S4 E1 • Ancient Altered States

If you thought the drug culture peaked in the 1960s, you're only off by a few millennia. In fact, since the beginning of civilization, humans have explored means of altering their consciousness in search of something "greater" than everyday reality. ANCIENT MYSTERIES takes an in-depth look at our pervasive drive to experience something "beyond," and reveals the means by which our ancestors explored their inner world. From experiments with substances at the edge of lethality to mysterious rituals meant to help worshipers leave their bodies behind, ANCIENT ALTERED STATES explores the farthest reaches of this primitive and universal desire. Psychologists and physicians, including Dr. Andrew Weil, offer insight into the physical and mental mechanisms and motivations behind this quest. Historians and spiritualists explore the ancient rituals of cultures worldwide that have sought visions and truth through altered consciousness. And riveting footage illuminates the terrifying, exquisite visions revealed to those who journey beyond the constraints of the conscious mind.

Première diffusion : 5 septembre 1996

S4 E2 • Ancient Prophecy

From Central African tribes to American Indians, prophecy has held an esteemed place in various cultures throughout the world. In this revealing program, journey back thousands of years for a riveting look at the role of prophecy throughout the ages. Travel the world to see how different cultures attempted to decipher the secrets of their destinies, and trace the incredible predictions that appear to have come true.

Première diffusion : 19 septembre 1996

S4 E3 • Before Their Time: Ancient Technology

S4 E4 • Hidden Cities of the Etruscans

S4 E5 • Witches

Known varyingly as a sorceress, an enchantress, and a devil's consort, the witch has haunted the human consciousness and captured the imagination for thousands of years. While a general fear of witches seems to be woven deep within the human psyche, witchcraft and magic have been interpreted in different ways by different cultures throughout the ages. Some cultures and religions have deemed the practitioners of witchcraft to be evil, while others harness a more positive perspective on the power of the witch. What exactly are these controversial and mysterious powers? Why were witches hunted down so mercilessly during the European witch trials of the Middle Ages? And what were the actual motivations behind the famous seventeenth-century witch hunt in Salem, Massachusetts? Join Ancient Mysteries® on a quest to find answers to these and many other questions that lay buried deep within the ancient past.

Première diffusion : 24 octobre 1996

S4 E6 • Mystical Monuments of Ancient Greece

The glorious temples of Athens's Acropolis bear silent witness to the high point of Ancient Greece's legendary civilization. Built during the reign of Pericles, the most powerful leader in Athenian history, majestic temples such as the Parthenon and the Erechtheum remain marvels of architectural brilliance to this day. Yet what was the purpose of these stunning structures at the heart of the finest city in the ancient world? Were they the centerpieces of a truly civilized society and the symbols of a new form of government known as democracy? Or were they representative of a brutal sect devoted to Athena, goddess of wisdom and war? In this fascinating program, Ancient Mysteries delves into the secret history of Greece's golden age with a behind-the-scenes look at the country's most famous monuments from the point of view of the archeologists dedicated to unearthing these treasures.

Première diffusion : 21 novembre 1996

S4 E7 • Sacred Rites and Rituals

S4 E8 • UFOs: First Encounters

Theories that UFOs visited ancient civilizations. Included: monuments that seem directed at specific stars, and texts that refer to flying objects

Première diffusion : 2 janvier 1997

S4 E9 • Tombs of the Gods: The Great Pyramids of Giza

The Great Pyramids of Giza are recognizable throughout the world and are tangible links to powerful secrets from the pre-dynastic days of Ancient Egypt. In this fascinating program from Ancient Mysteries, behold the grandeur of these magnificent pyramids, man-made wonders that have held visitors spellbound for thousands of years. Learn about the complex belief system that enjoined the Egyptians to preserve and protect the bodies of their dead to ensure the fulfillment of resurrection, and follow the journey of the pharaoh's soul to discover how the pyramid served as a threshold to the unknown and a gateway to eternal life. Host Leonard Nimoy travels through the shifting sands of time to the land of the powerful pharaohs, magnificent monuments, and well-preserved mummies in Tombs Of The Gods: Great Pyramids.

Première diffusion : 16 janvier 1997

S4 E11 • The Curse of the Hope Diamond

It is the largest, most famous, and most valuable gemstone in the world. It has been the plaything of kings and sultans and has decorated the necks of many an heiress and empress. But, could this notorious diamond actually be cursed? According the legend, the 45-carat gem is a piece of a larger stone stolen from the eye of a Hindu idol and later purchased by a French merchant in the 1660s. In its long and troubled journey through time, it is said to have destroyed careers, marriages, and empires by way of its alleged curse. Suicide, madness, bankruptcy, and freak accidents have all been attributed to its great powers. Today, the unique stone sits in the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington, DC. Join us as we explore the bizarre legends and the strange facts behind The Curse Of The Hope Diamond.

Première diffusion : 6 mars 1997

S4 E12 • Private Lives of the Emperors

S4 E13 • Secrets of the Romanovs

Première diffusion : 10 avril 1997

S4 E14 • Legends of the Arabian Nights

Few modern authors have not been influenced by THE ARABIAN NIGHTS. But what is the origin of THE ARABIAN NIGHTS stories? Over a thousand years ago, a legend is told about a beautiful young woman who would save her life by telling adventure tales to a murderous sultan for a thousand and one nights. The tales she weaved are set in India, Persia, Egypt, Turkey and China and came to be known as the ARABIAN NIGHTS or A THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS. Is there any truth to the stories of Aladdin, Sinbad and Ali Baba? Why are they driven by the presence of genies and magic? Who wrote the tales and why, in the age of STAR WARS, have these stories remained timeless? Journey with us into an era long veiled in mystery as we enter the timeless world of THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.

Première diffusion : 20 avril 1997

S4 E15 • The Fate of the Neandertals

More than 70 thousand years ago, a clan of cave dwellers roamed the cliffs of Le Conte in Southwestern France. They were Neandertals, distant cousins to modern man. The caves, among other archaeological sites, have revealed much about Neandertals. But new disoveries have prompted more questions and mysteries. No other prehistoric group has received as much attention as the Neandertals. No other group carries such a weight of scientific and popular misconceptions or has its name associated with savagery, stupidity and animal strength. Fossils records place the last Neandertal on earth 30,000 years ago. Then they vanished. Or did they? There is more to Neandertals than their fossil remains. This hour will explore the Neandertals who, despite new and enticing clues, remain a people of mystery.

Première diffusion : 27 avril 1997

S4 E16 • Human Sacrifice

Human blood. In the ancient world, this precious substance was believed to be the ultimate gift that could be offered up to appease the omnipotent gods and goddesses who held the fate of the people in their hands. In this fascinating - yet alarming - documentary, discover the widespread history behind human sacrifice within various cultures throughout the ancient world. Investigate a mysterious European culture that once thrived on ritual murder, and journey to ancient Mexico to uncover the secrets of the Aztec sacrifices. Finally, travel to India to learn about the victims sacrificed to Kali, Hindu goddess of darkness and death. Ancient Mysteries journeys to discover the horrifying secrets behind the ancient practice of human sacrifice, and the shocking reality behind the modern-day sacrificial murders still being carried out by some remote groups in the world today.

Première diffusion : 1 mai 1997

S4 E17 • The Lost City of Pirates

Roam the high seas in search of adventure and booty with Blackbeard the pirate and women buccaneers like Annie Boney. Visit a suken city once known as "the wickedest place on earth" and learn the true story of the pirates of Port Royal.

Première diffusion : 8 mai 1997

S4 E18 • Bigfoot

S4 E19 • Samurai

“Samurai!” examines feudal Japan's hereditary warrior class and its code of unquestioning loyalty. Included: their painting and poetry; the role of women; their code of honor.

S4 E20 • Guardian of the Ages: The Great Sphinx

It is one of ancient Egypt's most recognizable and enduring icons. Situated on the west bank of the Nile River, this great creature has watched over the Giza Plateau for an untold number of years. Known as the Great Sphinx of Giza, this massive lion of the desert boasts the carved human head of a pharaoh and the body of a recumbent lion. To which great ruler does the Sphinx's massive form pay homage? Who built this enduring statue and where did the inspiration come from? In this fascinating look into the history behind the symbol of the sphinx, experts debate these and many other significant questions. Join Ancient Mysteries for a journey four thousand years into the past to uncover the hidden secrets of Egypt's Guardian Of The Ages: The Great Sphinx.

Première diffusion : 12 juin 1997

S4 E21 • Dragons

They appear in countless myths and stories from around the world. Could dragons have actually existed, and could they still remain hidden in some remote corner of the earth?

Première diffusion : 26 juin 1997

S4 E22 • Ancient Rome and its Mysterious Cities

They were fearsome rulers of the ancient world for over a thousand years. Some say their armies were the strongest the world has ever seen. Wherever they went, they conquered. And, wherever they conquered, there sprang another city. As we marvel at the sophistication and beauty of some of our modern cities, we are celebrating a legacy that was literally etched in stone over two thousand years ago by the Romans. ANCIENT ROME AND ITS MYSTERIOUS CITIES explores the hidden treasures of our ancestors as we uncover the secrets of these mysterious ancient cities. In a world of frequent invasions and competition among warring tribes, the cities of the Romans were a stamp of solidity, unifying a multitude of cultures. Across the empire, they provided a secure structure wherein these diverse traditions could flourish, as long as they honored Roman law. Archaeology shows that advanced cultures such as those of the Greeks and the Etruscans preceded the Romans. But they did not survive. Why not? How did the Romans use the wealth of knowledge of these societies and expand upon them? What did they do differently? And, how were they able to keep control of the far reaches of the empire? Explore the answers to these questions. Hear and feel the rhythm of the outrageous and exotic societies of the past...and journey to the heart of civilization in ANCIENT ROME AND ITS MYSTERIOUS CITIES.

Première diffusion : 17 juillet 1997

S4 E23 • The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

From the enormous bronze statue of the Colossus of Rhodes to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, this intriguing episode of A&E's "Ancient Mysteries" reveals the history and mysteries behind the ancient world's seven wonders. Period art and contemporary reconstructions help recount the story of these legendary structures of antiquity, including the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Temple of Artemis, the Statue of Zeus and the Lighthouse at Alexandria.

Première diffusion : 24 juillet 1997

S4 E24 • Headhunters of the Amazon

S4 E25 • The Black Death

S4 E26 • The Curse of the Borgias

In this episode of Ancient Mysteries, Leonard Nimoy narrates the story of the Borgias family. The legendary Italian Renaissance political family members included two Popes, and filled with exciting tales of murder, incest, and corruption.

Première diffusion : 31 juillet 1997