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The Worst Episodes of Ancient Worlds

Every episode of Ancient Worlds ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Ancient Worlds!

Archaeologist and historian Richard Miles traces the development of Western civilization, from the first cities in Mesopotamia to the fall of the Roman Empire. In...
Genre:Documentary
Network:BBC Two

Worst Episodes Summary

"Return Of The King" is the worst rated episode of "Ancient Worlds". It scored 7/10 based on 24 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 12/1/2010. This episode scored 0.3 points lower than the second lowest rated, "The Greek Thing".

  • Return Of The King
    7.0/1024 votes
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    #1 - Return Of The King

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 12/1/2010

    Archaeologist and historian Richard Miles explores the triumphs and legacy of Alexander the Great, the conqueror who rose from the minor kingdom of Macedon and went on to control a vast empire stretching to Persia. The presenter also focuses on those who succeeded him after his demise in Babylon, and how they tried to maintain the empire by cunning rather than by the sword

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Greek Thing
    7.3/1025 votes
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    #2 - The Greek Thing

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 11/24/2010

    Richard Miles examines the paradoxes of Greek civilisation. The archaeologist and historian explains how despite being famed for its artistic, cultural and scientific achievements, this society based around city-states was also renowned for its political intrigue, brutal warmongering and deep social inequalities

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Republic Of Virtue
    7.3/1027 votes
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    #3 - The Republic Of Virtue

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 12/8/2010

    Richard Miles travels to Sicily and North Africa to explore the rise of the Roman Republic, from its fratricidal mythical beginnings, to its emergence as a powerful empire. Beginning in a cluster of hill villages, the Romans achieved the domination of the Mediterranean after defeating Carthage, and the historian argues that, as the territorial expansion started and the violence increased, Rome became its own worst enemy

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • City Of Man, City Of God
    7.3/1026 votes
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    #4 - City Of Man, City Of God

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 12/15/2010

    In the last of the series, archaeologist and historian Richard Miles examines the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. At the height of its power, the Roman Empire extended the benefits of its civilization to a 60 million citizens and subjects in a swathe of territory that extended from Hadrian's Wall to the banks of the Euphrates. Even under the rule of mad, bad and dangerous emperors, the imperial system proved to be robust, buttressed by the support of elite families in the far-flung corners of the empire whose loyalty was ensured by a system of cultural aspiration, economic opportunity and military coercion. But the material benefits of the 'good order' delivered by Roman rule provided its citizens and subjects with the security to ask profound questions about the meaning of life, questions that the pragmatic, polytheistic Roman belief system was ill-equipped to answer. Christianity grew to fill the spiritual vacuum at the heart of Roman civilization, eventually claiming an Emperor, Constantine, as its greatest prize. The City of Man would be eclipsed the City of God.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Come Together
    7.6/1039 votes
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    #5 - Come Together

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 11/10/2010

    Archaeologist and historian Richard Miles travels to Syria, Egypt, Anatolia and southern Greece to examine how the first societies were created and organised, with agriculture, city-building, religion, art and trade the basic pillars from which these complex social systems rose to power

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Age of Iron
    7.8/1032 votes
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    #6 - The Age of Iron

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 11/17/2010

    Archaeologist and historian Richard Miles examines the collapse of the Bronze Age 3,000 years ago, and how the civilisations of the subsequent Iron Age emerged. He explores the former Phoenician cities of Byblos and Tyre and their technological contributions, including the alphabet and deep-water sailing, before heading to Israel to learn how the Assyrian war machine affected small local powers

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A