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What was it like to live during the Renaissance? This program explores the typical homes, diets, and clothing of the period. Examines how due to a surging economy, many people had more money to spend on new household items, spices, and clothing. Witness the changing roles of work, education, religion, art, and family life over three centuries across Europe.

Explores the newly discovered uses of realism, mathematics, and perspective in art; the introduction of new musical instruments and changes in musical style; and how literature flourished thanks to the innovation of the printing press. Explores Leonardo, Machiavelli, and Shakespeare, whose works continue to be admired and emulated today. DVD divided into chapters.

Explores the people, ideas, and inventions behind the major scientific breakthroughs in astronomy, physics, anatomy, and mathematics. Examines scientific greats including Galileo, Kepler, and Brunelleschi, and discusses how the life of a scientist often conflicted with existing religious beliefs. DVD divided into chapters. Includes discussion questions and Spanish soundtrack option.

During the Renaissance, sailors set off into uncharted waters in search of new trade routes and lucrative luxury goods. Advancements in navigational tools, including lateen sails and the astrolabe, aided explorers such as Columbus and da Gama on their journeys.

Forged by conquest, and ruled by intimidation and diplomacy, Egypt's New Kingdom was built by men and women of astonishing ambition. For nearly 500 years (1560 B.C. to 1080 B.C.), the pharaohs of Egypt struggled to shape the science, culture, and politics of the ancient world. In the process, they would create the first great empire in history.

It was perhaps the most spectacular flourishing of imagination and achievement in recorded history. In the Fourth and Fifth Centuries BC, the Greeks built an empire that stretched across the Mediterranean from Asia to Spain. They laid the foundation of modern science, politics, warfare and philosophy, and produced some of the most breathtaking art and architecture the world has ever seen.

From a small Italian community in 15th Century Florence, the Medici family would rise to become one of the most powerful dynasties in Europe. Using charm, patronage, skill, duplicity and ruthlessness, they would amass unparalleled wealth and unprecedented power. They would use this power to help ignite the most important cultural and artistic revolution in Western history-the Renaissance.

Commanding shoguns and samurai warriors, exotic geisha and exquisite artisans—all were part of the Japanese "renaissance"—a period between the 16th and 19th centuries when Japan went from chaos and violence to a land of ritual refinement and peace.

Two thousand years ago, at the dawn of the First Century, the world was ruled by Rome. The Roman Empire struggled with problems which are surprisingly familiar: violent coups, assassination, overarching ambition, civil war, clashes between the classes as well as the sexes, and questions of personal freedom versus government control.

As the 18th century dawned on the North American continent, four powers - the French, the Spanish, the British and the Native Americans were competing to see who would control this remarkable land. However, after half a century of almost continuous wars, a new entity emerged: The Americans.

As the 18th century dawned on the North American continent, four powers - the French, the Spanish, the British and the Native Americans were competing to see who would control this remarkable land. However, after half a century of almost continuous wars, a new entity emerged: The Americans.

As the 18th century dawned on the North American continent, four powers - the French, the Spanish, the British and the Native Americans were competing to see who would control this remarkable land. However, after half a century of almost continuous wars, a new entity emerged: The Americans.

This exciting program uncovers the seeds of the American Revolution and explains that the causes were rooted in England's imperial policies. It introduces the resistance leaders, Patriots and Loyalists, and the events leading to the Boston Massacre. See how the Coercive Acts, passed in response to the Boston Tea Party, helped unite the colonies.

This program vividly presents the hardships faced by the first European settlers, giving viewers a sense of determination of the Jamestown and Puritan settlers. It traces the impact of the English in the New World, changes to Native American societies, religious diversity and freedom, and the role of the Pennsylvania Quakers.

Uses archival photographs and footage and interviews with survivors and family members and friends to recreate the life and death of Anne Frank during the Holocaust. Winner of the 1995 Academy Award - Best Documentary. Narrated by Kenneth Branagh and Glenn Close.