Egypt's Golden Empire

The latest entry in PBS's acclaimed Empires series, Egypt's Golden Empire chronicles one of the most fascinating eras of Egyptian history, the 500 year period beginning in 1570 B.C. when the Egyptians lived in a divided kingdom ruled by Hyksos overlords. In the ensuing years, the Egyptian golden age would not only see the successful struggle for independence, but also advances in wealth, construction, education, art, technology, and culture, leaving us a legacy of treaties, and models of diplomacy, engineering, and government operated mass communication systems that modern societies still draw upon today. By the time the "New Kingdom" came to a close in 1070 B.C. with the death of Ramses the Great, Egypt stood as the cultural capital of the world. Combining on-location photography with dramatic recreations, this three-hour epic effectively brings to life the pharaohs (once worshipped as gods) who have fascinated us for centuries with their driving passions for love, wealth and power. Well researched and nicely scripted, this beautifully filmed historical survey should have wide appeal for educators, history buffs and armchair travelers. Recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P. (L. Stevens)