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Treasures of Ancient Egypt: Episode Five

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Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

07/09/2019 GMT

Episode Five

Treasures of Ancient Egypt

BBC World News - Treasures of Ancient Egypt, Episode Five

Alastair Sooke continues to tell the epic story of Egyptian art.

Alastair Sooke continues to tell the epic story of Egyptian art by looking at how, despite political decline, the final era of the Egyptian Empire saw its art enjoy revival and reb

Alastair Sooke continues to tell the epic story of Egyptian art by looking at how, despite political decline, the final era of the Egyptian Empire saw its art enjoy revival and rebirth. Alastair is in Egypt's deep South travelling back to a time known as the new kingdom, when the land of the Pharaohs was at the height of its powers. Ramesses the second or Ramesses the Great ruled for 67 years in the 13th Century before Christ, and he's known as the great builder pharaoh. His name was incised on more monuments than that of any other pharaoh in ancient Egyptian history.

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Alastair Sooke takes us through a visually stunning adventure through Ancient Egypt,

In this epic adventure through Ancient Egypt, journalist and art critic Alastair Sooke tracks down the treasures of the longest-lasting civilization in history and uncovers the tru

In this epic adventure through Ancient Egypt, journalist and art critic Alastair Sooke tracks down the treasures of the longest-lasting civilization in history and uncovers the true story of their rise and fall throughout the ages.

Stepping aside from the well-worn usual clich�s of this era, Alastair discovers how Egypt's unique melting pot of geography and culture created some of the most remarkable treasures the world has ever seen. This is the story of how pharaohs protected a unique culture by carefully managing its art; how that culture flourished and lasted over 3000 years; and finally, how it collapsed in the wake of countless invasions, as the art became increasingly bizarre. 

Alastair presents a fresh understanding of Egypt as he reveals that Egyptian treasures were not just about wealth and luxury - they were also about faith, politics and death as he looks at them in a unique way; through the eyes of an art critic.

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