Watch Legacy: The Origins of Civilization

Name: Legacy: The Origins of Civilization
Genre: History
Released: 1991-08-13
Cast: Michael Wood

1991
1 Season

Legacy: The Origins of Civilization is an awe-inspiring documentary series that takes viewers on a mesmerizing journey through time to explore the origins of some of the world's most influential civilizations. The show, produced by Athena and hosted by renowned historian Michael Wood, examines the cultural and technological developments of ancient societies from Mesopotamia to China, Africa to the Americas, and beyond.

Over the course of six episodes, Michael delves deep into the past to unearth fascinating mysteries and intriguing facts about the rise of civilizations. The show is both informative and breathtaking, taking the audience on a vivid tour of the world's most impressive archaeological sites, breathtaking natural beauty, and pristine inter-cultural areas.

The first episode of Legacy: The Origins of Civilization takes viewers to Mesopotamia, exploring the remarkable advancements made by the Sumerian culture. From the invention of the wheel to the development of the first writing system, Michael guides viewers through the achievements that would lay the foundation for the future. The show investigates how the urbanization leading to the establishment of the first city-states and empires began.

In the second episode, Michael headed to Egypt to explore the countryâs influential pharaonic period. Legacy: The Origins of Civilization examines how the intricate belief system of pharaonic Egypt dictated life as it was, from levels of society and work to the very structure of pyramids.

In the following episodes, Michael takes viewers on a journey to the Indus Valley, the birthplace of the Hindu religion, and then to China, where advancements and creations such as paper, printing, gunpowder, and the compass changed the world.

The show then explores Africa, the continent where the first humans surfaced and where the world's oldest civilizations were formed. Michael shines a light on the extraordinary cultures of East and West Africa and how they influenced other societies. It takes a deep dive into the culture of the Dogon people in Mali, known for their intricate art and complex cosmology system.

Going across the Pacific, Michael heads to South America, where viewers discover the legacy of the Great Inca Empire. Legacy: The Origins of Civilization explores the impact of the Inca society on the continent, as well as the technologies they employed to make their civilization expanded and function.

The show intersperses in-depth interviews with experts, breathtaking footage of historical sites, and the latest archaeological discoveries to bring the ancient cultures back to life. Michael imparts his vast knowledge, making the program accessible to all viewers. He analyses the impact of cultural exchange, narrates battles fought and lost, and celebrates significant achievements that have paved the way for modern civilization.

In conclusion, Legacy: The Origins of Civilization is an excellent tribute to the pioneering spirit of the various civilizations that contributed immensely to the world's history. It is a must-see for anyone interested in understanding how cultures and societies came to grow, progressed, collapsed, and left an impact that still resonates in modern times. The show makes for a fascinating watch, reminding viewers about how far humanity has come as a race on this planet.

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Seasons

6. Europe: The Barbarian West

September 24, 1991

Now adopted nearly all over the globe, the modern Western ideas of individualism, property, and purposeful history trace their roots to Christianity, Greco-Roman humanism, and Germanic social values.

5. Central America: The Burden of Time

September 17, 1991

Independent of great civilizations elsewhere, the Maya and Aztecs developed a fatalistic culture, envisioning a cosmos that required bloody sacrifice for renewal. It placed the sovereignty of nature above all else--even human life.

4. Egypt: The Habit of Civilization

September 10, 1991

In the world's first great nation, the annual flooding of the Nile conferred not only fertility, but also a deep respect for social and cosmic stability, a belief in the resurrection of the dead, and the hope of eternal life.

3. China: The Mandate of Heaven

August 27, 1991

With great thinkers such as Confucius and Laozi, the Chinese conceived of civilization as reflecting cosmic harmony, sustained by civic and social virtue, ancient ritual, and reverence for ancestors.

2. India: Empire of the Spirit

August 20, 1991

Beginning 5,000 years ago, the "Land of the Seven Rivers" cultivated a tradition of nonviolence, renunciation of the material world, and a focus on humans' inner life. Today, these survive in tension with the vestiges of Western colonialism.

1. Iraq: Cradle of Civilization

August 13, 1991

In places like Uruk and Eridu in what is now Iraq, humans founded the first cities nearly 6,000 years ago. They left us literature, astronomy, and mathematics, as well as lessons in overpopulation and environmental stewardship.

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