HIS 101: Western Civilization -- 1500: Videos

Starts with the creation of the first cities in Mesopotamia some 6,000 years ago, to the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, discover Uruk, the 'mother of all cities;' journey to Syria, Egypt, Anatolia, and Greece; and trace the birth and development of technology and culture.

Explore the power and the paradox of the 'Greek Thing'—a blossoming in art, philosophy, and science that went hand in hand with political discord, social injustice, and endless war.

Examines the phenomenon of the Roman Republic, from its fratricidal mythical beginnings- with the legend of Romulus and Remus, to the all too real violence of its end- dragged to destruction by war lords like Pompey and Julius Caesar.

Byzantium was founded in 660 BC. In 330 AD, Constantine the Great established Constantinople. Christianity, together with Greek civilization in a Roman context, created the phenomenon called the Byzantine Empire.

During the Carolingian Renaissance, Charlemagne revives learning, including Carolingian text, and creates the foundations of modern France. He also begins to relinquish power to his vassals.

Topics include the role of the Church, development of the feudal system, the rise of the nobility, the Crusades, formation of the German Hanseatic League, the effects of the plague, the growth of trade guilds, the discovery of printing, the urbanization of the peasantry, and the rise of science.

This program covers the social and economic organization of Europe in the Middle Ages, including the roles of the people, the economy, architecture, social organizations and the role of the church.

Traces the journey of the first crusaders as they marched 3,000 miles from Europe to recapture Jerusalem from the Muslims. Enduring starvation, disease, and bloody battle to reach their goal, the Christian soldiers then unleashed an appalling tide of barbaric violence upon their Muslim enemies.

This four episode series explores the rise of the Vikings in 1066, the conquest of Britain and Ireland, the spread south in the 11th century, and history of the Domesday book.

Examines the start of the Black Death and follows the spread through Europe before reaching North Africa and Asia. 25 million people are killed, and Black Death leaves a deep mark on the society of the period.

Examines the ideas of the medieval philosophic theologians, particularly St. Thomas Aquinas and the Aristotelian logic as the basis of Aquinas’ thought and disputes charges that medieval philosophy merely reinforced extant Christian views.

The Italian Renaissance’s contributions to revolutions in architecture, art, religion, commerce, politics, and navigation are discussed in this program.

Provides a balanced presentation of the facts surrounding this very important period of history; explores the background of the Roman Catholic Church and the causes of social and religious unrest; also introduces key figures who played important roles in the changes taking place in Europe.

Reveals the explosion of global capitalism that began with Columbus stumbling across America while searching for China. The search for Gold and spread of Christianity caused Europeans to colonize the New World, discovering many new lands, such as that of the Incas in Peru.

Discusses the contributions of Immanuel Kant, Isaac Newton, Denis Diderot, the Marquês de Pombal, and Erasmus Darwin as intellectuals who endorsed freedom of thought apart from the dictates of state and religion.