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Season 1 – Civilizations: Rise and Fall

Play trailer Season 1 – Civilizations: Rise and Fall Nov 2025 History Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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71% Tomatometer 7 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Ratings
Four mighty civilizations - Rome, Egypt, Japan's Samurai and the Aztecs; their legends remain - now priceless artefacts reveal what led them to fall into the echoes of history.

Critics Reviews

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Rebecca Nicholson Financial Times Dec 2
4/5
If the mark of a solid history series is that it helps us to learn from the past, then Civilisations makes that easy. Too easy, perhaps, for devoted historians... But for enthusiastic amateurs, this is gripping stuff. Go to Full Review Anita Singh Daily Telegraph (UK) Dec 2
3/5
These stories are engrossing, and don’t need the forced attempts to make the history seem achingly relevant. Go to Full Review Ben Dowell The Times (UK) Dec 2
3/5
A definite B-plus from that great broadcasting empire that many of us hope stays strong for a few more centuries to come. Go to Full Review Barbara Ellen Observer (UK) Dec 2
With its re-enactments, the series could be too noisy and theatrical for some -- all stirring music and flickering CGI flames -- but it’s fast-paced and informative. Go to Full Review Roland White Daily Mail (UK) Dec 2
2/5
I can't help thinking that Civilisations might have been a great deal more interesting had it spent more time telling us about the history of Rome, and less time trying to lecture us about modern political problems. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
Civilizations: Rise and Fall — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Sophie Okonedo

Narrator

Luca Saraceni-gunner

Honorius

David Bedella

Moctezuma

Joshua Jo

Saigo

Jake Meniani

Mark Antony

Leander Vyvey

Alaric

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Nov 24, 2025 The Fall of Rome Four mighty civilizations - Rome, Egypt, Japan's Samurai and the Aztecs; their legends remain - now priceless artefacts reveal what led them to fall into the echoes of history. Details Episode 2 Aired Dec 1, 2025 The Last Days of the Ptolemies in Egypt Four mighty civilizations - Rome, Egypt, Japan's Samurai and the Aztecs; their legends remain - now priceless artefacts reveal what led them to fall into the echoes of history. Details Episode 3 Aired Nov 24, 2025 The Collapse of the Aztec Empire Four mighty civilizations - Rome, Egypt, Japan's Samurai and the Aztecs; their legends remain - now priceless artefacts reveal what led them to fall into the echoes of history. Details Episode 4 Aired Nov 24, 2025 The End of the Samurai in Japan Four mighty civilizations - Rome, Egypt, Japan's Samurai and the Aztecs; their legends remain - now priceless artefacts reveal what led them to fall into the echoes of history. Details
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Civilizations: Rise and Fall — Season 1

Civilizations: Rise and Fall Civilizations: Rise and Fall Civilizations: Rise and Fall Civilizations: Rise and Fall View more photos

Season Info

Director
Richard Pearson, Patrick Dickinson, David Lee, Duncan Singh
Executive Producer
Alexander Leith
Network
BBC
Genre
History, Documentary
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Nov 24, 2025