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Engineering an Empire

Engineering an Empire is a History Channel documentary series hosted by Peter Weller, exploring the engineering feats accomplished by some of the great civilizations in history. The series consists of 14 episodes, each of which examines a different civilization through the lens of the engineering feats that the civilization developed. The civilizations include Rome, Egypt, Greece, the Aztecs, the Maya, Russia, China, the Persians, the Byzantines, Britain, France, and Italy in the late 15th and 16th centuries. Utilizing interviews with experts, reenactment footage and computer-generated graphics, Engineering an Empire looks at various structures, buildings and mechanical inventions, from Menes' dam built in around 3000 BC in Egypt to the world's first locomotive invented in Britain.

Episode 01 - Rome
This episode explores some of the great engineering feats built in the Roman Empire chronologically from Julius Caesar to Caracalla, such as aqueducts, roads, stadiums, palaces and bath complex.

Episode 02 - Egypt
This episode looks at the amazing engineering feats that the Egyptians built in from around 3000 BC to around 1212 BC, including Menes' dam, pyramids, obelisks, and the temple at Abu Simbel.

Episode 03 - Greece
This episode examines the architecture and infrastructure engineered by the Greek Empire, including the Tunnel of Samos, Agamemnon's Tomb, and the Parthenon.

Episode 04 - Greece: Age of Alexander
This episodes tells the story of expansion of the Greek Empire when it was ruled by Alexander the Great; Alexander the Great employed the latest technology to conquer civilizations.

Episode 05 - The Aztecs
This episode examines the architecture and infrastructure engineered by the Aztecs; they did it through brilliant military campaigns and by applying technology to master their harsh environment.

Episode 06 - Carthage
This episode tells of how Carthaginian engineers harnessed their extensive resources to develop some of the ancient world's most groundbreaking technology.

Episode 07 - The Maya: Death Empire
This episode unravels the mystery surrounding the Maya civilization through its spectacular infrastructure and architecture such as sky high pyramids, ornate palaces and advanced hydraulic systems.

Episode 08 - Russia
This episode examines the architecture and infrastructure that enabled the rise and fall of the Russian Empire, from the Moscow Kremlin to the building of St. Petersburg.

Episode 09 - Britain: Blood and Steel
This episode looks at some of the great engineering feats of the British Empire, including the world's first locomotive, a superhighway of underground sewers and the imposing and grand Westminster Palace.

Episode 10 - The Persians
This episode examines the engineering feats of the Persian Empire, such as a water management system, a cross-continent paved road way, a canal linking the Nile to the Red Sea, and the Mausoleum of Maussollos.

Episode 11 - China
This episode examines some of the great engineering feats accomplished by China's real emperors century after century, including the Great Wall and the Grand Canal.

Episode 12 - Napoleon: Steel Monster
This episode looks at some of the great engineering feats that France accomplished, such as the majestic Notre Dame de Paris, the Canal du Midi and the Eiffel Tower.

Episode 13 - The Byzantines
This episode examines the architecture and infrastructure constructed by the Byzantine Empire; they include the ancient world's longest aqueduct, a massive stadium, and a colossal domed cathedral.

Episode 14 - Da Vinci's World
This episode examines some of the great engineering feats accomplished in the late 15th and 16th centuries in Italy. The masters who are best known for creating the works of art and architecture of the Renaissance, were also the greatest military and civil engineers of the time.