 
Empires in the Americas: A Journey Back in Time (Lost Treasures of the Ancient World)
Average Rating: 3.0 Total Reviews: 1
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 On: 2007-01-30
Ive seen many works on the Aztecs and the Incas recently, so this may skew my ideas on this work. Based on the title, I was hoping that the documentary would discuss cultures in what is now Anglo America, but it doesnt. In fairness, works may speak of Aztecs and Mayas simultaneously, but Aztecs and Incas are usually spoken of separately. The work also compares the two cultures. It seems like the Incas were a bit more democratic than the Aztecs. Whereas the Aztecs were disappointed by Moctezuma II, the Incan people stood by their emperor.
The work stands out from others in that astrology is discussed. They state that stars were seen as holy and only certain classes were allowed to study them.
The work has modern people dressed as Natives and Spaniards. However, I wouldnt classify these as cheesy reenactments. The characters stand there; they dont pretend to do anything. This series may stand out for its 3D recollections of Native architecture.
The work does state that the Spanish were ruthless and zealous in ways that the French, British, and Dutch werent in their colonial dominations. Still, at one point, they say, "The Spanish studied Aztec culture and customs, writing more about them than any foreign culture had been discussed before." Other works say the Aztecs had their own writings, called codices, that the Spanish destroyed in order to dominate them. Much more could have been known about Aztecs if the Spanish hadnt been so merciless. So I do think the work, in this instance, let these conquerors off the hook.
This work is made by Brits and possibly for Brits. The interviewees pronounce words that end with "-a" as if they ended with "-er." They measure things using the metric system, rather than the good-ole, old-school American way. In fact, if you dont understand thick European accents, you might want to avoid seeing this work.
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