by Quintus Pomponius Atticus on Sat Feb 04, 2006 9:53 am
Unfortunately, I've not noticed this series earlier. Tomorrow is the final part.
Boris Johnson and the Dream of Rome
BBC 3 Sun 5 Feb, 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm 60mins
In this final part of the series, journalist, editor of The Spectator and MP Boris Johnson travels to Ephesus, Istanbul, Rome, France and Germany to see how the Roman Empire fostered a sense of common identity amongst its 50 - 100 million people. How did the Romans make people want to be Roman, in a way that we just don't seem to want to be European?
With the help of leading historians and archaeologists, he examines this Romanising process - the baths, the games, and the Cult of The Emperor. We find out the vital part played by bears and honey in keeping the people entertained.
The Roman Empire lasted for over 400 years in Western Europe. What can we in modern Europe learn from its decline and fall? Boris Johnson traces the beginnings of modern bureaucracy, and looks at the problems of expansion. Is the European Union itself getting too big?
He also traces the rise of Christianity, which some at the time blamed for the fall of Rome; the Romano-sceptic barbarians, whom many blame today; and the rise of nationalism, which makes the task of the European Union so difficult. [/i][/u][/b]
Quintus Pomponius Atticus
Praetor
"Ars longa, vita brevis" - Hippocrates