01: Buddha | Genius of the Ancient World

Brahmanic society | Genius of the Ancient World

An explanation of the social and religious context in which the Buddha was brought up and how it influenced his ideas.

Changing concepts of karma | Genius of the Ancient World

The Buddha's revelations changed the ways in which karma was viewed, giving his ideas great appeal in a changing soc...

Nirvana | Genius of the Ancient World

Through deep meditation, the Buddha achieved Enlightenment and developed the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

Responses to Samsara | Genius of the Ancient World

After leaving his life as a prince, the Buddha joined other thinkers searching for solutions to the problems of Samsara.

Spreading the Buddha's teachings | Genius of the Ancient World

The story of how the Buddha's ideas spread through his own preaching and the creation of the first monasteries.

The Buddha's legacy | Genius of the Ancient World

After the Buddha's death, his ideas continued to spread through his followers and the influence of Emperor Ashoka.

The Four Sights | Genius of the Ancient World

The story of how the Buddha left his privileged life as a prince in the Himalayas after witnessing the Four Sights.

The middle way | Genius of the Ancient World

The Buddha's idea of the Middle Way and his realisations about the nature and impermanence of the self.

The path of self denial | Genius of the Ancient World

Before developing the Middle Way, the Buddha spent six years pursuing a life of self denial with other ascetics.

03: War of the Words | Divine Women

Bettany Hughes discovers how the Dark Ages turned out to be a golden age for a few remarkable women.

Evaluation of Freud's theories | Genius of the Modern World

Evaluations of Freud's work, was he too subjective or is there an element of truth in his theories of the subcons...

The path of self denial | Genius of the Ancient World

Before developing the Middle Way, the Buddha spent six years pursuing a life of self denial with other ascetics.

Roman soldiers | Learning Zone

Bettany Hughes visits the excavation of a fort and talks about the importance of soldiers and their lifestyle.

South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission | What's the Point of Forgiveness?

How forgiveness was used in the South Africa Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Seven Wonders of the Buddhist World

Bettany Hughes visits seven of the most famous ancient and modern Buddhist locations in the world: seven wonders that give an insight int...