Ancient Greece: The Dark Chronicles

PBS: UK PREMIERE Starts Monday 1 June at 7.15pm

Ancient Greece is known as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy, science and architecture. Long before the birth of Christ, it set new standards that shaped history.

But a darker reality lay beyond the shining marble facade: menacing gods, fierce rivalries, oppressive laws and brutal wars. Using breathtaking photography and innovative graphics, this five-part series shows what really drove the Greek world.

Each episode focuses on a particular era: the seafaring traditions of the Bronze Age; the aggressive expansionism of the Archaic period; the glorious Classical period; the Peloponnesian War, which drove the Greek world to the brink of destruction; and the Hellenic era of Alexander the Great.