In Roman Conquest and Expansion, archaeologist and historian Richard Miles explain how Rome’s legionary army became the backbone and driver of its expansion. As Rome conquered more and more groups and land, they grew their army and their empire. Eventually, they transformed Rome from a small city-state to a dominant power. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Ancient Worlds, an epic series with archaeologist and historian Richard Miles as he explores the roots of civilization from Mesopotamia to the fall of the Roman Empire.
In Ivan the Terrible and Siberian Expansion, host Andrew Marr describes the Russia of the past as a poor country until a dip in global temperatures drove up the prices and the demand for fur pelts. Russian mercenaries ventured into Siberia where their superior European weapons helped them defeat local forces. This video is excerpted from BBC’s A History of the World, a story of human history that uses reenactments, modern footage, and storytelling to explain history’s greatest achievements.
In Subtle Signs of Life on the Seafloor, narrator David Attenborough journeys over two miles beneath the ocean's surface, where the pressure is immense — 300 times greater than at sea level. Here, marine snow, tiny organic particles drifting from above, slowly settles on the seafloor over months. This vast, flat expanse stretches for thousands of miles, with subtle signs of life visible in the soft sediment. Sea urchins sift through the accumulating snow, while shrimp carefully pick out edible particles. The monkfish, nearly indistinguishable from the sand, patiently waits for prey to be lured toward its deceptive trap, sometimes going days between meals. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
In American Optimism Under Clinton, historian Simon Schama explains how Bill Clinton’s own rise to power had echoes of the American dream of equal opportunity. Clinton had an optimistic message during a time of economic expansion, rising stock markets, and a strong economy. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Obama’s America, in which Simon Schama examines the challenges faced by Barack Obama on the world stage and at home.
In A Crucial Resource in the Desert, narrator Sir David Attenborough explores the Saguaro cacti. Saguaros are cacti with very shallow roots. Learn how they expand after a rainstorm and flower during four weeks of the summer, supporting the wildlife around them. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
In Understanding the Brain's Unique Sensory Connections, learn how synesthesia occurs in the brain and how it allows people to experience the world in an extraordinary way by connecting senses in unique ways, like seeing colors when hearing sounds. Understanding synesthesia is helping researchers assist individuals with sensory limitations, such as blindness, by expanding our knowledge of how the brain processes stimuli. This insight is leading to advancements in both sensory research and the treatment of sensory disorders. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The World’s Most Extraordinary People, a documentary series revealing how rare medical conditions inspire groundbreaking scientific discoveries.
In Incentives for Sustainable Tourism: Economic and Conservation Incentives, host Simon Reeve travels to two developing nations where sustainable tourism has the potential to expand conservation efforts and protect natural lands and wildlife. This video is excerpted from BBC's Incredible Journeys With Simon Reeve, a series that highlights one journalist’s travels across the globe and the diverse cultures and peoples he meets along the way.
In The Mormon Journey to Freedom, Simon Reeve hikes with two Mormon sisters as they explore the rugged Mormon Trail and share their faith. Along the way, he learns how Joseph Smith founded Mormonism and inspired thousands to trek through the harsh Rockies in search of freedom. The sisters reflect on their deep connection to those pioneers and explain how their religion continues to expand through dedicated missionaries. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In Einstein's Big Bang Theory, narrator Kate Yule explains how Einstein's equations have been used by other scientists to explain the structure and history of the Universe. Hakeem Oluseyi from the Florida Institute of Technology explains how some scientists think the Universe began with a Big Bang and has continued expanding. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Einstein & Hawking: Masters of Our Universe, a mind-bending documentary that tells the story of how the two most famous scientists of the 20th Century transformed our understanding of the Universe and changed the world.
In The Death of Stars, narrator Kate Yule explores how stars reach the end of their lives and can no longer fight against their own gravity. Some stars expand, whereas giant stars contract to form black holes, invisible to telescopes. Learn how Jocelyn Bell Burnell built a new telescope which detected pulsars, which emit no visible light, but send out radio waves. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Einstein & Hawking: Masters of Our Universe, a mind-bending documentary that tells the story of how the two most famous scientists of the 20th Century transformed our understanding of the Universe and changed the world.
In Rome vs. Carthage, archaeologist and historian Richard Miles explains how Rome grew increasingly confident as it expanded and developed. In the Mediterranean, Carthage was a great commercial power. As Rome sought to expand its territory beyond Italy, it came into direct conflict with Carthage and its trade empire. The Punic Wars started with a battle on the island of Sicily. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Ancient Worlds, an epic series with archaeologist and historian Richard Miles as he explores the roots of civilization from Mesopotamia to the fall of the Roman Empire.
In Roman Conquest and Expansion, archaeologist and historian Richard Miles explain how Rome’s legionary army became the backbone and driver of its expansion. As Rome conquered more and more groups and land, they grew their army and their empire. Eventually, they transformed Rome from a small city-state to a dominant power. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Ancient Worlds, an epic series with archaeologist and historian Richard Miles as he explores the roots of civilization from Mesopotamia to the fall of the Roman Empire.
In Ivan the Terrible and Siberian Expansion, host Andrew Marr describes the Russia of the past as a poor country until a dip in global temperatures drove up the prices and the demand for fur pelts. Russian mercenaries ventured into Siberia where their superior European weapons helped them defeat local forces. This video is excerpted from BBC’s A History of the World, a story of human history that uses reenactments, modern footage, and storytelling to explain history’s greatest achievements.
In Subtle Signs of Life on the Seafloor, narrator David Attenborough journeys over two miles beneath the ocean's surface, where the pressure is immense — 300 times greater than at sea level. Here, marine snow, tiny organic particles drifting from above, slowly settles on the seafloor over months. This vast, flat expanse stretches for thousands of miles, with subtle signs of life visible in the soft sediment. Sea urchins sift through the accumulating snow, while shrimp carefully pick out edible particles. The monkfish, nearly indistinguishable from the sand, patiently waits for prey to be lured toward its deceptive trap, sometimes going days between meals. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
In American Optimism Under Clinton, historian Simon Schama explains how Bill Clinton’s own rise to power had echoes of the American dream of equal opportunity. Clinton had an optimistic message during a time of economic expansion, rising stock markets, and a strong economy. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Obama’s America, in which Simon Schama examines the challenges faced by Barack Obama on the world stage and at home.
In A Crucial Resource in the Desert, narrator Sir David Attenborough explores the Saguaro cacti. Saguaros are cacti with very shallow roots. Learn how they expand after a rainstorm and flower during four weeks of the summer, supporting the wildlife around them. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
In Understanding the Brain's Unique Sensory Connections, learn how synesthesia occurs in the brain and how it allows people to experience the world in an extraordinary way by connecting senses in unique ways, like seeing colors when hearing sounds. Understanding synesthesia is helping researchers assist individuals with sensory limitations, such as blindness, by expanding our knowledge of how the brain processes stimuli. This insight is leading to advancements in both sensory research and the treatment of sensory disorders. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The World’s Most Extraordinary People, a documentary series revealing how rare medical conditions inspire groundbreaking scientific discoveries.
In Incentives for Sustainable Tourism: Economic and Conservation Incentives, host Simon Reeve travels to two developing nations where sustainable tourism has the potential to expand conservation efforts and protect natural lands and wildlife. This video is excerpted from BBC's Incredible Journeys With Simon Reeve, a series that highlights one journalist’s travels across the globe and the diverse cultures and peoples he meets along the way.
In The Mormon Journey to Freedom, Simon Reeve hikes with two Mormon sisters as they explore the rugged Mormon Trail and share their faith. Along the way, he learns how Joseph Smith founded Mormonism and inspired thousands to trek through the harsh Rockies in search of freedom. The sisters reflect on their deep connection to those pioneers and explain how their religion continues to expand through dedicated missionaries. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In Einstein's Big Bang Theory, narrator Kate Yule explains how Einstein's equations have been used by other scientists to explain the structure and history of the Universe. Hakeem Oluseyi from the Florida Institute of Technology explains how some scientists think the Universe began with a Big Bang and has continued expanding. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Einstein & Hawking: Masters of Our Universe, a mind-bending documentary that tells the story of how the two most famous scientists of the 20th Century transformed our understanding of the Universe and changed the world.
In The Death of Stars, narrator Kate Yule explores how stars reach the end of their lives and can no longer fight against their own gravity. Some stars expand, whereas giant stars contract to form black holes, invisible to telescopes. Learn how Jocelyn Bell Burnell built a new telescope which detected pulsars, which emit no visible light, but send out radio waves. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Einstein & Hawking: Masters of Our Universe, a mind-bending documentary that tells the story of how the two most famous scientists of the 20th Century transformed our understanding of the Universe and changed the world.
In Rome vs. Carthage, archaeologist and historian Richard Miles explains how Rome grew increasingly confident as it expanded and developed. In the Mediterranean, Carthage was a great commercial power. As Rome sought to expand its territory beyond Italy, it came into direct conflict with Carthage and its trade empire. The Punic Wars started with a battle on the island of Sicily. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Ancient Worlds, an epic series with archaeologist and historian Richard Miles as he explores the roots of civilization from Mesopotamia to the fall of the Roman Empire.