Jesus in Bethlehem

Explore the life of Jesus, a revolutionary born amidst oppression, whose message of love led to his execution. Through the insights of historians and theologians, uncover the struggles of his disciples as they risked everything to share his enduring legacy of hope. Using the latest scientific, geological and historical research, this groundbreaking series tells the story of the birth, life, death and immediate legacy of Jesus.

Actor Robert Powell, star of the TV miniseries "Jesus of Nazareth," is on a journey across the Holy Land to discover the real story of the role he played decades ago. Guided by the Gospels and the latest archaeological and historical research, Powell will travel to Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt.

Jesus has been the source of faith to billions, the cause of a thousand wars, and the subject of countless works of art and music. But who was he? A rebel, a prophet or something much more? Join experts as they reconstruct the life of Jesus using archaeology, history and science. Through re-enactments set in Israel/Palestine and computer generated backgrounds, relive the main events of his life and death. For the first time, experts strip away the layers of history that cover almost every biblical site revealing the Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth that Jesus himself would have known.

The story of the life of Jesus Christ from his birth in Bethlehem to his crucifixion and subsequent resurrection. Filmed on a relatively grand scale, the film includes all of the major events referred to in the New Testament; his baptism by John the Baptist; the miracles - cripples walking, blind men seeing; the fishes and the loaves; and so on. The film actually begins with the Roman invasion by Pompey in 65 B.C., the appointment of King Herod the Great by the Romans and finally the crowning of Herod Antipas after he murders his father. The revolt led by Barrabas is also included and John the Baptist's beheading as Salome's price for dancing for Herod.

For centuries pilgrimage was one of the greatest adventures on earth, involving epic journeys across the country and around the world. This series sees Simon Reeve retrace the exciting adventures of our ancestors. He learns about the forgotten aspects of pilgrimage, including the vice, thrills and dangers that all awaited travellers. He explores the faith, the hopes, desires, and even the food that helped to keep medieval Britons and more recent travellers on the road.

To our ancestors, the appearance of certain astronomical events meant something big and something bad was coming. They were portends of death, plague, famine, or war. But what were they really seeing? And how did fear of these objects in the sky actually change the course of history?