The 17th century was a time of religious conflicts, political struggles, and great scientific advances. This upheaval contributed to the Baroque period's relatively unrestrained, overtly emotional, and more energetic style that is reflected, to varying degrees, in paintings from all across Europe.This program examines:o Caravaggio's The Young Lute Player (circa 1596), from The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburgo Rembrandt's The Return of the Prodigal...

A chronicle of the years between 1100 and 1453 describes the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Black Death, the Little Ice Age, the emergence of the Ottomans, the rise of the Mongols, and the invention of new currencies, weapons, and schools of thought.

After successful trading missions to the Spice Islands (Indonesia) the Dutch established the East India Company (VOC) which was to grow into the world’s largest multi-national corporation in the 17th century. The VOC developed a near monopoly of the Asian spice trade and its huge maritime fleet became the world’s most powerful and profitable shipping company. Far from celebrating their so called “Golden Age”, the Dutch today are actively debating...

Part 1 of this series explores how the movement grew out of the Church-dominated period of the Middle Ages and how various complex forces gave rise to new scientific discovery. During the Middle Ages, society believed the classical teachings of Aristotle and Plato. The Earth-centered solar system, as described by Ptolemy, was considered fact. The notion that our solar system was actually Sun-centered and that the Earth and other planets moved about...

We all know that mankind can't live without air, food, and water...the same is true of salt. The salt on your table is a key to unlocking the story of our planet and the cosmos. Big History reveals how this simple molecule underpins our civilization.

This program examines how liberal ideas from the French Revolution fueled the fires of European nationalism, and how extreme nationalistic beliefs led to World War I. In Germany, Chancellor Otto von Bismarck constructed the philosophical and political framework for a unified Germany, steeped in the mythology of a German super-race and its destiny: to rule Europe. Serbians, inflamed by nationalism, assassinated Austrian Archduke Ferdinand, and Germany,...

This program covers the patronage of the Dukes of Burgundy and the Kings of France, and the continued influence of the Church. It shows how music, like philosophy, moved away from the elaborate formality of the Gothic and, like architecture, sought new and purer forms. Music of Binchois, Ockeghem, Josquin des Pres, Palestrina, de Lassus, Tromboncino, and Gabrieli is performed by the Schutz Choir, Emma Kirkby and the New London Consort. Includes excerpts...

Martin Luther was born into a world dominated by the Catholic church-and for the keenly spiritual Luther, the church's promise of salvation was irresistible. Driven to Defiance tells the story of a man caught in a thunderstorm, vowing to become a monk, only to realize his ultimate skepticism of the church. His views crystallize even further with a trip to Rome where he finds that the capital of Catholicism is swamped in corruption, and Luther attacks...

The slow collapse of the Roman Empire and the departure of Roman troops from Britain in about 410 AD led to the arrival of new cultures which threatened the Celts. This program claims that British king Vortigern invited the Anglo-Saxons into Britain to help defeat the Picts. Whether due to armed conflict or successful migration, Britain was soon under Saxon domination, which continued until the legendary King Arthur defeats them at the Battle of Mount...

This fun and colorful title explains what a Renaissance festival is and all of the exciting games, foods, costumes, events and more that can be found at one.