SBS - East to West (2011) Part 5 The Asian Crucible

East to West is an exciting seven part series charting the birth of a flourishing civilisation in the Near and Middle East, and its dynamic influence on the West. Examining a largely untold story with a fresh perspective, the series follows the spread of civilisation across the globe from the first cities of Mesopotamia. For crucial phases in world history the key place was the Middle East – an extraordinary region that was a political, economic and cultural centre and a bridge between the continents of Asia, Africa and Europe. East to West tells a complex story encompassing vast empires and covering three continents. An epic journey of discovery – from the East to the West.

Part 5: The Asian Crucible

This spectacular episode explores the extraordinary powers and civilizations that have emerged from central Asia. First the Seljuk Turks took on the Byzantines, pushing their way into Anatolia. In a cave in Cappadocia we discover a long lost painting that reveals how the two cultures co-existed. We follow the Mongol invasions – in Bukhara we explore its destruction and in Esfahan, Iran we see how the Mongols eventually converted to Islam and began to settle. Then in Uzbekistan again the episode traces the rise of Timur and explores the glories of Samarkand. Finally we follow the successors of Timur as they spread south into India, creating the wonders of the Mughal Empire.

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