What Was a Roman Emperor’s Daily Life Like? | With Mary Beard

Who was the worst King and Queen of England? What made a King or Queen successful? In this video, comedian and author of 'Unruly: A History of England's King and Queens', David Mitchell, sits down with historian Dan Snow to explore how England's monarchs, while acting as feared rulers firmly guiding their subjects' destinies, were in reality a bunch of lucky sods who were mostly as silly and weird in real life as they appear today in their portraits. Taking us right back to King Arthur (spoiler: he didn't exist), David and Dan discuss the founding story of post-Roman England right up to the reign of Elizabeth I (spoiler: she dies). It's a tale of narcissists, inadequate self-control, excessive beheadings, middle-management insurrection, uncivil wars, and at least one total Cnut, as the population evolved from having their crops nicked by the thug with the largest armed gang to bowing and paying taxes to a divinely anointed king. How this happened, who it happened to and why it matters in modern Britain are all questions David answers with brilliance, wit and

Roman emperor Nero was an interesting character that lived a chaotic life not too dissimilar to a soap opera. This story has been told and retold so many times in the centuries since his death, but how much of it is actually true? Tony Robinson investigates the legend to Nero to find out where the truth ends and the lies begin.

Brutal Battles of WW1 & WW2 told by one German Solider. German Soldier’s letters and dairies reveal what life was really like for men fighting in the trenches on the frontline in the First World War. Published for the first time in this feature documentary, Wilhelm's letters and photos have been entrusted to History Hit by his family. Born in central Germany in 1888. Wilhelm studied to become a teacher, but like so many of his generation, was called to serve in the First World War. From 1914 to 1918 he saw action on the western front, where he experienced the horrors of trench warfare and endured the loss of some of his closest friends. Unlike many of his comrades, Wilhelm survived the war but returned to a defeated nation in the grips of political turmoil Wilhelm would play no part in the violent political battles of the early 1920s and instead would return to the classroom - but the coming of the great depression and the rise to power of the Nazis - would alter the course of his

This is the history of bare-knuckle fighting in Victorian Britain, a brutal sport that seeks to decide the undisputed champion of the world. The rise of fighters like Tom Spring, who came from humble working-class origins to become sporting superstars, paved the way for Tyson Fury, Mohammed Ali, and Mike Tyson. Bare-knuckle fighting was a sport with few rules, no gloves, and often resulted in death. The fight between Tom Sayers and Jack Heenan marked the end of the era of bare-knuckle prizefighting and was a turning point in the history of combat sports.

From her coronation when she was just 25 to passing away as a working monarch at age 96, Queen Elizabeth II lived a very storied life. The unique ups and downs of her reign are what cemented her reign and power of leadership, ensuring she would be remembered for centuries to come.

Dan is joined by author, broadcaster and historian Professor Alice Roberts to examine how Christianity out-organised and outlasted the Roman Empire. Around 50 CE, a small group of travellers began to preach that a Jewish man, crucified by the Romans, had risen from the dead. Teaching love, forgiveness and eternal life, this new faith quickly gained followers. By the early fourth century, it was thriving, and over the next hundred years, it exploded, spreading across the entire Roman Empire before becoming its official religion. What enabled it to take such a strong hold so quickly and so steadfastly? Produced by James Hickmann and Mariana Des Forges, and edited by Matthew Wilson and Dougal Patmore. You can now become a History Hit member right here on the original video platform! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world-renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more.