
The Western Tradition
Covering the ancient world through the age of technology, this illustrated lecture by Eugen Weber presents a tapestry of political and social events woven with many strands — religion, industry, agriculture, demography, government, economics, and art. A visual feast of over 2,700 images from the Metropolitan Museum of Art portrays key events that shaped the development of Western thought, culture, and tradition.
- Created By
Eugen Weber
- First Aired on
Jan 01, 1989
- Popularity: 7.7865
- 0 votes
- Networks
- (US)
- Production
GBH (US)
- Status: Ended
Show Ended
1 seaons till Jan 01, 1989
Last episode: Toward the Future
Seasons & episodes
Total 1 seasons, 52 episodes

Season 1
Aired
Episode 1The Dawn of History30 min
The origins of the human race are traced from anthropoid ancestors to the agricultural revolution.
Episode 2The Ancient Egyptians30 min
Egyptian irrigation created one of the first great civilizations.
Episode 3Mesopotamia30 min
Settlements in the Fertile Crescent gave rise to the great river civilizations of the Middle East.
Episode 4From Bronze to Iron30 min
Metals revolutionized tools, as well as societies, in the empires of Assyria, Persia, and Neo-Babylonia.
Episode 5The Rise of Greek Civilization30 min
Democracy and philosophy arose from Greek cities at the edge of the civilized world.