The Western Tradition
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Play S1 E1Covering the ancient world through the age of technology, this illustrated lecture by Eugen Weber presents a tapestry of political and social events woven with many strands — religion, industry, agriculture, demography, government, economics, and art. A visual feast of over 2,700 images from the Metropolitan Museum of Art portrays key events that shaped the development of Western thought, culture, and tradition.
TV-GHDCC
Season 1
52 episodes
- 1. The Dawn of HistoryThe origins of the human race are traced from anthropoid ancestors to the agricultural revolution.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 2. The Ancient EgyptiansEgyptian irrigation created one of the first great civilizations.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 3. MesopotamiaSettlements in the Fertile Crescent gave rise to the great river civilizations of the Middle East.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 4. From Bronze to IronMetals revolutionized tools, as well as societies, in the empires of Assyria, Persia, and Neo-Babylonia.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 5. The Rise of Greek CivilizationDemocracy and philosophy arose from Greek cities at the edge of the civilized world.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 6. Greek ThoughtSocrates, Plato, and Aristotle laid the foundation of Western intellectual thought.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 7. Alexander the GreatAlexander's conquests quadrupled the size of the world known to the Greeks.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 8. The Hellenistic AgeHellenistic kingdoms extended Greek culture throughout the Mediterranean.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 9. The Rise of RomeThrough its army, Rome built an empire that shaped the West.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 10. The Roman EmpireRome's civil engineering contributed as much to the empire as did its weapons.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 11. Early ChristianityChristianity spread despite contempt and persecution from Rome.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 12. The Rise of the ChurchThe old heresy became the Roman empire's official religion under the Emperor Constantine.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 13. The Decline of RomeWhile enemies slashed at Rome's borders, civil war and economic collapse destroyed the empire from within.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 14. The Fall of RomeDespite the success of emperors such as Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius, Rome fell victim to barbarian invasions.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 15. The Byzantine EmpireFrom Constantinople, the Byzantine Empire carried on the traditions of Greece and Rome.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 16. The Fall of ByzantiumNearly a thousand years after Rome's fall, Constantinople was conquered by the forces of Islam.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 17. The Dark AgesBarbarian kingdoms took possession of the fragments of the Roman Empire.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 18. The Age of CharlemagneCharlemagne revived hopes for a new empire in Western Europe.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 19. The Middle AgesAmid invasion and civil disorder, a military aristocracy dominated the kingdoms of Europe.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 20. The Feudal OrderBishop, knight, and peasant exemplified some of the social divisions of the year 1000 A.D.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 21. Common Life in the Middle AgesFamine, disease, and short life expectancies were the conditions that shaped medieval beliefs.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 22. Cities and Cathedrals of the Middle AgesThe great churches embodied the material and spiritual ambitions of the age.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 23. The Late Middle AgesTwo hundred years of war and plague debilitated Europe.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 24. The National MonarchiesA new urban middle class emerged, while dynastic marriages established centralized monarchies.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 25. Renaissance & the Age of DiscoveryRenaissance humanists made man "the measure of all things." Europe was possessed by a new passion for knowledge.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 26. Renaissance & the New WorldThe discovery of America challenged Europe.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 27. The ReformationVoiced by Martin Luther, Protestantism shattered the unity of the Catholic Church.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 28. The Rise of the Middle ClassAs the cities grew, new middle-class mores had an impact on religious life.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 29. The Wars of ReligionFor more than a century, the quarrels of Protestants and Catholics tore Europe apart.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 30. The Rise of the Trading CitiesAmid religious wars, a few cities learned that tolerance increased their prosperity.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 31. The Age of AbsolutismExhausted by war and civil strife, many Europeans exchanged earlier liberties and anarchies for greater peace.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 32. Absolutism and the Social ContractArguments about the legitimate source of political power centered on divine right versus natural law.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 33. The Enlightened DespotsMonarchs considered reforms in order to create more efficient societies, but not at the expense of their own power.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 34. The EnlightenmentIntellectual theories about the nature of man and his potential came to the fore.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 35. The Enlightenment and SocietyScientists and social reformers battled for universal human rights during a peaceful and prosperous period.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 36. The Modern PhilosophersFreedom of thought and expression opened new vistas explored by French, English, and American thinkers.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 37. The American RevolutionThe British colonists created a society that tested Enlightenment ideas and resisted restrictions imposed by England.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 38. The American RepublicA new republic, the compromise of radicals and conservatives, was founded on universal freedoms.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 39. The Death of the Old RegimeIn France the old order collapsed under revolutionaries' attacks and the monarchy's own weakness.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 40. The French RevolutionLiberty, equality, and fraternity skidded into a reign of Terror.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 41. The Industrial RevolutionTechnology and mass production reduced famine and ushered in higher standards of living.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 42. The Industrial WorldA consumer revolution was fueled by coal, public transportation, and new city services.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 43. Revolution and RomanticsLeaders in the arts, literature, and political theory argued for social justice and national liberation.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 44. The Age of the Nation-StatesThe great powers cooperated to quell internal revolts, yet competed to acquire colonies.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 45. A New PublicPublic education and mass communications created a new political life and leisure time.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 46. Fin de SiècleEveryday life of the working class was transformed by leisure, prompting the birth of an elite avant-garde movement.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 47. The First World War and the Rise of FascismOld empires crumbled during World War I to be replaced by right-wing dictatorships in Italy, Spain, and Germany.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 48. The Second World WarWorld War II was a war of new tactics and strategies. Civilian populations became targets as the Nazi holocaust exterminated millions of people.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 49. The Cold WarThe U.S. and Soviet Union dominated Europe and confronted each other in Korea.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 50. Europe and the Third WorldBurdened with the legacy of colonial imperialism, the Third World rushed development to catch up with its Western counterparts.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 51. The Technological RevolutionKeeping up with the ever-increasing pace of change became the standard of the day.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
- 52. Toward the FutureModern medicine, atomic energy, computers, and new concepts of time, energy, and matter all have an important effect on life in the 20th century.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1989
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The Western Tradition
★ 7.0/1019891 season52 episodesEnded
Covering the ancient world through the age of technology, this illustrated lecture by Eugen Weber presents a tapestry of political and social events woven with many strands — religion, industry, agriculture, demography, government, economics, and art. A visual feast of over 2,700 images from the Metropolitan Museum of Art portrays key events that shaped the development of Western thought, culture, and tradition.
Creators and cast
- Created by
- Eugen Weber
- Studio
- GBH
Maturity rating
TV-GCheck the rating before watching with younger viewers.
Audio languages
English
Where to watch
Not currently listed on any streaming, rental or purchase service.
Details and artwork from TMDB. Availability from JustWatch and can change without notice.
