Product Details

• Format: Black & White, Color, DVD
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B0012Y461W
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #118,113 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

From the dawn of time to the epic sweep of the twentieth century, from the great conflicts to the inventions that changed the world, The History Channel on DVD captures the glory, tragedy and drama of the human experience. Brilliant specials, astounding documentaries and vibrant dramatizations bring the past home to you.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars The oatmeal of history..., February 16, 2010

By 

Michael Valdivielso (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: History Channel - In Search of History - Roman Emperors (DVD)

If this DVD was a food, it would be oatmeal. Bland and tasteless. The History channel took Roman Emperors everybody knew, selected the ones with the wildest, more twisted life styles, took out anything that might offend or upset anybody, and then tossed the whole thing into a blender. This was meant for the masses, to get lots of people to watch TV. Frankly, I found it boring and would not even suggest it unless you had nothing else to watch. If you have even a small amount of knowledge this DVD will just bore you. They don't try to explain why, for example Nero, acted the way he did, nor do they touch on any of the Emperors of the later Roman Empire. They don't compare their actions to, let us say, the common people or talk about the ethics or norms of the period.
For example, they state that one Emperor buried three Vestal Virgins alive when it was found out they were no longer pure - if you get my drift. Well, yes, that was the punishment for Vestal Virgins - that was the punishment even during the time of the Republic. The Emperor didn't select the punishment.
And how about Claudius? Nobody seems to ever pick him as a bad Emperor, but he had more people killed than some of the others. If you are interested in a more factual and balanced account I would suggest starting with such books as A Scandalous History of the Roman Emperors. Mr. Blond starts off with chapters on Roman culture and law. THEN he jumps into the history of the early Emperors, starting with Julius Caesar, who was never a Emperor, and ending with Nero. He ends the book with chapters on food and religion. It is also lots of fun to read!