Empire Builders

Explore the great historic sites of the Minoan civilisation on Crete, Mycenae in the Peloponnese and the emerging Greek city states such as Corinth.

Venture back to ancient Greece and explore the great sites of Athens, Delphi, Olympia and Epidaurus which form some of the greatest sites in antiquity.

Explore how the 80 Years' War left the Spanish Empire financially ruined, while the Dutch Republic - by contrast - became a global commercial power.

After the Dutch Republic declared its independence from Spain, it was cut off from the lucrative spice trades. Where did they go from here?

S2 E5 • 44m • HDU

How did the great imperial Chinese dynasties impact modern day China? Explore the origins of the Silk Road and what these dynasties left behind.

S2 E6 • 43m • HDU

The Opium Wars, the Taiping Rebellion and the Boxer Rebellion led to western domination over China. How did these momentous events impact on China today?

S2 E7 • 43m • HDU

Travel from the birth of the Chinese Republic through to today, and explore how the last century has impacted the nation's ambitions as a superpower.

S2 E8 • 43m • HDU

Explore how the Polynesians spread across the Pacific and examine the cultures they took with them while constructing elaborate temples to their beliefs.

S2 E9 • 43m • HDU

Examine the European colonisation of the Pacific, with Spain first exploring the region and Britain and France following in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Investigate the mighty Inca Empire and its accomplishments, including the construction of their awe-inspiring buildings in Cusco and Machu Picchu.

S2 E11 • 43m • HDU

Delve into the often-overlooked history of America's next-door neighbour to explore the epic, violent and bloody struggles of Mexican culture and identity.

S2 E12 • 43m • HDU

Explore further a chronicle of conquest with bloody and dramatic consequences littered throughout Mexican history.

S2 E13 • 43m • HDU

Dive into the Spanish conquest of Mexico in the 16th century, resulting in 400 years of overlooked history in Latin America.

S2 E14 • 43m • HDU

Explore the Mexican Revolution in the early part of the last century, including the roles of revolutionaries Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata.