The final centuries BCE are the center of the second episode of Michael Wood's journey through Indian history. This is primarily the arrival of the Greeks, the era of Buddha and Emperor Ashoka, one of the most important people in world history. Alexander the Great's incursion was protested by the Buddha before the first Indian Empire was founded. The episode's primary theme is the persuasiveness of ideas, and through his encounter with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Michael Wood learns why Buddhism has remained relevant for so long. Michael Wood narrates the story of the first great Indian state, which is today’s India. The dramatic story of India’s first great emperor. He starved himself to death after renouncing his kingship. His grandson later renounces warfare and introduces the idea of non-violence. The idea is introduced after a reign of cruelty and violence. The dangerous idea of non-violence runs down the Indian history up to the period of Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership and the Freedom of Movement
The film brings to light oppression in the ancient times. People in the western world are busy colonizing the eastern part of the world. Alexander the Great leads his envoy to India. He manages to take over the country but not for long. India’s Buddhism paves way for protest against the new rulers in the country. It is after the protests and violence that India gets to create its first empire. The empire is, however, not a guarantee that the Indian people are free from oppression. As is seen in the reign of India’s first great emperor’s grandson who rules with cruelty and violence. The idea of non-violence replaces his previous way of ruling but the idea is still as bad as the previous form. It is Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership and the introduction of Freedom of Movement that makes the Indian people to feel free again.
The Wonders of Islam–The Dark Ages: An Age of Light
The film is set in the Dark Ages when vital religions emerged. Along with Christianity, Islam came out to be another important religion at the time. The religion emerged in the East then spread to Northern Africa. It later finds roots in Europe in a very short time. In the short period that the religion spreads, Mosques began being built based on Mohammad’s home. There was initially no art but during settled times there emerges mosques that are highly decorated. The scientific and architectural achievements of the Islamic people dwarfed anything that existed in the western world. Januszczak visits the Dome of the Rock, the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, which is believed to be the landing place of Noah’s ark and desert places that have been forgotten by the Islam which are all filled by sensual artwork.
The movie is a good source of history in religion and art. Religion and art are related to this has been brought out in this film. The film shows us how and when Christianity and other religions emerged. It shows how Islam emerges and is spread in the world. The relationship between art and religion is seen when Januszczak visits ancient mosques where marvelous art works are seen. The modern Islam has forgotten these places and the art works that are in these places. This film is highly recommended to people who love history and art.
The Great Pharaoh and His Lost Children – Egypt beyond the Pyramids
This is the second episode of the series ‘Egypt beyond the Pyramids.’ The mystery of the many sons of the Rameses II who is believed to have been the Pharaoh at the time of the Hebrew Exodus under Moses. The pharaoh survived many of his sons whose final resting place had been unknown until an archaeologist known as Kent Weeks started hunting for a forgotten mausoleum in 1987. The KV5 site which is partially excavated in the Valley of the Kings serves as a background for Weeks’ recollections of the thrilling discovery. This episode also revisits the Ramesseum, Rameses’ own burial site, where his remarkably well preserved mummy has resided since 1212.
This episode is a good source of history of the ancient Egyptian Empire. The viewer is exposed to the ways of life of the Pharaoh and his royal family. The Pharaoh at the time had an apparently large family, it is currently believed to be 150 as the excavation continues. The exposure to how the burial of the pharaoh was done and those of his children is quite enlightening. The body of the Pharaoh is well preserved and it is amazing that his body is in such shape after so many years considering that modern science was not available at the time. The film is a good indication that science has come a long way and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in history and science.
Bibliography
The Great Pharaoh and His Lost Children: Egypt beyond the Pyramids. Directed by David DeVries. Performed by David DeVries. 2001.
The Wonders of Islam – The Dark Ages: An Age of Light . Directed by Waldemar Januszczak. Performed by Waldemar Januszczak. 2012.
The Power of Ideas. Directed by Jeremy Jeffs. Performed by Michael Wood. 2007.
