The Underappreciated World Of Dark Age Art | Age Of Light | Timeline

The Dark Ages have been misunderstood. History has identified the period following the fall of the Roman Empire with a descent into barbarism - a terrible time when civilisation stopped. Waldemar Januszczak disagrees.
In this landmark 4-part series Waldemar argues that the Dark Ages were a time of great artistic achievement, with new ideas and religions provoking new artistic adventures. He embarks on a fascinating trip across Europe, Africa and Asia, visits the world’s most famous collections and discovers hidden artistic gems, all to prove that the Dark Ages were actually an ‘Age of Light'.
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[@TimelineChannel]

"It's like Netflix, but for history documentaries" -----> Sign up to History Hit with code 'timeline' for a huge discount! bit.ly/3rs2w3k

[@InnerMittenSignal]

I stopped watching when the moral relativism became obvious...

[@emems6620]

@@InnerMittenSignal how so?

[@metodologiadelainvestigaci7008]

I've uploaded subtitles in spanish. Please aprove them, I need the video with subtitles to use in a college class. Thanks.

[@patrickkilian8809]

@@InnerMittenSignal g==r

[@TobyAlmighty]

Who else has to write a paper on it for art appreciation class

[@keybawd4023]

When lockdown began, And I spent days and nights alone, I started watching the art lectures from The National Gallery in London. Wonderful and I learnt a lot. But then I discovered Waldemar Januszczak. I find his documentaries thrilling - alive and with images that you remember. If I talk about the Impressionists I remember how he explained that they began to use brushes not from some asian ferret but from hogs - and he talked about this with a pig grunting around his feet - Unforgettable. Without the image, I would have forgotten the info about the brushes. His documentaries always use images that help you fix the ideas or info in your mind. I have learnt so much and been so entertained by WJ's documentaries, and look forward to watching one every night - whether for the first or third time. BRILLIANT

[@patricklee7241]

Same! I just discovered WJ recently as well. In addition to your comment he brings to his documentaries a story and narrative creating a soul to every topic he touches upon. Plus, he's damn funny.

[@Runamoinen]

I remember watching this guy on cable TV when I was in my early teens back in the 2000's. Back then, and here I'm speaking from the perspective of someone from a country most would see as undeveloped and insignificant, this type of programme was as visual as history ever got. I loved these programmes, and they even got me an A in art class because of things I remembered from that documentary on Velasquez. They were also one of the things that sparked my interest in the humanities, something I have nurtured and reaped the benefit of ever since. However, as I came across his newer work, it strikes me now that I had been able to stomach the narrative style, the copious emphasis on everything, the general air of oversimplification (perhaps not of the content as much of putting everything into too simple a language). Moderately put off, I shared my thoughts together with this clip with my art historian girlfriend. She has never been into documentaries, let alone those in English (which is not a native language for either of us). And yet, she rather liked it. One of the things she appreciated the most was, in fact, the narration, which she could understand in its entirety. And then it hit me. The programme is made with children and learners of English in mind, not just for a UK audience but an international one. You might say they did not set out just to educate but to popularize arts, history and the humanities across the globe. Hats off! If you're thinking all of this simplistic, that's great. Perhaps you'd appreciate the wonderful university and museum lectures available on KZbin (I know I do, and the funny thing is some of the best academics also have irritating speech patterns). The fact that you do feel you know all of this already is perhaps due to you having seen this kind of programme as a child and have grown into your better-educated self over time. I feel many people watching this would like for their children to enjoy books by renowned scholars when they're older, so here's a fterrific place to start.

[@ameliab7245]

Ye Gads. That was a lot to read. And now you've finished school and you are here because?

[@ellenmarch3095]

Amelia B may be having a bad day. Please ignore her. I doubt very much your country is insignificant, both in general and in producing someone as articulate as you. I love education in all its forms, but I especially love it in those so passionate about their subject they don't mind sharing it with anyone, whatever that person's current level. We all have to take the same path to mastery, some of us just forget that others are now where we were before. This guy gets it, always has. Understands what context you'd need to understand that you haven't learned yet, but doesn't talk down or make you feel stupid for not already knowing. Love him. Respect you and your girlfriend for wanting to learn, whatever the subject. Me too. :)

[@Runamoinen]

@@ellenmarch3095 Thank you! You're very kind. :)

[@MElsaadani]

The best history buff/fanatic comment I saw in a considerable long time Salute from an old history buff!

[@based_prophet]

overshare lol

[@richie6921]

Easily the best presenter on BBC. Criminally underused. I could listen to this guy talk about stuff for hours, he's just brilliant

[@ZomBMarketing]

Sir Isaac Newton was brilliant. Leonardo Da Vinci was brilliant. This guy? Walking and talking? ...not so much.

[@octopusmime]

I love him as a host. His Rococo before Bedtime series is so well done. He's passionate and fun, and uses art to navigate history. He's my kind of historian!!!

[@marioa.6115]

Iritating

[@alexc8209]

best presenter on BBC isnt saying much....

[@hey_joe7069]

He's an idiot. the whole thing is a snarky "hit" on Christians.

[@smooveayy]

I actually forgot that I was watching a dark ages documentary. The mosaic artwork is truly splendid

[@TcheddyG]

I think this guy should host every history documentary. He is very clever and the artistic way in which he uses sarcasm it’s on a whole other level.

[@floatpvnk]

Him and Tony Robinson!

[@josi4251]

I love this guy's enthusiasm for his subject matter. Great teacher! And I'm a teacher so I'm qualified to judge. Well, we all are, but my hat is definitely off to him!

[@reinhartaltavillaferrara3546]

Yes, he's very enthusiastic

[@anthonyhebert5630]

Would've really enjoyed having teachers like him

[@stitchgroover]

The ROTAS letter square was the "Live Laugh Love" of the Roman days.

[@adushack1982]

I hadn't thought of that, but you are absolutely correct!

[@rfn74]

I'm just gonna say, that is a low level of interpretation, if correct at all.

[@sjhewitt123]

How dare you

[@KennethKustren-lr6tg]

SO MUCH FOR MEEKNESS. THE ' ROTAS ' square ... is a SYMBOL OF A CHRISTIAN REFUGE .... LEARN MORE, FASTER. ~ Jesu Michael Christo.

[@PrivateSi]

Half the of the so called evidence for Jesus seems like it's misappropriating Pagans by any means possible. Greedy Modern Christains.

[@wollinger]

Can you please add more ads during the video, please? I could not concentrate on the ads with that many video content in between.

[@pamelad4116]

🤣😆😂🤣😆😂

[@pbezunartea]

What ads? install uBlock Origin

[@NortiusMaximus]

Use adblocker

[@cameronsmith4968]

Pay the $10 a month

[@MaciejBogdanStepien]

Funny, I watched this one right after SNL's "Sarcasm 101" skit. ;)

[@EvaGrgić]

As art historian myself, I am enjoying passion, knowledge and performans of Mr. W. Januszak! Bravo!

[@TIFFANYDlAS]

Yooooo ol boy has solider figurines and a skull ring while he skulks around in a dark crypt whispering about the dark ages. I’m 2 minutes in and I’m already FULLY INVESTED

[@stupidphone101]

I bet that ring is +2 charisma

[@gullybull5568]

why ?

[@eurosensazion]

Wow I studied Latin and Greek and speak Greek fluent, but I just realized the Christian symbol I see at church "Alpha, Omega, X & R" when you take the four Greek letters they literally do mean/spell "I rule". This guy is great. Just learned something new and that was always in front of me.

[@kennykirschner2175]

You might also be surprised about the fact that the Julian calendar Pope Gregory XIII fixed has a twenty-eight year cycle built into that makes the Gregorian Calendar a perpetual calendar

[@darlenehutchison802]

Waldemar is so enthusiastic about this civilization. I love 💕 him ❤️

[@reinhartaltavillaferrara3546]

... Do you also love our civilization?!

[@imsosmart942]

I always wonder what aspect of art Waldemar will tackle next. This one was a real surprise! Keep them coming!

[@johnmcclellan9020]

Constantine did not make Christianity the official religion of Rome. He legalized it only. Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

[@todbeard8118]

Thanks for the info. I didn't know that. For the longest time I thought it was Constantine.

[@Vardaris]

Constantine took a religion which was just a minority in the empire and made it the dominant religion of the empire. For example, in modern Greece there are numerous ancient buildings which were built by the Romans for various reasons and were turned into christian churches by Constantine. No Constantine means no Christianity.

[@doncook2054]

Constantine made Christianity the new Roman Empire.........

[@theguythatcould]

The presenter only said that it became the emperor's official religion; not the empire's.

[@doncook2054]

@@theguythatcould l'etat, c'est moi.....

[@wesleymcspadden5437]

I like how he just randomly touches basically every statue he talks about

[@minimaker5600]

no guards watching him!

[@stephanieledogar4471]

In the US he would be ejected from the museum.

[@foxandbarrettshow6916]

Shocked he didn't fondle the ones with bewbs

[@christal2641]

Brits commonly believe they are entitled to ownership of all ancient art. They justify dismanteling and transporting it over the ocean to "protect it," and then insist on keeping it in the sulfurous atmosphere of London. But if the BBC wants to send someone to fondle it with bare hands, it is "O.K."

[@ksp-crafter5907]

@@christal2641 so true.

[@kevinrbarker]

Love his work: thorough, insightful, slightly irreverent. He rarely uses the word Byzantine, which is fitting because the theme is the Dark Ages. But might that period be properly called Byzantine, with "dark'" relegated to Western Europe and England?

[@cz9101]

The Byzantine called themselves as Roman

[@ak11230]

I did really enjoy all Waldemar Januszczak historical documentary. .. He is one of these days best historian. Always knowledgeable and easy to understand ...

[@magentaorchids]

I really enjoy this guy’s work, thoroughly researched and entertaining, keeping the viewer completely engaged from beginning to the end He is a great story teller and historian Keep up the good work, unbiased and fun

[@GiftofChaosStudio]

Hah because he said Islam is a joyous religion right?

[@nikolaosaggelopoulos8113]

I thought it was wonderful and moving. I am surprised at the negative comments. He said he wanted to use the term dark ages because it is often used to refer to this period. The Roman Empire receded from much of Europe but I feel he wants to point out that the world did not take a step back everywhere. The description of the development of the church is also quite unique, I have not seen anything like it in any documentary before. And the ending was truly climactic.

[@mjvictoriano]

"The description of the development of the church is also quite unique"... but that's because it's false. If there wasn't any other way to know what those Early Christians believed in back in time, then he might suggest all those magical and inventive things he's saying here. But that's not the case. Early Christian history is quite documented by TEXTS that are more explicit in meaning than images, so you have to use the texts as a guide to make sense of the images and not the other way around (or to simply ignore the texts). Of course, this period is wonderful, a new emerging art and a clash of traditions, mostly Pagan of course because Jewish were iconoclasts, so the images are a transformation of preexisting symbols now seen as ordinary in modern Church. But that doesn't mean that his explanations are... explanations at all! If he's not following the truth behind the objects then he's not explaining anything at all

[@jeanjulie4851]

You come off as being closed minded and pompous.

[@elsiefarris7508]

H8xte2a cq1

[@zthetha]

I love Waldemar Januszczak's documentaries. His celebration of Paul Gauguin is the best art history I have ever seen.

[@christopherstmarin]

Started out by being annoyed by this dude, then somewhere in the story I started to really enjoy his style.

[@sharyng261]

Same here! At first I was annoyed then after 2+ hours he grows on you.

[@ludovica8221]

It helps to know that heis an old punk.. Very scholarly and knowledgable, but not deferential to the establishment

[@Ash.Crow.Goddess]

I never did come around. He enunciates words like a madman.

[@ludovica8221]

@@Ash.Crow.Goddess you misspelled "educated Englishman"

[@spicetheory8170]

it's when he said CAT A CCCCOOOOOOOOOMSSSS

[@MrRobowes]

2:52 - "Art never lies." Art lies all the time. What about art as propaganda?

[@scottleft3672]

if its art...its classed as such....propaganda is more than just 'deemed' ...its classed, debated, agreedand signed off on....as such.....see what sells....money talks .

[@MrRobowes]

So you mean to say that art and propaganda are separate and they don't overlap? That one thing - a painting let's say - can either be art OR propaganda, not both? What about advertising, which promotes an idea or concept or product by means of art? That's an entire industry built around the melding of those two concepts. Perhaps what you mean is propaganda is more purposeful than art? With more intention than art? Most of the pieces in this exact documentary - especially this episode - are pieces of art done with very deliberate purpose. Several of those same pieces are admitted as being fake in one aspect or another. That further backs my point - art lies all the time.

[@daisygowanditchburn4844]

Wesley Wilson I think you misunderstand what is meant by lie. It is less that the message is true or false but rather that there are messages being conveyed and these are what is supposed to be conveyed. In this sense propaganda art is the most truthful art there is.

[@MrRobowes]

Gowan James Ditchburn: Following the propaganda art example, are you saying that it's "truth" lies not in the validity of the message, but in the fact that it's purpose is to convey a message and it does so successfully? Are you not confusing "success" or "effectiveness" with "truth"? Going off of that logic, can any description of anything else be automatically true because it is still a description? Even if it is obviously and patently false? A lie told can be defined as true simply by being told?

[@Stroggoii]

"Art never lies" means art can't be doctored like historical records often are. You can claim all you want that "We can do it!" is a feminist symbol instead of war propaganda, but the piece is right there in your face with it's message intact and no ammount of reinterpretation will be able to delete it so long as the piece itself persists.

[@dessalidman7268]

I enjoy your narratives very much! You have so much enthusiasm for narrating stories and very passionate about the subject! Keep going!

[@stefan-anamericaninrussiaa6683]

I could listen to him all day, and occasionally have..

[@PRH123]

Wonderful documentaries, I only wish he had done more.

[@Hollylivengood]

Sooo many references to the Life of Brian. When he said "here he grew...and grew and grew and grew..." I could hear the song.

[@kollerbrian]

Grew and grew, Eyes that grew bigger than his stomach. Brian Brain Storm

[@TaroEzoMaks]

There is no other thing than to respect and admire the narrative by Waldemar Januszczak.

[@billscannell93]

The early, feminine, Apollo-like Jesus seems like a healthier object of worship and obsession than the tortured Medieval Jesus. I live in Utah, where nowadays everyone has the same Jesus portrait hanging on the wall, which makes him look like a Nordic GQ model. "Surfer Jesus."

[@sharyng261]

Had no expectations going in... Ending with high respect for this man. Learned a lot watching this!

[@emsnewssupkis6453]

Except his entire video is in denial of reality. Roman Britain was utterly wiped out in the huge hunks of England invaded by the Angles and Saxons...this happens to also be why the joint is called 'Angle-land'. Also, the barbarians spared no one and wiped out almost all traces of Roman Britain except for one building at Bath, of all things.

[@peterdickinson4599]

Emsnews Supkis Jibber jabber.

[@emsnewssupkis6453]

@@peterdickinson4599 Write the list of all Roman buildings that survived the Fall. Outside of Bath and three other examples, it was nearly uniformly wiped out.

[@peterdickinson4599]

Emsnews Supkis Write a list of all Roman buildings that preceded “the Fall”.

[@emsnewssupkis6453]

@@peterdickinson4599 Rome build entire cities in Britain as well as several huge, long walls in the north in Scotland. They also build ports and roads. The roads survived but no longer paved.

[@maxlouis2910]

This narrator is a rock star , most others would make the documentary boring, i really like the intensity.

[@julietschembri7191]

The early Christian representation of Jesus was a helenized Jesus for a simple reason. The artists who did Christian art were the same artists who did all the other art. They were more craftsmen then what we think of artists today. The had a model of how to do a young god and they would use it interchangably at need. This was lesson no 1 in Introduction to Early Christian Art at uni.

[@alexc8209]

yes, i agree. so why does this guy talk so much about it as if the early christians knew what J looked like? Its weird.

[@Mosca_Tube]

i believe he's trying to make people understand that the contemporary image of jesus is just as made up as any other image of jesus. Not that jesus lied about his appearance, rather jesus's appearance is based on the culture of the christians worshipping him.

[@kaloarepo288]

A close parallel to this in the Buddhist world is how Buddha is shown in the different countries that have adopted Buddhism -in China Buddha looks Chinese,in Japan Japanese,in Thailand Thai etc etc yet Buddha was from the Indian subcontinent.

[@jenniferopdahl4365]

Oneword devincie

[@gullybull5568]

no J in ANY book before 1300. IESUS but ZUZ OR sus is NOT the king of gods. THE WAR GOD IS THE ROOSTER DOUBLE HEAD. NEP PAL

[@SacredDreamer]

😱Absolutely DEVISTATED to hear about St Agnes - how they mistreated her to end her Goodness and then in death keep her head separated from her body 😞😭😭😭

[@loretta_3843]

I've come to enjoy Waldemar's narration. It's a great talent he has.

[@movingpicutres99]

Thank you for this. A genius art historian. Wonderful presentation.

[@macbuff81]

I love his presentation style. He makes history come alive

[@reinhartaltavillaferrara3546]

I'm writing from Italy, Rome. You can't imagine how much I appreciate this video and its contents. Many blessings and love 💚✨💚✨💚✨💚✨💚🌿🌿🌸🌸🌾🌾🌷🏵️🌷🏵️

[@hojoinhisarcher]

This program answers every question I never asked in 10 years of Sunday School.

[@MElsaadani]

This series is a delicious heavy meal that most of the history buffs like me revisit from time to time I adore this guy and his enthusiastic passionate voice when he talks about the mind bugling entanglement of our humankind history!

[@jamesanonymous2343]

When he says, "art never lies", I believe he is suggesting that the creator/artist is consciously, or unconsciously reflecting contemporary culture in all it's virtues & sins. When Michelangelo drew all those grotesque studies of male heads, was the ugliness in his subject, or in his (Michelangelo's) corrupt spirit ?

[@elh305]

It was the inner turmoil he experienced for having to deal with ignorant, condescending, arrogant, idiotic, hypocritical 'holier than thou' religious fanatics in order to create thousands of images which have inspired Billions. So far, your pea brain has caught the attention of 42 equally small minded individuals: plus one -who's just that bored..🤷🏻‍♂️

[@pinchebruha405]

@@elh305 Baaahhhhhaaaaaa haaaaaaaaaa haaaaaaaaa haaaaaaaa jaaaaaaaa jaaaa....Nailed it!

[@rileyhiggins4753]

He mentions that Christians may not have been persecuted as much as initially thought but why all the secrets in the early art. And only in secret places like graves

[@jene6651]

Yeah! I love Waldemar's art documentaries. Can't wait for the rest. You have a great channel, I really enjoy it.

[@jeff__w]

*The Dark Ages: An Age of Light* All four episodes in one video: Waldemar Looks At The Dark Ages In A New Light | Age Of Light: Full Series | Perspective Episode one: Waldemar Januszczak Explores The Art Of The Dark Ages | Age of Light | Timeline Original title: "The Clash of the Gods" Episode two: Why Are The Barbarians So Misunderstood? | An Age Of Light | Timeline Original title: "What the Barbarians Did for Us" Episode three: The Wondrous Architecture Of The Dark Ages | An Age Of Light | Timeline Original title: "The Wonder of Islam" Episode four: The Hidden Wonders Of Dark Ages Craftsmanship | An Age Of Light | Timeline Original title: "The Men of the North"

[@jessekaronhiiodaye561]

When he said art never lies, I couldn't help but laugh. 😂

[@13minutestomidnight]

Well, think about it. Even when artists try to use their art to tell lies or exaggerations, the reality of their art - including the style, where it is and who paid for it - tells you things that the artist can't hide. Looking at art through history tells you about the times people live and how, just like archeological artefacts. And of course, no matter what message people try to tell, the essence and underlying meaning of the art tells the truth. No matter what the artist intends. E.g Elaborate paintings of Romans killing Christians? The Church wants people to feel guilty and enraged about Christian pain...so the Church can justify violence and persecuting others without looking like hypocrites. E.g. A huge statue of Constantine he paid for himself says he's terrible in bed. The Church paying for it means that everyone knows that. Art doesn't lie. That's not because it doesn't try to.

[@Luvurenemy]

@@13minutestomidnight Trying to lie is still lying. Art, like human beings, can lie. By doing so, art can reveal some truth, but it still lies.

[@KathrynPieta]

Midieval art is the best artwork in the world. Better than the Renaissance. Which was started by the first Medichie. They had a fair every year.

[@irinaeropolova1252]

Bravo! Terrifdic documentary. And very educative too.I glued to the screen for an hour and forgot about everything around me. Thank you!!

[@lindakilmer2548]

I love Waldemar Janusczak !! He’s one of the best documentarians I’ve ever seen! He’s very knowledgeable and puts humour into it to keep it from seeming like a high school class. 👍😀

[@RyanKennedyMusic]

This should have been called: Early Christian Art Documentary

[@Toskrr]

Mr. Ryan Kennedy - It’s a docuseries though. He gets into the art of other cultures in other episodes.

[@seanmoran6510]

The clues in the use of the dark ages and them being not so dark ! And what survived from the collapse of the Roman Empire. It’d not that difficult is it ?

[@galvaton10000]

lol I think that is why my Art History Professor assigned this video for our Early Christian Art homework

[@bobs182]

The art connections give us considerable insight into the sources of Christian theology. For process thinkers the documentary is about meaning and Christian enlightenment metaphors. All is not lost for the mundane view has a subconscious connection. Jonah, Lazarus, and Jesus spent 3 days in a metaphorical womb before their spiritual rebirth.

[@adrianosk2052]

It should have been called Orthodox Iconography because the weren’t Catholic Churches when they were built and decorated.

[@billn.1318]

I was a failing middle school 8th grade student back in the late 90s and close to graduating. I hated history. Did not like it. Hated it with passion. But not until one history/social studies teacher I had who actually gave a hoot about a student's education and learning capability. Her name was Mrs. Montgomery. My grade in that class was a huge F. But the way she taught two specific time in history is something I would never forget. They were the Civil War and Medieval Ages. My teacher called my folks after 5pm and did not say I was failing per se, but rather, she insisted I am intrigued by history and she will help me pass middle school. She made history alive and took us out in field trips - paid by her. She invited medieval historian's to our class and had a show and tell of medieval things. We acted for a week of becoming medieval and living medieval. It was a like a virtual oregon trail but medieval version. I learned so much I fell in love with history. Exams took place and I passed with a C-. Now, as an adult, I have my own business and have my own family, I still to this day enjoy history and I will never forget the person who made me love history. These videos are a gem and love the medieval period. Would not want to live in medieval times though. Also, sadly, that teacher passed away in 2001. She was only in her 40s.

[@theConquerersMama]

What a gift she gave you.

[@jethrojackson9211]

This presentation was profound. I am richer now. The presenter dude really has a way with words and body language. Thank you so much!

[@kartos.]

This should be titled "The Dark Ages: Religious Art"

[@ladymopar2024]

And stealing things from other cultures IE angels and angels I like the way he says it to the point , they had to invent things

[@InnerMittenSignal]

@@ladymopar2024 You must have watched it right through. Angels are real, you will know when you meet one...and they serve The One True God of Love! (:D

[@InnerMittenSignal]

@@bleirdo_dude Not going to watch any of your suggestions because I couldn't even get through this one, lol. It was a mess. The dude was talking nonsensically. I hope he meets Jesus. I have. I can tell you why people don't dare to portray Him, He has a technically scary look, with very dark brows. He told me that's why He took awhile to show Himself to me, and also He prefers for people to have faith & not need to be shown. When I was little, there was a scary eyebrows puppet on TV that scared me.

[@avd-wd9581]

@@InnerMittenSignal Please take your meds

[@kartos.]

@kinsmarts Hate to break it to you, champ, but there's an entire world outside of christianity.

[@ladymopar2024]

I find this very interesting I haven't found too many documentaries on this subject even studying it in school thanks enjoying this I'm just intrigued how this gets passed down from generation to generation. Whether you believe it or not which I don't it's very fascinating it's almost like playing telephone down the years things get added

[@lisadesign3146]

He's a tad bit over dramatic, but at the same time , I appreciate his enthusiasm. This is actually very educational.

[@alanv9]

Why does this narrator make me feel like I'm watching a parody of a documentary?

[@JamesMartinelli-jr9mh]

Vin Weasel ....the English take on life - flippantly sarcastic and kill-joy.

[@mytakeon4373]

I know...ova deeee!! Ova heeeeaaaaaaa!!!

[@Loomismusic]

cause hes playing with little action figures and saying things like "art never lies"

[@irish2772]

Because it's English produced. Full stop.

[@TheRealValus]

I know, isn't it great! His voice is just DRIPPING with CONTEMPT, regardless of the topic or sentiment being discussed. I love it!

[@TimelineChannel]

Enjoying our content? Get the Timeline History Channel app now to watch whenever and wherever you want to: bit.ly/2rZs0vs

[@marekkoky6542]

Why do you say that Roman Empire was the greatest one the world ever seen when most of its rulers when psychopaths?

[@mortyjansen399]

Not a lot of content. Including this one.

[@scarletleigh7273]

Overall, I always enjoy the documentaries with this narrator, as he is clearly passionate and never boring, he knows how to engage his audience with his passion. However, I'd be a bit critical when watching as he does tend to present "one of the possible theories" as "known facts". Such a SATOR-ROTAS square for example. The christian theory came about in 1926 and since then it has been heavily contested

[@onepom63]

What a good narrator, has to be one of the best, I’ve listened to him a few times, never disappoints in his documentaries, very informative, definitely knows his history.

[@reinhartaltavillaferrara3546]

No. It's OUR history, dude

[@TriumvirSajaki]

No one knew what Jesus looked like. *Two minutes later* This is totally what Jesus looked like

[@lurking0death]

No. This is what artists made him look like.....and the reasons for thinking so are given. Learn to watch and listen and still your mind before you go off half cocked.

[@TriumvirSajaki]

@@lurking0death ok mom

[@alexc8209]

@@TriumvirSajaki lol. Lurking0death needs a life i think.

[@Habdabi]

the first of the JESUSESSES. There are many JESUSESEUSESSSSSSS

[@Brembelia]

You will find the same sort of thing with Buddha. With some sculptures of him, he has Negroid curls, but with other sculptures, he has straight Caucasian hair. So, one needs to ask about the artist, the time of the creation of the art, and what part of the world the art is found in. In the final analysis, though, does it really matter what they looked like? Isn't it more about what they stood for that requires our attention? I mean, both the Buddha and Jesus stood for a special type of philosophy; they weren't out there to be followed as fashion statements.

[@Anathema.FOX1]

Anytime “simply being Human; is Humanized”, Is simply Marvelous…

[@bingeltube]

Very recommendable! Watching it now for a 2nd time!

[@meredithinserra4670]

Fascinating! This is my second time streaming this series.

[@clivegranger5017]

At one point Waldemar mentions he's in some Roman ruins in Syria. In fact he is in the Roman city of Gerasa (Jerash), Jordan. Particularly noticeable are the stark columns of the Temple of Artemis there. I like this documentary and the presenter's style. Very watchable

[@fionatanzer5270]

The peacock also symbolizes the major angel Tawuze Melek (one of the 7 Holy Beings) in Yazidi belief, which has links to ancient Mesopotamian religions. Tawuze Melek had charge of the world from the creator. Maybe this is why the peacock was adopted as a symbol among early Christians in Rome.

[@reinhartaltavillaferrara3546]

And lord Krishna

[@gailking6989]

I loves this guys videos!!! Especially the ones about the "Boroque" period.

[@MisterDinosaur]

I learnt something watching this, that's all that matters. Thank you eccentric man.

[@JavierBonillaC]

Eccentric, out=ex. Centric+center. In Spanish we write it excéntrico. Just an interesting thought.

[@Ritzi66]

It’s good to be learnt something

[@mishagasparovsky196]

Mister waldemar, you are genius. Thank you for all your magnificent documentaries. And for laughs

[@stupidphone101]

Sir, your history documentaries are bloody awesome! Methinks a binge is in order...

[@danielashman1753]

Surprised and impressed with how well done this is.

[@paulrayfield8419]

Very interesting and impressive to see the beautiful churches still to this day. Thanks for uploading !!

[@Lieve_Saillart]

love it, great, presentation, thank you so much!

[@ryanvoll7088]

I get what the narrator/guide is trying to point out. But the era isn’t called “Dark Ages” because of its type of art, but because there is a large lack of written history during this time. Literacy among humans fell in western civilization, due to lack of writing and reading skills, we have very little documents to tell us what happened. For example, the Franks, we pretty much only have the writings of Gregory of Tour, who was born long after the days of Clovis I. So it’s dark because it’s an unknown time period of what happened.

[@richardc7721]

There are written accounts by historians who lived at the time of Jesus who wrote a detailed description of what he looked like. Those writings have been known to exist and referred to by other historians down through the centuries. The description tells of Jesus being taller, around 6' strong, probably because he was a carpenter, he had long brown hair, According to the custom of his tribe, the men did not cut their hair until they had fulfilled their vowed task entered into by early adulthood, thus the long hair, and full beard. Much like the shroud of Turin.

[@FernandoGomez-hh9jm]

Very good documentaries señor , i say hola from the underdeveloped country of MEXICO señor... Hasta la vista ! .

[@aquastar4336]

I love history 💕 School never ignited this passion for the past I have now. I got the spark from PBS lol

[@SacredDreamer]

..erm.. so "Jesus" Iesous ben Pantera - "Yesu" in Hebrew was unbearded when he was in his Youth and THEN he grew out his beard - as men do sometimes ...

[@Preservestlandry]

The style for men was a short trimmed beard and short hair.

[@angelobugini6771]

It's an outstanding documentary! I truly did appreciate it so much. Thanks a lot for sharing! Keep it up!

[@ruthsmithwade7955]

Thank you for mentioning our Cleveland Museum of Art - it's a wonderful place.

[@busby777]

the child coming out of the dragon's mouth is actually from Revelation Chapter 12, not the story of Jonah and the fish (a fish, not a whale)

[@joemfk1]

Very eye opening and well presented. Thank you for this truth

[@Mega6501]

I believe the narrator is confused, here’s one example with the hallow and angel figures at 26:35 he claims the Romans had the idea first but what he fails to take into account is the idea of angels and hallows existed long before Rome ever existed.

[@educatedmanholecoverbyrich8890]

Wow! I never knew Constantine was a stone mason and bricklayer.Amazing. lol.

[@CM-bi6oy]

Many inaccuracies in this documentary. Constantine did not divide the empire. Diocletian did. Christianity did not become the official religion under Constantine but rather it was under Theodosius. Though he clearly favored Christians, Constantine probably did not get baptized until near the end of his life, if at all.

[@andrewb607]

If he did it was on his death bed. Apparently he had leaders of many religions there. Trying to hedge his bets haha

[@derekholland3328]

i love his documentaries!..thank you for your service.

[@christopherk1342]

Earliest Christian church - Etchmiadzin Cathedral- built in 301 AD in present day Armenia.

[@Trp44]

Who is this STAR quality narrator?

[@menofsouthasia]

Amazing and informative !!! This documentary changed my views on Christianity

[@dauntless78]

I find Januszczak to be an outstanding researcher.

[@michaelaratnam6517]

yep... he stands out of the subject and blurts out a collection of assumptions without acknowledging that he could be wrong.

[@glittermama]

A probable reason there were no images in the early church is because Judaism prohibits images as does Islam, which, of course, came later, but it seems to be a middle eastern religious custom accepted by early Christians.

[@stephenmeier4658]

Action Figure Jesus is here to upend your preconceptions of the Dark Ages

[@pauljimerson8218]

I prefer the Buddy Christ it really pops

[@djwilburn8159]

I havent watched network television in 4 years because I AM OBSESSED WITH FINDING TRUTH!!! I like to read the comments before watching the video and I gotta say that after reading the comments, I am excited!!!

[@mjvictoriano]

There's a lot of speculation and little truth in here, anyone trying to get close to this subject should read the New Testament first. There's a close source of information about what were the beliefs of the first Christians. Of course there's a lot borrowed from existent Pagan (obviously) iconography in the first Christian art, starting with the fact that Jewish people were iconoclastic, so there was no tradition to follow in that field. But the relations were symbolic and carved around symbols any convert (Pagan born) could understand... But, anyways, read the New Testament, at least with scientific eyes. All the source texts that conforms it were written between year 50 and 100 AD, so that's very close in history to the events they told...

[@mjvictoriano]

And what I forgot to say: this guy makes "factual/theological claims" derived from ICONOGRAPHY. Maybe he's correct on making some connections regarding ART, but he's missing the whole ACTUAL interpretation people from THOSE ages gave to it... (and for that is why you need to read the New Testament, you don't have to be a believer to recognize that those were the ideas behind the first Christians)

[@topologyrob]

Very frustrating that the identity and locations of most of the artworks are not given

[@tovaritchboy]

WHATS with the gold skull and cross bone ring? He makes to sure to show it off ALOT

[@slicktires2011]

Skull and Bones secret society not so subliminal message

[@ambersams3485]

Greg Wade the illuminated ones lol

[@politicallycorrectredskin796]

Symbol of piracy used by Masonic cults of various kinds. It also appears in stylistic form in the British, Confederate and Scottish flags. Covert piracy has been a part of British culture since the early Middle Ages. Early on it was mostly used to wreck other nations' shipping, and in later years increasingly to provide a pretext for military presence by the British Empire anywhere on the planet. No piracy, no British empire.

[@corettaha7855]

Or it could just be a fashion statement

[@politicallycorrectredskin796]

Skulls aren't fashionable. And normal men don't wear silly jewelry. He's a member of some crazy death cult or another and is flashing to his fellows. Typical English upper class behavior really.

[@RalphEllis]

The anchor and dolphin symbolism was the primary symbol of Emperor Vespasian. Ask yourself, why early Christians adopted the symbol of the emperor. RE

[@timothye5936]

Wow!..this just auto played after a different dark ages doc I was listening to…this one’s much better

[@vizon-aryproductions6191]

28:33 anyone see that squirrel walk down the steps ? it only happens in a few frames.

[@gsmurph08]

He said “The History Of Rome In 12 Mighty Volumes” but only showed 7 books.

[@fisherking1863]

I consider this gentleman the leading intullectual and academic on the classics of our time. He is without doubt a superlative indevidual. He should be reconised as such. Give him the Nobel Prize.

[@bxbank]

Damn! This is so fascinating! Who knew!

[@Owenactor]

He needs you to know he has a skull ring.

[@Habdabi]

Also walking away from the camera as he speaks, to the point where he went round a corner and the cameraman had to catch him

[@Owenactor]

@@Habdabi hah! It's definitely a unique style...

[@RuleRsofTheGame]

He's the clone of Jeremy Clarkson crossed with David Starkey. He want's to be history's Jeremy Clarkson. Look at the production style, his voice overs. Literally Top Gear.

[@Owenactor]

@@RuleRsofTheGame HAH!

[@restrictedmilk]

And he has Ben Shapiro's sarcastic voice. "Extraordinary as it sounds, sometimes Christ was made to look feminine.... ON PURPOSE." "He's so SOFT, and FEMININE, a PODGY and DELICATE type with CHILD-BEARING hips. Before this GIRLISH Jesus could GROW A BEARD and BECOME A MAN..." 🙄

[@nazikmurad2216]

The music in this documentary is just perfect

[@terri-lynnebelzil9804]

Around about 20 mins, this production jumps the rails. Obviously the producer has never read the NT or the early church fathers. Beautiful film, but silly theory.

[@LoneKharnivore]

...the New Testament wasn't even codified until four centuries after Jesus' death. The Turin Shroud has been proven to be fake. The Romans always borrowed from previous religions. The presenter has spent his life studying this stuff while you are a random person on the internet. I know who I believe.

[@magnoliasouth]

@@LoneKharnivore Actually, the shroud has been retested and the original man who said it was a fake, even had to agree that he was wrong. It has to do with the original sample used to test it. It was discovered that the sample used was actually a piece of it that was mended in the middle ages. When they tested other parts of the shroud, it dates to Jesus' time. Now this was about a year or so ago when I read this and new testing may have been done since. I cannot say what has happened since though. I pass no judgement either way. Remember that science is still in its infancy. Too many assume wrongly that they have the answer, just by looking at things but the truth is, we'll likely never know one way or another.

[@chris1275cc]

@@magnoliasouth No, that's not what happened with the shroud at all try reading the actual scientific papers and not what the tabloids sensationalise, the tests were basically inconclusive giving a far too big age range and more samples are needed. Even the Vatican regards it as an icon not a relic.

[@rupertprawnworthy758]

Belief causing people to be blinded to facts put before them, well that's a surprise.