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37:13
The Duomo of Florence
18 November 2024The Renaissance was an age of sweeping transformation in politics, literature, science, art and architecture. Perhaps nothing better represents...
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29:40
Gladiators: The Praetorian Guard
18 November 2024The true nexus of power in the Roman Empire wasn't in the Emperor's box but in the shadowy ranks of the Praetorian Guard. First established in 27...
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56:48
Emperor Macrinus: Usurper of Rome
17 November 2024Denzel Washington stars as Emperor Macrinus in the epic new movie Gladiator II, but who exactly was this shadowy ruler of Rome?
Join...
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51:35
Mythbusting Medieval Buildings
15 November 2024What is a leper squint? Are the marks scratched into the exterior walls of churches from damned souls trying to claw their way in?
Join Matt...
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36:17
Catherine of Aragon | Secret Lives of the Six Wives
15 November 2024We know the fates of Henry VIII's wives, but what were these iconic women really like?
In the first episode of this limited series, Secret...
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40:58
Gladiators: The Real Spartacus
15 November 2024Spartacus is probably the most famous gladiator in history but how much of his legend is actually true? Dan is joined by Dr Rhiannon Evans, from...
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40:26
A CIA Man in China: 20 Years Imprisoned
14 November 2024This is the story of America's longest held prisoner of war. John 'Jack' Downey, an American CIA operative, was imprisoned by the Chinese for 21...
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38:50
Witchfinder General
14 November 2024In the aftermath of the Civil War, a remote corner of Essex witnessed the most brutally devastating witch-hunt in English history. A dangerous...
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37:44
Queen Victoria's Funeral & the Cult of Death
14 November 2024Queen Victoria was synonymous with grief and the Victorian cult of death. Yet her own funeral wasn't that at all. Today Dan O'Brien explains to...
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54:35
Caracalla & Geta: The Real Emperors of Gladiator II
14 November 2024The new Hollywood blockbuster Gladiator II features two of Rome's most villainous emperors - the brothers Caracalla and Geta.
And in today's...
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47:54
Gladiators: Myths vs Reality
13 November 2024Join Dan at Rome's Colosseum as he separates fact from fiction in the world of the gladiators. He traces the origins of gladiatorial fighting from...
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49:24
El Cid: Spain's Medieval Mercenary
12 November 2024Rodrigo Díaz - known as el Cid - lived a violently colourful life in 11th Century Spain. By turns an ambitious military leader, exile and brutal...
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