Traveling the Roman Empire

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[edit] General Information

History, Travel Documentary hosted by Darius Arya, published by The Great Courses in 2022 - English narration

[edit] Cover

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At its height, the Roman Empire spanned nearly two million square miles, extending over three continents, and including a large fraction of the ancient world's population. From Spain to the Middle East, from the Sahara to the Balkans, Roman civilization flourished, enhanced almost everywhere by architectural and artistic wonders. Two thousand years later, it's still possible to experience many of these marvels, including: -- The Roman Forum: Relics of the empire turn up everywhere in Rome. Some of the most magnificent are in the Forum, the center of Roman civic life, with temples, triumphal arches, commemorative columns, and other monuments evoking imperial glory. -- Merida: This Spanish city was one of the most important in the empire and has many surviving structures, including a remarkable theater complex and a stone arched bridge extending nearly half a mile—the longest extant span from Roman times. -- Petra: Hidden in the Jordanian desert, this ancient Nabataean city shows how Roman culture blended with even older traditions. After taking control, the Romans added their usual civic improvements alongside mysterious local structures. Taking you on a video tour of these and other sights and adventures, archaeologist Darius Arya brings the ancient world to life in Traveling the Roman Empire. Shot on location in Rome, Spain, Morocco, the Balkans, and elsewhere, the eight half-hour episodes are ideal for previewing possible destinations for your own travels, or you can simply sit back and bask in the glories of antiquity from the comforts of home. Much more than a guide to must-see attractions, this series introduces you to Roman history and the societies that coexisted with Rome or replaced it after the disintegration of the empire. You discover how modern cities such as Seville and Belgrade, not to mention Rome itself, are a rich mix of cultures built on Classical, Christian, Islamic, or other civilizations. Further, Darius interviews current inhabitants who are still adhering to ancient practices. An Expert Tour Guide: With a first name tracing to ancient Persian kings, Darius is an archaeologist in the T. E. Lawrence and Indiana Jones mold, immersing himself in the languages, religions, technologies, economies, and customs of the lands of the Roman Empire. His engaging expertise has been widely featured in television documentaries and online seminars. One common passion of archaeologists is to embrace the daily life of the countries where they do their research. In this spirit, Darius has much to say about the local cuisine, street life, and scenery of the sites he visits. He also demonstrates the athletic opportunities, riding horseback in Spain; rowing on the Tiber in Rome; rock climbing in Jordan; and swimming, boating, and diving in the Adriatic Sea—all in pursuit of authentic ancient experiences. Throughout Traveling the Roman Empire Darius puts the ruins he tours in context. Often the encounter with an archaeological site can be confusing, and it takes a leap of the imagination to see the place as it once was. Darius provides that creative spark, enlivening locations such as these: -- Diocletian's Palace: After bringing renewed stability to the empire in the 3rd century, the Emperor Diocletian built a coastal fortress retirement home in his native Dalmatia. Today, it is a vivid, immersive experience in the life of a Roman potentate. -- Volubilis: This well-preserved Roman frontier town in Morocco has the remains of sprawling villas, each with a mythology-themed floor mosaic. Darius translates some of the city's abundant inscriptions, where long-vanished individuals speak across the millennia. -- Jerash: Some 2,500 miles east of Volubilis, Jerash is another time-capsule of multicultural civilization. Situated in Jordan, here the arena of ancient civic life is on full display, with plazas, temples, public baths, theaters, a porticoed market, and a hippodrome. An Incomparable Grand Tour: Aside from famous attractions in Rome, such as the Colosseum, Trajan's Column, and the Arch of Constantine, some of the settings in the series may look eerily familiar. That's because Star Wars, Dune, and other science fiction films were shot on location in Wadi-Rum. This alien-looking region is also called the Valley of the Moon and includes the renowned rock formation "The Seven Pillars of Wisdom." In another deja-vu experience, visit Diocletian's Palace, which was the backdrop for scenes in the television series Game of Thrones. Traveling the Roman Empire is a matchless grand tour covering an astonishing range of landscapes, cultures, and history. Even if you have explored many of these places before, Darius will give you fresh insights and a new appreciation for the remarkable achievements of a single-minded city on the Tiber that had the vision, discipline, and institutions to conquer the known world and make it prosper.

[edit] Rome: Heart of an Empire

Begin the series on the outskirts of Rome, taking the Via Appia into the city. View the impressive tombs and aqueducts that line the road, testifying to the importance of the ancient capital. Within, visit major sites that include the extensive ruins of different forum spaces and temples. Also, explore subterranean Rome, and sample the market and cafe scene, as lively today as two millennia ago.

[edit] Spain: Augustus's Golden Province

Riding an Iberian horse, Darius opens his tour of Spain, one of Rome's richest provinces. Rome benefitted from the region's mineral and agricultural wealth. The grand Roman structures still standing include the massive arched bridge and theater complex at Merida. Also, visit Roman monuments in Segovia, including its renowned aqueduct, and descend into an ancient gypsum mine.

[edit] Spain: From Imperial Apex to Arab Kingdom

Focus on Spain as the birthplace of powerful Roman emperors, including Trajan and Hadrian. Survey the imperial grandeur that still survives from their reigns, notably in the ruined city of Italica and the thriving urban centers of Cordoba and Seville. Trace the influences of the Islamic culture that ruled Spain for seven centuries after the Romans. Also, go olive oil tasting!

[edit] Morocco: Traces of Rome in North Africa

Rome once ruled North Africa, cementing its control over the entire Mediterranean basin. Investigate Morocco, where Roman influences mixed with the indigenous Berbers to produce a unique culture. Visit the ruins of Volubilis, an ancient international hub, called the most beautiful Roman city in North Africa. Also, tour the thriving old quarter of Marrakesh.

[edit] Jordan: Rome's Eastern Frontier

Explore the original Philadelphia, the ancient name for present-day Amman, Jordan, which came under Roman rule in the 1st century BC. Then, visit nearby Jerash, lauded as the "Pompeii of the East" for its remarkable state of preservation. Tour a Roman desert fort, a Crusader-era castle, and finish in the otherworldly landscape of Wadi Rum, the spectacular location for Dune and other movies.

[edit] Petra: Rome and the Rose City

Visit the star of Rome's Middle Eastern domain, Petra in modern Jordan, known as the Rose City for its construction in rose-red local stone. Settled by Nabataean Bedouins, the city grew rich from the caravan trade, leading to the building of impressive temples, tombs, and other structures, many of which survive due to the arid climate and the abandonment of the site for many centuries.

[edit] Croatia: A Kingdom of Salt and Sea

The Dalmatian Coast was strategically vital to Rome, which conquered it starting in the 2nd century BC. Investigate the Roman legacy, including ancient Salona and Ragusa. Near Salona is Diocletian's Palace, a sprawling fortress built by the Dalmatia-born Emperor Diocletian around 300 CE. Also, probe the historic maritime economy of the region, which still flourishes.

[edit] Serbia: Crucible of Warriors

Continue your exploration of the Roman Balkans, heading inland to modern Serbia, which was repeatedly threatened by hostile kingdoms in antiquity. The Danube River plays a prominent role here, as do a litany of Roman emperors and their public and private works in three ancient cities. As Darius shows throughout the series, ancient Rome lives on through its enduring monuments and culture.

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[edit] Technical Specs

Video Codec: H.264 CABAC Main@L3.1
Video Bitrate: 1 904 Kbps
Video Resolution: 1280x720
Display Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Frames Per Second: 29.970 fps
Audio Codec: AAC (LC- SBR)
Audio Bitrate: 64 kb/s VBR 44.1 kHz
Audio Streams: 2
Audio Languages: english
RunTime Per Part: 31 min 53 s - 42 min 15 s
Number Of Parts: 8
Part Size: 444 MB - 592 MB
Source: WEB DL
Capper: Bonny@SoftArchive