Bedtime History
The War Between Athens and Sparta
The roots of today’s global society reach back over 2,500 years, to Athens and Sparta, two powerful city-states of ancient Greece. The two states, though geographically close, differed greatly in their societal structure and values....
But Why
The History of the Calendar
Understanding and tracking time is key to keeping society -- and our lives -- running smoothly. Early civilizations developed calendars with just 300 days in a year. But by 1582, the time it takes for Earth to rotate around the sun was...
Curated Video
Greece, Athens - Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus
The Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus is a major theatre in Athens, built at the foot of the Athenian Acropolis. Dedicated to Dionysus, the god of plays and wine (among other things), the theatre could seat as many as 17,000 people with...
Independent Producers
International Border Disputes
Google Maps is playing an unexpected role in modern-day disputes over borders, or so called "border wars." In 2010, Nicaragua claimed the Costa Rican island of Isla Calero and defended its actions by pointing out that Google Maps showed...
Espresso Media
The History and Psychology of Chewing Gum
In this video, the speaker explores the ancient origins and universal appeal of chewing gum, while also questioning its impact on our environment and culture. Through archaeological discoveries and interviews with experts, the speaker...
AllTime 10s
10 Famous Landmarks That Were Almost Destroyed
Imagine a world without the Eiffel Tower, The Statue of Liberty or The Colosseum' Well, that's a world that almost existed. Alltime 10s brings you 10 stories of how close we came to losing some of the planet's most iconic tourist...
5 Minutes English
Ancient Egypt | 5 MINUTES
From its unification to its conquest by Alexander the Great, Ancient Egypt lasted about 3000 years, which is 15 times the age of the US, showing incredible continuity and holding great fascination through it's culture and monuments. Get...
Curated Video
The Fascinating World of Gold: Shiny, Rare, and Costly
This video provides a brief overview of gold, discussing its properties, uses, and value. They explain how gold is a soft and malleable metal, which is why it is often alloyed with other metals for jewelry. It also highlights the...
Curated Video
The Fascinating World of Cobalt
In this video, we learn about the element cobalt. Cobalt is known for its use in creating blue colors in various objects such as glass, porcelain, pottery, and enamels. It is also used in jewelry making, electroplating, and in the...
Curated Video
Mexcio, Chicen Itza Maya site
Chichen Itza was one of the largest Maya cities and it was likely to have been one of the mythical great cities, or Tollans, referred to in later Mesoamerican literature. The city may have had the most diverse population in the Maya...
60 Second Histories
Who were the Ancient Maya?
This short video gives an overview of the Maya people: where they originated and where they lived.
5 Minutes English
Ancient Persia | 5 MINUTES
The Persian Empire was a series of dynasties centered in modern-day Iran that spanned from the 6th Century BCE to as recently as 1979
5 Minutes English
Ancient Greece | 5 MINUTES
Ancient Greece Watch the History of Ancient Greece in 5 Minutes...
Independent Producers
The Quest for an Accurate Calendar
This public radio story describes the Julian calendar, developed during the rule of Julius Caesar in Rome in the first century BCE, and how this calendar failed to keep accurate time for the Catholic Church centuries later. You will hear...
5 Minutes English
Ancient China | 5 MINUTES
Ancient China boasts the longest lasting empire in history and is conveniently divided into periods called Dynasties, which are lines of kings or emperors from a single family.
5 Minutes English
Ancient Mesopotamia | 5 MINUTES
The story of writing, astronomy and law begins in one place: Mesopotamia, also called the “Cradle of Civilization” and located in modern Iraq and Kuwait. Get to know the Ancient Mesopotamian Civilization in 5 Minutes...
Visual Learning Systems
Fascinating Fossils: What Are Fossils?
Fossils are windows to the past. This fascinating program takes a look at how fossils are formed and preserved. Special attention is given to the meaning, significance, and use of fossils in telling us about past life on Earth.
Bedtime History
The History of Chocolate
Chocolate is not just a delicious treat, but a relic of the ancient Mesoamerican civilizations where it was first developed. Early indigenous groups ground dried cacao beans into powder to mix with water. Some believed chocolate was a...
60 Second Histories
Planning an Egyptian pyramid
This short video is a fascinating look at how the Egyptians designed their pyramids without the aid of modern technology.
Curated Video
Italy, Pompeii - Villa of the Mysteries
The Villa of the Mysteries is a well-preserved suburban Roman villa, famous for the series of frescos in one room, which are usually thought to show the initiation of a young woman into a Greco-Roman mystery cult. These are now probably...
The Africa Channel
The Soul of Ashanti: The challenges of modern Ashanti chiefmanship in Ghana
Trace the history of the Ashanti Kingdom’s Golden Stool -- one of the most important sacraments of the kingdom -- from the time it is believed to have arrived in 1695 to present day Ghana.
Religion for Breakfast
The Origins of Hebrew
As the name suggests, the Hebrew Bible is written, mostly, in Hebrew. But what is the earliest history of this language? What language did the ancient Israelites speak? This episode examines the origins of Hebrew and its relationship...
Curated Video
Italy, Venice - Cathedrals churches and monasteries
There are more than 250 churches in Venice, both consecrated and desecrated. Obviously, the sacred ones are first of all places of worship, but all together they make up a cultural, artistic and human heritage of inestimable value.