Narrator: Built on the vestiges many of the ancient metropolises that helped shape the modern world endure to this day.

We owe them a great debt, for within their stone walls was forged the very foundation of human destiny-- civilization.

A stage for great drama, They have borne witness to the rise and fall of empires, played host to kings and queens, emperors and empresses, and provided the tragic settings for epic battles won and lost.

The ideals, sciences, cultures and cosmopolitan ways of life we take for granted today are all deeply rooted in the rich and diverse histories of the world's greatest ancient cities.

One of the greatest powers in human history.

At its height, it was an empire that spanned half the known world, from Syria to Spain, Egypt to England.

For centuries, all roads lead to Rome.

Once the epicenter of the world, today, the Italian capital stands as a bustling modern metropolis, one of the most populous, and indeed, properous cities in the European Union.

While its glory days may have long since faded, with a GDP roughly the same size as Egypt, Rome remains an influential player on the world stage, and the beating heart of Italy.

Founded by the city's namesake King Romulus in 753 BC, Rome dates back to the earliest days of civilization.

Growing from humble beginnings along the banks of the Tiber River, the Roman Empire expanded its sphere of influence between the fifth century BC and the fourth century AD, to impact upon the world like no other in history.

Also known as the eternal city, the might and majesty of this once powerful entity has echoed through the ages.

Perhaps nothing better encapsulates the pinnacle of ancient Rome than the Colosseum.

Over 2,000 years old, it's the largest ampitheater ever built, designed to unite and entertain the masses following a period of civil unrest.

It's thought the Colosseum could hold up to 80,000 spectators, rivaling many modern-day sports stadiums.

While sophisticated dramas proved popular distractions, nothing drew a crowd like the Colosseum's famed blood sports, gladiatorial contests that pitted slave against condemned criminal and man against wild beast in brutal battles to the death.

[crowd cheers] A favored pastime, these grim spectacles placated the masses for centuries, but as the Roman Empire eventually fell into ruin, so, too, did the Colosseum.

While often harsh and unforgiving, in the ancient world, Rome was considered a beacon of light, credited with giving rise to modern democracy.

The spectacular ruins of the Roman Forum played host to the world's first sentate.

At its pinnacle, it was a thriving civic center and the beating heart of an empire.

Surrounded by important government buildings, temples, basilicas, and markets, this communal plaza was once the center of the known world, a site of political speeches, elections, and triumphant celebrations.

Making its mark upon the world, Ancient Rome paved the way for more than political ideology.

Roman roads revolutionized travel, and Roman aqueducts set an engineering standard that remained unrivaled for more 2,000 years, helping to deliver clean water and civilization to the far reaches of the empire.

Today, the many water fountains that adorn the city streets are, in fact, replicas created during the Renaissance, modern monuments, to a feat of Roman ingenuity.

The city's most famous fountain, the Trevi, stands at a busy intersection.

Attracting a throng of tourists, the wishing well gathers over 3,000 Euros a day, helping to feed the city's needy, Originally a Roman temple, today, the Pantheon, in all its glory, is one of the best preserved of Rome's ancient structures.

After almost 2,000 years, the dome that crowns it remains the largest of its kind anywhere in the world.

Created as a tribute to all gods, today the Pantheon is in use as a Catholic church.

Established in the first century AD, The Roman Catholic Church has long played a part in the affairs of the Italian capital.

As the Roman Empire declined, the power of the Church grew, and by the 14th century, it had become the predominant power in not only the city but all of Christendom.

Today, residing within the bounds of Rome Exists the world's smallest sovereign state--Vatican City.

Situated on the west bank of the Tiber River, the Vatican is the domain of the Pope and hierarchy of the Catholic Church.

Roughly the size of 40 playing fields, the tiny enclave is home to a number of world-renowned landmarks.

Named for the religion's first Pope, St.

Peter's Square forms the iconic centerpiece.

While towering above, St.

Peter's Cathedral is the spiritual heart of the Catholic Church.

Built in part from the debris of the crumbling Colosseum, it's widely regarded to be amongst the most spectacular of all churches.

Residing alongside the Pope, within the Apostolic Palace, is a chapel of unparalleled artistic significance.

Famed for the artworks of Renaissance masters, such as Botticelli and Raphael, the Sistine Chapel is adorned with elaborate frescoes and tapestries.

Dominating the ceiling and walls of the chapel, the spectacular paintings of Michelangelo are amongst the most famous artworks ever created.

depicting the second coming of Christ, "The Last Judgment" forms the centerpiece of the altar wall, while "The Creation of Adam," on the famed ceiling is one of the most instantly recognizable icons in the art world today.

[congregation applauds] Enduring the test of time, the eternal city has dramatically shaped the world in which we live.

The birthplace of civilization, Rome gave rise to enduring philosophical ideas, political ideals, and engineering models that, without parallel, helped deliver humanity to modern times.

Today, as the epicenter of the world's largest religion, it continues to influence the hearts and minds of mankind.

Millennia in the making, Rome remains amongst the world's greatest ancient cities.

Balanced on the precipice of two continents lies an ancient gateway between the realms of East and West.

Istanbul.

Situated in the northeast of Turkey, the ancient city of Istanbul stands divided by the Bosphorus Strait.

Straddling the continents of Asia and Europe, the city's unique geographic location has long provided the setting for an eventful and dramatic history.

Inextricably linked to its colorful past, today Istanbul boasts a modern cosmopolitan culture, blending the flavors of eastern and western influences.

Supporting nearly 15 million residents, Greater Istanbul is one of the world's most populous urban areas.

Originally known as Byzantium, the city was founded by the Greeks in the seventh century BC.

A millennium later, it was renamed Constantinople, following the Roman conquests of Constantine the Great.

Governed by the first Christian emperor, Constantinople was to become both the capital of the powerful East Roman Empire and a bastion of early Christianity.

By the mid-14th century, the city had fallen to the Ottoman.

Renamed Istanbul, the affluent trading hub continued to flourish under Islamic rule.

Today, Istanbul boasts one of the fastest growing urban economies in the world, and as it has for centuries, remains a crucial gateway for global trade.

Although it divides the city, the Bosphorus Strait connects the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, providing passage to tens of thousands of container ships each year.

In the heart of the old city, Istanbul's famed Grand Bazaar maintains a long mercantile history.

Established by the early Ottomans, over the centuries, the market gradually expanded to engulf nearby cobbled streets and lane ways.

creating an immense labyrinth of nooks and crannies, stalls and shops.

600 years in the making, it's one of the oldest and largest covered marketplaces on Earth.

Moving with the times, the Istiklal Caddesi area is decidedly more metropolitan.

Boasting modern shopping complexes and energetic nightclubs, the city center has unapologetically embraced the 21st century.

Offering the best view over the city for well over 600 years, the Galata Tower presides over an ancient Genoese citadel.

one of the oldest districts in the city, the Galata Area is also one of the most affluent and cosmopolitan.

Another historic landmark adorning the city's skyline is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, more commonly known as The Blue Mosque [man singing in foreign language Seated in a prime hilltop location with large cascading domes and soaring minarets that reach out towards the heavens, it's considered the last great mosque of the Classical Period.

Built in the early 1600s, the interior is embellished with over 20,000 handmade tiles and 200 stained glass windows glistening like the crystal waters of Bosphorus Strait, which it overlooks.

Standing for nearly 5,000 years, the ancient walls of this historic city have borne witness to the rise and falls of empires, the expansion of world religions, and the comings and goings of countless travelers, moving from one hemisphere to the next.

A key player in world history, to this day, Istanbul continues to flourish As it strives headlong into the future.

Otherwise known as the thousand year capital, Kyoto has played an influential role in Japanese affairs for centuries.

Bordered by stunning hinterlands on one side and the urban sprawl of Japan's second largest city, Osaka, on the other, Kyoto was once the grandest city in Japan.

But by today's standards, its population of one-and-a-half million is relatively modest.

Located on Japan's main island, the ancient city of Kyoto remains an important cultural and religious center in the modern era.

Featuring over 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, it's one of the best preserved cities in the country.

Established as the seat of Japan's imperial court in 754 AD, Kyoto went on to govern the powerful island nation for 11 centuries, before finally relinquishing the status of capital to Tokyo in 1869.

Modeled upon traditional Chinese feng shui, the city of 10,000 temples, as it's otherwise knwon, is defined by well-ordered, tree-lined streets, manicured parks, intricate zen gardens, and a myriad of sacred temples and shrines.

Abounding in world heritage listed sites, the timeless appeal of this ancient city attracts a steady stream of tourists year round, underpinning the city's booming economy.

Although ravaged by war, rebellion, and fire throughout its long history, Kyoto persevered, largely retaining its unique aesthetics and charms.

But at one point in recent history, Japan's ancient capital narrowly avoided annihilation.

In the final days of the second World War, the U.S.

military selected Kyoto as a possible target for an atomic bomb strike.

But history intervened, and at the 11th hour, the city was overlooked for another -- Nagasaki.

previously known as Heiankyo, Kyoto moved beyond tumultuous times to become the center of a historic international accord.

In 1997, in an effort to address global warming, The Kyoto Protocol united the world in a common cause The environmental resolution sets the standard to this day.

The most important task in this conference is to establish a more concrete international framework for the protection of global climate.

While building a future on the cutting edge of science Kyoto remains deeply rooted in its long and illustrious history.

Once the bastion of traveling samurai, ryokans are a time-honored Japanese form of accommodation.

A hallmark of Japanese culture, hospitality is considered an esteemed virtue, and as such, the service within these traditional hotels is second to none.

Dating back to 718 AD, ryokans are considered the world's oldest hotels, some of which have been in the same family for more than 50 generations.

Perhaps no image better conjures up the notion of Japanese hospitality than this one.

Belonging to a tradition dating back 400 years, geishas are highly trained entertainers.

Accomplished in arts such as dance, music, calligraphy and parlor games, they are, above all, masters of conversation.

Epitomizing a culture transfixed with etiquette and aesthetics, the rituals and appearnace of these geishas are meticulously maintained nowhere more so than Kyoto, Japan's cultural capital.

One of the first cities in the world to reach a population of half a million as far back as the 1500's, Kyoto has entered the 21st century with a surging economy based upon modern technology and a booming tourism industry.

By embracing the old and the new, Kyoto is an ancient city with a bright future.

For more than 1,000 years, the stylish enclave of Prague has graced the banks of the Vltava, a timeless trade route through central Europe.

From its medieval castle builders, to the artists, thinkers, and hipsters drawn here today, the city is perhaps the most continuously cool place on Earth.

Nicknamed the mother city, the Czech capital lies at the center of the country and close to the center of Europe itself.

About one in five Czechs live within Prague's metropolitan are Prague is the heart of the country, and the old town square is the heart of Prague.

This immense quadrangle has been the city's principal public spac for over a millennium.

Excavations in the surrounding old town tell us that people have been living here continuously since the time of Christ, though most of the buildings that stand today were built in the 14th century.

The biggest attraction of the square is Prague's astronomical clock.

[clock ticks] entertaining crowds for over 600 years, the Orloj brings to life a combination of science, faith, and pure show business.

One of the oldest of its kind, the ancient clockworks still impress today.

[clock ticks] The economic lifeblood of Prague has always flowed along the Vltava.

The river has powered transport and mills as well as provided irrigation and, of course, drinking water to the peoples of Prague for countless generations.

Today, it attracts boatloads of tourists to marvel at the city's famed bridges.

While there are over 300 bridges in Prague, none is as celebrated as this one.

Commissioned by Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, Charles Bridge was built in the 15th century to replace the city's first bridge, which was damaged by raging floodwaters in the 1300s.

Adorned with more than 30 stunning Baroque statues, it continues to serve as the main thoroughfare between the old town and Prague Castle, as it has done for centuries.

Looming large over the city, Prague Castle is the world's largest ancient palace, Occupying an area of over 70 square kilometers.

Dating back to the ninth century, the compound has routinely held a seat of power, playing host to monarchs, emperors, 20th-century dictators, and today, the nation's president.

Over the years, the castle has undergone numerous facelifts and boasts examples of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles of architecture.

Built in the latter half of the 16th century, the Lobkowicz Palace houses a number of galleries which exhibit works by local and world-renowned artists as well as original scores penned by Mozart and Beethoven.

Largely spared the destruction of 20th-century conflict, Prague showcases an all but complete history of European engineering and architecture of the last thousand years.

Often called the city of a thousand spires, Prague is famed for its churches.

They encompass almost every style from Christianity's golden ages of church building.

One of the most highly regarded is Saint Nicholas' Church.

Described as the most impressive example of Prague Baroque, its 70-meter dome towers over the old town square.

Not to be overshadowed, the interior is equally impressive.

The dome's ceiling is decorated with intricate hand-painted frescoes that rival the world's finest.

Amongst the elaborate sculptures, boasting 4,000 pipes up to 6 meters in length, the antique Baroque pipe organ was reputedly once played by Mozart.

a prominent example of Gothic architecture, St.

Vitus Cathedral resides amidst the sprawling complex of Prague Castle.

The largest and most important church in the nation, it contains the tombs of Bohemian Kings and Holy Roman Emperors, symbols of the city's varied and remarkable history.

Despite the tumultuous events that have swept Europe and Prague, elegance has never gone out of style here in this ancient capital of cool.

Nurtured within the cradle of civilization, along the banks of the great River Nile, rose a city whose legend has echoed through the ages, Alexandria.

A name synoymous with wonders of the ancient world, Alexandria resides within Egypt's Nile Delta, where the mighty river meets the Mediterranean Sea.

With a population of more than five million, today, Alexandria, Egypt's second largest city, is regarded as a major economic center and international gateway.

As they have been for millennia, Alexandria's ports are conduits for Egypt's booming foreign trade.

Dating back to almost 2000 BC, the dockyards here are considered the world's oldest, and, thanks to their strategic geographical position, are busier today than they have ever been.

Otherwise known as the Pearl of the Mediterranean, Alexandria lies at the crossroads of the Middle East, Africa and Europe setting the stage for dramatic characters like Cleopatra, Mark Antony, and Julius Caesar.

Built around an existing Egyptian settlement, Alexandria was founded in 331 BC by Alexander the Great, for whom the city is named.

Considered one of the world's greatest military commanders, the Greek conqueror forged an empire that spanned from Greece to North Africa to West India sewing the seeds of Hellenistic culture and knowledge throughout the known world.

Before it was famously destroyed by fire, the Library of Alexandira was one of the largest and most significant in ancient history.

Gone but not forgotten, today its legacy lives on.

Designed to resemble the rising sun, the Bibliotheca Alexandria stands in commemoration of the city's ancient center of learning.

Opened in 2002, the library aspires to rekindle the flame of knowledge that the institution once represented.

A flame long since extinguished, the Lighthouse of Alexandria stood for centuries as one of the Wonders of the Ancient World before eventually falling into ruin.

Built from the crumbling debris upon the same site, the Citadel of Qaitbay stands on the northern tip of Pharos Island.

A 15-century fortress, it was built to defend against the encroaching Ottoman Empire.

While it may have failed to keep the marauding invaders at bay, ironically, it served the Turks well as a garrison under Ottoman rule.

Today, it plays host to a popular museum drawing from a wealth of historic influences.

Today, Alexandria is an ethnically diverse and culturally rich city reveling in an eclectic mix of ancient charm and modern cosmopolitan flavors.

Visitors continue to flock to the Pearl of the Mediterranean to pay homage to one of the world's truly great ancient cities.

Nestled in a valley at the confluence of the mighty Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, Luang Prabang is the ancient heart of Laos.

rising from the steamy highland jungles of Southeast Asia, Luang Prabang, literally meaning "Royal Buddha Image," is a city best known for its stunning array of historic temples and shrines.

Comprised of more than 50 distinct villages, many with World Heritage listings, Luang Prabang boasts a long and diverse history.

Prior to the city's foundation, it's said that during his long pilgrimage, the Buddha smiled as he passed through the largely uninhabited valley, prophesying that the site would one day give rise to a rich and powerful city.

As if fulfilling destiny, the region was first settled during the 7th century, and by the 14th century had grown into a regional power.

Known then as Muang Sua, it was the capital of the Kingdom of a Million Elephants, a powerful Asian state that derived its wealth and influence from strategic positioning along the iconic trade route known as The Silk Road.

Although no longer the nation's political capital, today, Luang Prabang remains a center of cultural and religious significance.

The city is home to over 30 Buddhist temples.

Amongst the more impressive is Wat Xieng Thong, or The Temple of the Golden City.

Built in the 16th Century, the complex is comprised of intricately decorated shrines and pavilions and a number of elaborate gardens.

Considered an auspicious site, the temple holds significance not only for the devoutly religious population but also the Royal Family, as it was historically used for the coronation of kings.

Today, the Buddhist monks here continue the age-old tradition of collecting alms.

Each morning, clad in bright orange robes, the monks humbly take to the str Revered for their dedication, these devoutly religious men are held in high esteem by the local community, who routinely pay their respects by donating food and money.

Leaving an indelible mark, the influences of a brief French colonial past are evident in the city's rustic architecture and eclectic street life.

Once a symbol of oppression, today the unique blend of French and Laotian cultures attracts a steady stream of tourists, which contribute significantly to the local economy.

The locals have maintained their traditional relationship with elephants for centuries.

While conservation efforts strive to protect wild elephants in the surrounding jungle, within the city's villages, the majestic beasts offer an alternative form of transport for the more intrepid visitors wanting to explore beyond the urban center.

Overlooking the Mekong, just beyond the city's reaches, is one of the most revered holy sites in the country.

With a history dating back several thousand years, the Park Ou Caves are adorned with over 4,000 icons depicting the Lord Buddha.

Attracting Buddhist pilgrims for countless generations, today, the site is also a popular destination for curious tourists.

Ebbing and flowing with the mighty Mekong River, the ancient city of Luang Praban has withstood the tests of time.

Reputedly graced by the Buddha himself, the city rose from humble beginnings to become the seat of a once-powerful kingdom, and today continues to celebrate the traditions hat have seen it through times both prosperous and tumultuous, with an unwavering smile.

Today, Vienna is a smallish European capital -- comfortable, cultural, civilized But this ancient landlocked city's past is bold and bloody.

Its now quiet streets have seen world-changing ideas, industries, and empires rise and fall.

[classical music playing] [applause] Located on the great Danube in the northwest of Austria, Vienna is the nation's largest city.

Founded around 500 BC by the Celts, it served as an outpost of the Roman Empire for hundreds of years.

After the fall of Rome and Vienna's re-emergence as a medieval commercial center, Vienna found itself once more at the edge of a huge empire, this time, the Ottoman Empire centered in modern Turkey.

Between the 16th and 17th centuries, The city was solely comprised of the old town district.

At the time, it was more densely inhabited than it is today.

The Ottoman army twice laid siege to the city and was twice defeated.

Had Vienna fallen to the invading Muslim empire, the history of Europe and the Middle East would have been vastly different.

As the Ottoman Empire retreated, Vienna's own wealth and power grew, a legacy that's reflected in the city's enduring architecture.

Today, Vienna is packed full of some of the world's most glorious buildings.

Built in 1279, the Hofburg Palace is one of the greatest palace complexes in Europe.

Located in central Vienna, it was once the heart of the influential Hapsburg or Austro-Hungarian Empire.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, it was one of the greatest powers in Europe.

Embracing the industrial revolution, it survived the rise and fall of Napoleon, who captured the city twice.

A city of great influence, historically the Viennese have been afforded leisure time to think, write, and talk the intellectual tradition of Vienna's coffee houses giving rise to some of the greatest minds of the 20th century.

More than just a think tank, Vienna has always maintained a strong sense of culture.

Its elegant music halls were home, at one time or another, to maestros such as Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss, and Brahms.

Even today, there are at least 450 balls held within the city every year.

The Art History Museum of Vienna is one of the world's most respected galleries.

Built to house the Imperial Collection, it contains important works by the great masters.

Schonbrunn Palace was built as a summer residence for the Hapsburgs.

Today, its extensive gardens, complete with mock Roman ruins and a maze, are open to the public.

In the early 20th century, Schonbrunn was home to Franz Ferdinand, the Austrian royal whose assassination led to the outbreak of the first world war, ultimately bringing about the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Following the first Great War, Vienna entered its darkest period.

In the wake of defeat, economic collapse, and political turmoil, the city embraced the prejudices and politics of Adolf Hitler.

Shamed and beaten for the second time in less than a generation and once more a frontline city in the new Cold War, Vienna managed to endure and thrive.

Now one of the most livable cities in the world, its cultural and economic life flourishing, this ancient city on the edge of empires is writing one of the most hopeful chapters in its epic story.

Transcending the bounds of time, the world's greatest ancient cities have not only survived but thrived throughout the ages as religious and cultural centers, they have shaped the ways in which we view the world around us.

As seats of great power they have defined the fate of humanity.

and in modern times, they continue to nurture the rich and diverse communities that proudly call them home.