre
of political life.
487
00:39:08,360 --> 00:39:14,960
But this early form of
democracy has its quirks.
488
00:39:14,960 --> 00:39:18,560
Members are not elected,
but randomly selected.
489
00:39:21,280 --> 00:39:23,480
It means that you can'’t become
a career politician.
490
00:39:23,480 --> 00:39:25,760
You can'’t try
and corrupt people
491
00:39:25,760 --> 00:39:27,720
towards making
certain decisions.
492
00:39:27,720 --> 00:39:30,040
It means that
the whole citizen body
493
00:39:30,040 --> 00:39:34,680
is represented
as fairly as possible.
494
00:39:34,680 --> 00:39:40,400
But not everyone is eligible to
take part in making decisions.
495
00:39:40,400 --> 00:39:43,880
It'’s just the adult males
who are over 18
496
00:39:43,880 --> 00:39:46,200
and are Athenians.
497
00:39:46,200 --> 00:39:49,960
That means no women,
no children, no slaves,
498
00:39:49,960 --> 00:39:53,960
and also no resident foreigners.
499
00:39:53,960 --> 00:39:58,040
Despite only representing
10% of the city'’s population,
500
00:39:58,040 --> 00:40:02,080
this version of democracy
works.
501
00:40:02,080 --> 00:40:04,440
It brings political stability
502
00:40:04,440 --> 00:40:08,080
and allows culture
and arts to thrive,
503
00:40:08,080 --> 00:40:10,280
making Athens
the dominant force
504
00:40:10,280 --> 00:40:15,080
in the growing Greek empire.
505
00:40:15,080 --> 00:40:19,520
It is an idea so successful
that it spreads.
506
00:40:19,520 --> 00:40:23,080
So this move from a system
of tyranny
507
00:40:23,080 --> 00:40:25,800
to this direct democracy,
508
00:40:25,800 --> 00:40:31,200
that'’s quite
a radical political revolution.
509
00:40:31,200 --> 00:40:34,000
It'’s something that will
take hold
510
00:40:34,000 --> 00:40:36,200
throughout the Greek world
later,
511
00:40:36,200 --> 00:40:40,520
but Athens it the place
where this sort of idea begins.
512
00:40:56,200 --> 00:41:03,120
Democracy transforms ancient
Greece and ushers in a new age.
513
00:41:06,880 --> 00:41:10,440
To the east, the ancient
Chinese are also looking
514
00:41:10,440 --> 00:41:13,200
for a different way to govern.
515
00:41:33,200 --> 00:41:35,840
The Qin'’s severe laws
and punishments
516
00:41:35,840 --> 00:41:41,120
have kept their people
in check for decades,
517
00:41:41,120 --> 00:41:46,760
but they are beginning
to tire of authoritarian rule.
518
00:41:46,760 --> 00:41:51,640
So when a new dynasty and
an ambitious teenage emperor,
519
00:41:51,640 --> 00:41:56,360
Wu, comes to power,
he seeks a new way to rule.
520
00:42:09,720 --> 00:42:13,400
The system he discovers
resonates in modern China
521
00:42:13,400 --> 00:42:15,680
to the present day--
522
00:42:15,680 --> 00:42:18,360
Confucianism.
523
00:42:29,840 --> 00:42:34,640
Today we commemorate Confucius'’
2573rd birthday.
524
00:42:34,640 --> 00:42:40,880
Every year on this day,
we the Confucius descendants
525
00:42:40,880 --> 00:42:44,480
commemorate
our ancestor'’s legacy.
526
00:42:53,000 --> 00:42:54,960
Orphaned in childhood,
527
00:42:54,960 --> 00:42:58,440
the young Confucius is
self-taught.
528
00:42:58,440 --> 00:43:02,160
He spends most of his career
working for the government,
529
00:43:02,160 --> 00:43:07,200
where his radical ideas
make him political enemies.
530
00:43:07,200 --> 00:43:10,240
At 55, he failed in politics
531
00:43:10,240 --> 00:43:11,800
and was forced into exile.
532
00:43:11,800 --> 00:43:13,480
He led a group of students
533
00:43:13,480 --> 00:43:15,400
travelling across different
states for 14 years
534
00:43:15,400 --> 00:43:18,520
to lobby the kings
with his philosophy.
535
00:43:22,000 --> 00:43:24,320
Confucius advocates a kinder,
536
00:43:24,320 --> 00:43:27,080
more harmonious approach
to life.
537
00:43:27,080 --> 00:43:29,040
Confucius says, "Let the ruler
be ruler, minister be minister,
538
00:43:29,040 --> 00:43:33,480
father be father,
and son by son".
539
00:43:33,480 --> 00:43:38,240
This means, everyone has
his own position,
540
00:43:38,240 --> 00:43:40,120
his own duty,
rights and benefits.
541
00:43:42,600 --> 00:43:44,920
As a ruler, what should he do?
542
00:43:44,920 --> 00:43:48,840
He needs to be compassionate.
543
00:43:48,840 --> 00:43:51,880
Treating others as you wish
to be treated
544
00:43:51,880 --> 00:43:56,360
is an act of benevolence.
545
00:43:56,360 --> 00:43:59,760
Confucius proposes that
these acts don'’t just apply
546
00:43:59,760 --> 00:44:01,800
to personal relationships,
547
00:44:01,800 --> 00:44:06,080
but also how the country
is run.
548
00:44:06,080 --> 00:44:11,360
Confucius believed
the king should use virtue
and benevolence to rule a state
549
00:44:11,360 --> 00:44:14,200
and to keep compassion
for his people.
550
00:44:16,120 --> 00:44:19,000
But as civil war engulfs China,
551
00:44:19,000 --> 00:44:23,520
the people forget Confucius
and his ideas.
552
00:44:25,800 --> 00:44:28,880
Until three centuries later,
Emperor Wu
553
00:44:28,880 --> 00:44:32,480
is introduced to them
by one of his advisors.
554
00:44:37,600 --> 00:44:41,080
Dong Zhongshu raised the idea
that the emperor'’s rights
were given by heaven,
555
00:44:41,080 --> 00:44:43,560
which made Emperor Wu
very happy.
556
00:44:43,560 --> 00:44:46,080
Dong Zhongshu also raised
the idea of interaction
between heaven and man.
557
00:44:46,080 --> 00:44:49,560
If an emperor doesn'’t rule well,
558
00:44:49,560 --> 00:44:52,960
then it induces
all kinds of disasters.
559
00:44:52,960 --> 00:44:58,440
If he rules well, then a good
harvest and peace will follow.
560
00:44:58,440 --> 00:45:00,400
But more than this,
561
00:45:00,400 --> 00:45:04,240
Dong convinces the emperor that
he should adopt Confucianism
562
00:45:04,240 --> 00:45:10,320
for his government,
563
00:45:10,320 --> 00:45:18,560
and that only students of
this philosophy can work in it.
564
00:45:18,560 --> 00:45:23,440
Confucianism transforms
Chinese society,
565
00:45:23,440 --> 00:45:28,400
and it helps Emperor Wu enjoy
a long and prosperous reign
566
00:45:28,400 --> 00:45:30,440
and consolidates
the Han Dynasty'’s
567
00:45:30,440 --> 00:45:32,880
grip on power.
568
00:45:32,880 --> 00:45:36,160
Thanks to Dong'’s efforts
in adopting Confucianism,
569
00:45:36,160 --> 00:45:44,800
this philosophy ruled
the Han empire for
over 400 years.
570
00:45:44,800 --> 00:45:47,360
And later it became the main
governing philosophy
571
00:45:47,360 --> 00:45:52,400
of all the following
dynasties and emperors.
572
00:46:05,680 --> 00:46:10,440
Every ancient power has found
a way to control their people
573
00:46:10,440 --> 00:46:14,800
with their own brand
of authority.
574
00:46:14,800 --> 00:46:16,800
In Egypt,
the old Gods
575
00:46:16,800 --> 00:46:21,600
help the pharaohs
reinforce their rule of law,
576
00:46:21,600 --> 00:46:24,640
and beware those
who challenge tradition.
577
00:46:28,160 --> 00:46:34,880
China finds that whilst harsh
rules can keep people in check,
578
00:46:34,880 --> 00:46:43,480
it'’s a more caring philosophy
that endures.
579
00:46:43,480 --> 00:46:46,760
The ancient Indians impose
a caste system
580
00:46:46,760 --> 00:46:54,320
to organise society.
581
00:46:54,320 --> 00:46:59,280
While the Greeks,
tired of tyranny,
582
00:46:59,280 --> 00:47:04,240
hand control
over to their citizens.
583
00:47:04,240 --> 00:47:06,800
And in Rome,
the masses are kept happy
584
00:47:06,800 --> 00:47:11,800
by bloody spectacle.
585
00:47:11,800 --> 00:47:14,960
But soon, each will learn
the harsh lesson
586
00:47:14,960 --> 00:47:20,280
that nothing lasts forever.
587
00:47:20,280 --> 00:47:25,200
Our ancient powers
are approaching the end game.
49789
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.