People: Rome (Papal state)
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How the catholic church turned ordinary skeletons into spectacular saints
The Vatican exported thousands of skeletons from their catacombs to Northern Europe in the 16th century. They were exhibited as saints, with spectacular golden jewelry and outfits. During the Enlightenment the dressed-up human remains lost their magical aura, and were kept in deep churches’ storages. Dr. Paul Koudounaris recovered them and made some astonishing pictures…
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The Crusades
Ever wondered why just naming the crusades still sparks anger in Middle Eastern countries? After watching this documentary, you will understand. Terry Jones (yes, the Monty Python-guy) takes the journey medieval knights made, from Western Europe to Jerusalem. The battle against the infidels started in Worms and Cologne, where the jewish population became the first…
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The Normans
This three-part series on the Normans, produced by the BBC, is one of my favorite history documentaries of all time. It examines the extraordinary expansion and unchecked ambition of these explorers and warriors from the North. Presented by Professor Robert Bartlett, this series shows how the Normans plundered, conquered and administrated new domains from France…
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A history of Britain (6): Burning convictions
Whatever did happen to catholic England? This is the question Simon Schama tries to answer in this 6th episode of the series A history of Britain. The story starts at the beginning of the 16th century, in an age when the catholic church reigned supreme in spiritual England. But the pope’s power didn’t stop there.…
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The power of art (1): Caravaggio
In the first episode of the Power of Art series Simon Schama tells about the life of Caravaggio and how he changed the way we look at art. Caravaggio left his birthplace in 1593 for a journey to Rome, then the center of the cultural and spiritual world. His extraordinary personality, combined with an astonishing…