Ancient Civilizations Fall of the Aztec and Maya Empires

Product Description The brilliant and powerful cultures of Mesoamerica (the Olmecs, Zapotecs, Toltecs, Astecs, and Maya) believed that one day the God-man Quetzalcoatl would return from the East to claim his throne. The coincidental arrival of the Spaniard Hernando Cortez at the prescribed time fulfilled this fatal doctrine. But, even before the Spaniards arrived in the 1520s, strife between the rival city-states had weakened and sometimes emptied their lands. This story not only traces the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs and Maya, but also follows the 1839 journey of New York explorer John L. Stephens to these unfamiliar and wonderful cities. Using reenactments, on-location cinematography, and computer animation and reconstruction, this program shows Teotihuacan, Cholula, Monte Alban, Chichen Itza, Tenochtitlan, Tikal, Copan, Uxmal, and Palenque as they might have looked 1,000 years ago, before defeat and decay caused their tragic end. Bonus Program: The Maya-Temples, Tombs, and Time - Recent breakthroughs in deciphering Mayan glyphs and archaeological discoveries have shed light upon the Maya, now considered to have been the most brilliant and advanced people in the ancient Americas. Review Wonderful DVD..aerial and underwater photography, computer animation, maps, charts, paintings, photos and the subtle but excellent use of music cues to enrich the text. Excellent. --Video Librarian About the Actor Stuart Culpepper was an actor who had a successful Hollywood career. Early on, Culpepper mostly landed roles in various films, including Naked River (1977), The Devils Clone (1979) and the drama Norma Rae (1979) with Sally Field. He also appeared in Trapped (1981) with Henry de Silva. He also appeared in the TV movie The Ordeal of Dr. Mudd (CBS, 1979-1980). He also was featured in the miniseries Freedom Road (1979-1980). His film career continued throughout the eighties in productions like the horror movie Night Shadows (1984) with Wings Hauser, the Henry de Silva drama The Killer Instinct (1985) and Doorman (1986). He also landed a role in the miniseries Chiefs (1983-84). He also worked in television during these years, including a part on Ill Fly Away (NBC, 1991-93). He also had a part in the TV miniseries Queen (1992-93). Culpepper most recently voiced characters in Frisky Dingo (2006-08).