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The Best Episodes of Africa's Great Civilizations

Every episode of Africa's Great Civilizations ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Africa's Great Civilizations!

Binge this in 5h 18m•Peaking at 5.7/10

Henry Louis Gates Jr. takes a look at the history of Africa, from the birth of humankind to the dawn of the 20th century. A breathtaking and personal journey through two hundred thousand years of

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  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Africa's Great Civilizations Season 1 Episode 1 - Origins
    5.7/10(56 votes)

    S1:E1

    Journey with Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. to Kenya, Egypt and beyond as he discovers the origins of man, the formation of early human societies and the creation of significant cultural and scientific achievements on the African continent.

    Director:Virginia Quinn
    Writers:Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

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  2. Africa's Great Civilizations Season 1 Episode 3 - Empires of Gold
    5.5/10(46 votes)

    S1:E3

    Henry Louis Gates Jr. uncovers the complex trade networks and advanced educational institutions that transformed early north and west Africa from deserted lands into the continent’s wealthiest kingdoms and learning epicenters.

    Director:Mark Bates
    Writers:Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

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  3. Africa's Great Civilizations Season 1 Episode 4 - Cities
    5.4/10(47 votes)

    S1:E4

    Gates explores the power of Africa’s greatest ancient cities, including Kilwa, Great Zimbabwe and Benin City, whose wealth, art and industrious successes attracted new European interest and interaction along the continent’s east and west coasts.

    Director:Mark Bates
    Writers:Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

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  4. Africa's Great Civilizations Season 1 Episode 6 - Clash of Civilizations
    5.4/10(46 votes)

    S1:E6

    Henry Louis Gates Jr. explores the dynamism of 19th century Africa, the “scramble” by European powers for its riches, and the defiant and successful stand of un-colonized Ethiopia.

    Director:Karen McGann
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Africa's Great Civilizations Season 1 Episode 2 - The Crescent and the Cross
    5.3/10(48 votes)

    S1:E2

    Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. charts the ancient rise of Christianity and Islam, whose economic and cultural influence stretched from Egypt to Ethiopia. Learn of African religious figures like King Lalibela, an Ethiopian saint, and Menelik, bringer of the Ark of the Covenant.

    Director:Virginia Quinn
    Writers:Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

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  6. Africa's Great Civilizations Season 1 Episode 5 - The Atlantic Age
    5.2/10(44 votes)

    S1:E5

    Henry Louis Gates Jr. explores the impact of the Atlantic trading world, giving rise to powerful new kingdoms, but also transatlantic slave trade. Learn of the revolutionary movements of the 18th and early 19th centuries, including the advent of the Sokoto Caliphate.

    Director:Karen McGann
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Africa's Great Civilizations

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Best Episodes Summary

"Origins" is the best rated episode of "Africa's Great Civilizations". It scored 5.7/10 based on 56 votes. Directed by Virginia Quinn and written by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., it aired on 2/27/2017. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Empires of Gold".