
Engineering an Empire
2005–2007 · History · 60 min · 1 season
S01E14 · Da Vinci's World
Tue, 9 Jan, 1:00 pm
The masters best known for creating the works of art and architecture of the Renaissance were also the greatest military and civil engineers of their time.
About
In an era long passed, mighty empires were forged from nothing and rose to the heights of power. Join host Peter Weller, an actor and a professor at Syracuse University as he travels the world to show the engineering feats that gave rise to some of the greatest civilizations known to man. From Rome to the Pharaohs' Egypt, from Greece to Carthage, from the Aztecs to the Maya and more, this new program from the History Channel uses computer graphics to explore the architectural, political and cultural glory of the world's greatest empires.
Episodes
- E01
Rome
Wed, 14 Sept· 60 minThe Roman Empire ruled the world for more than five centuries. Although renowned for its military prowess, Rome's real power stemmed from its unprecedented mastery of urban planning and engineering.
- E02
Egypt
Tue, 10 Oct· 120 minLooks at the amazing engineering feats that the Egyptians built in from around 3000 BC to around 1212 BC, including Menes' dam, pyramids, obelisks, and the temple at Abu Simbel.
- E03
Greece
Tue, 17 Oct· 60 minThe Ancient Greeks laid a foundation that has supported nearly 3,000 years of European history. We look how they built structures including Agamemnon's Tomb and the Parthenon.
- E04
Greece: Age of Alexander
Tue, 24 Oct· 60 minThe story about Greece and its accomplishments during the age of Alexander and the conquest of Persia.
- E05
The Aztecs
Tue, 31 Oct· 60 minIn less than 200 years, the Aztecs transformed from a tribe of nomads into the greatest civilization the New World had ever known. Discover did they achieved such greatness.
- E06
Carthage
Tue, 7 Nov· 60 minCarthage, a remarkable city-state that dominated the Mediterranean for over 600 years, harnessed its extensive resources to develop some of the ancient world's groundbreaking technology.
- E07
The Maya: Death Empire
Tue, 14 Nov· 60 minFor centuries this mysterious civilization ruled a huge territory across South America. But by 900 AD it had fallen apart catastrophically.
- E08
Russia
Tue, 21 Nov· 60 minArchitecture and infrastructure enable the rise and fall of the Russian Empire.
- E09
Britain: Blood and Steel
Tue, 28 Nov· 60 minThe rise and fall of the British Empire.
- E10
The Persians
Tue, 5 Dec· 60 minThe rise and fall of the Persian Empire, 580 BC to 320 BC.
- E11
China
Tue, 12 Dec· 60 minThe Story of the Qin and Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of China. With an emphasis on engineering projects from the building of the Great Levee on the Min, and the building of the Great Wall, and the building of the emperor's tomb with its terracotta warriors. Through those of the Han and the Sui including their building of the 1200 mile Grand Canal linking the Yangtze and the Yellow Rivers. To The Ming Dynasty and the Great Fleet.
- E12
Napoleon: Steel Monster
Tue, 19 Dec· 60 minThe story of France under Napoleon and there accomplishments.
- E13
The Byzantines
Tue, 26 Dec· 60 minThe Byzantines ruled over much of Europe and Asia during the Dark Ages; building stadiums, aqueducts and cathedrals. However, their success became their downfall.
- E14
Da Vinci's World
Tue, 9 Jan· 60 minThe masters best known for creating the works of art and architecture of the Renaissance were also the greatest military and civil engineers of their time.
Cast

Peter Weller
Peter Weller - Syracuse University (Host)
