The epic mini-series "Band of Brothers" will be on the History Channel THIS WEEKEND!
It's an amazing series, and well worth every minute you watch.
Saturday, April 21st: Parts 1-5, from 12:30PM to 7PM
Sunday, April 22nd: Parts 6-10, from 12:30PM to 7PM
(In addition, it's also available at Blockbuster!)
Because it is a TEN PART MINISERIES, I will give you until the end of the semester to complete viewing and writing-up this assignment. In addition, because I recommend so highly this series, I want to give you an incentive to watch as much of it as humanly possible. :-)
As a result, for each episode that you see, explain in 1-2 pages something new that episode has taught you about the history of the mid-twentieth century that you didn't know before (preferably beyond just the military history part about who won what battle where and when!) For each write-up that you do (and do well), I'll give you 2 points of extra-credit to be applied where you need it most!
Enjoy the viewing!
Showing posts with label extra credit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label extra credit. Show all posts
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Marie Antoinette Extra-Credit
Watch "Marie Antoinette" and post here an analytical comment about the strengths and weaknesses of absolutism...
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Extra-Credit Viewing Opportunity
Documentary videos chroncling the Islamic influence on modern Europe
Post an analytical comment about your viewing here!
(Plus, for fun: "The Sema Ceremony commemorates the passing of Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi, known in the west as a 13th-century mystic poet. He also founded the Mevlevi Sufi Order, still active worldwide 733 years after his passing from this world. This clip shows Whirling Dervishes of the Mevlevi Order of America in the Sema Ceremony in Istanbul, December 2005.")
Post an analytical comment about your viewing here!
(Plus, for fun: "The Sema Ceremony commemorates the passing of Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi, known in the west as a 13th-century mystic poet. He also founded the Mevlevi Sufi Order, still active worldwide 733 years after his passing from this world. This clip shows Whirling Dervishes of the Mevlevi Order of America in the Sema Ceremony in Istanbul, December 2005.")
Thursday, February 15, 2007
More Extra-Credit Opportunities!
I usually loathe assigning "book reports." If however you decide you want to read the entirety of a work of which we just read an excerpt in class, post your "book report" as a analytical comment here, and I'll count it as EC! :-)
Extra-Credit Viewing Opportunity
On the History Channel:
Monday, February 26, 2007
10-11pm -- Engineering an Empire - The Maya: Death Empire.At the height of its glory, this mysterious civilization ruled aterritory of 125,000 square miles across parts of Guatemala, Mexico,Honduras, El Salvador and Belize. What began as a modest population ofhunters and gatherers expanded into more than forty flourishingcity-states who engineered sky-high temple-pyramids, ornate palacesand advanced hydraulic systems. Where did they come from and whatcatastrophes caused the collapse of this innovative civilization? Fromthe Temple-Pyramids at Tikal, to the royal tomb at Palenque, to thestar observatory at Chichén Itzá, this episode will examine thearchitecture and infrastructure that enabled the rise and fall of theancient Maya civilization.
Post an analytical comment about your viewing here.
Monday, February 26, 2007
10-11pm -- Engineering an Empire - The Maya: Death Empire.At the height of its glory, this mysterious civilization ruled aterritory of 125,000 square miles across parts of Guatemala, Mexico,Honduras, El Salvador and Belize. What began as a modest population ofhunters and gatherers expanded into more than forty flourishingcity-states who engineered sky-high temple-pyramids, ornate palacesand advanced hydraulic systems. Where did they come from and whatcatastrophes caused the collapse of this innovative civilization? Fromthe Temple-Pyramids at Tikal, to the royal tomb at Palenque, to thestar observatory at Chichén Itzá, this episode will examine thearchitecture and infrastructure that enabled the rise and fall of theancient Maya civilization.
Post an analytical comment about your viewing here.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
UPDATED: Extra-Credit Viewing This Week on the History Channel!
Well, I guess the History Channel sent me last month's schedule!
Anyway, here are some extra-credit viewing opportunities for this week!
Monday:
09:00 PM Digging For The Truth: King Tut: Secrets Revealed
The mysterious death of King Tut continues to puzzle archaeologists and scholars alike. From the moment the "Boy King's" mummy was discovered in the Valley of the Kings, rumors of foul play emerged. Recent x-ray's of King Tut's mummy show signs of a possible attack, but new evidence may point to another cause of death. In his quest for the truth, host Josh Bernstein climbs into King Tut's tomb, fires the weapons King Tut took to his grave, and uses modern science to dig deeper into the rumors of King Tut's murder.
TVPG Visit the website
10:00 PM Engineering An Empire: Carthage.
Carthage, a remarkable city-state that dominated the Mediterranean for over 600 years, harnessed their extensive resources to develop some of the ancient world's most groundbreaking technology. For generations, Carthage defined power, strength and ingenuity, but by the third century B.C., the empire's existence was threatened by another emerging superpower, Rome. However, when the Romans engineered their empire, they were only following the lead of the Carthaginians. From the city's grand harbor to the rise of one of history's greatest generals, Hannibal Barca, we will examine the architecture and infrastructure that enabled the rise and fall of the Carthaginian Empire.
TVPG
Friday:
2 PM American Vesuvius: American Vesuvius.
On August 25th, 79 AD, two of the Roman Empire's most promising cities, Pompeii and Herculaneum, were flash-frozen in time as Mount Vesuvius erupted destroying all life in its path. Noted paleontologist, archaeologist, and forensic physicist Charles Pellegrino is the author of Ghosts of Vesuvius, a fascinating look at this ancient volcanic eruption. Pellegrino uses the emerging science of forensic archaeology to decipher clues and gather evidence that helps him reconstruct the final moments of the victims. Using the same forensic techniques, he undertakes an investigation of the ruins of the World Trade Center. By processing evidence and interviewing witnesses, he illustrates dramatic physical parallels between Vesuvius's eruption and the collapse of the Twin Towers. His scientific exploration results in an array of startling connections between the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum and the man-made devastation at Ground Zero of our own Vesuvius.
Sunday:
03:30 PM Witch Hunt:
Devils, witches, ghostly apparitions, spectral disturbances... Whether real or imaginary, the end result proved ghastly--20 people tortured and hanged in 1692. Mass hysteria? Psychological stress brought on by the brutal Indian Wars? A devious act of personal revenge? Drug-induced psychosis? Demonic possession? Meld with the worldview of 17th-century New England Puritans--to whom witchcraft was real, dangerous, and a capital crime--as our vivid, sometimes shocking, recreations reveal the horrifying hardships of life and how superstition filled inexplicable dark corners. Period transcripts, diaries, and letters bring to life the infamous trials and executions.
REMEMBER TO POST AN ANALYTICAL COMMENT ABOUT YOUR VIEWING HERE!
Anyway, here are some extra-credit viewing opportunities for this week!
Monday:
09:00 PM Digging For The Truth: King Tut: Secrets Revealed
The mysterious death of King Tut continues to puzzle archaeologists and scholars alike. From the moment the "Boy King's" mummy was discovered in the Valley of the Kings, rumors of foul play emerged. Recent x-ray's of King Tut's mummy show signs of a possible attack, but new evidence may point to another cause of death. In his quest for the truth, host Josh Bernstein climbs into King Tut's tomb, fires the weapons King Tut took to his grave, and uses modern science to dig deeper into the rumors of King Tut's murder.
TVPG Visit the website
10:00 PM Engineering An Empire: Carthage.
Carthage, a remarkable city-state that dominated the Mediterranean for over 600 years, harnessed their extensive resources to develop some of the ancient world's most groundbreaking technology. For generations, Carthage defined power, strength and ingenuity, but by the third century B.C., the empire's existence was threatened by another emerging superpower, Rome. However, when the Romans engineered their empire, they were only following the lead of the Carthaginians. From the city's grand harbor to the rise of one of history's greatest generals, Hannibal Barca, we will examine the architecture and infrastructure that enabled the rise and fall of the Carthaginian Empire.
TVPG
Friday:
2 PM American Vesuvius: American Vesuvius.
On August 25th, 79 AD, two of the Roman Empire's most promising cities, Pompeii and Herculaneum, were flash-frozen in time as Mount Vesuvius erupted destroying all life in its path. Noted paleontologist, archaeologist, and forensic physicist Charles Pellegrino is the author of Ghosts of Vesuvius, a fascinating look at this ancient volcanic eruption. Pellegrino uses the emerging science of forensic archaeology to decipher clues and gather evidence that helps him reconstruct the final moments of the victims. Using the same forensic techniques, he undertakes an investigation of the ruins of the World Trade Center. By processing evidence and interviewing witnesses, he illustrates dramatic physical parallels between Vesuvius's eruption and the collapse of the Twin Towers. His scientific exploration results in an array of startling connections between the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum and the man-made devastation at Ground Zero of our own Vesuvius.
Sunday:
03:30 PM Witch Hunt:
Devils, witches, ghostly apparitions, spectral disturbances... Whether real or imaginary, the end result proved ghastly--20 people tortured and hanged in 1692. Mass hysteria? Psychological stress brought on by the brutal Indian Wars? A devious act of personal revenge? Drug-induced psychosis? Demonic possession? Meld with the worldview of 17th-century New England Puritans--to whom witchcraft was real, dangerous, and a capital crime--as our vivid, sometimes shocking, recreations reveal the horrifying hardships of life and how superstition filled inexplicable dark corners. Period transcripts, diaries, and letters bring to life the infamous trials and executions.
REMEMBER TO POST AN ANALYTICAL COMMENT ABOUT YOUR VIEWING HERE!
Monday, January 29, 2007
Extra-Credit Opportunity!
"Engineering an Empire: Greece
Monday, January 29th at 9PM/8c on the History Channel.
The names are all familiar: The Battle of Marathon, the Parthenon, thePeloponnesian War, Homer, Aspasia. But exactly what methods were used to create the structures and military techniques which helped raise ancient Greece to world prominence? Engineering an Empire: Greece explores the innovative technologies and architectural processes pioneered by the ancient Greeks. This one hour documentary examines the difficulties of constructing the famous "Lion's Gate" in theancient city of Mycenea, and the ingenuity architects employed to build the magical Parthenon in the center of culture-rich Athens. Students will explore the stories of Greek leaders such as Pericles, Themistocles, and Polycrates and Aspasia, the female consort of Pericles. Focusing on engineering concepts and methods, this documentary reveals the ways complex geometrical technique andtremendous capacity of human endurance were critical factors in theglory of ancient Greece. This program offers a fresh perspective on the rise of this profoundly influential world culture, showing new reasons why experimentation, scientific thinking, and design techniques have influenced and shaped monumental histories, and continue to be reflected in every day lives today."
There's also a website... Greece, Engineering an Empire.
Be sure to post an analytical comment here from your viewing of the documentary!
Monday, January 29th at 9PM/8c on the History Channel.
The names are all familiar: The Battle of Marathon, the Parthenon, thePeloponnesian War, Homer, Aspasia. But exactly what methods were used to create the structures and military techniques which helped raise ancient Greece to world prominence? Engineering an Empire: Greece explores the innovative technologies and architectural processes pioneered by the ancient Greeks. This one hour documentary examines the difficulties of constructing the famous "Lion's Gate" in theancient city of Mycenea, and the ingenuity architects employed to build the magical Parthenon in the center of culture-rich Athens. Students will explore the stories of Greek leaders such as Pericles, Themistocles, and Polycrates and Aspasia, the female consort of Pericles. Focusing on engineering concepts and methods, this documentary reveals the ways complex geometrical technique andtremendous capacity of human endurance were critical factors in theglory of ancient Greece. This program offers a fresh perspective on the rise of this profoundly influential world culture, showing new reasons why experimentation, scientific thinking, and design techniques have influenced and shaped monumental histories, and continue to be reflected in every day lives today."
There's also a website... Greece, Engineering an Empire.
Be sure to post an analytical comment here from your viewing of the documentary!
Monday, October 30, 2006
EXTRA-CREDIT: "The Perfect Body" (UPDATED!)
For a bit of extra-credit, either post a comment that compares and contrasts the argument regarding the Greek ideal body presented here and that in the "How Art Made the World" video. Which do you find more convincing, and why??
Or, alternatively, you can post a comment after your visit to the MFA which takes into consideration the art objects there in your evaluation of Nigel Spivey's "More Human than Human" argument that some non-realistic depictions of the human body are essentially the products of hardwired neurobiology, while others are not but are rather the products of cultural values which overrule the biological tendency. You already know that I personally think he lays his argument on a bit stronger than it warrants, but that's just me, and you certainly don't have to buy what I say! :-) What do you think, and why??
Or, alternatively, you can post a comment after your visit to the MFA which takes into consideration the art objects there in your evaluation of Nigel Spivey's "More Human than Human" argument that some non-realistic depictions of the human body are essentially the products of hardwired neurobiology, while others are not but are rather the products of cultural values which overrule the biological tendency. You already know that I personally think he lays his argument on a bit stronger than it warrants, but that's just me, and you certainly don't have to buy what I say! :-) What do you think, and why??
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Regarding "Troy"
In addition to the things you guys have already noted, my favorite anachronism - beyond all the people killed who are actually supposed to survive the Trojan War according to the Iliad - are the LLAMAS that the Trojans rush to bring into the city as the Greeks are invading! LOL!!!
Friday, October 13, 2006
Upcoming Extra-Credit TV Viewing Possibilities...
The History Channel will be showing the following documentaries that are related to what we're studying this semester... Post an analytical comment here regarding the program to receive extra-credit just for watching attentively TV! :-)
Monday, October 16
9-10pm -- "Engineering an Empire - Greece"
"Western Civilization has been influenced by many cultures, but it was born in Ancient Greece. The Ancient Greeks laid a foundation that has supported nearly 3000 years of European history. Philosophers like Aristotle and Socrates, Olympian gods, the beginnings of democracy and great conquering armies can be attributed to the Ancient Greeks. This strong and charismatic people strategically harnessed the materials and people around them to create the mostadvanced technological feats the world had ever seen. From The Tunnel of Samos: a mile-long aqueduct dug through a large mountain of solid limestone, to Agamemnon's Tomb, to the Parthenon, we will examine the architecture and infrastructure engineered by the Greek Empire. Peter Weller hosts."
Monday, October 23
9-10pm -- "Engineering an Empire - Greece: Age ofAlexander."
"438 BC. The Parthenon is complete. This masterpiece is the crowning achievement for the Greek people. Without Alexander the Great, it is possible Greece's Golden Era would have been just a footnote in history. Tens of thousands would die during Alexander's relentless attacks on Persia and Egypt, yet, his armies carried Greek life, culture and values far abroad and this empire became known as the "Hellenistic" world. Greece's amazing engineering achievements and ideas are still with us today."
10-11pm -- "Lost Worlds - The Real Dracula."
"In a country torn by bloody civil war, a young man seizes power. In his native tongue, he is called Dracula. This is not the vampire, Count Dracula, but a real historical figure: a Romanian prince. Dracula was a warlord who became known all across Europe for both his breathtaking courage and his terrifying cruelty. But he also left an enduring legacy. Not just in blood, but also in brick, mortar, and stone. He constructed palaces. He founded the city that was to become his country's capital. He also built one of Eastern Europe's most breathtaking mountaintop castles. Now, with state-of-the-art computer animation, we'll bring Dracula's lost world back to life: his birthplace in the fortified town of Sighisoara; the gothic splendor of Transylvania's Bran Castle; the sumptuous palace of Targoviste; and the real castle Dracula, Poenari."
Monday, October 30
7-8pm -- "Modern Marvels - Mummy Tech."
"After thousands of years, Egyptian mummies are speaking from the grave. With the use of state-of-the-art computer tomography scanning, known as CT-scanning, we explore inside a 2,000-year-old mummified body of an Egyptian child. With today's technology, mummies are studied without being unwrapped. Researchers travel around inside the mummy's head and body with 3-D imagery. We meet Dr.Robert Brier, a renowned Egyptologist. Dr. Brier reveals secrets of Mummification--it took up to 70 days to preserve the dead. Aided by new technology, we investigate the death of one of the most famousmummies, King Tut. Was he murdered or did he die from an illness? We also uncover the case of the Mummy who lay in obscurity for over a hundred years, until modern science unlocked the secrets of his identity as an Egyptian pharaoh. And we join a team of conservationists as they build a nitrogen-filled glass display case to provide a safe sanctuary to prevent mummies from decay."
9-10pm -- "Engineering an Empire - The Aztecs."
"In less than 200 years the Aztec's transformed themselves from a band of wandering nomads to the greatest civilization the New World had ever known. What records remain of this amazing feat indicate they did it through brilliant military campaigns and by ingeniously applying technology to master the harsh environment they faced. They built their capital city where no city should have been possible: in the middle of a lake. The Aztec also practiced human sacrifice on an unprecedented scale and made many enemies. By the time the Spaniards landed they had no trouble recruiting tribal allies to destroy the Aztecs. Watch with host Peter Weller as we examine the architecture and infrastructure behind the New World's greatest, and last, indigenous society."
10-11pm -- "Lost Worlds - Ramses' Egyptian Empire"
"1300 BC. The mighty Egyptian civilization is in its golden age. Its ruler is Ramses II, a man who intends to be the greatest of the Pharaohs. He will make his mark by building: vast statues; towering obelisks; temples carved from the living rock. Ramses is a giant of a man, dominating his kingdom for 67 years, pushing it on to ever greater glory. The ruins of what he built still stand, and with the aid of new research and cutting edge graphics technology, the true scale of his ambition can now be fully revealed. We reconstruct the grand hypostyle hall at Karnak; explore the technical innovation and engineering skill that produced the temple at Abu Simbel; we rebuild the Ramesseum as he would have seen it, and uncover how the extraordinary tomb that Ramses built for himself would have looked when his body was finally laid there."
Tuesday, October 31
7-8pm -- "The Haunted History of Halloween"
"On October 31, when pint-sized ghouls and goblins trick or treat, they're upholding an ancient northern European ritual dating back thousands of years. From the Celtic festival of Samhain to the mummingtradition and the Christian feast day All Hallows' Eve, we find out why this night is the scariest of the year!"
10-11pm -- "Man Moment Machine - Alexander the Great and the Devastating Catapult"
"Only Alexander the Great would have the audacity to attempt such a daring siege--the fortified island city of Tyre seems invincible, but his Macedonian troops are inspired and determined, and the young Alexander has a secret weapon--a machine created for the destruction of cities: the catapult. If Tyre falls, it will be a pivotal victory in Alexander's quest for a new empire--a key stop on a march that will cover more than 10,000 miles and span three continents."
Monday, October 16
9-10pm -- "Engineering an Empire - Greece"
"Western Civilization has been influenced by many cultures, but it was born in Ancient Greece. The Ancient Greeks laid a foundation that has supported nearly 3000 years of European history. Philosophers like Aristotle and Socrates, Olympian gods, the beginnings of democracy and great conquering armies can be attributed to the Ancient Greeks. This strong and charismatic people strategically harnessed the materials and people around them to create the mostadvanced technological feats the world had ever seen. From The Tunnel of Samos: a mile-long aqueduct dug through a large mountain of solid limestone, to Agamemnon's Tomb, to the Parthenon, we will examine the architecture and infrastructure engineered by the Greek Empire. Peter Weller hosts."
Monday, October 23
9-10pm -- "Engineering an Empire - Greece: Age ofAlexander."
"438 BC. The Parthenon is complete. This masterpiece is the crowning achievement for the Greek people. Without Alexander the Great, it is possible Greece's Golden Era would have been just a footnote in history. Tens of thousands would die during Alexander's relentless attacks on Persia and Egypt, yet, his armies carried Greek life, culture and values far abroad and this empire became known as the "Hellenistic" world. Greece's amazing engineering achievements and ideas are still with us today."
10-11pm -- "Lost Worlds - The Real Dracula."
"In a country torn by bloody civil war, a young man seizes power. In his native tongue, he is called Dracula. This is not the vampire, Count Dracula, but a real historical figure: a Romanian prince. Dracula was a warlord who became known all across Europe for both his breathtaking courage and his terrifying cruelty. But he also left an enduring legacy. Not just in blood, but also in brick, mortar, and stone. He constructed palaces. He founded the city that was to become his country's capital. He also built one of Eastern Europe's most breathtaking mountaintop castles. Now, with state-of-the-art computer animation, we'll bring Dracula's lost world back to life: his birthplace in the fortified town of Sighisoara; the gothic splendor of Transylvania's Bran Castle; the sumptuous palace of Targoviste; and the real castle Dracula, Poenari."
Monday, October 30
7-8pm -- "Modern Marvels - Mummy Tech."
"After thousands of years, Egyptian mummies are speaking from the grave. With the use of state-of-the-art computer tomography scanning, known as CT-scanning, we explore inside a 2,000-year-old mummified body of an Egyptian child. With today's technology, mummies are studied without being unwrapped. Researchers travel around inside the mummy's head and body with 3-D imagery. We meet Dr.Robert Brier, a renowned Egyptologist. Dr. Brier reveals secrets of Mummification--it took up to 70 days to preserve the dead. Aided by new technology, we investigate the death of one of the most famousmummies, King Tut. Was he murdered or did he die from an illness? We also uncover the case of the Mummy who lay in obscurity for over a hundred years, until modern science unlocked the secrets of his identity as an Egyptian pharaoh. And we join a team of conservationists as they build a nitrogen-filled glass display case to provide a safe sanctuary to prevent mummies from decay."
9-10pm -- "Engineering an Empire - The Aztecs."
"In less than 200 years the Aztec's transformed themselves from a band of wandering nomads to the greatest civilization the New World had ever known. What records remain of this amazing feat indicate they did it through brilliant military campaigns and by ingeniously applying technology to master the harsh environment they faced. They built their capital city where no city should have been possible: in the middle of a lake. The Aztec also practiced human sacrifice on an unprecedented scale and made many enemies. By the time the Spaniards landed they had no trouble recruiting tribal allies to destroy the Aztecs. Watch with host Peter Weller as we examine the architecture and infrastructure behind the New World's greatest, and last, indigenous society."
10-11pm -- "Lost Worlds - Ramses' Egyptian Empire"
"1300 BC. The mighty Egyptian civilization is in its golden age. Its ruler is Ramses II, a man who intends to be the greatest of the Pharaohs. He will make his mark by building: vast statues; towering obelisks; temples carved from the living rock. Ramses is a giant of a man, dominating his kingdom for 67 years, pushing it on to ever greater glory. The ruins of what he built still stand, and with the aid of new research and cutting edge graphics technology, the true scale of his ambition can now be fully revealed. We reconstruct the grand hypostyle hall at Karnak; explore the technical innovation and engineering skill that produced the temple at Abu Simbel; we rebuild the Ramesseum as he would have seen it, and uncover how the extraordinary tomb that Ramses built for himself would have looked when his body was finally laid there."
Tuesday, October 31
7-8pm -- "The Haunted History of Halloween"
"On October 31, when pint-sized ghouls and goblins trick or treat, they're upholding an ancient northern European ritual dating back thousands of years. From the Celtic festival of Samhain to the mummingtradition and the Christian feast day All Hallows' Eve, we find out why this night is the scariest of the year!"
10-11pm -- "Man Moment Machine - Alexander the Great and the Devastating Catapult"
"Only Alexander the Great would have the audacity to attempt such a daring siege--the fortified island city of Tyre seems invincible, but his Macedonian troops are inspired and determined, and the young Alexander has a secret weapon--a machine created for the destruction of cities: the catapult. If Tyre falls, it will be a pivotal victory in Alexander's quest for a new empire--a key stop on a march that will cover more than 10,000 miles and span three continents."
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
This week's Extra-Credit TV viewing possibilities!
The History Channel will be showing the following documentaries that are related to what we're studying this semester... Post an analytical comment here regarding the program to receive extra-credit just for watching attentively TV! :-)
10/14/2006
08:00 PM
"The Exodus Decoded": The story of the Exodus invokes an epic tale--Pharaohs and Israelites, plaguesand miracles, splitting of the sea and drowning of anarmy, and Moses. It's at the heart of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. After much research--workingwith archaeologists, Egyptologists, geologists, and theologians--filmmaker Simcha Jacobovici concluded that the Exodus took place hundreds of years earlier than thought. With a new timetable, Jacobovicire examined artifacts and discovered that the traditional consensus on the date was reached without reference to Judaic texts that record the oral traditions. When Jacobovici consulted these texts,they revealed names of people and places unknown to researchers until recently when extensive excavations in the Nile Delta took place. Teaming up with special effects designers, he created a unique digital experience of the Exodus. Blending archaeological findings with eye-catching effects, Jacobovici creates a virtual museum to showcase his discoveries.
10:00 PM
"Caligula: Reign of Madness": Caligula ruled the Roman Empire fewer than four years, and was only 28 when assassinated by officers of his guard in 41AD. His reign was a legendary frenzy of lunacy, murder, and lust. Between executions, he staged spectacular orgies, made love to his sister, and declared himself a living god. Join us for a look at this devoted son, murderer, pervert, and loving father whose anguished life was far more bizarre than the myth that surrounds him.
10/15/2006
08:00 PM
"Egypt: Engineering an Empire": Twenty-five hundred years before the reign of Julius Caesar, the ancient Egyptians were deftly harnessing the power of engineering on an unprecedented scale. Egyptian temples, fortresses, pyramids and palaces forever redefined the limits of architectural possibility. They also served as a warning to all of Egypt's enemies-that the world's most advanced civilization could accomplish anything. This two-hour special uses cinematic recreations and cutting-edge CGI to profile the greatest engineering achievements of ancient Egypt, and the pharaohs and architects who were behind them. Includes Djoser's Step Pyramid at Saqqara, Senusret's Nubian Superfortresses, Hatshepsut's Mortuary Temple at Dier el-Bahari, Akhenaten's city at Amarna, and the temples of Ramesses the Great at Abu Simbel.
10:00 PM Strange Egypt. We all know the Egypt of the pyramids and King Tut's tomb. But there's much, much more. The daily life of ancient Egyptians was filledwith magic, mystery, and sex. We'll take a closer lookat the beliefs and habits of one of the world's oldest cultures. There was incest in the royal palace, divine cats, and an entire industry devoted to ushering the dead into the next world. Spells, potions, and incantations ruled every aspect of life. Yet even in these unusual customs, we'll find the human face ofthe ancient people of Egypt.
11:00 PM
"Modern Marvels. Mummy Tech": After thousands of years, Egyptian mummies are speaking from the grave. With the use of state-of-the-art computer tomography scanning, known as CT-scanning, we explore inside a 2,000-year-old mummified body of an Egyptian child. With today's technology, mummies are studied without being unwrapped. Researchers travel around inside the mummy's head and body with 3-D imagery. We meet Dr. Robert Brier, a renowned Egyptologist. Dr. Brier reveals secrets of Mummification--it took up to 70 days to preserve the dead. Aided by new technology, we investigate the death of one of the most famous mummies, King Tut. Was he murdered or did he die froman illness? We also uncover the case of the Mummy who lay in obscurity for over a hundred years, until modern science unlocked the secrets of his identity as an Egyptian pharaoh. And we join a team of conservationists as they build a nitrogen-filled glass display case to provide a safe sanctuary to prevent mummies from decay.
Update: Blog for Extra-Credit (plus "Troy")
Well, considering how persnickety this new blogger beta has been, let's go ahead and make blog participation not absolutely required (unless I explicitly say otherwise), and instead give extra-credit points for it. What do you say??
Remember also that I offered extra-credit for viewing the movie "Troy," and posting in a comment here one thing particularly historically-accurate about it, and one thing that's not... (Remember to mix it up, so if somebody also posts what you were going to say, be sure to come up with another one!)
Remember also that I offered extra-credit for viewing the movie "Troy," and posting in a comment here one thing particularly historically-accurate about it, and one thing that's not... (Remember to mix it up, so if somebody also posts what you were going to say, be sure to come up with another one!)
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