Once Upon a Time... Man

- Season 1

(1978)

Evolution of life before Man to Stone Age.

On the time of Paleolithic culture to Ice Age.

The Cro-Magnon.

On the rise of agriculture, as well as ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Babylon, and Israel.

On the empires of Babylon, Assyria, Persia, and others from about BC 2000 to BC 323.

The century of Pericles.

On the time of Julius Caesar, before the Pax Romana.

The conquests of Islam.

The Carolingians.

The first of the Viking raids on the coast of Europe took place at the end of the VIII century. But first let us take a look at these ferocious warriors, who were indomitable navigators, on their home ground. 790 AC: A Viking village in the north with its typical houses. Food is scarce, and the men are preparing a whale hunt.

The builders of cathedrals.

Marco Polo's travels.

The hundred years war.

Fourteenth century Florence, during the time of Lorenzo de Medici, is a focal point. In the city's bustling streets where commerce flourishes, Peter Junior is returning from some errand on which his father, a draper, has sent him. The boy saunters along then stops when his curiosity is engaged by the workshop of Master Verrocchio: young artists with names like da Vinci, Boticelli, and le Perrugin.

The Moorish rule comes to an end in 15th century Spain, when the last Islamic bastion Granada falls in 1492. This flourishing city has some 400 000 inhabitants, 70 libraries and more than 50 schools. Its wall carries 1030 defense towers. After 500 years of war, the Spanish have become fanatic and intolerant. The Jews are being expelled and 400 000 Moors must leave the land as well.

Elizabeth's England.

The golden age of the United Provinces.

1680: Paris has 450 000 inhabitants. The state prison, the Bastille, is situated in the East. In the West, there's the Louvre, which is the king's palace. Louis XVI has other plans though... The construction of the Palace of Versailles has been in progress for 18 years, but still there were some things missing. The interior decoration and parks need a lot of time and quality.

Peter the Great and his time.

The century of the enlightenment... The basic idea is that the true character of human beings is defined by reason and rational thinking. Reason contains the valid measure of value for all human creation, activity and living conditions. The reaction of the state and the church on this movement is violent.

America.

The night before the French Revolution in 1789, the Estates-General come together in Versailles. Freedom is the first big issue. Mainly, the deputies want to end serfdom. The French Revolution starts with the storming of the bastille. Finally, France is becoming a republic.

The spring of the peoples.

When Cugnot builds up his roll car in 1770, the trouble with the automobiles commences... There is a first race between Paris and Rouen. Eight hours are planned for 123 kilometers. Anything that came out of the inventors' minds and was built rattles off. In June of 1895, the era of car races if introduced by the competition of Bordeaux to Paris and all the way back.

The Roaring Twenties.

Once upon a time - the earth (And tomorrow?)