Mary Beard and Simon Schama reveal the inside story of writing and presenting the BBC Two series Civilisations. Hosted by Kirsty Wark. Show more

Simon Schama explores how the romantics created the secular cult of national belonging in their poetry, music and art, with enormous consequences for the modern world. Show more

In this episode, Simon explores how Romantic artists created the secular icons of the modern democratic age, whose power continues to inspire the passions of revolt to this day. Show more

Simon explores how the romantics became the first intrepid explorers of dark recesses of the human mind, long before the modern psychological revolution. With contributions from Sir David Attenborough Show more

Simon Schama looks at the formative role art and the creative imagination have played in the forging of humanity itself. Show more

Simon Schama explores the depiction of nature. Simon discovers that landscape painting is seldom a straightforward description of observed nature. Show more

Simon Schama examines how traditions developed in the years following the Renaissances. Show more

Simon Schama starts his meditation on colour and civilisation with the great Gothic cathedrals of Amiens and Chartres. He then moves to 16th-century Venice. Show more

Documentary. Simon Schama explores the fate of art in the machine- and profit-driven world, looking at the rise of art as a tradeable commodity. Show more

Andrew Marr on art and civilisation with Mary Beard, Simon Schama, Tacita Dean and David Olusoga. Show more

Simon Schama and Devorah Baum join Philip Dodd to explore Jewish identity, past and present. Plus, Pinter prize winner Michael Longley considers preoccupations with The Great War. Show more

Matt Baker and Angellica Bell are joined on the sofa by Mary Beard, David Olusoga and Simon Schama to talk about new BBC series Civilisations.

Simon looks at how Shakespeare's most profound tragedies may have been inspired by the bard's experiences writing for the courts of Elizabeth I and James I. Show more

David Dimbleby chairs from Tunbridge Wells. With Communications Minister Ed Vaizey, the Shadow Attorney General Emily Thornberry, Paul Nuttall, Cristina Odone and Simon Schama. Show more

A look at BBC Two's early years. After a disastrous opening night power cut, series including Playschool to Match of the Day began and the channel was the UK's first to go colour. Show more

The series celebrating the story of BBC Two concludes with a look at more recent highlights, including comedy classics The Office, The League of Gentlemen and Goodness Gracious Me. Show more

Documentary exploring the influence of the Industrial Revolution on the life and work of artist JMW Turner. Includes interviews with historian Simon Schama and artist Tracey Emin. Show more

Andrew Neil is joined by Michael Portillo and Alan Johnson as they review the US election result with Piers Morgan and Simon Schama and talk reality TV with Denise Welch. Show more

Simon Schama begins his history of Britain at the miraculously preserved Stone Age cottages of Skara Brae in Orkney and then moves on to the world of Anglo-Saxon England. Show more

Simon Schama recounts the saga of blood, betrayal and ambition that led up to the pivotal Battle of Hastings and describes the profound consequences that followed. Show more