The virtue of Ren | Genius of the Ancient World

3: Confucius | Genius of the Ancient World

In the final episode, Bettany travels to China on the trail of Confucius, a great sage of Chinese history whose ideas have fundame...

Belief of cosmic forces | Genius of the Ancient World

Confucius grew up around the ancient belief of two cosmic forces, that, combined with human ritual, kept the world and ...

Confucius and followers | Genius of the Ancient World

Confucius was open to instruct anyone no matter their circumstance, as long as they were willing and the care for other...

Confucius and legacy | Genius of the Ancient World

Despite dying before fulfilling his destiny, Confucius' pupils pushed his teachings and emperors after his death channelle...

Confucius and modern day | Genius of the Ancient World

After Chairman Mao denounced Confucius' teachings in the 1960s, Confucianism has had a 21st century resurgence.

Confucius and Music | Genius of the Ancient World

Confucius was a big proponent of music with rituals and endorsed it as a form of early art therapy.

Confucius origins | Genius of the Ancient World

Confucius was born into gentile poverty and was said to not play with toys but enact spiritual rituals with certain objects.

Confucius' appeal | Genius of the Ancient World

Confucianism had wide appeal as it applied to everyone no matter the class or background, as long as you were "a lover of wis...

Confucius' rituals | Genius of the Ancient World

Descendants of Confucius explain the importance of ritual and social morality.

First writings | Genius of the Ancient World

Early writings and thoughts found on bamboo sticks in a nobleman's grave were a key signal to Confucius' philosophy.

Importance of family | Genius of the Ancient World

Confucius thought family provided a pivotal moral compass for existence, with the hierarchical structure being able to dis...

Reinterpreting ritual | Genius of the Ancient World

Confucius took the ideas of ancient ritual and applied his modern thinking to it, moulding it to his philosophy.

Ruling and philosophy | Genius of the Ancient World

Confucius likened ruling to a father-son relationship; you must rule with love for your people as if they are your children.

Taoism | Genius of the Ancient World

A brief explanation of Taoism and "The Way" as well as a telling of a folklorish tale about Confucius meeting the founding father of Tao...

1: When God was a Girl | Divine Women

Bettany Hughes investigates goddess worship across the world and ancient conceptions of the divine.

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...

Socrates, punishment and revenge | Genius of the Ancient World

The people went against Socrates' judgement to not try six generals at once, and in the end executed them for ...

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...