Original subtitles

>> Narrator: ROME WAS THE GREATEST EMPIRE THE WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN.

GREATEST EMPIRE THE WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN. WHY ARE ROMAN ARENAS ENGINEERING

EVER KNOWN. WHY ARE ROMAN ARENAS ENGINEERING TRIUMPHS AS WELL AS CELEBRATIONS

WHY ARE ROMAN ARENAS ENGINEERING TRIUMPHS AS WELL AS CELEBRATIONS OF TOTAL VIOLENCE?

TRIUMPHS AS WELL AS CELEBRATIONS OF TOTAL VIOLENCE? >> IMAGINE 25,000 SPECTATORS ARE

OF TOTAL VIOLENCE? >> IMAGINE 25,000 SPECTATORS ARE CRAMMED IN HERE, AND THEY'RE ALL

>> IMAGINE 25,000 SPECTATORS ARE CRAMMED IN HERE, AND THEY'RE ALL LOOKING FOR BLOOD.

CRAMMED IN HERE, AND THEY'RE ALL LOOKING FOR BLOOD. >> Narrator: DID THE ROMANS

LOOKING FOR BLOOD. >> Narrator: DID THE ROMANS CREATE A MOBILE AND DEADLY

>> Narrator: DID THE ROMANS CREATE A MOBILE AND DEADLY ARMORED WEAPON, THE WORLD'S

CREATE A MOBILE AND DEADLY ARMORED WEAPON, THE WORLD'S FIRST TANK?

ARMORED WEAPON, THE WORLD'S FIRST TANK? >> WOW.

FIRST TANK? >> WOW. THAT IS ONE IMPRESSIVE MACHINE.

>> WOW. THAT IS ONE IMPRESSIVE MACHINE. >> Narrator: AND HOW WAS THIS

THAT IS ONE IMPRESSIVE MACHINE. >> Narrator: AND HOW WAS THIS ANCIENT EMPIRE ABLE TO BUILD A

>> Narrator: AND HOW WAS THIS ANCIENT EMPIRE ABLE TO BUILD A MASSIVE WALL, STRAIGHT ACROSS

ANCIENT EMPIRE ABLE TO BUILD A MASSIVE WALL, STRAIGHT ACROSS BRITAIN, IN RECORD TIME?

MASSIVE WALL, STRAIGHT ACROSS BRITAIN, IN RECORD TIME? >> THEY WERE ANCIENT GENIUSES.

BRITAIN, IN RECORD TIME? >> THEY WERE ANCIENT GENIUSES. WHAT THEY ACHIEVED IS TRULY

>> THEY WERE ANCIENT GENIUSES. WHAT THEY ACHIEVED IS TRULY EXTRAORDINARY.

WHAT THEY ACHIEVED IS TRULY EXTRAORDINARY. >> Narrator: MONUMENTS MORE

EXTRAORDINARY. >> Narrator: MONUMENTS MORE COLOSSAL THAN OUR OWN, ANCIENT

>> Narrator: MONUMENTS MORE COLOSSAL THAN OUR OWN, ANCIENT SUPER WEAPONS AS MIGHTY AS

COLOSSAL THAN OUR OWN, ANCIENT SUPER WEAPONS AS MIGHTY AS TODAY'S, TECHNOLOGY SO PRECISE,

SUPER WEAPONS AS MIGHTY AS TODAY'S, TECHNOLOGY SO PRECISE, IT DEFIES REINVENTION.

TODAY'S, TECHNOLOGY SO PRECISE, IT DEFIES REINVENTION. THE ANCIENT WORLD WAS NOT

IT DEFIES REINVENTION. THE ANCIENT WORLD WAS NOT PRIMITIVE.

THE ANCIENT WORLD WAS NOT PRIMITIVE. THEIR MARVELS ARE SO ADVANCED,

PRIMITIVE. THEIR MARVELS ARE SO ADVANCED, WE STILL USE THEM NOW.

THEIR MARVELS ARE SO ADVANCED, WE STILL USE THEM NOW. TRAVEL TO A WORLD CLOSER THAN

WE STILL USE THEM NOW. TRAVEL TO A WORLD CLOSER THAN WE IMAGINE, AN ANCIENT AGE

TRAVEL TO A WORLD CLOSER THAN WE IMAGINE, AN ANCIENT AGE WHERE NOTHING WAS IMPOSSIBLE.

>> Narrator: THE ROMAN EMPIRE BECAME SUPER-SIZED THROUGH GREAT FEATS OF IMPOSSIBLE

BECAME SUPER-SIZED THROUGH GREAT FEATS OF IMPOSSIBLE ENGINEERING--

FEATS OF IMPOSSIBLE ENGINEERING-- AQUEDUCTS BRINGING FRESH WATER

ENGINEERING-- AQUEDUCTS BRINGING FRESH WATER THOUSANDS OF MILES...

AQUEDUCTS BRINGING FRESH WATER THOUSANDS OF MILES... SUPER WEAPONS THAT ENABLED THE

THOUSANDS OF MILES... SUPER WEAPONS THAT ENABLED THE FORMIDABLE ROMAN ARMY TO WIN

SUPER WEAPONS THAT ENABLED THE FORMIDABLE ROMAN ARMY TO WIN AGAINST IMPOSSIBLE ODDS.

FORMIDABLE ROMAN ARMY TO WIN AGAINST IMPOSSIBLE ODDS. BUT NOTHING SUMS UP THE POWER,

AGAINST IMPOSSIBLE ODDS. BUT NOTHING SUMS UP THE POWER, VIOLENCE, AND GLORY OF ROME LIKE

BUT NOTHING SUMS UP THE POWER, VIOLENCE, AND GLORY OF ROME LIKE THESE MASSIVE ARENAS THAT WERE

VIOLENCE, AND GLORY OF ROME LIKE THESE MASSIVE ARENAS THAT WERE SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE EMPIRE.

THESE MASSIVE ARENAS THAT WERE SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE EMPIRE. AND THE GREATEST EXAMPLE IS HERE

SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE EMPIRE. AND THE GREATEST EXAMPLE IS HERE IN ROME, ITALY.

AND THE GREATEST EXAMPLE IS HERE IN ROME, ITALY. >> THERE ARE MANY FACETS OF

IN ROME, ITALY. >> THERE ARE MANY FACETS OF ROMAN SOCIETY THAT WE'VE COPIED

>> THERE ARE MANY FACETS OF ROMAN SOCIETY THAT WE'VE COPIED IN PART.

ROMAN SOCIETY THAT WE'VE COPIED IN PART. BUT WHAT'S REMARKABLE ABOUT THE

IN PART. BUT WHAT'S REMARKABLE ABOUT THE COLOSSEUM IS WE'VE COPIED ALL OF

BUT WHAT'S REMARKABLE ABOUT THE COLOSSEUM IS WE'VE COPIED ALL OF IT.

COLOSSEUM IS WE'VE COPIED ALL OF IT. WE'VE COPIED THE ENTIRETY OF IT.

IT. WE'VE COPIED THE ENTIRETY OF IT. IT IS PERFECT.

WE'VE COPIED THE ENTIRETY OF IT. IT IS PERFECT. >> Narrator: THE EMPEROR

IT IS PERFECT. >> Narrator: THE EMPEROR VESPASIAN COMMISSIONED THE

>> Narrator: THE EMPEROR VESPASIAN COMMISSIONED THE COLOSSEUM FOR THE PEOPLE OF

VESPASIAN COMMISSIONED THE COLOSSEUM FOR THE PEOPLE OF ROME.

COLOSSEUM FOR THE PEOPLE OF ROME. BUT THIS WAS NO ORDINARY GIFT.

ROME. BUT THIS WAS NO ORDINARY GIFT. VESPASIAN KNEW THAT THE ARENA

BUT THIS WAS NO ORDINARY GIFT. VESPASIAN KNEW THAT THE ARENA WAS THE PERFECT WAY TO CONTROL A

VESPASIAN KNEW THAT THE ARENA WAS THE PERFECT WAY TO CONTROL A DIFFICULT POPULATION.

WAS THE PERFECT WAY TO CONTROL A DIFFICULT POPULATION. >> IF YOUR PEOPLE ARE FED AND

DIFFICULT POPULATION. >> IF YOUR PEOPLE ARE FED AND ENTERTAINED, THEY'RE LESS LIKELY

>> IF YOUR PEOPLE ARE FED AND ENTERTAINED, THEY'RE LESS LIKELY TO REVOLT, AND HERE, THEY WERE

ENTERTAINED, THEY'RE LESS LIKELY TO REVOLT, AND HERE, THEY WERE ENTERTAINED AND MORE.

TO REVOLT, AND HERE, THEY WERE ENTERTAINED AND MORE. >> Narrator: IN ARENAS LIKE THE

ENTERTAINED AND MORE. >> Narrator: IN ARENAS LIKE THE COLOSSEUM, EXTREME VIOLENCE WAS

>> Narrator: IN ARENAS LIKE THE COLOSSEUM, EXTREME VIOLENCE WAS THE MOST POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT.

COLOSSEUM, EXTREME VIOLENCE WAS THE MOST POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT. >> THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE

THE MOST POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT. >> THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE PEOPLE WHEN THEY CAME INTO THE

>> THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE PEOPLE WHEN THEY CAME INTO THE AMPHITHEATER IS THEY EXPECT

PEOPLE WHEN THEY CAME INTO THE AMPHITHEATER IS THEY EXPECT BLOOD.

AMPHITHEATER IS THEY EXPECT BLOOD. THEY EXPECT DEATH.

BLOOD. THEY EXPECT DEATH. >> Narrator: THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE

THEY EXPECT DEATH. >> Narrator: THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DIED EVERY YEAR IN ARENAS ALL

>> Narrator: THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DIED EVERY YEAR IN ARENAS ALL OVER THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

DIED EVERY YEAR IN ARENAS ALL OVER THE ROMAN EMPIRE. IT WAS SO EFFECTIVE IN KEEPING

OVER THE ROMAN EMPIRE. IT WAS SO EFFECTIVE IN KEEPING ROMAN CITIZENS CONTENT THAT

IT WAS SO EFFECTIVE IN KEEPING ROMAN CITIZENS CONTENT THAT ALMOST EVERY TOWN HAD ONE.

ROMAN CITIZENS CONTENT THAT ALMOST EVERY TOWN HAD ONE. TO MODERN STADIUM ARCHITECTS,

ALMOST EVERY TOWN HAD ONE. TO MODERN STADIUM ARCHITECTS, THE ACHIEVEMENT OF BUILDING HUGE

TO MODERN STADIUM ARCHITECTS, THE ACHIEVEMENT OF BUILDING HUGE ARENAS LIKE THE COLOSSEUM SEEMS

THE ACHIEVEMENT OF BUILDING HUGE ARENAS LIKE THE COLOSSEUM SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE.

ARENAS LIKE THE COLOSSEUM SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE. >> IT WAS EFFECTIVELY TWO

IMPOSSIBLE. >> IT WAS EFFECTIVELY TWO AMPHITHEATERS BACK TO BACK,

>> IT WAS EFFECTIVELY TWO AMPHITHEATERS BACK TO BACK, WELDED TOGETHER.

AMPHITHEATERS BACK TO BACK, WELDED TOGETHER. THE CONSTRUCTION IS SUPERBLY

WELDED TOGETHER. THE CONSTRUCTION IS SUPERBLY EFFICIENT IN THE SENSE THAT THEY

THE CONSTRUCTION IS SUPERBLY EFFICIENT IN THE SENSE THAT THEY TOOK THE SAME SECTION AND

EFFICIENT IN THE SENSE THAT THEY TOOK THE SAME SECTION AND REPEATED IT INTO THE OVAL OF THE

TOOK THE SAME SECTION AND REPEATED IT INTO THE OVAL OF THE COMPLETE SHAPE YOU SEE TODAY.

REPEATED IT INTO THE OVAL OF THE COMPLETE SHAPE YOU SEE TODAY. SO THERE'S A GREAT DEAL OF

COMPLETE SHAPE YOU SEE TODAY. SO THERE'S A GREAT DEAL OF REPETITION, WHICH IS A VERY

SO THERE'S A GREAT DEAL OF REPETITION, WHICH IS A VERY MODERN CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE.

REPETITION, WHICH IS A VERY MODERN CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE. >> Narrator: THE SCALE OF ROMAN

MODERN CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE. >> Narrator: THE SCALE OF ROMAN ARENAS WAS IMPOSSIBLY AMBITIOUS,

>> Narrator: THE SCALE OF ROMAN ARENAS WAS IMPOSSIBLY AMBITIOUS, EVEN FOR MODERN BUILDINGS.

ARENAS WAS IMPOSSIBLY AMBITIOUS, EVEN FOR MODERN BUILDINGS. OVER 600 FEET LONG, 500 FEET

EVEN FOR MODERN BUILDINGS. OVER 600 FEET LONG, 500 FEET WIDE, WITH A CENTRAL AREA

OVER 600 FEET LONG, 500 FEET WIDE, WITH A CENTRAL AREA EQUIVALENT TO A MODERN FOOTBALL

WIDE, WITH A CENTRAL AREA EQUIVALENT TO A MODERN FOOTBALL FIELD.

EQUIVALENT TO A MODERN FOOTBALL FIELD. THE COLOSSEUM, ROME'S LARGEST

FIELD. THE COLOSSEUM, ROME'S LARGEST ARENA, MAY HAVE HELD CROWDS UP

THE COLOSSEUM, ROME'S LARGEST ARENA, MAY HAVE HELD CROWDS UP TO 80,000.

ARENA, MAY HAVE HELD CROWDS UP TO 80,000. >> WE WOULD TAKE TWO TO THREE

TO 80,000. >> WE WOULD TAKE TWO TO THREE YEARS TO BUILD THAT.

>> WE WOULD TAKE TWO TO THREE YEARS TO BUILD THAT. TO THINK THAT THE ROMANS BUILT

YEARS TO BUILD THAT. TO THINK THAT THE ROMANS BUILT THE COLOSSEUM IN ABOUT 8 YEARS,

TO THINK THAT THE ROMANS BUILT THE COLOSSEUM IN ABOUT 8 YEARS, A TRULY REMARKABLE FEAT.

THE COLOSSEUM IN ABOUT 8 YEARS, A TRULY REMARKABLE FEAT. >> Narrator: TO UNDERSTAND HOW

A TRULY REMARKABLE FEAT. >> Narrator: TO UNDERSTAND HOW ROMAN AMPHITHEATERS WORKED,

>> Narrator: TO UNDERSTAND HOW ROMAN AMPHITHEATERS WORKED, WE'VE COME TO NIMES, SOUTHERN

ROMAN AMPHITHEATERS WORKED, WE'VE COME TO NIMES, SOUTHERN FRANCE.

UNLIKE THE COLOSSEUM IN ROME, THIS ARENA HAS SURVIVED INTACT. >> I'M IN NIMES, AND THIS HAS

THIS ARENA HAS SURVIVED INTACT. >> I'M IN NIMES, AND THIS HAS ONE OF THE MOST AMAZINGLY

>> I'M IN NIMES, AND THIS HAS ONE OF THE MOST AMAZINGLY WELL-PRESERVED AMPHITHEATERS IN

ONE OF THE MOST AMAZINGLY WELL-PRESERVED AMPHITHEATERS IN THE ANCIENT WORLD.

WELL-PRESERVED AMPHITHEATERS IN THE ANCIENT WORLD. YOU DON'T NEED TO RECONSTRUCT

THE ANCIENT WORLD. YOU DON'T NEED TO RECONSTRUCT THIS.

YOU DON'T NEED TO RECONSTRUCT THIS. IT'S ALL HERE BEFORE YOU, 360

THIS. IT'S ALL HERE BEFORE YOU, 360 DEGREES.

IT'S ALL HERE BEFORE YOU, 360 DEGREES. >> Narrator: MODERN

DEGREES. >> Narrator: MODERN ENTERTAINMENTS, OR SPORTING

>> Narrator: MODERN ENTERTAINMENTS, OR SPORTING EVENTS, USUALLY LAST JUST A FEW

ENTERTAINMENTS, OR SPORTING EVENTS, USUALLY LAST JUST A FEW HOURS, BUT THE ROMAN GAMES WOULD

EVENTS, USUALLY LAST JUST A FEW HOURS, BUT THE ROMAN GAMES WOULD GO ON FOR WEEKS.

HOURS, BUT THE ROMAN GAMES WOULD GO ON FOR WEEKS. THE CONTESTS HONORING THE

GO ON FOR WEEKS. THE CONTESTS HONORING THE EMPEROR VESPASIAN INVOLVED 9,000

THE CONTESTS HONORING THE EMPEROR VESPASIAN INVOLVED 9,000 ANIMALS AND 2,000 GLADIATORS

EMPEROR VESPASIAN INVOLVED 9,000 ANIMALS AND 2,000 GLADIATORS OVER THE COURSE OF 100 DAYS.

ANIMALS AND 2,000 GLADIATORS OVER THE COURSE OF 100 DAYS. >> THE TYPICAL ACTIVITIES THAT

OVER THE COURSE OF 100 DAYS. >> THE TYPICAL ACTIVITIES THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE AMPHITHEATER

>> THE TYPICAL ACTIVITIES THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE AMPHITHEATER IN NIMES WOULD BE KILLING

TOOK PLACE IN THE AMPHITHEATER IN NIMES WOULD BE KILLING ANIMALS IN THE MORNING.

IN NIMES WOULD BE KILLING ANIMALS IN THE MORNING. YOU HAD THE BESTIARY, THE

ANIMALS IN THE MORNING. YOU HAD THE BESTIARY, THE GLADIATORS TRAINED TO FIGHT AND

YOU HAD THE BESTIARY, THE GLADIATORS TRAINED TO FIGHT AND KILL OR BE KILLED BY WILD

GLADIATORS TRAINED TO FIGHT AND KILL OR BE KILLED BY WILD ANIMALS.

KILL OR BE KILLED BY WILD ANIMALS. AT NOONTIME, YOU COULD HAVE THE

ANIMALS. AT NOONTIME, YOU COULD HAVE THE EXECUTION OF CRIMINALS, OR YOU

AT NOONTIME, YOU COULD HAVE THE EXECUTION OF CRIMINALS, OR YOU CAN GO OFF AND HAVE A NICE LUNCH

EXECUTION OF CRIMINALS, OR YOU CAN GO OFF AND HAVE A NICE LUNCH AND RETURN AFTERWARDS.

CAN GO OFF AND HAVE A NICE LUNCH AND RETURN AFTERWARDS. THE MAIN EVENT, THOUGH, WAS

AND RETURN AFTERWARDS. THE MAIN EVENT, THOUGH, WAS GLADIATORS-- MAN AGAINST MAN IN

THE MAIN EVENT, THOUGH, WAS GLADIATORS-- MAN AGAINST MAN IN THE AFTERNOON.

GLADIATORS-- MAN AGAINST MAN IN THE AFTERNOON. >> Narrator: BENEATH THE ARENA

THE AFTERNOON. >> Narrator: BENEATH THE ARENA WAS TECHNOLOGY THAT NO MODERN

>> Narrator: BENEATH THE ARENA WAS TECHNOLOGY THAT NO MODERN STADIUM CAN COMPETE WITH.

WAS TECHNOLOGY THAT NO MODERN STADIUM CAN COMPETE WITH. TODAY, SPORTS TEAMS ENTER THEIR

STADIUM CAN COMPETE WITH. TODAY, SPORTS TEAMS ENTER THEIR ARENA THROUGH A SIMPLE TUNNEL.

TODAY, SPORTS TEAMS ENTER THEIR ARENA THROUGH A SIMPLE TUNNEL. BUT IN THE ROMAN ARENAS,

ARENA THROUGH A SIMPLE TUNNEL. BUT IN THE ROMAN ARENAS, GLADIATORS AND THEIR OPPONENTS

BUT IN THE ROMAN ARENAS, GLADIATORS AND THEIR OPPONENTS MADE THEIR ENTRANCES IN HIGH

GLADIATORS AND THEIR OPPONENTS MADE THEIR ENTRANCES IN HIGH STYLE.

MADE THEIR ENTRANCES IN HIGH STYLE. >> WE'RE IN THE HYPOGEUM.

STYLE. >> WE'RE IN THE HYPOGEUM. WE'RE BENEATH THE ARENA FLOOR.

>> WE'RE IN THE HYPOGEUM. WE'RE BENEATH THE ARENA FLOOR. THIS IS WHERE THE GLADIATORS AND

WE'RE BENEATH THE ARENA FLOOR. THIS IS WHERE THE GLADIATORS AND ANIMALS WOULD WAIT, AND THEN,

THIS IS WHERE THE GLADIATORS AND ANIMALS WOULD WAIT, AND THEN, WITH THE GIVEN SIGNAL, THEY'D BE

ANIMALS WOULD WAIT, AND THEN, WITH THE GIVEN SIGNAL, THEY'D BE HOISTED UP BY SLAVES USING

WITH THE GIVEN SIGNAL, THEY'D BE HOISTED UP BY SLAVES USING CAPSTANS AND PULLEYS.

HOISTED UP BY SLAVES USING CAPSTANS AND PULLEYS. THERE'S A LOT OF TECH THAT'S

CAPSTANS AND PULLEYS. THERE'S A LOT OF TECH THAT'S INVOLVED IN THE HYPOGEUM AREA

THERE'S A LOT OF TECH THAT'S INVOLVED IN THE HYPOGEUM AREA BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE PEOPLE

INVOLVED IN THE HYPOGEUM AREA BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE PEOPLE BEHIND A CURTAIN, AND THE

BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE PEOPLE BEHIND A CURTAIN, AND THE CURTAIN OPENS UP AND THEN

BEHIND A CURTAIN, AND THE CURTAIN OPENS UP AND THEN THERE'S THE PERFORMANCE.

CURTAIN OPENS UP AND THEN THERE'S THE PERFORMANCE. YOU HAVE THEM POPPING UP.

THERE'S THE PERFORMANCE. YOU HAVE THEM POPPING UP. AND THIS IS ABOUT AS

YOU HAVE THEM POPPING UP. AND THIS IS ABOUT AS SOPHISTICATED AS IT GETS IN A

AND THIS IS ABOUT AS SOPHISTICATED AS IT GETS IN A PERFORMANCE IN THE ANCIENT

SOPHISTICATED AS IT GETS IN A PERFORMANCE IN THE ANCIENT WORLD.

PERFORMANCE IN THE ANCIENT WORLD. >> Narrator: EXPERIMENTAL MODEL

WORLD. >> Narrator: EXPERIMENTAL MODEL MAKER RICHARD WINDLEY IS

>> Narrator: EXPERIMENTAL MODEL MAKER RICHARD WINDLEY IS INVESTIGATING THE BACKSTAGE

MAKER RICHARD WINDLEY IS INVESTIGATING THE BACKSTAGE MAGIC THAT MADE THE BLOOD AND

INVESTIGATING THE BACKSTAGE MAGIC THAT MADE THE BLOOD AND GORE OF THE ARENA POSSIBLE.

MAGIC THAT MADE THE BLOOD AND GORE OF THE ARENA POSSIBLE. >> WE KNOW FROM EXISTING BRONZE

GORE OF THE ARENA POSSIBLE. >> WE KNOW FROM EXISTING BRONZE BEARINGS IN THE REMAINS OF THE

>> WE KNOW FROM EXISTING BRONZE BEARINGS IN THE REMAINS OF THE COLOSSEUM NOW THAT SOME KIND OF

BEARINGS IN THE REMAINS OF THE COLOSSEUM NOW THAT SOME KIND OF WINCH SYSTEM WAS USED, POSSIBLY

COLOSSEUM NOW THAT SOME KIND OF WINCH SYSTEM WAS USED, POSSIBLY A WINDLASS WHICH IS A KIND OF

WINCH SYSTEM WAS USED, POSSIBLY A WINDLASS WHICH IS A KIND OF WINDING MECHANISM, BASICALLY.

A WINDLASS WHICH IS A KIND OF WINDING MECHANISM, BASICALLY. SO I'VE SHOWED ONE OF THOSE

WINDING MECHANISM, BASICALLY. SO I'VE SHOWED ONE OF THOSE HERE, AND THIS WORKS THROUGH A

SO I'VE SHOWED ONE OF THOSE HERE, AND THIS WORKS THROUGH A SERIES OF ROPES AND PULLEYS TO

HERE, AND THIS WORKS THROUGH A SERIES OF ROPES AND PULLEYS TO ACTUALLY LIFT THE CAGES.

SERIES OF ROPES AND PULLEYS TO ACTUALLY LIFT THE CAGES. NOW, WE DO KNOW THAT VERY LARGE

ACTUALLY LIFT THE CAGES. NOW, WE DO KNOW THAT VERY LARGE ANIMALS WERE SOMETIMES USED IN

NOW, WE DO KNOW THAT VERY LARGE ANIMALS WERE SOMETIMES USED IN THESE SHOWS, EVEN ELEPHANTS, SO

ANIMALS WERE SOMETIMES USED IN THESE SHOWS, EVEN ELEPHANTS, SO SOME OF THESE DEVICES WOULD HAVE

THESE SHOWS, EVEN ELEPHANTS, SO SOME OF THESE DEVICES WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY

SOME OF THESE DEVICES WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY HEFTY.

HAD TO HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY HEFTY. >> Narrator: RICHARD HAS

HEFTY. >> Narrator: RICHARD HAS CALCULATED THAT UP TO 8 MEN

>> Narrator: RICHARD HAS CALCULATED THAT UP TO 8 MEN WOULD OPERATE THIS WINDLASS, AND

CALCULATED THAT UP TO 8 MEN WOULD OPERATE THIS WINDLASS, AND UNDER THE COLOSSEUM, THERE WOULD

WOULD OPERATE THIS WINDLASS, AND UNDER THE COLOSSEUM, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN UP TO 80 OF THESE

UNDER THE COLOSSEUM, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN UP TO 80 OF THESE ELEVATORS, AN AMAZING FEAT THAT

HAVE BEEN UP TO 80 OF THESE ELEVATORS, AN AMAZING FEAT THAT HAS NO COMPARISON IN OUR MODERN

ELEVATORS, AN AMAZING FEAT THAT HAS NO COMPARISON IN OUR MODERN WORLD.

HAS NO COMPARISON IN OUR MODERN WORLD. >> I'VE BUILT A TRAPDOOR AND A

WORLD. >> I'VE BUILT A TRAPDOOR AND A SIMPLE OPERATING MECHANISM TO

>> I'VE BUILT A TRAPDOOR AND A SIMPLE OPERATING MECHANISM TO OPEN AND CLOSE IT.

SIMPLE OPERATING MECHANISM TO OPEN AND CLOSE IT. IT'S STILL QUITE A FEAT TO THINK

OPEN AND CLOSE IT. IT'S STILL QUITE A FEAT TO THINK THAT THE COMPLEXITY OF THIS

IT'S STILL QUITE A FEAT TO THINK THAT THE COMPLEXITY OF THIS WHOLE PROJECT COULD BE

THAT THE COMPLEXITY OF THIS WHOLE PROJECT COULD BE UNDERTAKEN SUCH A LONG TIME AGO.

WHOLE PROJECT COULD BE UNDERTAKEN SUCH A LONG TIME AGO. ( crowd cheering )

UNDERTAKEN SUCH A LONG TIME AGO. ( crowd cheering ) ( snarls )

( crowd cheering ) ( snarls ) >> Narrator: TO ENTERTAIN THE

( snarls ) >> Narrator: TO ENTERTAIN THE MASSES, ROMAN ENGINEERS USED

>> Narrator: TO ENTERTAIN THE MASSES, ROMAN ENGINEERS USED THEIR INGENUITY TO CREATE EVEN

MASSES, ROMAN ENGINEERS USED THEIR INGENUITY TO CREATE EVEN MORE EVENTS WE'D THINK

THEIR INGENUITY TO CREATE EVEN MORE EVENTS WE'D THINK IMPOSSIBLE TODAY.

MORE EVENTS WE'D THINK IMPOSSIBLE TODAY. >> IN THE COLOSSEUM IN ROME,

IMPOSSIBLE TODAY. >> IN THE COLOSSEUM IN ROME, THEY WERE REPUTED TO EVEN BE

>> IN THE COLOSSEUM IN ROME, THEY WERE REPUTED TO EVEN BE ABLE TO FLOOD IT WITH WATER TO

THEY WERE REPUTED TO EVEN BE ABLE TO FLOOD IT WITH WATER TO BE ABLE TO STAGE NAVAL BATTLES

ABLE TO FLOOD IT WITH WATER TO BE ABLE TO STAGE NAVAL BATTLES FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT OF THE

BE ABLE TO STAGE NAVAL BATTLES FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT OF THE CROWD.

FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT OF THE CROWD. >> Narrator: DID ROMAN

CROWD. >> Narrator: DID ROMAN ENGINEERS REALLY ACHIEVE THIS

>> Narrator: DID ROMAN ENGINEERS REALLY ACHIEVE THIS IMPOSSIBLE FEAT?

ENGINEERS REALLY ACHIEVE THIS IMPOSSIBLE FEAT? WE KNOW THAT THE CITY OF ROME

IMPOSSIBLE FEAT? WE KNOW THAT THE CITY OF ROME WAS SERVED BY HUNDREDS OF MILES

WE KNOW THAT THE CITY OF ROME WAS SERVED BY HUNDREDS OF MILES OF AQUEDUCTS.

WAS SERVED BY HUNDREDS OF MILES OF AQUEDUCTS. BUT HOW DID THE ROMANS GET THE

OF AQUEDUCTS. BUT HOW DID THE ROMANS GET THE WATER TO THE COLOSSEUM?

BUT HOW DID THE ROMANS GET THE WATER TO THE COLOSSEUM? IT STARTED WITH AN EXTRAORDINARY

WATER TO THE COLOSSEUM? IT STARTED WITH AN EXTRAORDINARY PIECE OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING

IT STARTED WITH AN EXTRAORDINARY PIECE OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING CALLED A CASTELLUM.

PIECE OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING CALLED A CASTELLUM. >> IT'S NOT JUST THE AQUEDUCT

CALLED A CASTELLUM. >> IT'S NOT JUST THE AQUEDUCT BRIDGE AND THE CHANNEL BRINGING

>> IT'S NOT JUST THE AQUEDUCT BRIDGE AND THE CHANNEL BRINGING THE WATER TO A CITY.

BRIDGE AND THE CHANNEL BRINGING THE WATER TO A CITY. HOW DOES IT GET DISTRIBUTED

THE WATER TO A CITY. HOW DOES IT GET DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CITY?

HOW DOES IT GET DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CITY? YOU COME HERE TO THE CASTELLUM

THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CITY? YOU COME HERE TO THE CASTELLUM TO UNDERSTAND THE SOPHISTICATION

YOU COME HERE TO THE CASTELLUM TO UNDERSTAND THE SOPHISTICATION OF DISTRIBUTION IN A ROMAN CITY.

TO UNDERSTAND THE SOPHISTICATION OF DISTRIBUTION IN A ROMAN CITY. THIS WAS CIVILIZATION.

OF DISTRIBUTION IN A ROMAN CITY. THIS WAS CIVILIZATION. >> Narrator: STRUCTURES LIKE

THIS WAS CIVILIZATION. >> Narrator: STRUCTURES LIKE THESE DISTRIBUTED MORE WATER PER

>> Narrator: STRUCTURES LIKE THESE DISTRIBUTED MORE WATER PER HEAD TO THE PEOPLE OF ROME 2,000

THESE DISTRIBUTED MORE WATER PER HEAD TO THE PEOPLE OF ROME 2,000 YEARS AGO THAN NEW YORKERS GET

HEAD TO THE PEOPLE OF ROME 2,000 YEARS AGO THAN NEW YORKERS GET TODAY.

YEARS AGO THAN NEW YORKERS GET TODAY. >> IT COMES OUT RIGHT HERE INTO

TODAY. >> IT COMES OUT RIGHT HERE INTO THIS LARGE TANK, AND THEN THE

>> IT COMES OUT RIGHT HERE INTO THIS LARGE TANK, AND THEN THE WATER IS DISTRIBUTED IN 20

THIS LARGE TANK, AND THEN THE WATER IS DISTRIBUTED IN 20 PIPES.

WATER IS DISTRIBUTED IN 20 PIPES. THERE WERE TWO LEAD PIPES FOR

PIPES. THERE WERE TWO LEAD PIPES FOR EVERY ONE OF THESE HOLES HERE.

THERE WERE TWO LEAD PIPES FOR EVERY ONE OF THESE HOLES HERE. THERE ARE 10 HOLES TOTAL.

EVERY ONE OF THESE HOLES HERE. THERE ARE 10 HOLES TOTAL. AND IT IS AN AMAZING ENTERPRISE.

THERE ARE 10 HOLES TOTAL. AND IT IS AN AMAZING ENTERPRISE. THE THING IS, EVERY AQUEDUCT HAD

AND IT IS AN AMAZING ENTERPRISE. THE THING IS, EVERY AQUEDUCT HAD A CASTELLUM.

THE THING IS, EVERY AQUEDUCT HAD A CASTELLUM. >> Narrator: AND THERE'S ANOTHER

A CASTELLUM. >> Narrator: AND THERE'S ANOTHER INTRIGUING CLUE TO HOW THEY DID

>> Narrator: AND THERE'S ANOTHER INTRIGUING CLUE TO HOW THEY DID IT BENEATH THE COLOSSEUM ITSELF.

INTRIGUING CLUE TO HOW THEY DID IT BENEATH THE COLOSSEUM ITSELF. THE SITE OF THIS MIGHTY ARENA

IT BENEATH THE COLOSSEUM ITSELF. THE SITE OF THIS MIGHTY ARENA WAS ONCE A LAKE CREATED FOR THE

THE SITE OF THIS MIGHTY ARENA WAS ONCE A LAKE CREATED FOR THE EMPEROR NERO.

WAS ONCE A LAKE CREATED FOR THE EMPEROR NERO. ARCHAEOLOGISTS HAVE FOUND THE

EMPEROR NERO. ARCHAEOLOGISTS HAVE FOUND THE WATER CHANNELS THAT FED THE

ARCHAEOLOGISTS HAVE FOUND THE WATER CHANNELS THAT FED THE LAKE.

WATER CHANNELS THAT FED THE LAKE. COULD THEY HAVE BEEN USED TO

LAKE. COULD THEY HAVE BEEN USED TO FLOOD THE COLOSSEUM, TOO?

COULD THEY HAVE BEEN USED TO FLOOD THE COLOSSEUM, TOO? >> THEY DID IT BY DIVERTING AN

FLOOD THE COLOSSEUM, TOO? >> THEY DID IT BY DIVERTING AN AQUEDUCT INTO UNDERGROUND

>> THEY DID IT BY DIVERTING AN AQUEDUCT INTO UNDERGROUND CHANNELS, WHICH THEN FLOODED THE

AQUEDUCT INTO UNDERGROUND CHANNELS, WHICH THEN FLOODED THE ENTIRE ARENA.

CHANNELS, WHICH THEN FLOODED THE ENTIRE ARENA. BUT THE MOST REMARKABLE THING

ENTIRE ARENA. BUT THE MOST REMARKABLE THING WAS THEY COULD THEN OPEN UP

BUT THE MOST REMARKABLE THING WAS THEY COULD THEN OPEN UP SLUICES AND DRAIN AND DRY OUT

WAS THEY COULD THEN OPEN UP SLUICES AND DRAIN AND DRY OUT THE ARENA IN EXACTLY THE SAME

SLUICES AND DRAIN AND DRY OUT THE ARENA IN EXACTLY THE SAME TIME IT TOOK TO FILL IT UP TO

THE ARENA IN EXACTLY THE SAME TIME IT TOOK TO FILL IT UP TO STAGE DRY EVENTS THE VERY NEXT

TIME IT TOOK TO FILL IT UP TO STAGE DRY EVENTS THE VERY NEXT DAY.

STAGE DRY EVENTS THE VERY NEXT DAY. STAGGERING.

DAY. STAGGERING. >> Narrator: THE ROMAN ARENA IS

STAGGERING. >> Narrator: THE ROMAN ARENA IS MORE MODERN THAN WE COULD EVER

>> Narrator: THE ROMAN ARENA IS MORE MODERN THAN WE COULD EVER IMAGINE.

MORE MODERN THAN WE COULD EVER IMAGINE. >> THIS WAS THE EPITOME OF

IMAGINE. >> THIS WAS THE EPITOME OF ENTERTAINMENT.

>> THIS WAS THE EPITOME OF ENTERTAINMENT. IT ALL BUILT ON THE FOUNDATIONS

ENTERTAINMENT. IT ALL BUILT ON THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE PERFECT TECHNICAL

IT ALL BUILT ON THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE PERFECT TECHNICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

OF THE PERFECT TECHNICAL INFRASTRUCTURE. FORGET TELEVISION.

INFRASTRUCTURE. FORGET TELEVISION. 2,000 YEARS AGO THIS IS THE

FORGET TELEVISION. 2,000 YEARS AGO THIS IS THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH.

>> Narrator: WE BELIEVE THAT NOTHING COULD BE AS ADVANCED AS WHAT WE BUILD TODAY.

NOTHING COULD BE AS ADVANCED AS WHAT WE BUILD TODAY. BUT 2,000 YEARS AGO, ROMAN

WHAT WE BUILD TODAY. BUT 2,000 YEARS AGO, ROMAN ENGINEERS MADE THE BLUEPRINT FOR

BUT 2,000 YEARS AGO, ROMAN ENGINEERS MADE THE BLUEPRINT FOR WHAT WE THINK ARE MODERN

ENGINEERS MADE THE BLUEPRINT FOR WHAT WE THINK ARE MODERN BUILDINGS--

WHAT WE THINK ARE MODERN BUILDINGS-- SPORTS STADIUMS.

BUILDINGS-- SPORTS STADIUMS. >> IF WE LOOK AT THE COLOSSEUM

SPORTS STADIUMS. >> IF WE LOOK AT THE COLOSSEUM AS A TEMPLATE FOR A MODERN

>> IF WE LOOK AT THE COLOSSEUM AS A TEMPLATE FOR A MODERN STADIUM, THEN IT'S EMBARRASSING

AS A TEMPLATE FOR A MODERN STADIUM, THEN IT'S EMBARRASSING REALLY AS A STADIUM ARCHITECT TO

STADIUM, THEN IT'S EMBARRASSING REALLY AS A STADIUM ARCHITECT TO THINK THAT WE CAN'T REALLY

REALLY AS A STADIUM ARCHITECT TO THINK THAT WE CAN'T REALLY IMPROVE ON IT.

THINK THAT WE CAN'T REALLY IMPROVE ON IT. >> Narrator: STADIUM ARCHITECT

IMPROVE ON IT. >> Narrator: STADIUM ARCHITECT ANDY SIMONS HAS DISCOVERED THAT

>> Narrator: STADIUM ARCHITECT ANDY SIMONS HAS DISCOVERED THAT MUCH OF HIS WORK TODAY WAS

ANDY SIMONS HAS DISCOVERED THAT MUCH OF HIS WORK TODAY WAS ALREADY DONE BY ROMAN ENGINEERS.

ROMAN ARENAS, LIKE THIS ONE AT NIMES, FRANCE, LOOK IDENTICAL TO MODERN STADIUMS ALL OVER THE

NIMES, FRANCE, LOOK IDENTICAL TO MODERN STADIUMS ALL OVER THE WORLD.

MODERN STADIUMS ALL OVER THE WORLD. AND INCREDIBLY, THE GEOMETRY

WORLD. AND INCREDIBLY, THE GEOMETRY USED IS IDENTICAL AS WELL.

AND INCREDIBLY, THE GEOMETRY USED IS IDENTICAL AS WELL. THIS ARENA IS 290x180 FEET, A

USED IS IDENTICAL AS WELL. THIS ARENA IS 290x180 FEET, A RATIO OF 5:3.

THIS ARENA IS 290x180 FEET, A RATIO OF 5:3. BY REPEATING THIS RATIO OF 5:3

RATIO OF 5:3. BY REPEATING THIS RATIO OF 5:3 IN THE ANGLE OF THE SEATS, EVERY

BY REPEATING THIS RATIO OF 5:3 IN THE ANGLE OF THE SEATS, EVERY SPECTATOR HAS A PERFECT VIEW.

IN THE ANGLE OF THE SEATS, EVERY SPECTATOR HAS A PERFECT VIEW. >> EVERYONE HAD A GREAT VIEW OF

SPECTATOR HAS A PERFECT VIEW. >> EVERYONE HAD A GREAT VIEW OF THE ACTION, WHICH IS AN

>> EVERYONE HAD A GREAT VIEW OF THE ACTION, WHICH IS AN ASTONISHING FEAT OF ENGINEERING

THE ACTION, WHICH IS AN ASTONISHING FEAT OF ENGINEERING AND GEOMETRY FOR THE DAY.

ASTONISHING FEAT OF ENGINEERING AND GEOMETRY FOR THE DAY. >> Narrator: WHEN WE SIT IN A

AND GEOMETRY FOR THE DAY. >> Narrator: WHEN WE SIT IN A STADIUM TODAY, WE ARE

>> Narrator: WHEN WE SIT IN A STADIUM TODAY, WE ARE EXPERIENCING SOMETHING THAT GOES

STADIUM TODAY, WE ARE EXPERIENCING SOMETHING THAT GOES BACK 2,000 YEARS.

EXPERIENCING SOMETHING THAT GOES BACK 2,000 YEARS. >> IT'S THE SORT OF PLACE THAT'D

BACK 2,000 YEARS. >> IT'S THE SORT OF PLACE THAT'D BE FAMILIAR TO ANY MODERN SPORTS

>> IT'S THE SORT OF PLACE THAT'D BE FAMILIAR TO ANY MODERN SPORTS FAN, WITH EXCITED CROWDS, FANS

BE FAMILIAR TO ANY MODERN SPORTS FAN, WITH EXCITED CROWDS, FANS SUPPORTING THEIR FAVORITE

FAN, WITH EXCITED CROWDS, FANS SUPPORTING THEIR FAVORITE SUPERSTAR, EVEN SELLERS SELLING

SUPPORTING THEIR FAVORITE SUPERSTAR, EVEN SELLERS SELLING SNACKS AND DRINKS TO THE CROWDS.

SUPERSTAR, EVEN SELLERS SELLING SNACKS AND DRINKS TO THE CROWDS. >> IF WE STRIPPED OUT THE

SNACKS AND DRINKS TO THE CROWDS. >> IF WE STRIPPED OUT THE PLASTIC SEATS FROM A MODERN

>> IF WE STRIPPED OUT THE PLASTIC SEATS FROM A MODERN STADIUM, YOU'D BE HARD-PRESSED

PLASTIC SEATS FROM A MODERN STADIUM, YOU'D BE HARD-PRESSED TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

STADIUM, YOU'D BE HARD-PRESSED TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE COLOSSEUM TERRACES AND A

TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE COLOSSEUM TERRACES AND A MODERN STADIUM.

THE COLOSSEUM TERRACES AND A MODERN STADIUM. >> Narrator: ALL AROUND THE

MODERN STADIUM. >> Narrator: ALL AROUND THE ARENA ARE ARCHES THAT BOTH

>> Narrator: ALL AROUND THE ARENA ARE ARCHES THAT BOTH SUPPORT THE STRUCTURE AND

ARENA ARE ARCHES THAT BOTH SUPPORT THE STRUCTURE AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO EVERY SEAT.

THIS DESIGN IS SO EFFECTIVE, IT STILL HASN'T BEEN IMPROVED.

>> THIS HAS PHENOMENAL ARCHITECTURE, PHENOMENAL ENGINEERING.

ARCHITECTURE, PHENOMENAL ENGINEERING. WHAT YOU SEE IS QUINTESSENTIAL

ENGINEERING. WHAT YOU SEE IS QUINTESSENTIAL ROMAN-- THE ARCH AND THE VAULT

WHAT YOU SEE IS QUINTESSENTIAL ROMAN-- THE ARCH AND THE VAULT ON A MASSIVE, MONUMENTAL SCALE.

ROMAN-- THE ARCH AND THE VAULT ON A MASSIVE, MONUMENTAL SCALE. >> Narrator: AND JUST LIKE

ON A MASSIVE, MONUMENTAL SCALE. >> Narrator: AND JUST LIKE TODAY, THE PEOPLE WITH TOP

>> Narrator: AND JUST LIKE TODAY, THE PEOPLE WITH TOP STATUS GOT THE BEST SEATS.

TODAY, THE PEOPLE WITH TOP STATUS GOT THE BEST SEATS. >> THE LOWER TIER HAD THE

STATUS GOT THE BEST SEATS. >> THE LOWER TIER HAD THE SENATORS, THE PRIME POSITION

>> THE LOWER TIER HAD THE SENATORS, THE PRIME POSITION CLOSEST TO THE ACCESS AND THEY

SENATORS, THE PRIME POSITION CLOSEST TO THE ACCESS AND THEY HAD THE MAXIMUM WIDTH OF

CLOSEST TO THE ACCESS AND THEY HAD THE MAXIMUM WIDTH OF FACILITIES TO SUPPORT THEM, AND

HAD THE MAXIMUM WIDTH OF FACILITIES TO SUPPORT THEM, AND THE EASIEST ROUTE IN.

FACILITIES TO SUPPORT THEM, AND THE EASIEST ROUTE IN. AND AS THE BUILDING WENT UP, OF

THE EASIEST ROUTE IN. AND AS THE BUILDING WENT UP, OF COURSE THE CATEGORIES OF SEATING

AND AS THE BUILDING WENT UP, OF COURSE THE CATEGORIES OF SEATING DECLINED THROUGH THE EQUESTRIAN

COURSE THE CATEGORIES OF SEATING DECLINED THROUGH THE EQUESTRIAN AND THE KNIGHTS IN THE SECOND

DECLINED THROUGH THE EQUESTRIAN AND THE KNIGHTS IN THE SECOND TIER THROUGH TO THE FREE ROMANS

AND THE KNIGHTS IN THE SECOND TIER THROUGH TO THE FREE ROMANS IN THE THIRD TIER, AND UP TO

TIER THROUGH TO THE FREE ROMANS IN THE THIRD TIER, AND UP TO WOMEN AND SLAVES IN THE TOP

IN THE THIRD TIER, AND UP TO WOMEN AND SLAVES IN THE TOP TIER.

WOMEN AND SLAVES IN THE TOP TIER. >> Narrator: THIS STRUCTURE

TIER. >> Narrator: THIS STRUCTURE LIMITED THE SPACE IN THE TOP

>> Narrator: THIS STRUCTURE LIMITED THE SPACE IN THE TOP ROWS.

LIMITED THE SPACE IN THE TOP ROWS. BUT EVEN THIS WAS PART OF THE

ROWS. BUT EVEN THIS WAS PART OF THE ROMAN ENGINEERS' PLAN.

BUT EVEN THIS WAS PART OF THE ROMAN ENGINEERS' PLAN. >> THE STAIRCASES, IT'S

ROMAN ENGINEERS' PLAN. >> THE STAIRCASES, IT'S BELIEVED, WERE DELIBERATELY

>> THE STAIRCASES, IT'S BELIEVED, WERE DELIBERATELY RESTRICTED IN WIDTH TO LIMIT THE

BELIEVED, WERE DELIBERATELY RESTRICTED IN WIDTH TO LIMIT THE EGRESS TIME FOR THE TOP TIERS OF

RESTRICTED IN WIDTH TO LIMIT THE EGRESS TIME FOR THE TOP TIERS OF THE CHEAPER SEATS SO THAT THEY

EGRESS TIME FOR THE TOP TIERS OF THE CHEAPER SEATS SO THAT THEY DIDN'T IMPEDE THE EASY FLOW OUT

THE CHEAPER SEATS SO THAT THEY DIDN'T IMPEDE THE EASY FLOW OUT FROM THE BEST SEATS.

DIDN'T IMPEDE THE EASY FLOW OUT FROM THE BEST SEATS. >> Narrator: THIS INCREDIBLE

FROM THE BEST SEATS. >> Narrator: THIS INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENT WAS UNIQUE TO THE

>> Narrator: THIS INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENT WAS UNIQUE TO THE ROMANS FOR NEARLY 2,000 YEARS.

ACHIEVEMENT WAS UNIQUE TO THE ROMANS FOR NEARLY 2,000 YEARS. WE'VE ONLY MATCHED THE

ROMANS FOR NEARLY 2,000 YEARS. WE'VE ONLY MATCHED THE IMPOSSIBLY ADVANCED DESIGN OF

WE'VE ONLY MATCHED THE IMPOSSIBLY ADVANCED DESIGN OF THE ROMAN ARENA IN THE LAST FEW

IMPOSSIBLY ADVANCED DESIGN OF THE ROMAN ARENA IN THE LAST FEW DECADES.

THE ROMAN ARENA IN THE LAST FEW DECADES. AND THERE'S ONE DESIGN FEATURE

DECADES. AND THERE'S ONE DESIGN FEATURE WE'VE LITERALLY JUST CAUGHT UP

AND THERE'S ONE DESIGN FEATURE WE'VE LITERALLY JUST CAUGHT UP WITH.

WE'VE LITERALLY JUST CAUGHT UP WITH. THE ROMAN ARENA HAD ITS OWN

WITH. THE ROMAN ARENA HAD ITS OWN CLIMATE-CONTROL SYSTEM.

THE ROMAN ARENA HAD ITS OWN CLIMATE-CONTROL SYSTEM. >> WHAT'S SO FANTASTIC ABOUT

CLIMATE-CONTROL SYSTEM. >> WHAT'S SO FANTASTIC ABOUT THIS PLACE IS THAT YOU HAVE THE

>> WHAT'S SO FANTASTIC ABOUT THIS PLACE IS THAT YOU HAVE THE HOLES IN PLACE, WHICH WOULD HAVE

THIS PLACE IS THAT YOU HAVE THE HOLES IN PLACE, WHICH WOULD HAVE HELD MASTS, BIG TIMBERS, ON TOP

HOLES IN PLACE, WHICH WOULD HAVE HELD MASTS, BIG TIMBERS, ON TOP OF WHICH WAS ADDED THE AWNING

HELD MASTS, BIG TIMBERS, ON TOP OF WHICH WAS ADDED THE AWNING SYSTEM SO YOU COULD EXTEND IT

OF WHICH WAS ADDED THE AWNING SYSTEM SO YOU COULD EXTEND IT FROM HERE TOWARD THE CENTER OF

SYSTEM SO YOU COULD EXTEND IT FROM HERE TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE ARENA, KEEPING THE PEOPLE

FROM HERE TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE ARENA, KEEPING THE PEOPLE IN SHADE ON A NICE SUNNY DAY.

THE ARENA, KEEPING THE PEOPLE IN SHADE ON A NICE SUNNY DAY. >> Narrator: CALLED A VELARIUM,

IN SHADE ON A NICE SUNNY DAY. >> Narrator: CALLED A VELARIUM, IT WAS CONTROLLED LIKE A CAMERA

>> Narrator: CALLED A VELARIUM, IT WAS CONTROLLED LIKE A CAMERA IRIS SO THAT AS THE SUN MOVED,

IT WAS CONTROLLED LIKE A CAMERA IRIS SO THAT AS THE SUN MOVED, EVERYONE STAYED IN THE SHADE.

IRIS SO THAT AS THE SUN MOVED, EVERYONE STAYED IN THE SHADE. HOW DID THIS ULTRA-MODERN SYSTEM

EVERYONE STAYED IN THE SHADE. HOW DID THIS ULTRA-MODERN SYSTEM WORK?

HOW DID THIS ULTRA-MODERN SYSTEM WORK? RICHARD WINDLEY IS FINDING OUT

WORK? RICHARD WINDLEY IS FINDING OUT WITH THIS INCREDIBLE MODEL.

RICHARD WINDLEY IS FINDING OUT WITH THIS INCREDIBLE MODEL. >> HOWEVER THIS WAS DONE WAS A

WITH THIS INCREDIBLE MODEL. >> HOWEVER THIS WAS DONE WAS A STAGGERING FEAT OF ENGINEERING.

>> HOWEVER THIS WAS DONE WAS A STAGGERING FEAT OF ENGINEERING. THE PRINCIPLE THAT I'VE GONE

STAGGERING FEAT OF ENGINEERING. THE PRINCIPLE THAT I'VE GONE WITH IN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL IS

THE PRINCIPLE THAT I'VE GONE WITH IN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL IS ONE OF WHAT WE'D NOW CALL A

WITH IN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL IS ONE OF WHAT WE'D NOW CALL A TENSILE STRUCTURE.

ONE ROPE FROM EACH POST, AND THIS GOES TO A CENTRAL ELLIPTICAL ROPE IN THE CENTER,

THIS GOES TO A CENTRAL ELLIPTICAL ROPE IN THE CENTER, THIS IS PULLED INTO AN ELLIPSE

ELLIPTICAL ROPE IN THE CENTER, THIS IS PULLED INTO AN ELLIPSE BY CAREFUL TENSIONING OF THE

THIS IS PULLED INTO AN ELLIPSE BY CAREFUL TENSIONING OF THE CORDS.

BY CAREFUL TENSIONING OF THE CORDS. EACH ONE OF THESE SO-CALLED

CORDS. EACH ONE OF THESE SO-CALLED SEGMENTS NOW WILL SUPPORT A

EACH ONE OF THESE SO-CALLED SEGMENTS NOW WILL SUPPORT A PIECE OF SAIL CLOTH.

SEGMENTS NOW WILL SUPPORT A PIECE OF SAIL CLOTH. AND THERE'S A ROPE ATTACHED AT

PIECE OF SAIL CLOTH. AND THERE'S A ROPE ATTACHED AT THE FRONT END WHICH GOES OVER

AND THERE'S A ROPE ATTACHED AT THE FRONT END WHICH GOES OVER A PULLEY.

THE FRONT END WHICH GOES OVER A PULLEY. BY PULLING ON ONE CORD, WE COULD

A PULLEY. BY PULLING ON ONE CORD, WE COULD EXTEND THE SAIL, AND BY PULLING

BY PULLING ON ONE CORD, WE COULD EXTEND THE SAIL, AND BY PULLING ON THE OTHER ONE, WE CAN RETRACT

EXTEND THE SAIL, AND BY PULLING ON THE OTHER ONE, WE CAN RETRACT IT.

ON THE OTHER ONE, WE CAN RETRACT IT. >> IF I START AND WITHDRAW BY

IT. >> IF I START AND WITHDRAW BY PULLING THE CORDS, YEAH, AND

>> IF I START AND WITHDRAW BY PULLING THE CORDS, YEAH, AND THAT'S STARTING TO WITHDRAW

PULLING THE CORDS, YEAH, AND THAT'S STARTING TO WITHDRAW QUITE SMOOTHLY, ACTUALLY.

THAT'S STARTING TO WITHDRAW QUITE SMOOTHLY, ACTUALLY. >> Narrator: SOME MODERN

QUITE SMOOTHLY, ACTUALLY. >> Narrator: SOME MODERN STADIUMS HAVE OPENING ROOFS.

>> Narrator: SOME MODERN STADIUMS HAVE OPENING ROOFS. BUT THE ROMAN ARENA COULD DO

STADIUMS HAVE OPENING ROOFS. BUT THE ROMAN ARENA COULD DO MUCH, MUCH MORE.

BUT THE ROMAN ARENA COULD DO MUCH, MUCH MORE. >> AND THIS GIVES US THE

MUCH, MUCH MORE. >> AND THIS GIVES US THE INTRIGUING POSSIBILITY THAT THE

>> AND THIS GIVES US THE INTRIGUING POSSIBILITY THAT THE VELARIUM COULD HAVE BEEN MOVED

INTRIGUING POSSIBILITY THAT THE VELARIUM COULD HAVE BEEN MOVED IN VARIOUS WAYS, NOT JUST SIMPLY

VELARIUM COULD HAVE BEEN MOVED IN VARIOUS WAYS, NOT JUST SIMPLY COMPLETELY IN AND OUT.

IN VARIOUS WAYS, NOT JUST SIMPLY COMPLETELY IN AND OUT. BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN GRADUALLY

COMPLETELY IN AND OUT. BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN GRADUALLY MOVED TO FAVOR THE SUN AS IT

BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN GRADUALLY MOVED TO FAVOR THE SUN AS IT MOVED THROUGH THE SKY, AND IF

MOVED TO FAVOR THE SUN AS IT MOVED THROUGH THE SKY, AND IF THIS WAS THE CASE, IT'S

MOVED THROUGH THE SKY, AND IF THIS WAS THE CASE, IT'S CERTAINLY FEASIBLE.

THIS WAS THE CASE, IT'S CERTAINLY FEASIBLE. BUT THAT IS A VERY SOPHISTICATED

CERTAINLY FEASIBLE. BUT THAT IS A VERY SOPHISTICATED PIECE OF ENGINEERING AND A VERY

BUT THAT IS A VERY SOPHISTICATED PIECE OF ENGINEERING AND A VERY SOPHISTICATED CONCEPT, IN FACT.

PIECE OF ENGINEERING AND A VERY SOPHISTICATED CONCEPT, IN FACT. >> Narrator: THIS SYSTEM WAS SO

SOPHISTICATED CONCEPT, IN FACT. >> Narrator: THIS SYSTEM WAS SO ADVANCED THAT MODERN BUILDINGS

>> Narrator: THIS SYSTEM WAS SO ADVANCED THAT MODERN BUILDINGS ARE ONLY JUST STARTING TO CATCH

ADVANCED THAT MODERN BUILDINGS ARE ONLY JUST STARTING TO CATCH UP.

ARE ONLY JUST STARTING TO CATCH UP. >> IF YOU TAKE ONE OF THE

UP. >> IF YOU TAKE ONE OF THE STADIUMS WITH THE SOCCER WORLD

>> IF YOU TAKE ONE OF THE STADIUMS WITH THE SOCCER WORLD CUP IN QATAR, THAT HAS A

STADIUMS WITH THE SOCCER WORLD CUP IN QATAR, THAT HAS A RETRACTABLE FABRIC ROOF FOR

CUP IN QATAR, THAT HAS A RETRACTABLE FABRIC ROOF FOR EXACTLY THIS PURPOSE, PULLED TO

RETRACTABLE FABRIC ROOF FOR EXACTLY THIS PURPOSE, PULLED TO AND FRO ON WIRE GUIDELINES

EXACTLY THIS PURPOSE, PULLED TO AND FRO ON WIRE GUIDELINES EXACTLY LIKE THE VELARIUM DID

AND FRO ON WIRE GUIDELINES EXACTLY LIKE THE VELARIUM DID AT THE COLOSSEUM.

EXACTLY LIKE THE VELARIUM DID AT THE COLOSSEUM. WE SEE THAT THE COLOSSEUM 2,000

AT THE COLOSSEUM. WE SEE THAT THE COLOSSEUM 2,000 YEARS AGO WAS SO FAR AHEAD OF

WE SEE THAT THE COLOSSEUM 2,000 YEARS AGO WAS SO FAR AHEAD OF ITS TIME.

YEARS AGO WAS SO FAR AHEAD OF ITS TIME. >> Narrator: BUT THE ROMANS USED

ITS TIME. >> Narrator: BUT THE ROMANS USED THEIR ENGINEERING AND BUILDING

>> Narrator: BUT THE ROMANS USED THEIR ENGINEERING AND BUILDING GENIUS FOR MUCH MORE PRACTICAL

THEIR ENGINEERING AND BUILDING GENIUS FOR MUCH MORE PRACTICAL REASONS, TOO.

GENIUS FOR MUCH MORE PRACTICAL REASONS, TOO. LIKE DEFENDING THE FURTHEST

REASONS, TOO. LIKE DEFENDING THE FURTHEST REACHES OF THE EMPIRE.

>> Narrator: WE'VE SEEN THE INCREDIBLE TECHNOLOGICAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE ROMAN

INCREDIBLE TECHNOLOGICAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, AND HOW SOME ARE SO

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, AND HOW SOME ARE SO MODERN, WE'RE ONLY JUST CATCHING

EMPIRE, AND HOW SOME ARE SO MODERN, WE'RE ONLY JUST CATCHING UP WITH THEM TODAY.

MODERN, WE'RE ONLY JUST CATCHING UP WITH THEM TODAY. WITH ROME AT THE HEIGHT OF ITS

UP WITH THEM TODAY. WITH ROME AT THE HEIGHT OF ITS POWER, ONE EMPEROR, HADRIAN,

WITH ROME AT THE HEIGHT OF ITS POWER, ONE EMPEROR, HADRIAN, UNDERTOOK THE EMPIRE'S GREATEST

POWER, ONE EMPEROR, HADRIAN, UNDERTOOK THE EMPIRE'S GREATEST ENGINEERING PROJECT TO SECURE

UNDERTOOK THE EMPIRE'S GREATEST ENGINEERING PROJECT TO SECURE ITS FRONTIERS.

ENGINEERING PROJECT TO SECURE ITS FRONTIERS. HIS MOST IMPOSSIBLE TA WAS TO

ITS FRONTIERS. HIS MOST IMPOSSIBLE TA WAS TO CONTROL THE WILD NORTHERN

HIS MOST IMPOSSIBLE TA WAS TO CONTROL THE WILD NORTHERN FRONTIER OF THE PROVINCE OF

CONTROL THE WILD NORTHERN FRONTIER OF THE PROVINCE OF BRITAIN.

FRONTIER OF THE PROVINCE OF BRITAIN. >> BRITAIN-- BRITANNIA-- WAS

BRITAIN. >> BRITAIN-- BRITANNIA-- WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE EMPIRE

>> BRITAIN-- BRITANNIA-- WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE EMPIRE INSOFAR AS IT WAS A PRODUCTIVE

VERY IMPORTANT TO THE EMPIRE INSOFAR AS IT WAS A PRODUCTIVE PROVINCE.

INSOFAR AS IT WAS A PRODUCTIVE PROVINCE. FURTHER NORTH, YOU'VE GOT TRIBES

PROVINCE. FURTHER NORTH, YOU'VE GOT TRIBES WHO'VE BEEN PACIFIED FOR THE

FURTHER NORTH, YOU'VE GOT TRIBES WHO'VE BEEN PACIFIED FOR THE MOMENT.

WHO'VE BEEN PACIFIED FOR THE MOMENT. SO THIS WALL ALONG THIS EDGE OF

MOMENT. SO THIS WALL ALONG THIS EDGE OF THE EMPIRE SECURES THE BOUNDARY

SO THIS WALL ALONG THIS EDGE OF THE EMPIRE SECURES THE BOUNDARY AGAINST INCURSION BUT ALSO

THE EMPIRE SECURES THE BOUNDARY AGAINST INCURSION BUT ALSO FACILITATES TRADE.

AGAINST INCURSION BUT ALSO FACILITATES TRADE. >> Narrator: THE END OF THE

FACILITATES TRADE. >> Narrator: THE END OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE WAS THIS FRONTIER

>> Narrator: THE END OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE WAS THIS FRONTIER 73 MILES LONG.

ROMAN EMPIRE WAS THIS FRONTIER 73 MILES LONG. HADRIAN SEALED IT WITH A VAST

73 MILES LONG. HADRIAN SEALED IT WITH A VAST WALL ON AN UNIMAGINABLE SCALE,

HADRIAN SEALED IT WITH A VAST WALL ON AN UNIMAGINABLE SCALE, FAR LARGER THAN ANY

WALL ON AN UNIMAGINABLE SCALE, FAR LARGER THAN ANY FORTIFICATION IN THE ROMAN

FAR LARGER THAN ANY FORTIFICATION IN THE ROMAN WORLD.

FORTIFICATION IN THE ROMAN WORLD. ORIGINALLY IT WAS 10 FEET WIDE

WORLD. ORIGINALLY IT WAS 10 FEET WIDE AND UP TO 20 FEET HIGH.

ORIGINALLY IT WAS 10 FEET WIDE AND UP TO 20 FEET HIGH. IF AN ENEMY MANAGED TO CROSS THE

AND UP TO 20 FEET HIGH. IF AN ENEMY MANAGED TO CROSS THE WALL, THE ROMANS HAD ANOTHER

IF AN ENEMY MANAGED TO CROSS THE WALL, THE ROMANS HAD ANOTHER FORMIDABLE OBSTACLE LYING IN

WALL, THE ROMANS HAD ANOTHER FORMIDABLE OBSTACLE LYING IN AMBUSH.

FORMIDABLE OBSTACLE LYING IN AMBUSH. BUT WHO CONSTRUCTED THIS MISSION

AMBUSH. BUT WHO CONSTRUCTED THIS MISSION IMPOSSIBLE?

BUT WHO CONSTRUCTED THIS MISSION IMPOSSIBLE? THE ROMAN ARMY.

IMPOSSIBLE? THE ROMAN ARMY. AT THE SIEGE OF MASADA, THESE

THE ROMAN ARMY. AT THE SIEGE OF MASADA, THESE SUPER SOLDIERS MOVED THE

AT THE SIEGE OF MASADA, THESE SUPER SOLDIERS MOVED THE EQUIVALENT OF ONE AND A HALF

SUPER SOLDIERS MOVED THE EQUIVALENT OF ONE AND A HALF EMPIRE STATE BUILDINGS TO BUILD

EQUIVALENT OF ONE AND A HALF EMPIRE STATE BUILDINGS TO BUILD A VAST RAMP.

EMPIRE STATE BUILDINGS TO BUILD A VAST RAMP. IN JUST WEEKS, ROMAN SPEED AND

A VAST RAMP. IN JUST WEEKS, ROMAN SPEED AND EFFICIENCY MOVED THE GREATEST

IN JUST WEEKS, ROMAN SPEED AND EFFICIENCY MOVED THE GREATEST MAN-MADE MOUNTAIN IN THE ANCIENT

EFFICIENCY MOVED THE GREATEST MAN-MADE MOUNTAIN IN THE ANCIENT WORLD.

MAN-MADE MOUNTAIN IN THE ANCIENT WORLD. AND SUBDUED AN IMPREGNABLE

WORLD. AND SUBDUED AN IMPREGNABLE FORTRESS.

AND SUBDUED AN IMPREGNABLE FORTRESS. >> THE ROMAN ARMY HAD GOT AN

FORTRESS. >> THE ROMAN ARMY HAD GOT AN EXTENDED HISTORY OF GREAT

>> THE ROMAN ARMY HAD GOT AN EXTENDED HISTORY OF GREAT ENGINEERING WORKS, BUT HADRIAN,

EXTENDED HISTORY OF GREAT ENGINEERING WORKS, BUT HADRIAN, HE HAD TO GO ONE BETTER--

ENGINEERING WORKS, BUT HADRIAN, HE HAD TO GO ONE BETTER-- A MASSIVE WALL MARKING THE

HE HAD TO GO ONE BETTER-- A MASSIVE WALL MARKING THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY OF THE EMPIRE.

>> Narrator: FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS AFTER THE FALL OF ROME, THIS ONCE-MIGHTY WALL WAS ROBBED

YEARS AFTER THE FALL OF ROME, THIS ONCE-MIGHTY WALL WAS ROBBED FOR BUILDING MATERIALS.

THIS ONCE-MIGHTY WALL WAS ROBBED FOR BUILDING MATERIALS. IT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE, BUT THREE

FOR BUILDING MATERIALS. IT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE, BUT THREE ROMAN LEGIONS, ABOUT 15,000 MEN,

IT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE, BUT THREE ROMAN LEGIONS, ABOUT 15,000 MEN, BUILT THIS 73-MILE WALL IN JUST

ROMAN LEGIONS, ABOUT 15,000 MEN, BUILT THIS 73-MILE WALL IN JUST FIVE YEARS.

BUILT THIS 73-MILE WALL IN JUST FIVE YEARS. >> THIS WALL CONTAINED 35

FIVE YEARS. >> THIS WALL CONTAINED 35 MILLION CUBIC FEET OF MATERIAL

>> THIS WALL CONTAINED 35 MILLION CUBIC FEET OF MATERIAL AND ALL MOVED AND CUT BY HAND.

MILLION CUBIC FEET OF MATERIAL AND ALL MOVED AND CUT BY HAND. IT'S JUST INCREDIBLE.

>> Narrator: ROMAN SOLDIERS ONLY HAD THE TOOL KITS THEY CARRIED ON THEIR BACKS, SUCH AS THESE.

HAD THE TOOL KITS THEY CARRIED ON THEIR BACKS, SUCH AS THESE. >> THE LIGO WAS AN ENTRENCHING

ON THEIR BACKS, SUCH AS THESE. >> THE LIGO WAS AN ENTRENCHING TOOL THAT HAD THE NICKNAME, "THE

>> THE LIGO WAS AN ENTRENCHING TOOL THAT HAD THE NICKNAME, "THE ANKLE BREAKER."

TOOL THAT HAD THE NICKNAME, "THE ANKLE BREAKER." YOU SWING IT WITH YOUR LEGS

ANKLE BREAKER." YOU SWING IT WITH YOUR LEGS APART, AND IF YOU DON'T PAY

YOU SWING IT WITH YOUR LEGS APART, AND IF YOU DON'T PAY ATTENTION, YOU END UP BREAKING

APART, AND IF YOU DON'T PAY ATTENTION, YOU END UP BREAKING YOUR ANKLES WITH IT.

ATTENTION, YOU END UP BREAKING YOUR ANKLES WITH IT. SECONDLY, WE HAVE A VERY FAMOUS

YOUR ANKLES WITH IT. SECONDLY, WE HAVE A VERY FAMOUS TOOL, THE DOLABRA.

SECONDLY, WE HAVE A VERY FAMOUS TOOL, THE DOLABRA. JULIUS CAESAR ONCE SAID THAT

TOOL, THE DOLABRA. JULIUS CAESAR ONCE SAID THAT MORE BATTLES HAD BEEN WON WITH

JULIUS CAESAR ONCE SAID THAT MORE BATTLES HAD BEEN WON WITH THE ENTRENCHING TOOL,

MORE BATTLES HAD BEEN WON WITH THE ENTRENCHING TOOL, PARTICULARLY THE DOLABRA, THAN

THE ENTRENCHING TOOL, PARTICULARLY THE DOLABRA, THAN WITH THE SWORD.

PARTICULARLY THE DOLABRA, THAN WITH THE SWORD. THIS WAS USED FOR CUTTING OUT

WITH THE SWORD. THIS WAS USED FOR CUTTING OUT TREE STUMPS.

THIS WAS USED FOR CUTTING OUT TREE STUMPS. IT HAS A VERY SHARP BLADE AND A

TREE STUMPS. IT HAS A VERY SHARP BLADE AND A HOOK AT THE OTHER END FOR

IT HAS A VERY SHARP BLADE AND A HOOK AT THE OTHER END FOR LEVERING UP ROOTS AND THAT SORT

HOOK AT THE OTHER END FOR LEVERING UP ROOTS AND THAT SORT OF THING.

LEVERING UP ROOTS AND THAT SORT OF THING. >> Narrator: TO MAKE THE WALL AN

OF THING. >> Narrator: TO MAKE THE WALL AN EVEN MORE IMPASSABLE BARRIER,

>> Narrator: TO MAKE THE WALL AN EVEN MORE IMPASSABLE BARRIER, THE ROMANS USED EXISTING NATURAL

EVEN MORE IMPASSABLE BARRIER, THE ROMANS USED EXISTING NATURAL OBSTACLES LIKE THIS CLIFF.

THE ROMANS USED EXISTING NATURAL OBSTACLES LIKE THIS CLIFF. BUT HOW WERE THESE PERFECTLY

OBSTACLES LIKE THIS CLIFF. BUT HOW WERE THESE PERFECTLY STRAIGHT LINES ACHIEVED ALONG

BUT HOW WERE THESE PERFECTLY STRAIGHT LINES ACHIEVED ALONG THE COURSE OF THE WALL?

STRAIGHT LINES ACHIEVED ALONG THE COURSE OF THE WALL? THE ANSWER LIES IN ANOTHER

THE COURSE OF THE WALL? THE ANSWER LIES IN ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE ROMANS' MASTERY

THE ANSWER LIES IN ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE ROMANS' MASTERY OF MASSIVE CONSTRUCTION.

>> THE GROMA. WITH THESE MACHINES, GREAT DISTANCES OF STRAIGHT LINES

WITH THESE MACHINES, GREAT DISTANCES OF STRAIGHT LINES COULD BE MARKED.

>> THIS IS THE GROMA. IT'S A SIMPLE AND INGENIOUS WAY OF PLOTTING STRAIGHT LINES AND

IT'S A SIMPLE AND INGENIOUS WAY OF PLOTTING STRAIGHT LINES AND RIGHT ANGLES.

OF PLOTTING STRAIGHT LINES AND RIGHT ANGLES. THIS IS HOW HADRIAN'S WALL WAS

RIGHT ANGLES. THIS IS HOW HADRIAN'S WALL WAS LAID OUT SO ACCURATELY.

THIS IS HOW HADRIAN'S WALL WAS LAID OUT SO ACCURATELY. >> THEY'RE SIMPLY STRING AND

LAID OUT SO ACCURATELY. >> THEY'RE SIMPLY STRING AND LEAD WEIGHTS, BUT THE

>> THEY'RE SIMPLY STRING AND LEAD WEIGHTS, BUT THE MATHEMATICS INVOLVED IN THESE

LEAD WEIGHTS, BUT THE MATHEMATICS INVOLVED IN THESE MACHINES SET THE ROMANS FAR

MATHEMATICS INVOLVED IN THESE MACHINES SET THE ROMANS FAR AHEAD OF ANYONE ELSE IN THEIR

MACHINES SET THE ROMANS FAR AHEAD OF ANYONE ELSE IN THEIR CONSTRUCTION WORK.

AHEAD OF ANYONE ELSE IN THEIR CONSTRUCTION WORK. THESE PLUMB BOBS, OR PLUMB

CONSTRUCTION WORK. THESE PLUMB BOBS, OR PLUMB LINES, ENSURE THAT THE POLE IS

THESE PLUMB BOBS, OR PLUMB LINES, ENSURE THAT THE POLE IS COMPLETELY UPRIGHT AND ABOVE

LINES, ENSURE THAT THE POLE IS COMPLETELY UPRIGHT AND ABOVE THE POINT YOU'RE MEASURING FROM.

COMPLETELY UPRIGHT AND ABOVE THE POINT YOU'RE MEASURING FROM. GET AN ASSISTANT WITH A POLE

THE POINT YOU'RE MEASURING FROM. GET AN ASSISTANT WITH A POLE AND MOVE HIM UNTIL HIS POLE IS

GET AN ASSISTANT WITH A POLE AND MOVE HIM UNTIL HIS POLE IS LINED UP WITH THE THREE PLUMB

AND MOVE HIM UNTIL HIS POLE IS LINED UP WITH THE THREE PLUMB BOBS.

LINED UP WITH THE THREE PLUMB BOBS. IT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE THAT THE

BOBS. IT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE THAT THE ROMANS COULD SURVEY SO

IT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE THAT THE ROMANS COULD SURVEY SO ACCURATELY.

ROMANS COULD SURVEY SO ACCURATELY. >> Narrator: THERE WERE OTHER

ACCURATELY. >> Narrator: THERE WERE OTHER MONSTER FORTIFICATIONS IN THE

>> Narrator: THERE WERE OTHER MONSTER FORTIFICATIONS IN THE ANCIENT WORLD, BUT THIS MIGHTY

MONSTER FORTIFICATIONS IN THE ANCIENT WORLD, BUT THIS MIGHTY ROMAN WALL WASN'T JUST ABOUT

ANCIENT WORLD, BUT THIS MIGHTY ROMAN WALL WASN'T JUST ABOUT SCALE.

ROMAN WALL WASN'T JUST ABOUT SCALE. >> SURE, YOU CAN LOOK AT THE

SCALE. >> SURE, YOU CAN LOOK AT THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA AND THINK.

>> SURE, YOU CAN LOOK AT THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA AND THINK. "WELL, IT'S LONGER AND BIGGER."

GREAT WALL OF CHINA AND THINK. "WELL, IT'S LONGER AND BIGGER." BUT FOR THE SIZE FOR THE WORK

"WELL, IT'S LONGER AND BIGGER." BUT FOR THE SIZE FOR THE WORK FORCE...

BUT FOR THE SIZE FOR THE WORK FORCE... ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE.

FORCE... ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. >> Narrator: HADRIAN'S WALL, THE

ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. >> Narrator: HADRIAN'S WALL, THE ENGINEERING TRIUMPH OF THE ROMAN

>> Narrator: HADRIAN'S WALL, THE ENGINEERING TRIUMPH OF THE ROMAN LEGIONS, WAS BUILT IN JUST FIVE

ENGINEERING TRIUMPH OF THE ROMAN LEGIONS, WAS BUILT IN JUST FIVE YEARS.

LEGIONS, WAS BUILT IN JUST FIVE YEARS. THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA TOOK

YEARS. THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA TOOK NEARLY 2,000 YEARS AND MAY HAVE

THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA TOOK NEARLY 2,000 YEARS AND MAY HAVE COST AS MANY AS A MILLION LIVES.

NEARLY 2,000 YEARS AND MAY HAVE COST AS MANY AS A MILLION LIVES. THE CHINESE WANTED AN

COST AS MANY AS A MILLION LIVES. THE CHINESE WANTED AN IMPENETRABLE BARRIER.

THE CHINESE WANTED AN IMPENETRABLE BARRIER. BUT THE ROMANS WANTED A MODERN

IMPENETRABLE BARRIER. BUT THE ROMANS WANTED A MODERN FRONTIER TO CONTROL TRADE AND

BUT THE ROMANS WANTED A MODERN FRONTIER TO CONTROL TRADE AND MIGRATION.

FRONTIER TO CONTROL TRADE AND MIGRATION. >> THE ROMANS CAN REACH OUT INTO

MIGRATION. >> THE ROMANS CAN REACH OUT INTO THE IMMEDIATELY PACIFIED AREA,

>> THE ROMANS CAN REACH OUT INTO THE IMMEDIATELY PACIFIED AREA, AND EVEN FURTHER AFIELD, TO

THE IMMEDIATELY PACIFIED AREA, AND EVEN FURTHER AFIELD, TO TRADE AND OBTAIN THOSE RESOURCES

AND EVEN FURTHER AFIELD, TO TRADE AND OBTAIN THOSE RESOURCES WITHOUT HAVING TO ACTUALLY LIVE

TRADE AND OBTAIN THOSE RESOURCES WITHOUT HAVING TO ACTUALLY LIVE THERE.

WITHOUT HAVING TO ACTUALLY LIVE THERE. >> Narrator: HADRIAN'S WALL

THERE. >> Narrator: HADRIAN'S WALL DOESN'T JUST SHOW US THAT THE

>> Narrator: HADRIAN'S WALL DOESN'T JUST SHOW US THAT THE ROMANS COULD ACHIEVE THE

DOESN'T JUST SHOW US THAT THE ROMANS COULD ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE.

ROMANS COULD ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE. IT'S THE BEGINNING OF THE

IMPOSSIBLE. IT'S THE BEGINNING OF THE MODERN FRONTIERS THAT CONTROL

IT'S THE BEGINNING OF THE MODERN FRONTIERS THAT CONTROL OUR WORLD TODAY.

>> Narrator: OVER 2,000 YEARS AGO, THE ROMAN EMPIRE ADAPTED A DEADLY WEAPON SO VERSATILE, IT

AGO, THE ROMAN EMPIRE ADAPTED A DEADLY WEAPON SO VERSATILE, IT PREDATED MODERN SNIPERS...

DEADLY WEAPON SO VERSATILE, IT PREDATED MODERN SNIPERS... MACHINE GUNS...

PREDATED MODERN SNIPERS... MACHINE GUNS... ARTILLERY BARRAGES...

MACHINE GUNS... ARTILLERY BARRAGES... AND EVEN TANKS.

ARTILLERY BARRAGES... AND EVEN TANKS. THE ROMANS REALIZED THAT LONG-

AND EVEN TANKS. THE ROMANS REALIZED THAT LONG- RANGE FIREPOWER WAS A

THE ROMANS REALIZED THAT LONG- RANGE FIREPOWER WAS A GAME-CHANGER THAT COULD WIN

RANGE FIREPOWER WAS A GAME-CHANGER THAT COULD WIN AGAINST IMPOSSIBLE ODDS.

GAME-CHANGER THAT COULD WIN AGAINST IMPOSSIBLE ODDS. HOW DID THIS ADVANCED MILITARY

AGAINST IMPOSSIBLE ODDS. HOW DID THIS ADVANCED MILITARY TECHNOLOGY ACHIEVE THE

HOW DID THIS ADVANCED MILITARY TECHNOLOGY ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE?

TECHNOLOGY ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE? >> ROME WAS ALL ABOUT MIGHT AND

IMPOSSIBLE? >> ROME WAS ALL ABOUT MIGHT AND POWER.

>> ROME WAS ALL ABOUT MIGHT AND POWER. IN ORDER TO SPREAD THEIR

POWER. IN ORDER TO SPREAD THEIR INFLUENCE, THEY HAD TO FACE

IN ORDER TO SPREAD THEIR INFLUENCE, THEY HAD TO FACE NUMEROUS ARMIES.

INFLUENCE, THEY HAD TO FACE NUMEROUS ARMIES. AND TO CONQUER THEM, THEY BUILT

NUMEROUS ARMIES. AND TO CONQUER THEM, THEY BUILT POWERFUL WEAPONS

AND TO CONQUER THEM, THEY BUILT POWERFUL WEAPONS >> Narrator: HERE IN ROME,

POWERFUL WEAPONS >> Narrator: HERE IN ROME, ITALY, THERE IS A MONUMENT THAT

>> Narrator: HERE IN ROME, ITALY, THERE IS A MONUMENT THAT TELLS US HOW ROME SUPERSIZED ITS

ITALY, THERE IS A MONUMENT THAT TELLS US HOW ROME SUPERSIZED ITS FIREPOWER.

TELLS US HOW ROME SUPERSIZED ITS FIREPOWER. BUILT FOR THE EMPEROR TRAJAN,

FIREPOWER. BUILT FOR THE EMPEROR TRAJAN, IT'S A FASCINATING RECORD OF THE

BUILT FOR THE EMPEROR TRAJAN, IT'S A FASCINATING RECORD OF THE ROMAN ARMY IN THE 2nd CENTURY

IT'S A FASCINATING RECORD OF THE ROMAN ARMY IN THE 2nd CENTURY A.D.

ROMAN ARMY IN THE 2nd CENTURY A.D. TRAJAN'S COLUMN IS 130 FEET HIGH

A.D. TRAJAN'S COLUMN IS 130 FEET HIGH WITH A 650-FOOT LONG RELIEF OF

TRAJAN'S COLUMN IS 130 FEET HIGH WITH A 650-FOOT LONG RELIEF OF TRAJAN'S WARS WINDING AROUND IT

WITH A 650-FOOT LONG RELIEF OF TRAJAN'S WARS WINDING AROUND IT LIKE AN ANCIENT COMIC STRIP.

TRAJAN'S WARS WINDING AROUND IT LIKE AN ANCIENT COMIC STRIP. BUT WE CAN SEE ITS DETAILS FROM

LIKE AN ANCIENT COMIC STRIP. BUT WE CAN SEE ITS DETAILS FROM THESE PLASTER CASTS MADE FROM

BUT WE CAN SEE ITS DETAILS FROM THESE PLASTER CASTS MADE FROM ITS MAGNIFICENT CARVINGS.

THESE PLASTER CASTS MADE FROM ITS MAGNIFICENT CARVINGS. THIS SHOWS THE WEAPON THAT

ITS MAGNIFICENT CARVINGS. THIS SHOWS THE WEAPON THAT EMPEROR TRAJAN USED TO

THIS SHOWS THE WEAPON THAT EMPEROR TRAJAN USED TO DEVASTATING EFFECT--

EMPEROR TRAJAN USED TO DEVASTATING EFFECT-- THE BALLISTA.

DEVASTATING EFFECT-- THE BALLISTA. >> THE BALLISTA WAS ONE OF THE

THE BALLISTA. >> THE BALLISTA WAS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPONS IN THE

>> THE BALLISTA WAS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPONS IN THE ROMAN ARSENAL.

MOST POWERFUL WEAPONS IN THE ROMAN ARSENAL. IT DRAWS ITS POWER FROM TWO

ROMAN ARSENAL. IT DRAWS ITS POWER FROM TWO TWISTED SKEINS OF SOMETIMES

IT DRAWS ITS POWER FROM TWO TWISTED SKEINS OF SOMETIMES ROPE, SOMETIMES HUMAN HAIR, BUT

TWISTED SKEINS OF SOMETIMES ROPE, SOMETIMES HUMAN HAIR, BUT PARTICULARLY SINEW.

ROPE, SOMETIMES HUMAN HAIR, BUT PARTICULARLY SINEW. THESE SKEINS OF FIBER THE

PARTICULARLY SINEW. THESE SKEINS OF FIBER THE ROMANS ACTUALLY CALLED TORMENTA,

THESE SKEINS OF FIBER THE ROMANS ACTUALLY CALLED TORMENTA, ALMOST LIKE TORMENTED SOULS,

ROMANS ACTUALLY CALLED TORMENTA, ALMOST LIKE TORMENTED SOULS, BECAUSE AS YOU CRANK THEM UP...

ALMOST LIKE TORMENTED SOULS, BECAUSE AS YOU CRANK THEM UP... (ropes whining)

BECAUSE AS YOU CRANK THEM UP... (ropes whining) YOU CAN HEAR THEM STRAINING,

(ropes whining) YOU CAN HEAR THEM STRAINING, ALMOST SCREAMING WITH THE POWER

YOU CAN HEAR THEM STRAINING, ALMOST SCREAMING WITH THE POWER WHICH IS PENT UP, READY TO

ALMOST SCREAMING WITH THE POWER WHICH IS PENT UP, READY TO SHOOT.

WHICH IS PENT UP, READY TO SHOOT. >> Narrator: THE TWISTED FIBER

SHOOT. >> Narrator: THE TWISTED FIBER SPRINGS PROTECTED BY BRASS

>> Narrator: THE TWISTED FIBER SPRINGS PROTECTED BY BRASS CYLINDERS CREATE THE FIGHTING

SPRINGS PROTECTED BY BRASS CYLINDERS CREATE THE FIGHTING POWER OF THIS BATTLE-WINNING

CYLINDERS CREATE THE FIGHTING POWER OF THIS BATTLE-WINNING WEAPON.

POWER OF THIS BATTLE-WINNING WEAPON. THE WINDLASS PULLS BACK THE

WEAPON. THE WINDLASS PULLS BACK THE STRING ATTACHED TO THE BALLISTA

THE WINDLASS PULLS BACK THE STRING ATTACHED TO THE BALLISTA ARMS.

STRING ATTACHED TO THE BALLISTA ARMS. THIS CREATES ENORMOUS TENSION IN

ARMS. THIS CREATES ENORMOUS TENSION IN THE FIBER SPRING, WHICH LEFT

THIS CREATES ENORMOUS TENSION IN THE FIBER SPRING, WHICH LEFT UNRELEASED, IS FIERCE ENOUGH TO

THE FIBER SPRING, WHICH LEFT UNRELEASED, IS FIERCE ENOUGH TO TEAR THE BALLISTA APART.

UNRELEASED, IS FIERCE ENOUGH TO TEAR THE BALLISTA APART. >> JUST IMAGINE THE POWER AND

TEAR THE BALLISTA APART. >> JUST IMAGINE THE POWER AND LETHALITY OF THESEYPES OF

>> JUST IMAGINE THE POWER AND LETHALITY OF THESEYPES OF WEAPONS.

LETHALITY OF THESEYPES OF WEAPONS. IT'S SOMETHING YOU WOULD NEVER

WEAPONS. IT'S SOMETHING YOU WOULD NEVER WANT TO GO UP AGAINST.

IT'S SOMETHING YOU WOULD NEVER WANT TO GO UP AGAINST. >> Narrator: INCREDIBLY, A

WANT TO GO UP AGAINST. >> Narrator: INCREDIBLY, A BALLISTA TARGET USED BY THE

>> Narrator: INCREDIBLY, A BALLISTA TARGET USED BY THE ROMANS WAS FOUND IN THE REMAINS

BALLISTA TARGET USED BY THE ROMANS WAS FOUND IN THE REMAINS OF A ROMAN FORT.

ROMANS WAS FOUND IN THE REMAINS OF A ROMAN FORT. THESE HOLES LOOK LIKE THEY'VE

OF A ROMAN FORT. THESE HOLES LOOK LIKE THEY'VE BEEN SMASHED WITH THE FORCE OF

THESE HOLES LOOK LIKE THEY'VE BEEN SMASHED WITH THE FORCE OF MODERN BULLETS.

BEEN SMASHED WITH THE FORCE OF MODERN BULLETS. >> ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FROM

MODERN BULLETS. >> ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FROM THE ROMAN BASE CAMP OF

>> ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FROM THE ROMAN BASE CAMP OF VINDOLANDA ON THE SCOTTISH

THE ROMAN BASE CAMP OF VINDOLANDA ON THE SCOTTISH BORDER, THEY FOUND ANIMAL

VINDOLANDA ON THE SCOTTISH BORDER, THEY FOUND ANIMAL SKULLS, AND WE KNOW THAT THEY

BORDER, THEY FOUND ANIMAL SKULLS, AND WE KNOW THAT THEY USED THESE FOR BALLISTA TARGET

SKULLS, AND WE KNOW THAT THEY USED THESE FOR BALLISTA TARGET PRACTICE.

USED THESE FOR BALLISTA TARGET PRACTICE. IT'S GOOD FOR THE ROMANS, IT'S

PRACTICE. IT'S GOOD FOR THE ROMANS, IT'S GOOD FOR US.

IT'S GOOD FOR THE ROMANS, IT'S GOOD FOR US. >> Narrator: FOR THE FIRST TIME,

GOOD FOR US. >> Narrator: FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE'RE TESTING THE POWER AND

>> Narrator: FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE'RE TESTING THE POWER AND ACCURACY OF THIS INCREDIBLE

WE'RE TESTING THE POWER AND ACCURACY OF THIS INCREDIBLE ANCIENT WEAPON.

ACCURACY OF THIS INCREDIBLE ANCIENT WEAPON. >> AND NOW WE'RE PUTTING THE

ANCIENT WEAPON. >> AND NOW WE'RE PUTTING THE BALLISTA TO THE TEST.

>> AND NOW WE'RE PUTTING THE BALLISTA TO THE TEST. I'M GONNA SEE IF I CAN CLOCK THE

BALLISTA TO THE TEST. I'M GONNA SEE IF I CAN CLOCK THE SPEED OF THE BOLT.

I'M GONNA SEE IF I CAN CLOCK THE SPEED OF THE BOLT. (ropes whining)

SPEED OF THE BOLT. (ropes whining) >> Narrator: THIS RADAR GUN

(ropes whining) >> Narrator: THIS RADAR GUN NORMALLY CHECKS SPEEDING CARS.

>> Narrator: THIS RADAR GUN NORMALLY CHECKS SPEEDING CARS. TODAY IT'S GOING TO MEASURE THE

NORMALLY CHECKS SPEEDING CARS. TODAY IT'S GOING TO MEASURE THE SPEED OF A BALLISTA BOLT.

>> (laughs) OH, MAN. HA.

OH, MAN. HA. TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.

HA. TAKE A LOOK AT THAT. WHOO.

TAKE A LOOK AT THAT. WHOO. THAT IS WHAT THEY CALL A KILL

WHOO. THAT IS WHAT THEY CALL A KILL SHOT TO THE HEAD AT 70 MILES PER

THAT IS WHAT THEY CALL A KILL SHOT TO THE HEAD AT 70 MILES PER HOUR, JUST OVER 100 FEET PER

SHOT TO THE HEAD AT 70 MILES PER HOUR, JUST OVER 100 FEET PER SECOND.

HOUR, JUST OVER 100 FEET PER SECOND. WHOO.

SECOND. WHOO. TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF JUST HOW

WHOO. TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF JUST HOW POWERFUL THESE WEAPONS ARE, IT

TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF JUST HOW POWERFUL THESE WEAPONS ARE, IT WAS RECORDED AT THE SIEGE OF

POWERFUL THESE WEAPONS ARE, IT WAS RECORDED AT THE SIEGE OF ROME THAT A BOLT FROM A

WAS RECORDED AT THE SIEGE OF ROME THAT A BOLT FROM A TOWER-MOUNTED BALLISTA

ROME THAT A BOLT FROM A TOWER-MOUNTED BALLISTA PENETRATED A GOTH'S ARMOR AND

TOWER-MOUNTED BALLISTA PENETRATED A GOTH'S ARMOR AND PINNED HIM TO A TREE.

PENETRATED A GOTH'S ARMOR AND PINNED HIM TO A TREE. THIS IS A WEAPON OF

PINNED HIM TO A TREE. THIS IS A WEAPON OF INTIMIDATION, AND IT SCREAMS

THIS IS A WEAPON OF INTIMIDATION, AND IT SCREAMS "DON'T MESS WITH ROME."

INTIMIDATION, AND IT SCREAMS "DON'T MESS WITH ROME." >> Narrator: THE BALLISTA WASN'T

"DON'T MESS WITH ROME." >> Narrator: THE BALLISTA WASN'T JUST POWERFUL.

>> Narrator: THE BALLISTA WASN'T JUST POWERFUL. IT WAS DEADLY ACCURATE.

JUST POWERFUL. IT WAS DEADLY ACCURATE. >> THE BALLISTA SHOOTS A HEAVY

IT WAS DEADLY ACCURATE. >> THE BALLISTA SHOOTS A HEAVY BOLT, WOOD AND AN IRON TIP, WITH

>> THE BALLISTA SHOOTS A HEAVY BOLT, WOOD AND AN IRON TIP, WITH PINPOINT ACCURACY LONG RANGE,

BOLT, WOOD AND AN IRON TIP, WITH PINPOINT ACCURACY LONG RANGE, AND IT CAN PENETRATE ARMOR.

PINPOINT ACCURACY LONG RANGE, AND IT CAN PENETRATE ARMOR. SO WHEN A SNIPER SITS BACK ON A

AND IT CAN PENETRATE ARMOR. SO WHEN A SNIPER SITS BACK ON A MODERN BATTLEFIELD AND TAKES

SO WHEN A SNIPER SITS BACK ON A MODERN BATTLEFIELD AND TAKES OUT A MAN BEHIND HIS CERAMIC

MODERN BATTLEFIELD AND TAKES OUT A MAN BEHIND HIS CERAMIC BODY PLATES...

OUT A MAN BEHIND HIS CERAMIC BODY PLATES... THE ROMANS WERE ABLE TO DO THAT

BODY PLATES... THE ROMANS WERE ABLE TO DO THAT WITH A BALLISTA.

>> Narrator: WE KNOW THAT AT SHORT RANGE, THE BALLISTA WORKED LIKE A SNIPER RIFLE.

SHORT RANGE, THE BALLISTA WORKED LIKE A SNIPER RIFLE. BUT IF YOU ELEVATE THE BALLISTA,

WORKED LIKE A SNIPER RIFLE. BUT IF YOU ELEVATE THE BALLISTA, THE BOLT FLIES IN A PARABOLA

BUT IF YOU ELEVATE THE BALLISTA, THE BOLT FLIES IN A PARABOLA RATHER THAN A STRAIGHT LINE AND

THE BOLT FLIES IN A PARABOLA RATHER THAN A STRAIGHT LINE AND YOU QUADRUPLE THE RANGE.

RATHER THAN A STRAIGHT LINE AND YOU QUADRUPLE THE RANGE. THE TYPICAL ROMAN LEGION HAD

YOU QUADRUPLE THE RANGE. THE TYPICAL ROMAN LEGION HAD ABOUT 60 BALLISTAS AS PART OF

THE TYPICAL ROMAN LEGION HAD ABOUT 60 BALLISTAS AS PART OF THEIR ARMAMENT.

ABOUT 60 BALLISTAS AS PART OF THEIR ARMAMENT. THEY COULD DELIVER A DEADLY RAIN

THEIR ARMAMENT. THEY COULD DELIVER A DEADLY RAIN OF ABOUT 120 BOLTS A MINUTE AT

THEY COULD DELIVER A DEADLY RAIN OF ABOUT 120 BOLTS A MINUTE AT ENEMY TROOPS A QUARTER OF A MILE

OF ABOUT 120 BOLTS A MINUTE AT ENEMY TROOPS A QUARTER OF A MILE AWAY OVER 1,500 YEARS BEFORE

ENEMY TROOPS A QUARTER OF A MILE AWAY OVER 1,500 YEARS BEFORE THE ARTILLERY BARRAGE.

WE'RE USING THIS BALLISTICS DUMMY TO SHOW JUST HOW DEVASTATING THIS WOULD HAVE

DUMMY TO SHOW JUST HOW DEVASTATING THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN.

YOU CAN SEE WHERE OUR MODERN WORD "BALLISTICS" COMES FROM.

THIS DEADLY WEAPON DIDN'T JUST FIRE BOLTS. IT COULD ALSO FIRE SOLID SHOT.

FIRE BOLTS. IT COULD ALSO FIRE SOLID SHOT. >> THIS IS AN ACTUAL ROMAN

IT COULD ALSO FIRE SOLID SHOT. >> THIS IS AN ACTUAL ROMAN FIRING STONE THAT WOULD HAVE

>> THIS IS AN ACTUAL ROMAN FIRING STONE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOT FROM THE BALLISTA

FIRING STONE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOT FROM THE BALLISTA RIGHT HERE.

BEEN SHOT FROM THE BALLISTA RIGHT HERE. IT'S THE SIZE OF A BASEBALL, AND

RIGHT HERE. IT'S THE SIZE OF A BASEBALL, AND IT FEELS LIKE A LEAD WEIGHT, AND

IT'S THE SIZE OF A BASEBALL, AND IT FEELS LIKE A LEAD WEIGHT, AND THEY'VE TAKEN THE TIME TO POLISH

IT FEELS LIKE A LEAD WEIGHT, AND THEY'VE TAKEN THE TIME TO POLISH THE SURFACE SO THAT IT HAS A

THEY'VE TAKEN THE TIME TO POLISH THE SURFACE SO THAT IT HAS A TRUE FLIGHT PATH AND IT'S

THE SURFACE SO THAT IT HAS A TRUE FLIGHT PATH AND IT'S ACCURATE DOWN RANGE.

TRUE FLIGHT PATH AND IT'S ACCURATE DOWN RANGE. IMAGINE GETTING HIT BY THAT.

THIS TEST DEMONSTRATES THE TRUE POWER OF THE ROMAN WEAPONS, AND HAVING THE MOST POWERFUL

POWER OF THE ROMAN WEAPONS, AND HAVING THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPONS IN THE ANCIENT ARMS RACE

AND HAVING THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPONS IN THE ANCIENT ARMS RACE ALLOWED ROME TO BECOME THE

WEAPONS IN THE ANCIENT ARMS RACE ALLOWED ROME TO BECOME THE SUPERPOWER IT WAS.

ALLOWED ROME TO BECOME THE SUPERPOWER IT WAS. >> Narrator: AND THIS VERSATILE

SUPERPOWER IT WAS. >> Narrator: AND THIS VERSATILE ANCIENT WEAPON MAY HAVE INSPIRED

>> Narrator: AND THIS VERSATILE ANCIENT WEAPON MAY HAVE INSPIRED A REVOLUTION IN WARFARE.

>> Narrator: WHEN IT WAS MISSION IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE MIGHTY ROMAN EMPIRE, THEY TURNED TO THE

IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE MIGHTY ROMAN EMPIRE, THEY TURNED TO THE BALLISTA.

EMPIRE, THEY TURNED TO THE BALLISTA. THERE'S TANTALIZING EVIDENCE

BALLISTA. THERE'S TANTALIZING EVIDENCE THAT THE ROMANS USED THE

THERE'S TANTALIZING EVIDENCE THAT THE ROMANS USED THE BALLISTA IN ANOTHER SUPPOSEDLY

THAT THE ROMANS USED THE BALLISTA IN ANOTHER SUPPOSEDLY MODERN WEAPON SYSTEM--

BALLISTA IN ANOTHER SUPPOSEDLY MODERN WEAPON SYSTEM-- THE TANK.

IN THE BODLEIAN LIBRARY IN OXFORD, ENGLAND, THERE'S EXCITING EVIDENCE THAT COULD

OXFORD, ENGLAND, THERE'S EXCITING EVIDENCE THAT COULD REWRITE HOW WE VIEW THE ROMAN

EXCITING EVIDENCE THAT COULD REWRITE HOW WE VIEW THE ROMAN ARMY.

REWRITE HOW WE VIEW THE ROMAN ARMY. >> THE BOOK I'VE GOT IN FRONT

ARMY. >> THE BOOK I'VE GOT IN FRONT OF ME HERE IS SOMETHING QUITE

>> THE BOOK I'VE GOT IN FRONT OF ME HERE IS SOMETHING QUITE REMARKABLE.

OF ME HERE IS SOMETHING QUITE REMARKABLE. IT'S A COPY, A MANUSCRIPT COPY

REMARKABLE. IT'S A COPY, A MANUSCRIPT COPY OF A BOOK WRITTEN IN THE 4TH

IT'S A COPY, A MANUSCRIPT COPY OF A BOOK WRITTEN IN THE 4TH CENTURY A.D., PROBABLY ROUND

OF A BOOK WRITTEN IN THE 4TH CENTURY A.D., PROBABLY ROUND ABOUT 370.

CENTURY A.D., PROBABLY ROUND ABOUT 370. WE DON'T KNOW THE AUTHOR'S NAME,

ABOUT 370. WE DON'T KNOW THE AUTHOR'S NAME, BUT HIS BOOK WAS CALLED "DE

WE DON'T KNOW THE AUTHOR'S NAME, BUT HIS BOOK WAS CALLED "DE REBUS BELLICIS."

BUT HIS BOOK WAS CALLED "DE REBUS BELLICIS." IT'S ABOUT MATTERS OF WAR.

REBUS BELLICIS." IT'S ABOUT MATTERS OF WAR. >> Narrator: THIS BOOK REVEALS

IT'S ABOUT MATTERS OF WAR. >> Narrator: THIS BOOK REVEALS AMAZING INSIGHTS INTO ADVANCED

>> Narrator: THIS BOOK REVEALS AMAZING INSIGHTS INTO ADVANCED ROMAN MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, LIKE

AMAZING INSIGHTS INTO ADVANCED ROMAN MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, LIKE THIS FULL BODY ARMOR.

ROMAN MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, LIKE THIS FULL BODY ARMOR. >> THE AUTHOR CAME UP WITH A LOT

THIS FULL BODY ARMOR. >> THE AUTHOR CAME UP WITH A LOT OF BRIGHT IDEAS THAT HE THEN

>> THE AUTHOR CAME UP WITH A LOT OF BRIGHT IDEAS THAT HE THEN SENT TO EMPEROR SUGGESTING HOW

OF BRIGHT IDEAS THAT HE THEN SENT TO EMPEROR SUGGESTING HOW THEY COULD DEFEND THE EMPIRE

SENT TO EMPEROR SUGGESTING HOW THEY COULD DEFEND THE EMPIRE MORE EFFICIENTLY AND AT LESS

THEY COULD DEFEND THE EMPIRE MORE EFFICIENTLY AND AT LESS COST.

MORE EFFICIENTLY AND AT LESS COST. >> Narrator: BY THE 4th CENTURY

COST. >> Narrator: BY THE 4th CENTURY A.D., THE ROMAN EMPIRE HAD

>> Narrator: BY THE 4th CENTURY A.D., THE ROMAN EMPIRE HAD CHANGED FOREVER.

A.D., THE ROMAN EMPIRE HAD CHANGED FOREVER. THE EMPEROR TRAJAN, MASTER OF

CHANGED FOREVER. THE EMPEROR TRAJAN, MASTER OF THE BALLISTA'S USE ON THE

THE EMPEROR TRAJAN, MASTER OF THE BALLISTA'S USE ON THE BATTLEFIELD, HAD EXPANDED ROME'S

THE BALLISTA'S USE ON THE BATTLEFIELD, HAD EXPANDED ROME'S POWER.

BATTLEFIELD, HAD EXPANDED ROME'S POWER. BUT NOW THE EMPIRE FACED

POWER. BUT NOW THE EMPIRE FACED CONTINUAL THREATS ALONG ITS

BUT NOW THE EMPIRE FACED CONTINUAL THREATS ALONG ITS MASSIVE BORDERS.

CONTINUAL THREATS ALONG ITS MASSIVE BORDERS. AND THE ROMAN ARMY HAD TO MOVE

MASSIVE BORDERS. AND THE ROMAN ARMY HAD TO MOVE FAST TO MEET THE NEXT CRISIS.

AND THE ROMAN ARMY HAD TO MOVE FAST TO MEET THE NEXT CRISIS. >> THE ARMY IS VERY DIFFERENT AT

FAST TO MEET THE NEXT CRISIS. >> THE ARMY IS VERY DIFFERENT AT THE END OF THE EMPIRE.

>> THE ARMY IS VERY DIFFERENT AT THE END OF THE EMPIRE. THEY NEED CAVALRY TO DEFEND THE

THE END OF THE EMPIRE. THEY NEED CAVALRY TO DEFEND THE THOUSANDS OF MILES OF FRONTIER.

THEY NEED CAVALRY TO DEFEND THE THOUSANDS OF MILES OF FRONTIER. SO IF YOUR ARTILLERY IS MOBILE,

THOUSANDS OF MILES OF FRONTIER. SO IF YOUR ARTILLERY IS MOBILE, THEN THAT GIVES YOU EXTRA

SO IF YOUR ARTILLERY IS MOBILE, THEN THAT GIVES YOU EXTRA FIREPOWER.

THEN THAT GIVES YOU EXTRA FIREPOWER. NOW IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO THINK

FIREPOWER. NOW IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO THINK THAT THE ROMANS INVENTED A

NOW IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO THINK THAT THE ROMANS INVENTED A TANK, BUT THEY DID.

THAT THE ROMANS INVENTED A TANK, BUT THEY DID. >> Narrator: THIS REMARKABLE

TANK, BUT THEY DID. >> Narrator: THIS REMARKABLE ILLUSTRATION IN THE BODLEIAN

>> Narrator: THIS REMARKABLE ILLUSTRATION IN THE BODLEIAN LIBRARY IS THE VITAL CLUE THAT

ILLUSTRATION IN THE BODLEIAN LIBRARY IS THE VITAL CLUE THAT THE ROMAN EMPIRE WAS ABLE TO

LIBRARY IS THE VITAL CLUE THAT THE ROMAN EMPIRE WAS ABLE TO ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE.

THE ROMAN EMPIRE WAS ABLE TO ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE. >> THIS WAS A GIANT BALLISTA

ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE. >> THIS WAS A GIANT BALLISTA THAT WAS MOUNTED ON TOP OF A

>> THIS WAS A GIANT BALLISTA THAT WAS MOUNTED ON TOP OF A CARRIAGE.

THAT WAS MOUNTED ON TOP OF A CARRIAGE. THE BALLISTA ITSELF COULD SWIVEL

CARRIAGE. THE BALLISTA ITSELF COULD SWIVEL 360 DEGREES.

THE BALLISTA ITSELF COULD SWIVEL 360 DEGREES. THE CARRIAGE WAS DRAWN BY TWO

360 DEGREES. THE CARRIAGE WAS DRAWN BY TWO POWERFUL ARMORED HORSES.

THE CARRIAGE WAS DRAWN BY TWO POWERFUL ARMORED HORSES. IT HAD MOBILITY, IT HAD

POWERFUL ARMORED HORSES. IT HAD MOBILITY, IT HAD PROTECTION, AND IT HAD

IT HAD MOBILITY, IT HAD PROTECTION, AND IT HAD FIREPOWER.

PROTECTION, AND IT HAD FIREPOWER. IT WAS ESSENTIALLY A TANK.

FIREPOWER. IT WAS ESSENTIALLY A TANK. >> Narrator: ARCHAEOLOGICAL

IT WAS ESSENTIALLY A TANK. >> Narrator: ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE SHOWS THE ROMAN ARMY

>> Narrator: ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE SHOWS THE ROMAN ARMY HAD FULLY ARMORED HORSES.

EVIDENCE SHOWS THE ROMAN ARMY HAD FULLY ARMORED HORSES. AND THEY WERE USED TO DRIVE THIS

HAD FULLY ARMORED HORSES. AND THEY WERE USED TO DRIVE THIS WEAPON SYSTEM, THE BALLISTA

AND THEY WERE USED TO DRIVE THIS WEAPON SYSTEM, THE BALLISTA QUADRIROTIS, WITH ALL THE

WEAPON SYSTEM, THE BALLISTA QUADRIROTIS, WITH ALL THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A TANK NEARLY

QUADRIROTIS, WITH ALL THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A TANK NEARLY 2,000 YEARS EARLIER THAN WE EVER

CHARACTERISTICS OF A TANK NEARLY 2,000 YEARS EARLIER THAN WE EVER IMAGINED.

2,000 YEARS EARLIER THAN WE EVER IMAGINED. LIKE A MODERN TANK TURRET, THE

IMAGINED. LIKE A MODERN TANK TURRET, THE BALLISTA QUADRIROTIS COULD FULLY

LIKE A MODERN TANK TURRET, THE BALLISTA QUADRIROTIS COULD FULLY ROTATE TO FACE THREATS FROM ANY

BALLISTA QUADRIROTIS COULD FULLY ROTATE TO FACE THREATS FROM ANY DIRECTION.

ROTATE TO FACE THREATS FROM ANY DIRECTION. >> WE KNOW THE ROMANS HAD SPRING

DIRECTION. >> WE KNOW THE ROMANS HAD SPRING SUSPENSION, SO ALL-IN-ALL, THIS

>> WE KNOW THE ROMANS HAD SPRING SUSPENSION, SO ALL-IN-ALL, THIS WAS A HIGHLY MOBILE VEHICLE.

SUSPENSION, SO ALL-IN-ALL, THIS WAS A HIGHLY MOBILE VEHICLE. AND WHEN WE THINK OF A TANK, AND

WAS A HIGHLY MOBILE VEHICLE. AND WHEN WE THINK OF A TANK, AND WITH ITS MODERN-DAY

AND WHEN WE THINK OF A TANK, AND WITH ITS MODERN-DAY CHARACTERISTICS, WE THINK OF

WITH ITS MODERN-DAY CHARACTERISTICS, WE THINK OF FIREPOWER, MOBILITY AND

CHARACTERISTICS, WE THINK OF FIREPOWER, MOBILITY AND PROTECTION.

FIREPOWER, MOBILITY AND PROTECTION. AND THE BALLISTA QUADRIROTIS HAS

PROTECTION. AND THE BALLISTA QUADRIROTIS HAS GOT ALL THREE.

>> Narrator: THE ROMANS ACHIEVED THE IMPOSSIBLE, DEVELOPING THE BALLISTA TO MAKE IT THE DECISIVE

THE IMPOSSIBLE, DEVELOPING THE BALLISTA TO MAKE IT THE DECISIVE WEAPON OF THE ANCIENT

BALLISTA TO MAKE IT THE DECISIVE WEAPON OF THE ANCIENT BATTLEFIELD.

WEAPON OF THE ANCIENT BATTLEFIELD. >> THE BALLISTA'S A POWERFUL

BATTLEFIELD. >> THE BALLISTA'S A POWERFUL WEAPON.

>> THE BALLISTA'S A POWERFUL WEAPON. BUT IT SEEMS INCREDIBLE TO THINK

WEAPON. BUT IT SEEMS INCREDIBLE TO THINK THAT YOU CAN ALSO MAKE IT A

BUT IT SEEMS INCREDIBLE TO THINK THAT YOU CAN ALSO MAKE IT A SEMI-AUTOMATIC WEAPON.

PHILO OF BYZANTIUM REFERS TO ONE FROM THE 3RD CENTURY BC CALLED A POLYBOLOS.

FROM THE 3RD CENTURY BC CALLED A POLYBOLOS. >> Narrator: THERE ARE DETAILED

POLYBOLOS. >> Narrator: THERE ARE DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF A WEAPON CALLED

>> Narrator: THERE ARE DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF A WEAPON CALLED THE POLYBOLOS IN ANCIENT GREEK

DESCRIPTIONS OF A WEAPON CALLED THE POLYBOLOS IN ANCIENT GREEK AND ROMAN TEXTS.

THE POLYBOLOS IN ANCIENT GREEK AND ROMAN TEXTS. AND SCHOLAD ANCIENT WEAPONS

AND ROMAN TEXTS. AND SCHOLAD ANCIENT WEAPONS EXPERT ALAN WILKINS HAS STUDIED

AND SCHOLAD ANCIENT WEAPONS EXPERT ALAN WILKINS HAS STUDIED THEM TO MAKE HIS OWN POLYBOLOS.

>> IT IS A MACHINE GUN. AND THE NEXT MACHINE GUN IN HISTORY IS THE GATLING GUN OF

AND THE NEXT MACHINE GUN IN HISTORY IS THE GATLING GUN OF THE 19TH CENTURY.

HISTORY IS THE GATLING GUN OF THE 19TH CENTURY. >> Narrator: JUST LIKE A GATLING

THE 19TH CENTURY. >> Narrator: JUST LIKE A GATLING GUN, THE POLYBOLOS WAS A

>> Narrator: JUST LIKE A GATLING GUN, THE POLYBOLOS WAS A HAND-CRANKED RAPID-FIRE WEAPON.

GUN, THE POLYBOLOS WAS A HAND-CRANKED RAPID-FIRE WEAPON. AND LIKE THE GATLING, GUN IT WAS

HAND-CRANKED RAPID-FIRE WEAPON. AND LIKE THE GATLING, GUN IT WAS A HUGE STEP FORWARD IN

AND LIKE THE GATLING, GUN IT WAS A HUGE STEP FORWARD IN TECHNOLOGY.

A HUGE STEP FORWARD IN TECHNOLOGY. >> IT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE

TECHNOLOGY. >> IT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE PIECES OF

>> IT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE PIECES OF ANCIENT MACHINERY BECAUSE IT HAS

MOST IMPRESSIVE PIECES OF ANCIENT MACHINERY BECAUSE IT HAS A NUMBER OF FIRSTS IN ANCIENT

ANCIENT MACHINERY BECAUSE IT HAS A NUMBER OF FIRSTS IN ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY.

A NUMBER OF FIRSTS IN ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY. IT'S GOT CHAIN DRIVE.

TECHNOLOGY. IT'S GOT CHAIN DRIVE. THIS IS THE FIRST KNOWN CHAIN

IT'S GOT CHAIN DRIVE. THIS IS THE FIRST KNOWN CHAIN DRIVE IN WESTERN TECHNOLOGY.

THIS IS THE FIRST KNOWN CHAIN DRIVE IN WESTERN TECHNOLOGY. >> Narrator: BUT THERE'S MUCH

DRIVE IN WESTERN TECHNOLOGY. >> Narrator: BUT THERE'S MUCH MORE TO THIS IMPOSSIBLY MODERN

>> Narrator: BUT THERE'S MUCH MORE TO THIS IMPOSSIBLY MODERN MECHANISM THAN A CHAIN.

MORE TO THIS IMPOSSIBLY MODERN MECHANISM THAN A CHAIN. A GRAVITY-FED MAGAZINE TAKES 8

MECHANISM THAN A CHAIN. A GRAVITY-FED MAGAZINE TAKES 8 OR 9 BALLISTA BOLTS.

A GRAVITY-FED MAGAZINE TAKES 8 OR 9 BALLISTA BOLTS. KEEP THIS LOADED, AND THERE'S NO

OR 9 BALLISTA BOLTS. KEEP THIS LOADED, AND THERE'S NO LIMIT TO HOW LONG THIS

KEEP THIS LOADED, AND THERE'S NO LIMIT TO HOW LONG THIS INCREDIBLE WEAPON CAN FIRE.

LIMIT TO HOW LONG THIS INCREDIBLE WEAPON CAN FIRE. A MECHANICAL IMITATION OF AN

INCREDIBLE WEAPON CAN FIRE. A MECHANICAL IMITATION OF AN ARCHER'S FINGERS IS LOCKED OVER

A MECHANICAL IMITATION OF AN ARCHER'S FINGERS IS LOCKED OVER THE BOW STRING.

ARCHER'S FINGERS IS LOCKED OVER THE BOW STRING. TURNING THE WINDLASS PULLS BACK

THE BOW STRING. TURNING THE WINDLASS PULLS BACK THE STRING, LOCKING AND LOADING

TURNING THE WINDLASS PULLS BACK THE STRING, LOCKING AND LOADING THE BALLISTA, WHICH FIRES

THE STRING, LOCKING AND LOADING THE BALLISTA, WHICH FIRES AUTOMATICALLY AS SOON AS THE

THE BALLISTA, WHICH FIRES AUTOMATICALLY AS SOON AS THE STRING IS FULLY DRAWN.

AUTOMATICALLY AS SOON AS THE STRING IS FULLY DRAWN. ROME'S INGENUITY PERFECTED THE

STRING IS FULLY DRAWN. ROME'S INGENUITY PERFECTED THE BALLISTA, CREATING WEAPON

ROME'S INGENUITY PERFECTED THE BALLISTA, CREATING WEAPON SYSTEMS TO PERFORM ROLES STILL

BALLISTA, CREATING WEAPON SYSTEMS TO PERFORM ROLES STILL VITAL ON TODAY'S BATTLEFIELDS.

>> Narrator: THE ROMAN ARMY USED ADVANCED MILITARY TECHNOLOGY AND RIGID DISCIPLINE TO CARVE OUT

ADVANCED MILITARY TECHNOLOGY AND RIGID DISCIPLINE TO CARVE OUT THE MIGHTIEST EMPIRE OF THE

RIGID DISCIPLINE TO CARVE OUT THE MIGHTIEST EMPIRE OF THE ANCIENT WORLD.

THE MIGHTIEST EMPIRE OF THE ANCIENT WORLD. YET ROME'S RUTHLESS AMBITION TO

ANCIENT WORLD. YET ROME'S RUTHLESS AMBITION TO ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE WASN'T

YET ROME'S RUTHLESS AMBITION TO ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE WASN'T JUST CONFINED TO THE

ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE WASN'T JUST CONFINED TO THE BATTLEFIELD.

JUST CONFINED TO THE BATTLEFIELD. YOU'D THINK THAT NOTHING FROM

BATTLEFIELD. YOU'D THINK THAT NOTHING FROM THE PAST COULD MATCH THE WONDERS

YOU'D THINK THAT NOTHING FROM THE PAST COULD MATCH THE WONDERS OF OUR MODERN CITIES, BUT HERE

THE PAST COULD MATCH THE WONDERS OF OUR MODERN CITIES, BUT HERE IN ANCIENT ROME, ENGINEERS WHO

OF OUR MODERN CITIES, BUT HERE IN ANCIENT ROME, ENGINEERS WHO WERE YEARS AHEAD OF THEIR TIME

IN ANCIENT ROME, ENGINEERS WHO WERE YEARS AHEAD OF THEIR TIME CREATED ONE OF THE GREATEST AND

WERE YEARS AHEAD OF THEIR TIME CREATED ONE OF THE GREATEST AND MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED

CREATED ONE OF THE GREATEST AND MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED CITIES EVER SEEN.

MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED CITIES EVER SEEN. TO SEE JUST HOW AMAZING THE

CITIES EVER SEEN. TO SEE JUST HOW AMAZING THE ARCHITECTURE OF ANCIENT ROME

TO SEE JUST HOW AMAZING THE ARCHITECTURE OF ANCIENT ROME ACTUALLY WAS, WE'VE COME TO SAN

ARCHITECTURE OF ANCIENT ROME ACTUALLY WAS, WE'VE COME TO SAN DIEGO...

ACTUALLY WAS, WE'VE COME TO SAN DIEGO... HOME OF ONE OF TODAY'S MOST

DIEGO... HOME OF ONE OF TODAY'S MOST AWESOME BUILDINGS.

HOME OF ONE OF TODAY'S MOST AWESOME BUILDINGS. AL AND JANET JOHNSTONE HAVE

AWESOME BUILDINGS. AL AND JANET JOHNSTONE HAVE CREATED A HOUSE THAT ACTUALLY

AL AND JANET JOHNSTONE HAVE CREATED A HOUSE THAT ACTUALLY ROTATES.

CREATED A HOUSE THAT ACTUALLY ROTATES. >> WE GET A LOT OF PEOPLE

ROTATES. >> WE GET A LOT OF PEOPLE VOLUNTEER TO DO THE DISHES AT

>> WE GET A LOT OF PEOPLE VOLUNTEER TO DO THE DISHES AT OUR HOUSE.

VOLUNTEER TO DO THE DISHES AT OUR HOUSE. THE SINK IS REGULAR, BUT THE

OUR HOUSE. THE SINK IS REGULAR, BUT THE VIEW IS AWESOME.

THE SINK IS REGULAR, BUT THE VIEW IS AWESOME. >> THIS HOUSE IS A NEW STEP IN

VIEW IS AWESOME. >> THIS HOUSE IS A NEW STEP IN ARCHITECTURE CALLED "KINETIC

>> THIS HOUSE IS A NEW STEP IN ARCHITECTURE CALLED "KINETIC ARCHITECTURE"--MOVING

ARCHITECTURE CALLED "KINETIC ARCHITECTURE"--MOVING STRUCTURES.

ARCHITECTURE"--MOVING STRUCTURES. IT'S THE NEXT PHASE OF

STRUCTURES. IT'S THE NEXT PHASE OF ARCHITECTURE.

IT'S THE NEXT PHASE OF ARCHITECTURE. >> Narrator: BUT COULD THIS

ARCHITECTURE. >> Narrator: BUT COULD THIS ARCHITECTURE HAVE ALREADY BEEN

>> Narrator: BUT COULD THIS ARCHITECTURE HAVE ALREADY BEEN ACHIEVED BY THE ROMANS?

ARCHITECTURE HAVE ALREADY BEEN ACHIEVED BY THE ROMANS? BENEATH THE ANCIENT STREETS OF

ACHIEVED BY THE ROMANS? BENEATH THE ANCIENT STREETS OF CENTRAL ROME LIES A WONDERFUL

BENEATH THE ANCIENT STREETS OF CENTRAL ROME LIES A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY.

CENTRAL ROME LIES A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY. THIS IS ALL THAT REMAINS OF THE

DISCOVERY. THIS IS ALL THAT REMAINS OF THE DOMUS AUREA, THE OPULENT PALACE

THIS IS ALL THAT REMAINS OF THE DOMUS AUREA, THE OPULENT PALACE OF THE TYRANNICAL EMPEROR NERO,

DOMUS AUREA, THE OPULENT PALACE OF THE TYRANNICAL EMPEROR NERO, THAT ONCE OCCUPIED AT LEAST 100

OF THE TYRANNICAL EMPEROR NERO, THAT ONCE OCCUPIED AT LEAST 100 ACRES.

THAT ONCE OCCUPIED AT LEAST 100 ACRES. >> THROUGHOUT THE STRUCTURE YOU

ACRES. >> THROUGHOUT THE STRUCTURE YOU HAVE POLISHED MARBLE, AND THEN

>> THROUGHOUT THE STRUCTURE YOU HAVE POLISHED MARBLE, AND THEN PLENTY OF FOUNTAINS AND LOTS OF

HAVE POLISHED MARBLE, AND THEN PLENTY OF FOUNTAINS AND LOTS OF LIGHT SOURCES.

PLENTY OF FOUNTAINS AND LOTS OF LIGHT SOURCES. AND OF COURSE, YOU HAVE THE

LIGHT SOURCES. AND OF COURSE, YOU HAVE THE GILDING ON THE CEILINGS.

AND OF COURSE, YOU HAVE THE GILDING ON THE CEILINGS. HENCE THE NAME "DOMUS AUREA."

GILDING ON THE CEILINGS. HENCE THE NAME "DOMUS AUREA." "DOMUS" MEANS "HOUSE."

HENCE THE NAME "DOMUS AUREA." "DOMUS" MEANS "HOUSE." "AUREA" MEANS "GOLDEN."

"DOMUS" MEANS "HOUSE." "AUREA" MEANS "GOLDEN." THE GOLDEN HOUSE OF NERO.

"AUREA" MEANS "GOLDEN." THE GOLDEN HOUSE OF NERO. >> Narrator: THIS MEGA MANSION

THE GOLDEN HOUSE OF NERO. >> Narrator: THIS MEGA MANSION WAS CREATED ON A SCALE THAT IS

>> Narrator: THIS MEGA MANSION WAS CREATED ON A SCALE THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE TODAY.

WAS CREATED ON A SCALE THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE TODAY. BUT WHAT DID THIS UNBELIEVABLE

IMPOSSIBLE TODAY. BUT WHAT DID THIS UNBELIEVABLE SUPER PALACE HAVE TO MATCH A

BUT WHAT DID THIS UNBELIEVABLE SUPER PALACE HAVE TO MATCH A MODERN REVOLVING HOUSE?

SUPER PALACE HAVE TO MATCH A MODERN REVOLVING HOUSE? ONE ANCIENT WRITER PROVIDES US

MODERN REVOLVING HOUSE? ONE ANCIENT WRITER PROVIDES US WITH A FASCINATING CLUE FROM HIS

ONE ANCIENT WRITER PROVIDES US WITH A FASCINATING CLUE FROM HIS DESCRIPTION OF NERO'S PALACE.

WITH A FASCINATING CLUE FROM HIS DESCRIPTION OF NERO'S PALACE. >> SUETONIUS DESCRIBED NERO'S

DESCRIPTION OF NERO'S PALACE. >> SUETONIUS DESCRIBED NERO'S PRIVATE DINING ROOM AS ROTATING

>> SUETONIUS DESCRIBED NERO'S PRIVATE DINING ROOM AS ROTATING AS IF IT WERE IN MOTION WITH THE

PRIVATE DINING ROOM AS ROTATING AS IF IT WERE IN MOTION WITH THE CELESTIAL BODIES.

AS IF IT WERE IN MOTION WITH THE CELESTIAL BODIES. AND NO-ONE REALLY UNDERSTOOD

CELESTIAL BODIES. AND NO-ONE REALLY UNDERSTOOD WHAT SUETONIUS MEANT BY THIS.

AND NO-ONE REALLY UNDERSTOOD WHAT SUETONIUS MEANT BY THIS. COULD IT BE THAT THE CEILING WAS

WHAT SUETONIUS MEANT BY THIS. COULD IT BE THAT THE CEILING WAS REVOLVING AND IT PERHAPS HAD

COULD IT BE THAT THE CEILING WAS REVOLVING AND IT PERHAPS HAD STARS AND MOON PAINTED ON IT?

REVOLVING AND IT PERHAPS HAD STARS AND MOON PAINTED ON IT? OR COULD IT BE THAT THE WALLS

STARS AND MOON PAINTED ON IT? OR COULD IT BE THAT THE WALLS WERE REVOLVING?

OR COULD IT BE THAT THE WALLS WERE REVOLVING? >> Narrator: IN THE RUINED

WERE REVOLVING? >> Narrator: IN THE RUINED LABYRINTH THAT WAS ONCE THE

>> Narrator: IN THE RUINED LABYRINTH THAT WAS ONCE THE ANCIENT WORLD'S GREATEST MANSION

LABYRINTH THAT WAS ONCE THE ANCIENT WORLD'S GREATEST MANSION IS EVIDENCE THAT THIS AMAZING

ANCIENT WORLD'S GREATEST MANSION IS EVIDENCE THAT THIS AMAZING ROOM ACTUALLY EXISTED.

IS EVIDENCE THAT THIS AMAZING ROOM ACTUALLY EXISTED. >> IT HAS WHAT LOOKS LIKE THE

ROOM ACTUALLY EXISTED. >> IT HAS WHAT LOOKS LIKE THE FOUNDATIONS OF A REVOLVING

>> IT HAS WHAT LOOKS LIKE THE FOUNDATIONS OF A REVOLVING FLOOR ABOUT 50 FEET IN DIAMETER.

FOUNDATIONS OF A REVOLVING FLOOR ABOUT 50 FEET IN DIAMETER. >> Narrator: THESE REMAINS SHOW

FLOOR ABOUT 50 FEET IN DIAMETER. >> Narrator: THESE REMAINS SHOW HOW ROMAN ENGINEERS CREATED A

>> Narrator: THESE REMAINS SHOW HOW ROMAN ENGINEERS CREATED A REVOLVING FLOOR 2,000 YEARS

HOW ROMAN ENGINEERS CREATED A REVOLVING FLOOR 2,000 YEARS BEFORE WE'D THINK IT WAS

REVOLVING FLOOR 2,000 YEARS BEFORE WE'D THINK IT WAS POSSIBLE.

HOW DID THE ROMANS ROTATE SUCH A MASSIVE STRUCTURE? 3D ANALYST JAMES DEAN IS USING

MASSIVE STRUCTURE? 3D ANALYST JAMES DEAN IS USING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY TO

3D ANALYST JAMES DEAN IS USING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY TO RE-CREATE THIS WONDER OF THE

THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY TO RE-CREATE THIS WONDER OF THE ANCIENT WORLD.

RE-CREATE THIS WONDER OF THE ANCIENT WORLD. >> THE ROMANS RECLINED ON

ANCIENT WORLD. >> THE ROMANS RECLINED ON COUCHES LIKE THIS AT THEIR

>> THE ROMANS RECLINED ON COUCHES LIKE THIS AT THEIR DINNER PARTIES.

COUCHES LIKE THIS AT THEIR DINNER PARTIES. BUT HOW DID THE ROMANS MAKE THE

DINNER PARTIES. BUT HOW DID THE ROMANS MAKE THE FLOOR ROTATE CONTINUOUSLY?

BUT HOW DID THE ROMANS MAKE THE FLOOR ROTATE CONTINUOUSLY? THAT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE EVEN

FLOOR ROTATE CONTINUOUSLY? THAT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE EVEN TODAY.

THAT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE EVEN TODAY. >> HOW WOULD YOU HAVE REVOLVED A

TODAY. >> HOW WOULD YOU HAVE REVOLVED A LARGE BANQUET HALL?

>> HOW WOULD YOU HAVE REVOLVED A LARGE BANQUET HALL? THERE ARE LOTS OF THEORIES--

LARGE BANQUET HALL? THERE ARE LOTS OF THEORIES-- BRUTE PHYSICAL FORCE, WITH

THERE ARE LOTS OF THEORIES-- BRUTE PHYSICAL FORCE, WITH WEIGHTS, SOME SORT OF TURNING

BRUTE PHYSICAL FORCE, WITH WEIGHTS, SOME SORT OF TURNING DEVICE?

WEIGHTS, SOME SORT OF TURNING DEVICE? >> Narrator: IN SAN DIEGO, AL

DEVICE? >> Narrator: IN SAN DIEGO, AL AND JANET JOHNSTONE'S ROTATING

>> Narrator: IN SAN DIEGO, AL AND JANET JOHNSTONE'S ROTATING HOUSE USES 21st-CENTURY

AND JANET JOHNSTONE'S ROTATING HOUSE USES 21st-CENTURY TECHNOLOGY.

HOUSE USES 21st-CENTURY TECHNOLOGY. >> THE HOUSE RIDES ON THE FIRST

TECHNOLOGY. >> THE HOUSE RIDES ON THE FIRST FLOOR.

>> THE HOUSE RIDES ON THE FIRST FLOOR. AND ON THE TOP OF THE FIRST

FLOOR. AND ON THE TOP OF THE FIRST FLOOR IS A TRACK AND A ONE AND A

AND ON THE TOP OF THE FIRST FLOOR IS A TRACK AND A ONE AND A HALF HORSEPOWER MOTOR AND A

FLOOR IS A TRACK AND A ONE AND A HALF HORSEPOWER MOTOR AND A REDUCTION TRANSMISSION.

HALF HORSEPOWER MOTOR AND A REDUCTION TRANSMISSION. THEN THE MOTOR DRIVES THE SECOND

REDUCTION TRANSMISSION. THEN THE MOTOR DRIVES THE SECOND FLOOR ROUND THAT TRACK IN EITHER

THEN THE MOTOR DRIVES THE SECOND FLOOR ROUND THAT TRACK IN EITHER DIRECTION AT WHATEVER SPEED YOU

FLOOR ROUND THAT TRACK IN EITHER DIRECTION AT WHATEVER SPEED YOU CHOOSE.

DIRECTION AT WHATEVER SPEED YOU CHOOSE. >> Narrator: BUT WHAT TECHNOLOGY

CHOOSE. >> Narrator: BUT WHAT TECHNOLOGY WAS AVAILABLE TO THE EMPEROR

>> Narrator: BUT WHAT TECHNOLOGY WAS AVAILABLE TO THE EMPEROR NERO 2,000 YEARS AGO?

WAS AVAILABLE TO THE EMPEROR NERO 2,000 YEARS AGO? >> WHAT THEY THINK PROBABLY

NERO 2,000 YEARS AGO? >> WHAT THEY THINK PROBABLY MOVED THIS HUGE REVOLVING FLOOR

>> WHAT THEY THINK PROBABLY MOVED THIS HUGE REVOLVING FLOOR WOULD HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVELY

MOVED THIS HUGE REVOLVING FLOOR WOULD HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVELY GIANT STONE BALL BEARINGS.

WOULD HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVELY GIANT STONE BALL BEARINGS. >> Narrator: THE USE OF BALL

GIANT STONE BALL BEARINGS. >> Narrator: THE USE OF BALL BEARINGS NEARLY 2,000 YEARS AGO

>> Narrator: THE USE OF BALL BEARINGS NEARLY 2,000 YEARS AGO SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE, AND THAT'S NOT

BEARINGS NEARLY 2,000 YEARS AGO SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE, AND THAT'S NOT THE END OF THE TECHNOLOGICAL

SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE, AND THAT'S NOT THE END OF THE TECHNOLOGICAL MYSTERIES OF NERO'S ROTATING

THE END OF THE TECHNOLOGICAL MYSTERIES OF NERO'S ROTATING FLOOR.

MYSTERIES OF NERO'S ROTATING FLOOR. >> WE'VE SEEN THAT THE FLOOR

FLOOR. >> WE'VE SEEN THAT THE FLOOR ROTATED ON THESE BALL BEARINGS.

>> WE'VE SEEN THAT THE FLOOR ROTATED ON THESE BALL BEARINGS. BUT HOW DID THEY ACHIEVE YET

ROTATED ON THESE BALL BEARINGS. BUT HOW DID THEY ACHIEVE YET ANOTHER IMPOSSIBLE TASK AND GET

BUT HOW DID THEY ACHIEVE YET ANOTHER IMPOSSIBLE TASK AND GET A CONTINUOUS REGULAR ROTATION?

ANOTHER IMPOSSIBLE TASK AND GET A CONTINUOUS REGULAR ROTATION? ONE METHOD THAT HAS BEEN

A CONTINUOUS REGULAR ROTATION? ONE METHOD THAT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED...

ONE METHOD THAT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED... IS HYDRAULIC POWER.

SUGGESTED... IS HYDRAULIC POWER. >> Narrator: KNOWING ROME'S

IS HYDRAULIC POWER. >> Narrator: KNOWING ROME'S MASTERY OF HYDRAULIC

>> Narrator: KNOWING ROME'S MASTERY OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING, IT MAKES PERFECT

MASTERY OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING, IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE.

ENGINEERING, IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE. BUT UNTIL FURTHER EVIDENCE IS

SENSE. BUT UNTIL FURTHER EVIDENCE IS DISCOVERED, WE CAN ONLY GUESS.

BUT UNTIL FURTHER EVIDENCE IS DISCOVERED, WE CAN ONLY GUESS. >> NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO WORK

DISCOVERED, WE CAN ONLY GUESS. >> NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO WORK OUT HOW THIS INCREDIBLE ROTATING

>> NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO WORK OUT HOW THIS INCREDIBLE ROTATING FLOOR WORKED.

OUT HOW THIS INCREDIBLE ROTATING FLOOR WORKED. IT SHOWS HOW ROMAN ENGINEERS

FLOOR WORKED. IT SHOWS HOW ROMAN ENGINEERS COULD ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE

IT SHOWS HOW ROMAN ENGINEERS COULD ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM OF THEIR INSANE EMPEROR.

COULD ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM OF THEIR INSANE EMPEROR. >> Narrator: BUT NERO'S

DREAM OF THEIR INSANE EMPEROR. >> Narrator: BUT NERO'S HIGH-ROLLING LIFESTYLE

>> Narrator: BUT NERO'S HIGH-ROLLING LIFESTYLE EVENTUALLY LED TO HIS DOWNFALL.

HIGH-ROLLING LIFESTYLE EVENTUALLY LED TO HIS DOWNFALL. IN 68 A.D., FACING A SERIES OF

EVENTUALLY LED TO HIS DOWNFALL. IN 68 A.D., FACING A SERIES OF REVOLTS SPARKED BY HIGH TAXES,

IN 68 A.D., FACING A SERIES OF REVOLTS SPARKED BY HIGH TAXES, NERO COMMITTED SUICIDE.

REVOLTS SPARKED BY HIGH TAXES, NERO COMMITTED SUICIDE. RIVAL GENERALS FOUGHT FOR THE

NERO COMMITTED SUICIDE. RIVAL GENERALS FOUGHT FOR THE THRONE.

RIVAL GENERALS FOUGHT FOR THE THRONE. WITH OUTRAGEOUS SPENDING AND

THRONE. WITH OUTRAGEOUS SPENDING AND CIVIL WARS, THE ROMAN EMPIRE WAS

WITH OUTRAGEOUS SPENDING AND CIVIL WARS, THE ROMAN EMPIRE WAS ULTIMATELY DOOMED.

CIVIL WARS, THE ROMAN EMPIRE WAS ULTIMATELY DOOMED. BUT ITS LEGACY OF ACHIEVING THE

ULTIMATELY DOOMED. BUT ITS LEGACY OF ACHIEVING THE IMPOSSIBLE IS STILL WITH US

BUT ITS LEGACY OF ACHIEVING THE IMPOSSIBLE IS STILL WITH US TODAY.

IMPOSSIBLE IS STILL WITH US TODAY. THE ROMAN EMPIRE SET THE

TODAY. THE ROMAN EMPIRE SET THE STANDARD FOR TECHNOLOGY THAT

THE ROMAN EMPIRE SET THE STANDARD FOR TECHNOLOGY THAT FORMS A VITAL PART OF OUR MODERN

STANDARD FOR TECHNOLOGY THAT FORMS A VITAL PART OF OUR MODERN WORLD, FROM SOPHISTICATED,

FORMS A VITAL PART OF OUR MODERN WORLD, FROM SOPHISTICATED, HIGH-TECH WEAPONS TO TOTALLY

WORLD, FROM SOPHISTICATED, HIGH-TECH WEAPONS TO TOTALLY MODERN ARCHITECTURE AND THE

HIGH-TECH WEAPONS TO TOTALLY MODERN ARCHITECTURE AND THE FIRST REVOLVING ROOM, PROVING

MODERN ARCHITECTURE AND THE FIRST REVOLVING ROOM, PROVING THAT THE ROMAN EMPIRE WAS ABLE

FIRST REVOLVING ROOM, PROVING THAT THE ROMAN EMPIRE WAS ABLE TO ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE,

THAT THE ROMAN EMPIRE WAS ABLE TO ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE, CREATING INCREDIBLE TECHNOLOGY

TO ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE, CREATING INCREDIBLE TECHNOLOGY WE CAN STILL SEE IN USE TODAY.