History

Life in Ancient Times

Join archaeologist ‪Darius Arya‬ as he takes you on an immersive journey through the sports and entertainment venues of ancient Rome. From the grandeur of the Circus Maximus to the iconic Colosseum, Arya reveals how these massive structures were not just centers of entertainment but also integral parts of Roman religious and social life.

Ancient Rome: A City of Immigrants

10m 58s

Examine the multiculturalism that defined Imperial Rome, a city of nearly a million people drawn from across the Roman Empire. Much like the melting pot of modern New York, ancient Rome was home to a vast array of cultures, with immigrants bringing their own customs, languages, and gods to the capital.

Episodes

  • Ancient Rome: A City of Immigrants: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Ancient Rome: A City of Immigrants

    S1 E3 - 10m 58s

    Examine the multiculturalism that defined Imperial Rome, a city of nearly a million people drawn from across the Roman Empire. Much like the melting pot of modern New York, ancient Rome was home to a vast array of cultures, with immigrants bringing their own customs, languages, and gods to the capital.

  • How Rome Fed A Million People (Before Modern Farming): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    How Rome Fed A Million People (Before Modern Farming)

    S1 E2 - 9m 59s

    Ancient Rome was a city of 1 million inhabitants. How were they fed? With bread! We’ll explore feeding Rome by baking bread just as they did in Rome and Pompeii. We’ll also explore ancient bakeries in Ostia Antica and the tomb of a baker!

  • Gladiators, Sports and Entertainment in the Roman Era: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Gladiators, Sports and Entertainment in the Roman Era

    S1 E1 - 10m 10s

    The episode looks at the historical significance of sports in ancient cultures, emphasizing the immense popularity of events like the Olympics in Greece and the Ludi Romani, or "Roman Games," in Rome. Arya explains how these events were deeply intertwined with religious rituals, aimed at venerating and appeasing the gods who were believed to protect the city and its people. The spectators were not

WETA Passport

Stream tens of thousands of hours of your PBS and local favorites with WETA Passport whenever and wherever you want. Catch up on a single episode or binge-watch full seasons before they air on TV.

Similar Shows