Watch Civilisation

Civilisation is a documentary series produced by BBC in 1969-1970 and now streaming on BritBox. This series is hosted by Sir Kenneth Clark, who is a renowned art historian and director of the National Gallery in London. He narrates the 13-episode series that explores the history of Western civilization from the Dark Ages to the present day.

Throughout the series, Sir Kenneth Clark takes viewers on a journey through history, art, architecture, and philosophy in each episode. The series is well-paced and provides a comprehensive overview of civilization's significant achievements, including the founding of democracy, the birth of religious art, the creation of the Gothic cathedral, the Renaissance, the scientific revolution, and the industrial era.

The first episode titled "The Skin of Our Teeth" discusses the Dark Ages and how society managed to persevere through the cultural and social upheaval during the time. Clark shows viewers the historical sites of Europe such as Byzantium, Ravenna, and Rome as he makes his way to the Art Gallery of Florence.

The second episode, "The Great Thaw," traces the emergence of 12th-century Europe from the Dark Ages. Clark explores the birth of new cities and the first Gothic cathedral, Chartres Cathedral. He gives a brief history of the rise of specialized trades and the economy. Clark explores the medieval mindset filled with religious piety and the sense of cosmic order that gave meaning to people

Civilisation is a series that ran for 1 seasons (13 episodes) between February 23, 1969 and on BritBox