What the Romans Did for Us
2000 · BBC Two · 30 min · 1 season
S01E06 · Ahead of Their Time
Tue, 12 Dec, 7:30 am
Adam Hart-Davis looks at how the Romans kept the citizens of the empire entertained, plays the first ever keyboard musical instrument, and surveys another Roman import - concrete.
About
From frescoes to fast food, bridges to bikinis, the Romans brought us a variety of innovations that changed the landscape of Britain and the lifestyles of its inhabitants for ever. The Romans were mass-producers, capitalists and bureaucrats who during their 400-year stay in Britain built dozens of towns and miles of roads, leaving a fascinating and complex legacy that forms the basis of much of our technology today.
Episodes
- E01
Life of Luxury
Tue, 7 Nov· 30 minAdam Hart-Davis investigates the lavish lifestyles of the Romans, visiting the sumptuous villa at Fishbourne, the famous bath complex in Bath and enjoying Roman cuisine.
- E02
Invasion
Tue, 14 Nov· 30 minAdam Hart-Davis analyses the military strength and effectiveness of the Roman army and visits the Lunt, a reconstruction of an early wooden fort near Coventry.
- E03
Building Britain
Tue, 21 Nov· 30 minAdam Hart-Davis analyses the Romans' ingenious farming methods and looks at the creation of early towns. He visits York and discovers the remains of the Roman city.
- E04
Arteries of the Empire
Tue, 28 Nov· 30 minAdam Hart-Davis analyses the Romans' ingenious surveying methods that enabled them to build their arrow-straight roads.
- E05
Edge of Empire
Tue, 5 Dec· 30 minAdam Hart-Davis visits Hadrian's Wall and demonstrates how communications were the key to the success of the Roman military machine.
- E06
Ahead of Their Time
Tue, 12 Dec· 30 minAdam Hart-Davis looks at how the Romans kept the citizens of the empire entertained, plays the first ever keyboard musical instrument, and surveys another Roman import - concrete.
Cast
Adam Hart-Davis
Presenter