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Heritage: Civilization and the Jews

Documentary

Acclaimed PBS series that recounts the history of the Jewish people from its origins to the current day. The series was written and narrated by the late Abba Eban, an Israeli historian and statesman.

Oct 1, 19841 seasons9 episodesEndedEN

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Abba Eban

Narrator (voice)

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Seasons

Season 1

9 episodes

Premiered Oct 1, 1984

Episodes

1–6 of 9

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Ep 1

A People Is Born: 3800-586 BCE

Oct 1, 1984

56m

Episode 1 covers the period of the Bible, the life and culture in the ancient Near East and how it was a factor in the idea of monotheism, up to the period of the Babylonian exile.

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Ep 2

The Power of the World: 586-72 CE

Oct 8, 1984

56m

Episode 2 covers destruction of Babylonia by the Persians to the time of the Roman Empire, including the Hellenistic period, the rise of the Hasmonean state, and the destruction of Judea and the second temple.

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Ep 3

The Shaping of Traditions: 30-732

Oct 15, 1984

55m

Episode 3 covers Jewish history during the centuries of the rise and spread of Christianity and Islam, in both the Near East and Europe.

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Ep 4

The Crucible of Europe: 732-1492

Oct 22, 1984

57m

Episode 4 covers the Carolingian empire in the 10th century to the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492.

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Ep 5

Search for Deliverance: 1492-1789

Oct 29, 1984

56m

Episode 5 covers Jewish history from the time of the expulsion of the Jews from Spain to the French Revolution in 1789.

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Ep 6

Roads from the Ghetto: 1789-1925

Nov 5, 1984

56m

Episode 6 covers 19th century Europe, the time of nationalism, industrialism, romanticism, and socialism, and of massive Jewish emigration from Europe and the growth of Zionism.

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