Storyline

Covering the ancient world through the age of technology, this illustrated lecture by Eugen Weber presents a tapestry of political and social events woven with many strands — religion, industry, agriculture, demography, government, economics, and art. A visual feast of over 2,700 images from the Metropolitan Museum of Art portrays key events that shaped the development of Western thought, culture, and tradition.

First Aired

1989-01-01
Last Aired

1989-01-01
Creator

Eugen Weber
Genre

Documentary
Seasons

1
Episodes

52
Status

Ended
Language

English
Network

PBS

Keywords:

agriculture religion economics art demographic movements

Stream and watch The Western Tradition

Season 1

1. The Dawn of History

The origins of the human race are traced from anthropoid ancestors to the agricultural revolution.

The origins of the human race are traced from anthropoid ancestors to the agricultural revolution.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

2. The Ancient Egyptians

Egyptian irrigation created one of the first great civilizations.

Egyptian irrigation created one of the first great civilizations.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

3. Mesopotamia

Settlements in the Fertile Crescent gave rise to the great river civilizations of the Middle East.

Settlements in the Fertile Crescent gave rise to the great river civilizations of the Middle East.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

4. From Bronze to Iron

Metals revolutionized tools, as well as societies, in the empires of Assyria, Persia, and Neo-Babyloni...More

Metals revolutionized tools, as well as societies, in the empires of Assyria, Persia, and Neo-Babylonia.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

5. The Rise of Greek Civilization

Democracy and philosophy arose from Greek cities at the edge of the civilized world.

Democracy and philosophy arose from Greek cities at the edge of the civilized world.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

6. Greek Thought

Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle laid the foundation of Western intellectual thought.

Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle laid the foundation of Western intellectual thought.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

7. Alexander the Great

Alexander's conquests quadrupled the size of the world known to the Greeks.

Alexander's conquests quadrupled the size of the world known to the Greeks.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

8. The Hellenistic Age

Hellenistic kingdoms extended Greek culture throughout the Mediterranean.

Hellenistic kingdoms extended Greek culture throughout the Mediterranean.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

9. The Rise of Rome

Through its army, Rome built an empire that shaped the West.

Through its army, Rome built an empire that shaped the West.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

10. The Roman Empire

Rome's civil engineering contributed as much to the empire as did its weapons.

Rome's civil engineering contributed as much to the empire as did its weapons.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

11. Early Christianity

Christianity spread despite contempt and persecution from Rome.

Christianity spread despite contempt and persecution from Rome.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

12. The Rise of the Church

The old heresy became the Roman empire's official religion under the Emperor Constantine.

The old heresy became the Roman empire's official religion under the Emperor Constantine.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

13. The Decline of Rome

While enemies slashed at Rome's borders, civil war and economic collapse destroyed the empire from wit...More

While enemies slashed at Rome's borders, civil war and economic collapse destroyed the empire from within.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

14. The Fall of Rome

Despite the success of emperors such as Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius, Rome fell victim to barbarian inv...More

Despite the success of emperors such as Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius, Rome fell victim to barbarian invasions.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

15. The Byzantine Empire

From Constantinople, the Byzantine Empire carried on the traditions of Greece and Rome.

From Constantinople, the Byzantine Empire carried on the traditions of Greece and Rome.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

16. The Fall of Byzantium

Nearly a thousand years after Rome's fall, Constantinople was conquered by the forces of Islam.

Nearly a thousand years after Rome's fall, Constantinople was conquered by the forces of Islam.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

17. The Dark Ages

Barbarian kingdoms took possession of the fragments of the Roman Empire.

Barbarian kingdoms took possession of the fragments of the Roman Empire.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

18. The Age of Charlemagne

Charlemagne revived hopes for a new empire in Western Europe.

Charlemagne revived hopes for a new empire in Western Europe.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

19. The Middle Ages

Amid invasion and civil disorder, a military aristocracy dominated the kingdoms of Europe.

Amid invasion and civil disorder, a military aristocracy dominated the kingdoms of Europe.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

20. The Feudal Order

Bishop, knight, and peasant exemplified some of the social divisions of the year 1000 A.D.

Bishop, knight, and peasant exemplified some of the social divisions of the year 1000 A.D.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

21. Common Life in the Middle Ages

Famine, disease, and short life expectancies were the conditions that shaped medieval beliefs.

Famine, disease, and short life expectancies were the conditions that shaped medieval beliefs.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

22. Cities and Cathedrals of the Middle Ages

The great churches embodied the material and spiritual ambitions of the age.

The great churches embodied the material and spiritual ambitions of the age.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

23. The Late Middle Ages

Two hundred years of war and plague debilitated Europe.

Two hundred years of war and plague debilitated Europe.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

24. The National Monarchies

A new urban middle class emerged, while dynastic marriages established centralized monarchies.

A new urban middle class emerged, while dynastic marriages established centralized monarchies.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

25. Renaissance & the Age of Discovery

Renaissance humanists made man "the measure of all things." Europe was possessed by a new passion for ...More

Renaissance humanists made man "the measure of all things." Europe was possessed by a new passion for knowledge.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

26. Renaissance & the New World

The discovery of America challenged Europe.

The discovery of America challenged Europe.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

27. The Reformation

Voiced by Martin Luther, Protestantism shattered the unity of the Catholic Church.

Voiced by Martin Luther, Protestantism shattered the unity of the Catholic Church.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

28. The Rise of the Middle Class

As the cities grew, new middle-class mores had an impact on religious life.

As the cities grew, new middle-class mores had an impact on religious life.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

29. The Wars of Religion

For more than a century, the quarrels of Protestants and Catholics tore Europe apart.

For more than a century, the quarrels of Protestants and Catholics tore Europe apart.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

30. The Rise of the Trading Cities

Amid religious wars, a few cities learned that tolerance increased their prosperity.

Amid religious wars, a few cities learned that tolerance increased their prosperity.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

31. The Age of Absolutism

Exhausted by war and civil strife, many Europeans exchanged earlier liberties and anarchies for greate...More

Exhausted by war and civil strife, many Europeans exchanged earlier liberties and anarchies for greater peace.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

32. Absolutism and the Social Contract

Arguments about the legitimate source of political power centered on divine right versus natural law.

Arguments about the legitimate source of political power centered on divine right versus natural law.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

33. The Enlightened Despots

Monarchs considered reforms in order to create more efficient societies, but not at the expense of the...More

Monarchs considered reforms in order to create more efficient societies, but not at the expense of their own power.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

34. The Enlightenment

Intellectual theories about the nature of man and his potential came to the fore.

Intellectual theories about the nature of man and his potential came to the fore.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

35. The Enlightenment and Society

Scientists and social reformers battled for universal human rights during a peaceful and prosperous pe...More

Scientists and social reformers battled for universal human rights during a peaceful and prosperous period.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

36. The Modern Philosophers

Freedom of thought and expression opened new vistas explored by French, English, and American thinkers...More

Freedom of thought and expression opened new vistas explored by French, English, and American thinkers.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

37. The American Revolution

The British colonists created a society that tested Enlightenment ideas and resisted restrictions impo...More

The British colonists created a society that tested Enlightenment ideas and resisted restrictions imposed by England.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

38. The American Republic

A new republic, the compromise of radicals and conservatives, was founded on universal freedoms.

A new republic, the compromise of radicals and conservatives, was founded on universal freedoms.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

39. The Death of the Old Regime

In France the old order collapsed under revolutionaries' attacks and the monarchy's own weakness.

In France the old order collapsed under revolutionaries' attacks and the monarchy's own weakness.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

40. The French Revolution

Liberty, equality, and fraternity skidded into a reign of Terror.

Liberty, equality, and fraternity skidded into a reign of Terror.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

41. The Industrial Revolution

Technology and mass production reduced famine and ushered in higher standards of living.

Technology and mass production reduced famine and ushered in higher standards of living.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

42. The Industrial World

A consumer revolution was fueled by coal, public transportation, and new city services.

A consumer revolution was fueled by coal, public transportation, and new city services.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

43. Revolution and Romantics

Leaders in the arts, literature, and political theory argued for social justice and national liberatio...More

Leaders in the arts, literature, and political theory argued for social justice and national liberation.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

44. The Age of the Nation-States

The great powers cooperated to quell internal revolts, yet competed to acquire colonies.

The great powers cooperated to quell internal revolts, yet competed to acquire colonies.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

45. A New Public

Public education and mass communications created a new political life and leisure time.

Public education and mass communications created a new political life and leisure time.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

46. Fin de Siècle

Everyday life of the working class was transformed by leisure, prompting the birth of an elite avant-g...More

Everyday life of the working class was transformed by leisure, prompting the birth of an elite avant-garde movement.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

47. The First World War and the Rise of Fascism

Old empires crumbled during World War I to be replaced by right-wing dictatorships in Italy, Spain, an...More

Old empires crumbled during World War I to be replaced by right-wing dictatorships in Italy, Spain, and Germany.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

48. The Second World War

World War II was a war of new tactics and strategies. Civilian populations became targets as the Nazi ...More

World War II was a war of new tactics and strategies. Civilian populations became targets as the Nazi holocaust exterminated millions of people.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

49. The Cold War

The U.S. and Soviet Union dominated Europe and confronted each other in Korea.

The U.S. and Soviet Union dominated Europe and confronted each other in Korea.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

50. Europe and the Third World

Burdened with the legacy of colonial imperialism, the Third World rushed development to catch up with ...More

Burdened with the legacy of colonial imperialism, the Third World rushed development to catch up with its Western counterparts.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

51. The Technological Revolution

Keeping up with the ever-increasing pace of change became the standard of the day.

Keeping up with the ever-increasing pace of change became the standard of the day.Less

30mins 1989-01-01

52. Toward the Future

Modern medicine, atomic energy, computers, and new concepts of time, energy, and matter all have an im...More

Modern medicine, atomic energy, computers, and new concepts of time, energy, and matter all have an important effect on life in the 20th century.Less

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The Western Tradition

Storyline

Stream and watch The Western Tradition

1. The Dawn of History

30mins 1989-01-01

2. The Ancient Egyptians

30mins 1989-01-01

3. Mesopotamia

30mins 1989-01-01

4. From Bronze to Iron

30mins 1989-01-01

5. The Rise of Greek Civilization

30mins 1989-01-01

6. Greek Thought

30mins 1989-01-01

7. Alexander the Great

30mins 1989-01-01

8. The Hellenistic Age

30mins 1989-01-01

9. The Rise of Rome

30mins 1989-01-01

10. The Roman Empire

30mins 1989-01-01

11. Early Christianity

30mins 1989-01-01

12. The Rise of the Church

30mins 1989-01-01

13. The Decline of Rome

30mins 1989-01-01

14. The Fall of Rome

30mins 1989-01-01

15. The Byzantine Empire

30mins 1989-01-01

16. The Fall of Byzantium

30mins 1989-01-01

17. The Dark Ages

30mins 1989-01-01

18. The Age of Charlemagne

30mins 1989-01-01

19. The Middle Ages

30mins 1989-01-01

20. The Feudal Order

30mins 1989-01-01

21. Common Life in the Middle Ages

30mins 1989-01-01

22. Cities and Cathedrals of the Middle Ages

30mins 1989-01-01

23. The Late Middle Ages

30mins 1989-01-01

24. The National Monarchies

30mins 1989-01-01

25. Renaissance & the Age of Discovery

30mins 1989-01-01

26. Renaissance & the New World

30mins 1989-01-01

27. The Reformation

30mins 1989-01-01

28. The Rise of the Middle Class

30mins 1989-01-01

29. The Wars of Religion

30mins 1989-01-01

30. The Rise of the Trading Cities

30mins 1989-01-01

31. The Age of Absolutism

30mins 1989-01-01

32. Absolutism and the Social Contract

30mins 1989-01-01

33. The Enlightened Despots

30mins 1989-01-01

34. The Enlightenment

30mins 1989-01-01

35. The Enlightenment and Society

30mins 1989-01-01

36. The Modern Philosophers

30mins 1989-01-01