As contemporary society navigates its own complex challenges, a compelling new BBC series turns to history for guidance. Civilisations: Rise and Fall premieres tonight on BBC Two, examining what ancient civilisations did when facing catastrophic collapse.
Learning From Ancient Rome's Downfall
The four-part historical series gains unprecedented access to the British Museum in London, collaborating with top experts to trace the collapse of great empires through their artefacts. The opening episode focuses specifically on Rome, using museum pieces like the eye-catching head of Augustus and a terracotta theatre mask depicting a barbarian with a ponytail to illustrate cultural shifts and eventual decline.
"Romans don't wear man buns," the series notes, highlighting how such details reveal broader societal changes preceding collapse.
Tonight's Essential Television Viewing
Elsewhere on television this evening, Channel 4 showcases Inside the World's Most Luxurious Motorhomes at 8pm. The programme features the extraordinary Marchi EleMMent Palazzo Superior, with its 732 square foot interior, automatic sliding door, roof deck and £30,000 bed – a vehicle that pushes motorhome design into science fiction territory. The episode also profiles a young couple who sold their mansion to live full-time in a bespoke, quartz-bedecked £1 million recreational vehicle.
At 8.30pm on BBC One, Celebrity Scam Interceptors presents a special episode marking BBC Scam Week, featuring Amanda Holden. The television personality discovered her name and face were being used to defraud victims of thousands of pounds. In this episode, she works with the Scam Interceptors team to track real-time frauds using remote access hacking and subsequently helps confront the perpetrators.
Documentary Exposes Glastonbury Ticket Fraud
BBC Three airs Fake Friend: The Ticket Scammer at 9pm, investigating claims about a Somerset local who allegedly sold hundreds of tickets for last year's Glastonbury Festival – though no customers ever received them. The documentary features interviews with friends, alleged victims including Elle Nicolson, and others involved in the scandal.
As one victim recalls: "After we left school Miles was selling some Glastonbury tickets. He probably realised it was a great way to make money..."
Meanwhile, University Challenge continues on BBC Two at 8.30pm with Bristol and Warwick universities competing for a quarter-final spot in this round-of-16 tie, hosted by Amol Rajan.
The evening concludes at 10pm on BBC Two with the finale of Leonard and Hungry Paul, narrated by Julia Roberts. The series concludes with Leonard (Alex Lawther) demonstrating newfound self-respect after workplace disappointment, while Hungry Paul (Laurie Kynaston) establishes a Quiet Club, celebrating the possibility of building a good life without needing to be loud about it.
