Season 1

1. Forests

1995-04-22 · 40m

Historian Simon Schama begins by looking at forests - places of myth and memory, fear and worship.

2. Rivers

1995-04-29 · 41m

Simon Schama examines how rivers were a source of inspiration to 19th century poets, painters and composers.

3. Mountains

1995-05-06 · 39m

Mountains have traditionally been regarded as sacred places. Simon Schama looks at the different ways in which they have been conquered.

4. Seas

1995-05-13 · 41m

Historian Simon Schama takes a look at the way in which the sea has fired the imagination of writers, painters and explorers.

5. Arcadia

1995-05-20 · 41m

Last in the series examining the relationship between culture and the natural environment. Historian Simon Schama looks at paintings by Poussin and the writings of Horace, Virgil, Rousseau and Thoreau as he investigates different interpretations of the theme of Arcadia.