Engineering an Empire

What’s the Story?

ENGINEERING AN EMPIRE is an educational series that looks at history and culture through the lens of engineering feats. Hosted by actor and scholar Peter Weller (RoboCop), the show uses a variety of methods -- from reenactments to computer-generated blueprints -- to illustrate technologies that built great ancient civilizations, like Athens, Egypt, and Mayan Mexico. In the episode "Greece: Age of Alexander," for example, viewers learn about Alexander the Great's use of catapults and special spears, which gave his army an advantage over its enemies and eventually allowed them to conquer outlying areas and spread Greek culture to Egypt and beyond. Location shots add interest to the lessons, like when Weller sits on the steps of an enormous Greek theater while describing its acoustics. Experts from universities in the United States and beyond provide detail and color commentary on aspects of the culture being examined.

Is It Any Good?

While some kids will be bored to tears by descriptions of ancient history, those interested in how things work will find much to hold their attention. Descriptions use some complex language, but Weller keeps things down to earth -- describing Macedonia, for instance, as the nerd in the class who wanted to join the frat boys of Athens.

Since much of empire building involves war, combat is one of the show's primary topics. Viewers learn about weapons and see some digital reenactments of violence, as well as some realistic scenes of slain soldiers or human sacrifice, though usually without much detail.