The Great Egyptians (1998)
This epic series explores the lives of some of Egypt's greatest rulers: Ramses the Great, pyramid pioneer King Sneferu, the most famous woman who ever lived, Cleopatra, the rebel heretic Akhenaten, the ill-fated Tutankhamen and feminist trailblazer Hatshepsut. Hosted by renown Egyptologist Dr. Bob Brier, this series unveils the true stories of their battles, loves, obsessions, preoccupations and deaths. Brier guides viewers on an enlightening quest for answers to the mysteries surrounding the legacies of the pharaohs. Spectacular footage and unique information make this series a perfect guide to the history of ancient Egypt.
Seasons & Episode
King Sneferu, whose two main accomplishments are showing the Egyptians how to build pyramids and establishing Egypt as a great international power. We’ll trace King Sneferu's roots and show how his father the Pharaoh, Huni, recognised his son’s great potential and arranged for his succession to the throne.
How did a Greek without a drop of Egyptian blood become one of the most famous Egyptians of all time? Part 2, "The Real Cleopatra", takes you back to Alexander the Great, who established Egypt's Ptolemaic dynasty into which Cleopatra was born. Explore the true source of her beguiling power and her intelligence symbolised by her restoration of the magnificent library at Alexandria. Cleopatra's role as ruler, mother, and consort are examined, revealing a woman very different from her reputation as cruel and promiscuous. Relive her final, dramatic days after Mark Antony's defeat at Actium, and discover her lasting influence on the Roman Empire.
The Boy King Tutankhamen may have been the most popular king in all of Egyptian history, but virtually nothing is known about him. To this day, his parentage is not known with certainty. This film will investigate: who was Tutankhamen?
Hatshepsut was an 18th-dynasty pharaoh who was one of the handful of female rulers in Ancient Egypt. Her reign was the longest of all the female pharaohs, and her funerary temple still stands as a tribute to her incredible rise to power.
