In Search of History Season 5, Episode 12: Pompeii

Roman Roads Paths to Empire

Romans engineered a stone-paved highway system encompassing 50,000 miles and sprawling across three continents. Ironically, their breathtaking feat may have paved the road to their ruin as ancient and newly sprung enemies marched straight.

45 min

Rome's Eternal Wonders

Built to attest to the power and glory of Rome, the ancient monuments often hide a rocky past. Built to attest to the power and glory of Rome, the ancient monuments often hide a rocky past. What outrageous acts helped build and maintain them?

45 min

Rome's Glorious Cities

"All roads lead to Rome" as the empire expands and Romans erect elegant cities to honor their emperors and unify conquered territory. The cosmopolitan centers let many cultures co-exist under Roman law. We'll see how they administered the vast empire and learned from mistakes of vanquished civilizations.

45 min

Rome's Lost Harbor

Rome's Lost Harbor: The Roman city of Ostia, founded in the 4th century B.C. at the mouth of the Tiber, was once a vital harbor town and important port. Today, Ostia is covered in sand.

45 min

England's Theatres of Blood

England's Theatres Of Blood: Elizabethan England offered the heights entertainment in theatres such as the Globe, where Shakespeare staged most of his plays. Both rich and poor attend the spectacles.

45 min

The Cavemen

The Truth About Science Fiction

Navajo Code Talkers

Describes the role of a select group of Navajo Marines who developed a code based on their own native language that provided a means for secure communications among American forces in the Pacific during World War II.

The Holy Grail

Five Points Gangs

The Real Dracula

Lourdes: Shrine of Miracles

For over 150 years, pilgrims have journeyed to the French mountain village of Lourdes where a young girl--Sainte Bernadette--claimed to see a vision of the Virgin Mary.

Riddle of the Zodiac

For over 4,000 years, people have looked to the heavens for answers about life on earth. Created by the ancient Babylonians, the zodiac and astrology are still hotly debated.

45 min