What the Romans Did for Us

Infobox Television
show_name = What the Romans Did for Us


caption =
aka =
genre = Documentary
creator =
writer =
director = Inge Samuels
creat_director =
developer =
presenter = Adam Hart-Davis
starring =
voices =
narrated =
theme_composer =
opentheme =
endtheme =
composer = Deborah Mollison
country = UK
language = English
num_seasons =
num_episodes = 6
list_episodes =
distributor = BBC
exec_producer =
co_exec =
producer = Caroline van den Brul
Martin Mortimore
Simon Baker
Catrine Clay
sup_producer =
asst_producer =
cons_producer =
co-producer =
editor = Peter Parnham
story_editor =
location =
cinematography =
camera_setup =
runtime = 23 minutes
channel = BBC Two
picture_format =
audio_format =
first_run =
first_aired = November 6
last_aired = December 11, 2000
preceded_by =
followed_by = nowrap beginWhat the Victorians Did for Usnowrap end
related =
website = http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/tech_01.shtml
prod_website =
imdb_id = 0283682
tv_com_id =

"What the Romans Did for Us", is a 2000 BBC documentary series that examines the impact of the Romans on modern society.

The name of the programme is derived from the cult movie "Monty Python's Life of Brian", referencing the famous scene where the People's Front of Judea discuss "What have the Romans done for us?"

Production

In 2003 the series was re-edited into 10 minute sections for broadcast as programme fillers.

Reception

Awards

Nominated for "Best Feature" at the British Academy Television Awards 2001.

Episodes

Episode one: "Life of Luxury"

*Roman villas, such as Littlecote Roman Villa visited by Hart-Davis, had elaborate mosaics and ornate gardens.
*The screw press, reconstructed using traditional techniques by carpenter Henry Russell, was used to produce Wine.
*Aqueducts, such as the one near Dorchester visited by Hart-Davis, exemplified the Roman’s mastery of hydraulic engineering.
*Hypocausts, like the replica visited by Hart Davis, was the heart of Thermae, such as those in Bath, Somerset visited by Hart-Davis.
*Cooking implements, demonstrated by food historian and chef Sally Grainger, were used to create 3-course Roman meals.

Episode two: "Invasion"

*Galleys with banks of rowers, simple sails and twin steering oars brought over 40,000 troops that landed at Richborough.
*Legionnaires and cavalrymen with superior armour, battle formations, field weapons, and even elephants swept to victory.
*Pre-fabricated forts, such as the reconstruction at Lunt visited by Hart-Davis, secured the victory and exemplified their engineering skills.
*Roman artillery such as the Onager and the Ballista secured victory at Maiden Castle and Hodd Hill visited by Hart-Davis.
*Pharos, such as the one visited by Hart-Davis, guided Roman supply vessels into the great port at Dover.

Episode three: "Building Britain"

*Intensive farming methods introduced by the Romans included the introduction of new crops, the draining of marshes, and iron ploughs.
*Trade and commerce settlements alongside the military camps grew into grid-patterned walled towns such as York visited by Hart-Davis.
*Sewers, high-rise apartments, street lighting and glass windows were all features of Roman towns and cities.
*Cafes and snack bars provided the Romans with fast food takeaways including pies, pastries, sausages and even hamburgers.
*Fire brigades and primitive fire extinguishers, demonstrated by Hart-Davis, were developed under the auspices of the Emperor Nero.

Episode four: "Arteries of the Empire"

*Groma surveying, demonstrated by Hart-Davies, allowed the surveying of perfectly straight roads such as Watling Street and Stane Street.
*The construction of Roman roads, demonstrated by Hart Davies, has allowed them to endure to this day.
*Vitruvius's odometer, demonstrated by Hart-Davies, were used for the accurate measurement and placing of milestones.
*Roman merchants introduced mass produced pottery, glassware, amber jewellery, metal ware and amphora of wine and olive oil.
*Gold was mined with revolutionary engineering, in places like Dolaucothi Gold Mines visited by Hart-Davies, for use in trade.

Episode five: "Edge of Empire"

Episode six: "Ahead of Their Time"