ZDF - Planet Egypt Secrets of the Pharaohs Empire (2011) Part 1 Birth of an Empire

Why was the world's first great civilization also its longest-lasting? Other TV series have looked at individual aspects of ancient Egypt. “Planet Egypt” gives a unique overview, from Dynasty Zero to the end of the New Kingdom. Experts visit every corner of this first nation-state to reveal the secrets of its unparalleled success. Each episode focuses on one of the vital foundation stones at the base of this civilization, such as the founding of the Empire and the rise of the Nile Kingdom to world power. More than 5,000 years ago, the territories of Upper and Lower Egypt were first united into a single kingdom. It was a seismic moment in history - the beginning of one of the most successful civilizations the world has ever known. The Nile Kingdom would flourish for over 3000 years. Ruled by 31 dynasties of “divine” Pharaohs, Ancient Egypt's achievements are without parallel, including the world's first territorial state and some of the most outstanding monuments known to man. Few civilizations displayed as much artistic and creative power as that of the Ancient Egyptians. How did they do it? What was the secret of their success. For decades, experts have been trying to solve the mystery of what kept the Nile civilization going for more than three millennia. Planet Egypt, a groundbreaking documentary series produced for international television, delves deep into the history of the Pharaohs. The series examines the unification of Egypt under King Narmer, the rise of the Nile Kingdom to world power under Thutmose III, the religious revolution at the time of the heretic king Akhenaten and the enormous surge in construction activity during the rule of Ramses the Great. With the help of dramatic re-enactments and lavish computer animations, Planet Egypt recreates the world of the Ancient Egyptians. Entire cities like Hierakonpolis, Thebes and Amarna are brought back to life through 3-D animations. Each episode sheds new light on one of the foundation stones at the base of this extraordinary civilisation.

Part 1 Birth of an Empire

Birth of an Empire looks at how Egypt was founded. King Narmer claimed it was warfare. We discover that peace and collaboration were at least as important as the big battle that united Upper and Lower Egypt. Both war and peaceful collaboration laid the foundations for the Egyptian success story lasting more than 3000 years. The history of Egypt is one of unparalled success. For 3,000 years the Pharaohs ruled the land without interruption. But how was the Kingdom of Egypt united in the first place? New archaeological clues shed fresh light on the mysterious surrounding the birth of Ancient Egypt. The Narmer Palette, a 5,000 year old stone tablet, is crucial. One of the oldest documents in the world, the palette depicts the brutal subjugation of the enemies of Egypt by the mysterious King Narmer. It also includes images depicting the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. Taken at face value, this ancient stone document suggests that Narmer was the country's first true Pharaoh. But was the Nile civilization really united through a huge battle, as the palette suggests, or are its images of warfare an early example of political propaganda? To solve the mystery how Egypt was first united, we follow archaeologists as they examine the very beginning of the rule of the Pharaohs. It's the time now known as Dynasty Zero - Egypt's pre-dynastic period - a previously little known episode that sets Egypt on course for some of the greatest achievements in the history of mankind. The film discovers that, through both war and peace, it was the Mysterious King Narmer who laid the foundations for the continuing rule of the Pharaohs - a success story lasting more than 3,000 years.

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