CNN'S MILLENNIUM SERIES: THE 15TH CENTURY, THE CENTURY OF THE SAIL {THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY} {EPISODE 5} (TV)
Summary
One in this ten-part miniseries documenting historical events and developments around the world in the individual centuries of the past millennium. This episode focuses on the 15th century. China dominated the richest seas, and evidence of their travels can still be found on the seabed. The curiosity for new lands and discoveries led to the belief in 1415 that a mythical creature known as a qilin had been found and brought to a banquet—except it was, in reality, a giraffe. The emperor commissioned grand voyages of exploration last two years and visiting close to thirty countries, and the expeditions were headed by the admiral Zheng He, a Muslim eunuch of enormous size and fame. The ships used were centuries ahead of the West in their design, and were propelled by bamboo sails. The sailors also used shrewd scientific methods to track their latitude, speed and direction. The people of the countries at which they landed were duly impressed with the visitors and often showered them with gifts. However, the emperor was then advised to abandon the sea exploration, as the outside world held little interest or reward for China, and Zheng He was forbidden from undertaking further voyages. His records were destroyed, and he is little known in his country even today. Italy experienced an artistic renaissance, discovering that wealth could be gained through rich patrons seeking beautiful pieces. Politicians and bankers in particular benefited, as money could “buy” votes and bankers took a large interest on savings. The Medici family was especially famous for their wealth and influence, entertaining many famous people on the advice of Nicolo Machiavelli, who felt that people were inherently greedy and could be manipulated through flattery. In art, the goal was to find beauty in nature and create an “ideal form;” old religious themes were recreated in beautiful styles, often featuring the “celebrities” of the day inserted into classic scenes. Fabric was exceptionally expensive, and art in general looked to create an “illusion of reality” with rich colors and patterns. Leonardo da Vinci studied many elements of nature, including the human body, as shown in his famous “Vitruvian Man,” and was obsessed with the idea of flight. The desire to create and possess beauty continued spread from Italy into other countries over the course of the century. In Mexico, the city-state known as Tenochtitlan was the capital of the Aztec empire. The people believed that the site was chosen by the gods, and visiting Europeans were amazed at their extensive marketplaces featuring a vast array of goods—goods that were primarily obtained through warfare. They demanded tribute from the groups they conquered; cacao beans were a highly valued commodity. The Aztecs raised their children to be warriors and exacted cruel punishments on their enemies. Human sacrifice was an important ritual, and their gifts to the gods were often accompanied by celebrations and dance. In Turkey, in 1453, the powerful city of Constantinople was besieged by Mehmed Khan (also known as Mehmed II), the 21-year-old leader of the Ottomans. His army managed to outnumber the Christians and scale the walls protecting the city, and the Byzantine emperor died in the fray. They soon reached the church of Hagia Sophia and ruthlessly slaughtered the priests and parishioners within, which greatly disturbed Mehmed. He ordered an end to the killing and though he turned Hagia Sophia to a mosque, he included a soup kitchen to serve the people and rebuilt the city “on charity.” The population of the city rose, due in part to his relative religious tolerance. He built his palace at the center of the city, and the empire grew along trade routes, becoming well-known for its elaborate food and inventive meals, including coffee from Yemen. Mehmed brought peace and prosperity to the country, and soon set his sights on the sea. He struck out against the powerful naval city of Venice and managed to overtake the city, imbibing it with Islamic influence. In Portugal, the people, led by Prince Henry “the Navigator,” were encouraged by tales of great adventure and wealth and set out on sea voyages, financed by the trade of highly-valued spices. Despite their fear of unknown dangers of the sea, they explored further and further around the coast of Africa, finally making it to the Cape of Storms (later renamed the Cape of Good Hope). An explorer by the name of Columbus, however, wanted to sail west, choosing to go with the wind rather than against it, and he found the Caribbean in 1492, although he believed it to be part of China. Shortly thereafter, Vasco de Gama discovered a new route to the Indian Ocean, freeing up the spice trade routes and bringing great opportunity and wealth to his country. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: CNN
- DATE: November 7, 1999 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:00:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:90861
- GENRE: Documentary
- SUBJECT HEADING: Pat Mitchell Collection, The; History
- SERIES RUN: CNN - TV, 1999
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - "CNN's Millennium Series" home video
- TV - Commercials - Charlotte Church "Voice of an Angel" album
- TV - Commercials - Ford Outfitters automobiles
- TV - Commercials - New York Stock Exchange
- TV - Commercials - Pete Fountain Dixieland collection album
- TV - Commercials - Priority Mail services
- TV - Commercials - Qwest internet provider
- TV - Commercials - RealEstate.com website
- TV - Commercials - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website
- TV - Commercials - Zales jewelry stores
- TV - Commercials - britannica.com website
- TV - Promos - CNN's "Early Edition"
- TV - Promos - CNN's "MoneyLine News Hour"
- TV - Promos - CNN's "Street Sweep"
CREDITS
- Pat Mitchell … Executive Producer
- Jeremy Isaacs … Executive Producer
- Jody Gottlieb … Coordinating Producer
- Vivian Schiller … Senior Producer
- Henry Chancellor … Producer, Director
- Gillian Widdicombe … Associate Producer
- Peter Sommer … Assistant Producer
- Rosemary Plum … Assistant Producer
- Fiona Garlick … Assistant Producer
- Xiaosong Atiyah … Assistant Producer
- Janina Stamps … Line Producer
- Emma De'Ath … Series Producer
- Neil Cameron … Series Producer
- Felipe Fernández-Armesto … Based on the book by
- Richard Blackford … Music by
- Ben Kingsley … Narrator
- Christopher Columbus
- Vasco de Gama
- Zheng He
- Henry the Navigator
- Nicolo Machiavelli
- Mehmed II
- Leonardo da Vinci