Charlemagne

This three-part series illuminates the rise and fall of the ancient American empires of Maya, Inca and Aztecs. These high cultures brought about astonishing civilizational achievements in agriculture, architecture and astronomy to this day and dominated the Mesoamerican continent for over a millennium.

While it has been debated for many years, new evidence might finally put one debate to rest: Marco Polo has gone to China. Explore the mysteries of the historical figure in this documentary.

This German format is not a series properly speaking, as it has no permanent cast or script continuity, but presents each time a 45 minutes documentary, usually in part presented as a docudrama (not faction, as close to scientific knowledge as possible, but visually attractive), elaborating a specific historical theme, widely varied, often exotic in the sense of a far time (as far back as prehistoric times) and/or place (around the globe), although some episodes fit together well, chronologically or thematically, but always fit to be watched separately. Usually authentic locations are used, as well as scenes from and/or interviews about the scientific research it is based upon.

The Incas appear out of nowhere and within a few decades their empire develops into the largest empire in the world at that time. Until today the Inca are surrounded by an aura of mystery. How could their meteoric rise take place in such a short time? And how did a handful of Spaniards succeed in bringing down the empire?