The ancient city: life in classical Athens & Rome

Part I: Athens : The golden years: Athens in the fifth century BC

The keys to survival: the city's defences, and food and water supplies

The cradle of democracy: the workings of the world's first democracy

Daily life: life in fifth-century BC Athens

Work: earning a living in Athens

The houses of Athens: Athenian domestic architecture

Temples for the gods: Athenian religious buildings

A festival for Athena: celebrations and sports for Athena's birthday

The theatre: Athenian drama: the world's first plays

Part II: Rome : The site of Rome: Rome before the empire

The imperial capital: the transformation of Rome during the reign of Augustus

Government: Roman law and the civil service

Food and water: aqueducts and the ports of Rome

Houses and apartments: Roman houses for rich and poor

Daily life: life in Rome in the first and second centuries AD

Shops, bars and restaurants: commercial activity in Rome

Many gods: religion and worship

A day at the races: chariot racing at the circus maximus

The theatre: farce, parody and other aspects of Roman drama

The colosseum: gladiatorial games at Rome's arena complex

A new palace: the great palace complex of Domitian

The age of Apollodorus: the golden age of Roman architecture under Trajan's chief architect

The great baths: Roman imperial thermae (heated baths)

The city in late antiquity: Rome after the time of Hadrian.