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Narrator: Hierapolis.
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An extraordinary roman city
built on top of mysterious,
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Dazzling white formations
of rock.
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This city was a pearl among
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The cities of the eastern
roman empire.
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Narrator: This magnificent
place hides a dark secret.
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Legend says that beneath these
streets lies the gate to hell.
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00:00:29,663 --> 00:00:31,897
Narrator: Why do the ancients
believe this city
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Hides a portal to
the underworld?
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What is the deadly truth
behind this terrifying tale?
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00:00:45,046 --> 00:00:47,246
Narrator: Now,
experts have rare access
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To investigate this ancient
horror story
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And use pioneering technology
to solve
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A 2,000-year-old mystery.
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00:01:03,097 --> 00:01:04,696
Narrator:
In the hunt for answers,
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We digitally reconstruct
this spectacular roman city.
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We track the footsteps of
priests and gods,
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Investigate strange skeletons,
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And explore a lost
sacred space to unearth
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The truth about the terrifying
roman gate to hell.
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♪♪
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This is the ancient city of
hierapolis in western turkey.
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Perched on top of stunning
white cliffs
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More than 500 feet high,
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It's one of the most
picturesque cities
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In the roman world.
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Wilson: This street is
the main street of the city.
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Visitors would come through
the north gate behind me,
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Pass through the city.
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They would be very impressed
with all
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The architecture of
the buildings that were here.
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Narrator: Mark wilson has been
investigating the romans
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For 35 years.
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He explores
this extraordinary city.
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Hierapolis is founded by
greek settlers before
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The romans take control
in 133 b.C.
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Wilson: After the romans
take over the city,
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They begin big infrastructure
projects, building institutions
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Like bath houses.
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00:02:27,348 --> 00:02:29,381
We have several theaters
that are built here,
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00:02:29,483 --> 00:02:33,886
So they transformed the urban
landscape of hierapolis.
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Narrator:
The romans turn hierapolis into
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A splendid city
of 12,000 people.
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They build gymnasia
and temples,
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A mile long,
colonnaded street,
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And one of the finest
amphitheaters
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In the roman world.
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00:02:59,647 --> 00:03:03,015
But behind the grandeur lies
a sinister presence,
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A strange shrine to pluto,
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God of the underworld
and his hellhound, cerberus.
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00:03:10,224 --> 00:03:12,724
Why are they here?
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00:03:12,826 --> 00:03:15,427
Do the romans believe
this magnificent city
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Is home to the gate to hell?
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Julian bennett investigates
this 2,000-year-old mystery.
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He searches for clues in
an account written by the greek
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Geographer strabo,
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Who visits hierapolis
in the first century b.C.
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Strabo describes a terrifying
place believed
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To be the entrance to
the underworld.
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[ trickling water ]
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Narrator: According to strabo,
this eerie place is home to
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An invisible terror that
causes animals to drop dead.
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Narrator:
Where is this fatal grotto?
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And what causes
these creatures to drop dead
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So dramatically?
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Searching for answers,
julian explores
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The area
around the main temple.
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00:04:48,789 --> 00:04:51,690
Narrator: Next door to
the sanctuary of apollo,
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Julian finds a replica of
a magnificent statue of pluto,
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God of the underworld.
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And beneath it,
an intriguing structure.
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Narrator:
Julian believes this must be
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The place strabo describes.
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It's called the plutonium,
the place of pluto.
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Narrator: When archaeologists
first unearth this site,
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They find a carved
inscription that
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Dedicates it to pluto
and his queen.
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Beneath it is a gateway,
just like strabo describes,
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But it's blocked
with stones.
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Myth has it that these rocks
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Conceal an entrance
to the underworld,
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A gateway filled with
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The toxic breath of
the hellhound cerberus,
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Sending anyone foolish enough
to enter to certain death.
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Can there be any truth
to this tale?
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♪♪
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When archaeologists remove
the stones that seal
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The gateway, something
mysterious happens.
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00:06:50,077 --> 00:06:52,944
Narrator: The strange deaths
explain why the ancients
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Think this is
the gate to hell.
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00:06:55,682 --> 00:06:57,582
But how does it work?
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00:06:57,684 --> 00:07:00,285
What is causing
these sudden fatalities?
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Mehmet ekmekci
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First began studying
hierapolis in 1993.
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He believes the bizarre
animal deaths
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Must be caused by some
natural phenomenon.
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Narrator: Mehmet investigates
the area around
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The entrance to the plutonium.
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In roman times,
this was dry,
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But now it's flooded.
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Something in the water
catches his eye.
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Narrator: Carbon dioxide occurs
naturally in the air
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And in water --
the air we breathe
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Only contains a tiny amount,
just 400 parts per million.
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At higher levels,
it's deadly.
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00:08:08,555 --> 00:08:11,323
How much carbon dioxide
is there here?
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00:08:23,504 --> 00:08:25,871
Narrator: Just 50,000
parts per million of
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00:08:25,973 --> 00:08:30,442
Carbon dioxide, or 5%,
causes respiratory problems.
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10% carbon dioxide will cause
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Vomiting and loss
of consciousness.
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20% can cause convulsions,
coma, and death in one minute.
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After just a few seconds,
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Mehmet is struggling
to breathe.
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Narrator: The maximum
concentration of carbon dioxide
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This machine can measure
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Is 100,000 parts
per million, or 10%.
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In seconds,
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The reading hits
the top of the scale.
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00:09:20,160 --> 00:09:22,561
When the air here is measured
with a higher
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00:09:22,663 --> 00:09:24,195
Specification monitor,
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It's revealed to be full of
the deadly gas.
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Narrator: Mehmet believes the
toxic levels of carbon dioxide
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Explain what kills the birds
and other animals.
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00:09:55,495 --> 00:09:58,430
Narrator: But it's not
only unlucky passing animals
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00:09:58,532 --> 00:10:00,365
That are caught in this
deadly trap.
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00:10:02,769 --> 00:10:07,105
Ancient texts described this
site as a place of pilgrimage,
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Where worshippers come to
seek favor
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From pluto and witness
his power.
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00:10:14,681 --> 00:10:17,582
The priests exploit
their faith.
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They sell animals to
the pilgrims
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And promise to sacrifice them
in their name.
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They walk the animals
into the enclosure,
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Leading them up
to the gate to hell.
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Here, as if damned
by the gods,
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The animals fall lifeless
to the ground
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While the priests
magically survive.
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Narrator: The discovery
of carbon dioxide
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Explains the bizarre
animal deaths
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00:11:03,397 --> 00:11:05,897
And the mystery
of the gate to hell.
140
00:11:05,999 --> 00:11:09,601
But there's another mystery
to be solved.
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00:11:09,703 --> 00:11:13,171
If the carbon dioxide levels
are so lethal,
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Why don't the priests
die, too?
143
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Can further evidence here at
the plutonium
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Reveal how they escape
its deadly effects?
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♪♪
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Narrator: The spectacular
roman city of hierapolis,
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00:11:35,829 --> 00:11:38,897
It's said to be home to
the gate to hell,
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00:11:38,999 --> 00:11:41,266
Where toxic levels
of carbon dioxide
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00:11:41,368 --> 00:11:43,368
Cause animals to
drop dead.
150
00:11:44,571 --> 00:11:47,272
But why don't
people die, too?
151
00:11:47,374 --> 00:11:51,376
A clue may lie in the design
of the plutonium itself.
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The romans build a gate
around the deadly cave.
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And an enclosed arena
in front of it.
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00:12:07,094 --> 00:12:10,762
Narrator: At one end is a temple
believed to house persephone,
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Queen of the underworld.
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00:12:14,134 --> 00:12:15,066
On the other side,
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Steps provide seating for
over 500 spectators.
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The arena beneath them floods
with carbon dioxide
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From the cave,
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Creating an invisible
kill zone,
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Bringing hell to earth.
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How can the audience
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And the priests survive in
this theater of death?
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00:12:42,395 --> 00:12:45,530
To find out, mehmet ekmekci
investigates how
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The deadly gases spread
through the arena.
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He takes a closer
look at
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The seating area and measures
the carbon dioxide levels.
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00:13:12,025 --> 00:13:14,926
Narrator: Here, the carbon
dioxide levels are less
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Than 10,000 parts per million,
or 1%.
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00:13:18,365 --> 00:13:20,832
Seated in the open air,
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The spectators are well away
from the deadly gas.
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00:13:24,805 --> 00:13:27,005
But what about the priests?
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00:13:27,107 --> 00:13:28,973
How do they go right
into the cave
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And survive when the animals
they are leading die?
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00:13:50,397 --> 00:13:53,198
Narrator: Mehmet believes
the secret to the priests'
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Survival lies in the special
properties of carbon dioxide.
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00:13:57,771 --> 00:14:01,773
He uses a tower of burning
candles to test this theory.
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00:14:17,958 --> 00:14:22,060
Narrator: Next, mehmet fills the
jar with pure carbon dioxide.
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00:14:33,206 --> 00:14:34,973
Narrator:
The gas sinks to the bottom
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00:14:35,075 --> 00:14:37,342
And puts out the candles
one by one.
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00:14:39,412 --> 00:14:41,713
Carbon dioxide
is heavier than air.
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Mehmet believes
this special property is what
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Allows the priests to survive
the deadly gas
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00:14:52,392 --> 00:14:54,792
When the animals die.
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00:15:17,250 --> 00:15:19,651
Narrator: The characteristics
of carbon dioxide
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00:15:19,753 --> 00:15:22,253
Mean the gas sits
close to the ground,
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00:15:22,355 --> 00:15:25,757
Creating a toxic cloud
around the priests' feet.
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00:15:26,927 --> 00:15:29,594
It allows them to walk in
and out of the gateway
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00:15:29,696 --> 00:15:30,895
Without dying.
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00:15:33,133 --> 00:15:34,933
Do the priests believe
they are
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00:15:35,035 --> 00:15:37,101
Really entering
the gate to hell?
192
00:15:39,372 --> 00:15:42,473
Julian bennett believes
they know the deadly gas
193
00:15:42,575 --> 00:15:44,008
Is dangerous.
194
00:15:59,125 --> 00:16:01,759
Narrator: The priests
likely believe the deadly
195
00:16:01,861 --> 00:16:04,629
Vapors rise straight from
the underworld.
196
00:16:12,372 --> 00:16:14,639
Narrator: But who are
these secretive holy men?
197
00:16:15,742 --> 00:16:18,977
An intriguing roman sculpture
could provide clues.
198
00:16:37,430 --> 00:16:40,231
Narrator: Attis is a tragic
figure whose story
199
00:16:40,333 --> 00:16:44,135
Inspires the galli priests
and a bizarre ritual.
200
00:16:49,309 --> 00:16:52,710
According to legend,
attis betrays cybele when
201
00:16:52,812 --> 00:16:54,746
He falls in love with
another woman.
202
00:16:59,519 --> 00:17:02,453
Enraged, the goddess
drives attis mad,
203
00:17:04,224 --> 00:17:06,090
And he castrates himself.
204
00:17:09,462 --> 00:17:13,564
The galli priests worship
cybele by imitating attis,
205
00:17:13,666 --> 00:17:15,933
Wearing long robes,
206
00:17:16,036 --> 00:17:19,037
Heavy makeup,
and bleaching their hair.
207
00:17:20,540 --> 00:17:23,374
During a festival called
the day of blood,
208
00:17:23,476 --> 00:17:27,612
They hold wild parties,
whip themselves,
209
00:17:27,714 --> 00:17:29,647
And some even self-castrate.
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00:17:31,651 --> 00:17:34,385
The citizens of hierapolis
are mesmerized by
211
00:17:34,487 --> 00:17:37,889
The bizarre priests and their
miracles at the plutonium.
212
00:17:39,225 --> 00:17:41,192
The city attracts visitors
from far
213
00:17:41,294 --> 00:17:43,261
And wide to witness
the spectacle.
214
00:17:45,632 --> 00:17:47,098
But just at the entrance to
215
00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:50,068
Hierapolis lie hundreds of
solemn monuments.
216
00:17:51,104 --> 00:17:53,037
What are they, and what more
217
00:17:53,139 --> 00:17:56,507
Can they reveal about this
mysterious place?
218
00:17:56,609 --> 00:18:00,778
♪♪
219
00:18:06,352 --> 00:18:09,187
Narrator: The ancient city
of hierapolis --
220
00:18:09,289 --> 00:18:12,156
At its heart is a lethal gate
to hell,
221
00:18:12,258 --> 00:18:15,293
Where strange priests
perform deadly rituals.
222
00:18:17,263 --> 00:18:20,198
Nearby, hundreds of
stone monuments line
223
00:18:20,300 --> 00:18:22,533
The road that leads out of
the main gate.
224
00:18:23,937 --> 00:18:25,837
What are they,
and what can they
225
00:18:25,939 --> 00:18:28,473
Reveal about life
in this remarkable city?
226
00:18:32,145 --> 00:18:34,245
Stretching for almost a mile,
227
00:18:34,314 --> 00:18:35,780
It's a city of the dead,
228
00:18:35,882 --> 00:18:40,685
With over 1,200 tombs --
inside the chambers,
229
00:18:42,722 --> 00:18:46,624
Archaeologists find a mass of
human remains with
230
00:18:46,726 --> 00:18:49,760
Rich grave goods
like coins and jewelry.
231
00:18:52,031 --> 00:18:55,032
Some tombs contain
up to 90 skeletons.
232
00:18:57,003 --> 00:18:58,569
It's one of the largest
233
00:18:58,671 --> 00:19:01,973
Surviving cemeteries
in the roman world,
234
00:19:02,075 --> 00:19:05,209
The final resting place for
tens of thousands of people.
235
00:19:07,080 --> 00:19:09,080
Who is buried here?
236
00:19:09,182 --> 00:19:11,616
And why is this graveyard
so magnificent?
237
00:19:11,718 --> 00:19:18,356
♪♪
238
00:19:18,458 --> 00:19:20,658
The state of preservation
and the number of tombs
239
00:19:20,760 --> 00:19:22,627
Here in the cemetery
is just spectacular
240
00:19:22,729 --> 00:19:24,295
And totally unexpected.
241
00:19:26,666 --> 00:19:29,400
Narrator: Historian mark wilson
investigates why there
242
00:19:29,502 --> 00:19:31,669
Are so many lavish tombs here.
243
00:19:33,039 --> 00:19:36,340
He first needs to find out
who they belong to.
244
00:19:36,442 --> 00:19:40,978
A clue lies in an inscription
found on one of the tombs.
245
00:19:42,515 --> 00:19:44,482
This tomb is erected by
a merchant by the name of
246
00:19:44,584 --> 00:19:46,551
Flavius zeuxis,
and zeuxis
247
00:19:46,653 --> 00:19:48,352
Is telling us,
a bit boastfully,
248
00:19:48,454 --> 00:19:51,189
That during his lifetime, he
made a passage around the tip
249
00:19:51,291 --> 00:19:54,625
Of greece 72 times
on his way to rome.
250
00:19:54,727 --> 00:19:57,695
So this attests to the great
mobility of a person like
251
00:19:57,797 --> 00:19:58,863
Zeuxis, who could make
252
00:19:58,965 --> 00:20:01,432
So many trips like this
during his lifetime.
253
00:20:02,769 --> 00:20:05,136
Narrator: The inscription
suggests the tomb's owner
254
00:20:05,238 --> 00:20:08,506
Works in hierapolis's
main industry.
255
00:20:08,608 --> 00:20:10,808
Zeuxis is most probably
a textile merchant,
256
00:20:10,910 --> 00:20:14,011
Because the city was noted for
its textile production.
257
00:20:14,113 --> 00:20:16,948
He's carrying his trade goods
between hierapolis and rome,
258
00:20:17,050 --> 00:20:18,816
Which is 1,100 miles away.
259
00:20:20,320 --> 00:20:22,220
Narrator: Many of the people
buried here are
260
00:20:22,322 --> 00:20:25,690
Made rich by the city's
lucrative textiles trade.
261
00:20:25,792 --> 00:20:28,426
Mark believes this is
why so many
262
00:20:28,528 --> 00:20:31,562
Of the tombs
still stand today.
263
00:20:31,664 --> 00:20:33,931
Wilson: These tombs would take
about 1 to
264
00:20:34,033 --> 00:20:36,367
2 years' salary for the cost
of constructing them,
265
00:20:36,469 --> 00:20:37,268
And so they invest
266
00:20:37,370 --> 00:20:39,770
A lot of their resources
in building
267
00:20:39,872 --> 00:20:42,773
These tombs that last
to this present day.
268
00:20:42,875 --> 00:20:45,576
Narrator: This cemetery is
so spectacular thanks to
269
00:20:45,678 --> 00:20:47,979
The wealth of the city's
textile merchants.
270
00:20:49,782 --> 00:20:53,551
They used the finest stone to
build magnificent tombs,
271
00:20:53,653 --> 00:20:56,787
Which helps the structures
survive for two millennia.
272
00:20:58,157 --> 00:20:59,590
But why is this city such
273
00:20:59,692 --> 00:21:02,927
A great place to make
and export cloth?
274
00:21:06,332 --> 00:21:08,466
Mehmet ekmekci
investigates.
275
00:21:09,602 --> 00:21:12,103
He believes the answer lies
in the stunning
276
00:21:12,205 --> 00:21:14,672
White rock formations
on the edge of the city.
277
00:21:30,490 --> 00:21:32,890
Narrator: Travertine terraces
are naturally occurring
278
00:21:32,992 --> 00:21:36,093
Rock formations made from
calcium carbonate.
279
00:21:36,195 --> 00:21:38,696
They form when natural
spring water
280
00:21:38,798 --> 00:21:41,065
Bubbles up out of the ground.
281
00:21:41,167 --> 00:21:43,401
As it flows down the hillside,
282
00:21:43,503 --> 00:21:45,970
It leaves behind
these white deposits.
283
00:22:02,422 --> 00:22:06,657
Narrator: Over 400,000 years,
the deposits build up
284
00:22:06,759 --> 00:22:08,859
To create this
spectacular cliff
285
00:22:08,961 --> 00:22:12,897
1.5 miles long and more than
500 feet high.
286
00:22:17,203 --> 00:22:19,870
Mehmet believes the natural
springs that form
287
00:22:19,972 --> 00:22:24,408
The travertine are key to
hierapolis's textile industry.
288
00:22:24,510 --> 00:22:26,110
He investigates the water.
289
00:22:28,614 --> 00:22:30,648
Fresh water
has a mineral content
290
00:22:30,750 --> 00:22:33,117
Of less than 200 milligrams
per liter.
291
00:22:45,398 --> 00:22:48,099
Narrator: Mehmet discovers some
water here has a mineral
292
00:22:48,234 --> 00:22:52,269
Content of more than 2,500
milligrams per liter.
293
00:22:52,372 --> 00:22:54,672
It's rich in
calcium carbonate,
294
00:22:54,774 --> 00:22:58,376
The perfect ingredient for
fixing dye on fabric.
295
00:23:12,825 --> 00:23:14,925
Narrator: Thanks to this
natural resource,
296
00:23:15,027 --> 00:23:18,529
Hierapolis becomes famous
for its woolen fabrics,
297
00:23:18,631 --> 00:23:21,632
Dyed in vibrant shades
of red and purple.
298
00:23:23,403 --> 00:23:28,005
But textiles alone don't explain
the wealth of hierapolis.
299
00:23:28,107 --> 00:23:30,741
A ruined bath house
in the city center
300
00:23:30,843 --> 00:23:33,611
Reveals another clue to
the city's success.
301
00:23:40,019 --> 00:23:42,620
The mineral-rich waters are
channeled directly
302
00:23:42,722 --> 00:23:46,123
Into hierapolis and create
a thriving trade.
303
00:23:49,195 --> 00:23:50,995
Ancient greeks
and romans believe
304
00:23:51,097 --> 00:23:53,697
The waters can cure diseases,
305
00:23:53,800 --> 00:23:57,601
From asthma to eczema,
and flock here to be treated.
306
00:24:00,573 --> 00:24:03,507
The spa industry
makes hierapolis rich,
307
00:24:05,545 --> 00:24:08,946
Helping it grow into
a city of 12,000 people.
308
00:24:11,851 --> 00:24:15,453
But not everyone who comes
here to be treated is cured.
309
00:24:18,524 --> 00:24:20,825
Mehmet believes
some of them end up
310
00:24:20,927 --> 00:24:23,627
In the magnificent tombs of
the cemetery.
311
00:24:39,512 --> 00:24:42,046
Narrator: Mineral-rich
hot springs for textiles
312
00:24:42,148 --> 00:24:45,049
And bathhouses
and a cave filled
313
00:24:45,151 --> 00:24:49,520
With deadly gas make
hierapolis rich and famous.
314
00:24:51,290 --> 00:24:55,025
Can a strange geological
formation outside the city
315
00:24:55,127 --> 00:24:58,529
Reveal what causes
these bizarre natural wonders?
316
00:24:58,631 --> 00:25:02,967
♪♪
317
00:25:09,542 --> 00:25:13,277
Narrator: Ancient hierapolis
is unlike any other roman city.
318
00:25:13,379 --> 00:25:16,313
It's home to bubbling
mineral springs,
319
00:25:16,415 --> 00:25:20,484
Dazzling white rock formations,
and a dark cave
320
00:25:20,586 --> 00:25:22,553
That spews out lethal vapors.
321
00:25:24,790 --> 00:25:26,857
This trio of
geological wonders
322
00:25:26,959 --> 00:25:30,027
Is evidence of subterranean
forces at work.
323
00:25:30,129 --> 00:25:37,401
♪♪
324
00:25:37,503 --> 00:25:40,004
Three miles deep
beneath the city
325
00:25:40,106 --> 00:25:44,108
Is a huge chamber brimming
with magma bubbling at almost
326
00:25:44,210 --> 00:25:46,210
2,000 degrees fahrenheit.
327
00:25:48,214 --> 00:25:50,414
It heats the groundwater
above so
328
00:25:50,516 --> 00:25:53,484
That it leaches minerals
from the rocks.
329
00:25:53,586 --> 00:25:56,253
It becomes saturated with
carbon dioxide
330
00:25:56,355 --> 00:25:58,789
And highly pressurized.
331
00:25:58,891 --> 00:26:02,726
The immense heat
and pressure try to push
332
00:26:02,828 --> 00:26:04,728
The water up,
but there's a thick layer
333
00:26:04,830 --> 00:26:06,997
Of rock separating it
from the surface.
334
00:26:08,834 --> 00:26:10,401
How can it reach the cave in
335
00:26:10,503 --> 00:26:13,304
The plutonium and release
its deadly gas?
336
00:26:17,643 --> 00:26:20,911
Erhan altunel searches
hierapolis for clues.
337
00:26:42,902 --> 00:26:45,936
Narrator: As erhan investigates,
he discovers more
338
00:26:46,038 --> 00:26:48,305
Mysterious damage.
339
00:26:48,407 --> 00:26:50,841
A water channel has been
torn in two.
340
00:27:02,855 --> 00:27:03,787
Narrator: For erhan,
341
00:27:03,889 --> 00:27:06,156
There's only one
possible explanation
342
00:27:06,258 --> 00:27:08,292
For what causes
all this destruction.
343
00:27:24,944 --> 00:27:28,245
Narrator: Historical accounts
reveal that in 60 a.D.,
344
00:27:28,347 --> 00:27:30,648
A huge earthquake hits
hierapolis.
345
00:27:30,750 --> 00:27:34,018
It completely destroys
the growing city
346
00:27:34,120 --> 00:27:36,253
And two other
nearby towns.
347
00:27:46,332 --> 00:27:49,800
Narrator: What causes all these
devastating earthquakes?
348
00:27:49,902 --> 00:27:53,704
And can it explain the strange
gases that leak into the city?
349
00:27:55,207 --> 00:27:58,776
A clue may lie in towering
40-foot-high cliffs
350
00:27:58,878 --> 00:28:00,878
Just outside
the city walls.
351
00:28:07,753 --> 00:28:10,587
Narrator: A tectonic fault
is a fracture in the ground
352
00:28:10,690 --> 00:28:13,891
That occurs when pressure
builds up in the earth's crust.
353
00:28:15,261 --> 00:28:18,495
This one is called
the pamukkale fault.
354
00:28:18,597 --> 00:28:21,265
It's about 25 miles long.
355
00:28:21,367 --> 00:28:23,767
When it moves,
it creates earthquakes.
356
00:28:36,816 --> 00:28:39,550
Narrator: It's this fault that
causes all the earthquakes
357
00:28:39,652 --> 00:28:41,318
In hierapolis.
358
00:28:41,420 --> 00:28:44,054
The city sits on a ticking
time bomb.
359
00:29:01,373 --> 00:29:04,775
Narrator: Erhan believes this
mighty fault is also the secret
360
00:29:04,877 --> 00:29:09,246
Force that creates the mineral
springs and travertine terraces
361
00:29:09,348 --> 00:29:12,583
And powers the deadly
spectacle at the plutonium.
362
00:29:14,053 --> 00:29:17,287
Smaller cracks in the city
center support this theory.
363
00:29:32,138 --> 00:29:34,138
Narrator: Hierapolis is
built right on top
364
00:29:34,240 --> 00:29:36,039
Of a tectonic fault.
365
00:29:36,142 --> 00:29:37,474
It runs for a mile through
366
00:29:37,576 --> 00:29:40,744
The city center and directly
under the plutonium.
367
00:29:52,124 --> 00:29:53,991
Narrator:
The tectonic fault explains
368
00:29:54,093 --> 00:29:57,227
The phenomena seen
at the plutonium.
369
00:29:57,329 --> 00:29:59,997
It causes cracks
that allow carbon dioxide
370
00:30:00,099 --> 00:30:02,199
To escape directly
into the shrine.
371
00:30:03,602 --> 00:30:05,302
It's also the force
that powers
372
00:30:05,404 --> 00:30:09,206
The mineral springs and creates
this breathtaking landscape.
373
00:30:11,410 --> 00:30:15,679
The mystery of the gate to
hell has finally been solved.
374
00:30:15,781 --> 00:30:17,848
But more mysteries remain.
375
00:30:18,984 --> 00:30:21,418
After an earthquake
destroys hierapolis,
376
00:30:21,520 --> 00:30:23,687
In the first century a.D.,
377
00:30:23,789 --> 00:30:25,489
What happens to the residents?
378
00:30:26,692 --> 00:30:28,392
What can the famous oracle at
379
00:30:28,494 --> 00:30:31,328
Delphi reveal about
this eerie city?
380
00:30:41,140 --> 00:30:43,040
Narrator:
Hierapolis.
381
00:30:43,142 --> 00:30:44,808
What happens to the city after
382
00:30:44,877 --> 00:30:47,578
An earthquake destroys it
in 60 a.D.?
383
00:30:48,881 --> 00:30:51,715
Julian bennett investigates.
384
00:30:51,817 --> 00:30:54,918
A first clue could lie
in the city's nymphaeum,
385
00:30:55,020 --> 00:30:58,355
An ornamental fountain
near the temple of apollo.
386
00:31:11,470 --> 00:31:13,103
Narrator:
When archaeologists unearth
387
00:31:13,205 --> 00:31:16,673
The fountain's foundations,
they make a surprise discovery.
388
00:31:30,456 --> 00:31:34,358
Narrator: Arches are a common
feature of roman architecture.
389
00:31:34,460 --> 00:31:38,662
They allow engineers to span
wide gaps and construct large,
390
00:31:38,764 --> 00:31:40,797
Complex structures.
391
00:31:40,900 --> 00:31:43,000
But it's very unusual to find
392
00:31:43,102 --> 00:31:46,270
An arch in the foundations of
a building.
393
00:32:05,491 --> 00:32:08,125
Narrator: Experts believe that,
like many of the buildings in
394
00:32:08,227 --> 00:32:10,193
Hierapolis, this structure
395
00:32:10,296 --> 00:32:12,663
Is evidence that after
the earthquake wreaks its
396
00:32:12,765 --> 00:32:16,199
Destruction, the romans
rebuild the city.
397
00:32:30,549 --> 00:32:33,116
Narrator:
The ground beneath hierapolis
398
00:32:33,218 --> 00:32:35,986
Is scarred by rips
in the earth,
399
00:32:36,088 --> 00:32:38,322
Evidence of centuries
of earthquakes.
400
00:32:41,560 --> 00:32:45,062
Undeterred, the romans build
their city right on top of
401
00:32:45,164 --> 00:32:49,366
These cracks, even some of
their finest buildings.
402
00:32:52,438 --> 00:32:54,738
They bridge a crack
under the nymphaeum
403
00:32:54,840 --> 00:32:58,141
With stone arches and build
its walls around them,
404
00:33:01,547 --> 00:33:04,548
Hoping this magnificent
fountain will stand
405
00:33:04,650 --> 00:33:06,583
The test of time
406
00:33:06,685 --> 00:33:10,120
And provide vital drinking
water for years to come.
407
00:33:31,477 --> 00:33:34,711
Narrator: Julian believes the
romans know about earthquakes
408
00:33:34,813 --> 00:33:38,148
And design their buildings
to withstand them.
409
00:33:38,250 --> 00:33:40,283
But why are they
so determined to stay
410
00:33:40,386 --> 00:33:42,285
In this dangerous place?
411
00:33:46,959 --> 00:33:49,860
Mark wilson returns to
the travertine terraces
412
00:33:49,962 --> 00:33:50,894
To investigate.
413
00:33:52,064 --> 00:33:53,597
The city of hierapolis
414
00:33:53,699 --> 00:33:57,200
Is situated in a very
fragile but beautiful place.
415
00:33:57,302 --> 00:33:59,069
And of course,
part of that fragility is
416
00:33:59,171 --> 00:34:02,606
The fact that we're on
a very active seismic zone.
417
00:34:02,708 --> 00:34:05,342
Narrator: Mark believes
the travertines hold the key to
418
00:34:05,477 --> 00:34:07,344
Understanding why
the romans go to
419
00:34:07,446 --> 00:34:10,247
So much effort to stay
in a place like this.
420
00:34:11,583 --> 00:34:13,383
Wilson: Well, the location is
fantastic here,
421
00:34:13,452 --> 00:34:14,551
Because it's situated
422
00:34:14,653 --> 00:34:17,020
On one of most beautiful
natural wonders in the world.
423
00:34:17,122 --> 00:34:19,256
It's also on this natural
shelf looking
424
00:34:19,358 --> 00:34:21,024
Over a beautiful, rich,
425
00:34:21,126 --> 00:34:23,293
Fertile valley called
the lycus river valley,
426
00:34:23,395 --> 00:34:24,761
And even in antiquity,
427
00:34:24,863 --> 00:34:26,396
It was a very fertile
farmland that
428
00:34:26,498 --> 00:34:28,732
Contributed to the richness of
this city.
429
00:34:31,303 --> 00:34:33,103
Narrator: The romans'
decision to live here
430
00:34:33,205 --> 00:34:35,272
Isn't only a practical one.
431
00:34:35,374 --> 00:34:37,474
There's also another
spiritual reason
432
00:34:37,576 --> 00:34:39,076
Linked to one of
433
00:34:39,178 --> 00:34:42,979
The most important shrines
in the ancient world.
434
00:34:46,452 --> 00:34:50,253
The legendary sacred site of
delphi in greece is
435
00:34:50,355 --> 00:34:53,690
Home to a grand temple
dedicated to the god, apollo.
436
00:34:55,761 --> 00:34:57,060
This is where the oracle
437
00:34:57,162 --> 00:34:59,563
Of delphi makes
her famous predictions.
438
00:35:02,234 --> 00:35:05,202
Deep inside the temple is
a chamber where
439
00:35:05,304 --> 00:35:07,637
Gas rises from a crack
in the ground,
440
00:35:09,508 --> 00:35:10,941
Just like in hierapolis.
441
00:35:13,579 --> 00:35:18,081
The oracle priestess inhales
this breath of the gods.
442
00:35:18,183 --> 00:35:21,118
She enters a trance
and predicts the future.
443
00:35:22,187 --> 00:35:24,454
The greeks believe
the fault at delphi
444
00:35:24,556 --> 00:35:26,723
Is a direct channel
to the gods.
445
00:35:29,895 --> 00:35:32,129
They believe the same
connection exists
446
00:35:32,231 --> 00:35:33,296
At hierapolis,
447
00:35:33,398 --> 00:35:36,433
As the city's name
makes clear.
448
00:35:36,535 --> 00:35:40,370
The greek word hieron means
holy, polis means city.
449
00:35:40,472 --> 00:35:43,073
So hierapolis
means holy city,
450
00:35:43,175 --> 00:35:44,875
And this is very much
connected to
451
00:35:44,977 --> 00:35:48,745
These religious sanctuaries,
to apollo, to pluto.
452
00:35:48,847 --> 00:35:51,781
Narrator: Hierapolis has an
important spiritual connection.
453
00:35:53,051 --> 00:35:56,553
Here and across the ancient
world, people seek out
454
00:35:56,655 --> 00:35:59,389
Fault lines and geologically
active areas
455
00:35:59,491 --> 00:36:02,125
To be closer to
the divine powers.
456
00:36:02,227 --> 00:36:05,295
The plutonium provided direct
access to the underworld,
457
00:36:05,397 --> 00:36:07,631
And so the residents here
truly believed that
458
00:36:07,733 --> 00:36:09,666
They were in a place
related to the gods.
459
00:36:11,069 --> 00:36:13,503
Narrator: A fault crack
and poisonous gases
460
00:36:13,605 --> 00:36:16,106
Do not deter the later romans.
461
00:36:16,208 --> 00:36:19,042
In fact, they're two of
the area's main attractions.
462
00:36:20,445 --> 00:36:23,547
But the power of the plutonium
does not last forever.
463
00:36:24,983 --> 00:36:27,284
What can an intriguing
structure high up on
464
00:36:27,386 --> 00:36:30,987
A hillside reveal about what
happens to the gate to hell?
465
00:36:31,089 --> 00:36:35,692
♪♪
466
00:36:42,234 --> 00:36:44,601
Narrator:
The roman city of hierapolis,
467
00:36:44,703 --> 00:36:47,270
Perched on top of stunning
white cliffs.
468
00:36:48,640 --> 00:36:50,740
Do the forces of nature
that create
469
00:36:50,842 --> 00:36:54,878
This incredible landscape also
cause the city's downfall?
470
00:36:58,550 --> 00:37:00,717
Historian mark wilson
goes back to
471
00:37:00,819 --> 00:37:04,788
The plutonium to find out
how the story ends.
472
00:37:04,890 --> 00:37:07,457
Wilson: Today at the plutonium,
we see
473
00:37:07,559 --> 00:37:10,093
The entrance to the underworld
totally blocked up.
474
00:37:10,195 --> 00:37:12,963
But this is not from some
natural catastrophe,
475
00:37:13,065 --> 00:37:15,432
But clearly due to
human intervention.
476
00:37:17,569 --> 00:37:19,569
Narrator: Mark investigates
why the romans
477
00:37:19,671 --> 00:37:21,905
Shut down this important
sacred site.
478
00:37:24,876 --> 00:37:27,143
A clue to their dramatic
change of heart
479
00:37:27,246 --> 00:37:30,280
Could lie high up
on the hillside.
480
00:37:30,382 --> 00:37:32,882
Here, he finds
a mysterious tomb.
481
00:37:34,186 --> 00:37:37,020
Wilson: Among the hundreds
of tombs in the cemeteries of
482
00:37:37,122 --> 00:37:40,257
Hierapolis, the question is,
why is this one special?
483
00:37:40,359 --> 00:37:43,193
Well, according to tradition,
on the hill behind us,
484
00:37:43,295 --> 00:37:45,061
Philip the apostle
of jesus christ
485
00:37:45,163 --> 00:37:49,032
Was martyred around 80 a.D.,
and after his death,
486
00:37:49,134 --> 00:37:50,934
His body was buried
in this tomb.
487
00:37:52,337 --> 00:37:54,638
Narrator: According to ancient
christian texts,
488
00:37:54,740 --> 00:37:58,642
Philip the apostle arrives
in hierapolis around 60 a.D.
489
00:37:58,744 --> 00:38:02,379
With a disciple,
bartholomew and his sister,
490
00:38:02,481 --> 00:38:03,847
Mariamne.
491
00:38:06,218 --> 00:38:09,419
Philip preaches
the teachings of christ
492
00:38:09,521 --> 00:38:12,455
And performs miracles
to cure the ill.
493
00:38:15,594 --> 00:38:17,927
But the temple priests,
the galli,
494
00:38:18,030 --> 00:38:21,197
And officials see philip
as a heretic.
495
00:38:21,300 --> 00:38:25,302
They arrest him, whip him, and
drag him through the streets.
496
00:38:27,572 --> 00:38:31,675
They nail philip upside down
on a cross to die
497
00:38:31,777 --> 00:38:33,977
And hang bartholomew
by the hair.
498
00:38:37,449 --> 00:38:39,783
In the first century
after christ,
499
00:38:39,885 --> 00:38:43,286
The old gods still rule
supreme in the roman world.
500
00:38:44,756 --> 00:38:48,124
In hierapolis, the galli,
with their deadly rituals,
501
00:38:48,226 --> 00:38:51,061
Preside over the plutonium,
502
00:38:51,163 --> 00:38:53,797
And christians are persecuted
for their beliefs.
503
00:38:55,834 --> 00:38:57,701
But over the next 300 years,
504
00:38:57,803 --> 00:39:02,105
Christianity spreads across
europe and the near east.
505
00:39:02,207 --> 00:39:04,741
The emperor constantine
legalizes christianity,
506
00:39:04,843 --> 00:39:07,377
And we see the beginning of
churches being constructed
507
00:39:07,479 --> 00:39:09,813
Throughout these cities by
the christians who live in them.
508
00:39:09,915 --> 00:39:12,382
So christian religion
now becomes
509
00:39:12,484 --> 00:39:15,218
The majority religion
in the roman empire.
510
00:39:17,189 --> 00:39:20,090
Narrator: Gradually,
the old gods die out.
511
00:39:20,192 --> 00:39:22,125
And in the late
fourth century,
512
00:39:22,227 --> 00:39:25,161
Pagan worship is
officially banned.
513
00:39:25,297 --> 00:39:26,963
In the middle
of 6th century,
514
00:39:27,065 --> 00:39:30,433
We see the emperor justinian
sending out a man by the name
515
00:39:30,535 --> 00:39:31,735
Of john of ephesus,
516
00:39:31,837 --> 00:39:34,971
And his mission is to destroy
any remaining pagan temples
517
00:39:35,073 --> 00:39:38,441
And sanctuaries
in places like hierapolis.
518
00:39:38,543 --> 00:39:41,244
Narrator: The temple of
apollo is knocked down,
519
00:39:41,346 --> 00:39:45,749
The plutonium is blocked up,
and a huge church is built on
520
00:39:45,851 --> 00:39:48,451
The site where philip
the apostle is martyred.
521
00:39:49,955 --> 00:39:53,256
Hierapolis becomes a center
of christian pilgrimage.
522
00:39:54,459 --> 00:39:57,827
Wilson: Pilgrims who once came
to hierapolis to offer
523
00:39:57,929 --> 00:39:59,496
Sacrifices to pluto at
524
00:39:59,598 --> 00:40:03,733
The plutonium now come to
the tomb of philip to venerate
525
00:40:03,835 --> 00:40:05,335
This important apostle.
526
00:40:05,437 --> 00:40:08,571
Hierapolis, once the city
of apollo and pluto,
527
00:40:08,673 --> 00:40:12,208
Is now the city of philip
and jesus christ.
528
00:40:12,310 --> 00:40:14,677
Narrator: But the threat
that comes from the fault line
529
00:40:14,780 --> 00:40:17,414
Running through hierapolis
is not over.
530
00:40:17,516 --> 00:40:21,117
In the 7th and 14th
centuries, two more
531
00:40:21,219 --> 00:40:24,621
Huge earthquakes devastate
the city.
532
00:40:24,723 --> 00:40:26,823
Eventually,
it's abandoned.
533
00:40:26,925 --> 00:40:29,259
The seismic fault line that
caused the romans to build
534
00:40:29,361 --> 00:40:32,328
The sanctuary to pluto
and brought notoriety to
535
00:40:32,431 --> 00:40:35,532
The city was the same seismic
fault line that eventually
536
00:40:35,634 --> 00:40:39,135
Caused the destruction of
the city and its abandonment.
537
00:40:40,305 --> 00:40:42,605
In the end, the roman
expertise in engineering
538
00:40:42,707 --> 00:40:44,707
Was no match for the forces
of nature.
539
00:40:47,312 --> 00:40:51,080
Narrator: Today, the ancient
gods may be cast aside,
540
00:40:51,183 --> 00:40:53,783
The gate to hell closed,
541
00:40:53,885 --> 00:40:56,586
But the powers that fuel it
still lie dormant
542
00:40:56,688 --> 00:41:00,790
Beneath the earth until
the day they may wake again.
543
00:41:05,664 --> 00:41:11,334
The roman city of hierapolis,
home to a terrifying mystery,
544
00:41:11,436 --> 00:41:15,138
A cave full of vapors
where animals drop dead.
545
00:41:16,341 --> 00:41:19,609
But now the truth has
been unearthed.
546
00:41:19,711 --> 00:41:22,912
Hierapolis sits on a crack
in the ground,
547
00:41:23,014 --> 00:41:26,916
A natural wonder that is
the source of the city's power,
548
00:41:27,018 --> 00:41:29,219
The agent of its destruction,
549
00:41:29,321 --> 00:41:33,356
And the answer to the mystery
of the gate to hell.
550
00:41:33,458 --> 00:41:40,129
♪♪
551
00:41:40,232 --> 00:41:50,106
♪♪
552
00:41:50,208 --> 00:42:00,283
♪♪
49879
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