DIARY
BREATHY VOICE-OVER: Ancient Egypt. The Roman Empire. The Aztecs of Mexico. And the Samurai of Japan. Four great civilisations. Each at a pinnacle.
Diagram of a pinnacle
Their people thought they would endure forever. Until suddenly –
Explosion –
Everything changed!
Waves crashing. Volcano erupting.
– These civilisations faced challenges that are all too familiar today. Pandemic!–
Clip of men in hasmat suits peering into test tubes
– Climate catastrophe!– Clip of Zak Polanski addressing Green rally – And political division! –
Mr Speaker yelling ‘Order! Order!” Portentous music.
All of them challenges for which ancient societies had, alas, few solutions. But what lessons can history can teach us?
MALE PSYCHOLOGIST IN GLASSES: Ancient Egypt is wealthy. It’s glamorous. It’s got three thousand years of spectacular history to boast about. Ancient Egypt really is the jewel in the crown –