In the final three episodes of Season 2, the struggle for Germania reaches a breaking point as loyalty, vengeance and political ambition collide. Tiberius demands proof that Marbod truly stands with Rome, while Flavus makes a dangerous proposal to Germanicus. At the same time, the Germanic tribal leaders gather to proclaim Marbod king, hoping unity might finally give them the strength to resist Rome. But the fragile alliance is shattered by tragedy, and Marbod is forced to confront Tiberius directly as trust on both sides collapses. The conflict then accelerates toward open war. Thusnelda and Folkwin undertake a perilous mission, Gaius makes a shocking discovery in the forest, and Segestes offers Tiberius a treacherous bargain. With Roman reinforcements approaching by ship, Arminius and the tribes realize they may have only one chance left: strike the Roman camp before a new legion arrives. The season closes with betrayal, sacrifice and a desperate battle for freedom, as every decision threatens to determine whether the Germanic tribes remain divided or finally stand together against Rome.
Click CC for subtitles. In the final three episodes of Season 1, Ari fully embraces his identity as Arminius and begins the dangerous task of turning divided Germanic tribes into a force capable of challenging Rome. While Varus believes he has placed a loyal Roman-trained leader at the head of the Cherusci, Arminius secretly works against him. Thusnelda and Folkwin seek support from the Bructeri, and Arminius realizes that defeating three Roman legions will require something almost impossible: convincing rival tribes to put aside their feuds and fight as one people. A political marriage between Arminius and Thusnelda strengthens their cause, while Folkwin, thought dead, is actually alive and enslaved in the Roman camp. Everything then moves toward the confrontation that will change history. Drawing on his intimate knowledge of Roman military tactics, Arminius persuades Varus to lead his legions through the forests and swamps of Germania, where their disciplined formations become a deadly weakness. As mistrust, betrayal and sacrifice threaten the fragile tribal alliance, Thusnelda takes an extreme step to preserve unity and Arminius prepares his ambush. The season culminates in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, where three Roman legions are drawn into a trap that will become one of the most devastating defeats in the history of the Roman Empire.
Join us on an unforgettable voyage through one of the most desolate periods in human history as the rulers, conflicts, and cataclysmic societal breakdown of Early Middle Ages are brought to light. At its height in the second century A.D., the Roman Empire was the beacon of learning, trade, power and prosperity in the western world. But the once-powerful Rome--rotten to the core by the fifth century--lay open to barbarian warriors who came in wave after wave of invasion, slaughtering, stealing, and ultimately, settling. As chaos replaced culture, Europe was beset by famine, plague, persecutions, and a state of war that was so persistent it was only rarely interrupted by peace. The documentary profiles those who battled to shape the future, from the warlords whose armies threatened to case the demise of European society, like Alaric, Charles the Hammer, and Clovis; to the men and women who valiantly tended the flames of justice, knowledge, and innovation including Charlemagne, St. Benedict, Empress Theodora, and other brave souls who fought for peace and enlightenment. It was in the shadows of this turbulent millennium that the seeds of modern civilization were sown.
Richard Rudgley goes in search of evidence of the barbarians of the dark ages, people whose names have for 1500 years been bywords for mindless brutality. The real truth about the barbarians who marched across Europe during the Dark Ages is more shocking than what you may know. Where did they come from? Who are their descendants? Are any of their techniques and inventions still used? Richard discovers the secrets of forgotten empires, and of mighty clashes throughout Europe. The art, society and cultural legacy of the barbarians are shown to have shaped and moulded the destiny of Europe even more than the Roman Empire. In the first part of the journey through the Dark Ages we will be tracing the legacies of the Huns, Vandals and Goths, to ask whether the 'dark ages' represent a resurfacing of much older tribal lines. Sites in Austria show how sophisticated pre-Roman communities had become with evidence of stunning craftsmanship and sophisticated farming techniques which defy the image of a mindless rabble we have come to accept without challenge.
This acclaimed multi-million dollar 4 part series shows the rise of the tribes of a primitive culture on the fringe of northern Europe to become the heirs of the Roman Empire. Since the age of Caesar this Roman-Germanic conflict was characterized not only by fierce battles but also by phases of co-existence & cooperation. the Germans dug the grave of the Roman Empire, but were also the preserves of the Roman legacy.
On the second part of his journey through the dark ages Richard Rudgley continues into the age of the wandering peoples, the Volkerwanderung. These Northern people enjoyed a golden age unaffected by Rome and just 30 years after the Romans relinquished Britain, the 'Anglo-Saxons' made their move. The bedraggled legions are in retreat. Walls are pulled down. Mosaics shattered. And yet there never was a people called Anglo-Saxon. We look at the lasting influence of Saxon leaders like Alfred the Great, and his blue print for social justice.
The conflict then accelerates toward open war. Thusnelda and Folkwin undertake a perilous mission, Gaius makes a shocking discovery in the forest, and Segestes offers Tiberius a treacherous bargain. With Roman reinforcements approaching by ship, Arminius and the tribes realize they may have only one chance left: strike the Roman camp before a new legion arrives. The season closes with betrayal, sacrifice and a desperate battle for freedom, as every decision threatens to determine whether the Germanic tribes remain divided or finally stand together against Rome.