Is It True That...? S01E04 · ...We Always Believed in God?

Overview

For as long as we can remember, human beings have expressed belief in higher deities in art, rituals, and rules of behaviour. But is the idea in a higher power innately human? Or was it something we picked up along the way?

Torrents

Subtitles

Episodes

1. 1 1. ...Democracy Was Invented In Greece?2025-06-18 · 24mDemocracy is widespread today - but what do we actually mean by the word? Participative democracy existed in ancient Athens, but not everyone could take part. But did the Greeks re
2. 2 2. ...The Plague Was the Worst Epidemic Ever?2025-06-18 · 24mThe Black Death was a catastrophe for Europe killing half of the population of the continent in the Middle Ages. But was it the worst pandemic ever? And how did it change the cours
3. 3 3. ...We Used to Work More?2025-06-18 · 24mDo we work more today than in the distant past? Hunter-gatherers often got by with little effort, and it was only with agriculture and industrial work that working hours exploded,
4. 4 4. ...We Always Believed in God?2025-07-09 · 25mFor as long as we can remember, human beings have expressed belief in higher deities in art, rituals, and rules of behaviour. But is the idea in a higher power innately human? Or w
5. 5 5. ...The Library of Alexandria Burned Down?2025-07-16 · 24mThe Library of Alexandria was considered a treasure trove of knowledge - and its loss shows how fragile knowledge can be. What has been preserved over thousands of years has often
6. 6 6. ...Vibrators Were Invented for Female Pleasure?2025-07-23 · 19mAccording to a widely believed story, the vibrator was the brainchild of male doctors who wanted to treat hysteria with orgasms. But behind this medical origin story lie not only b
7. 7 7. ...We Used to Die Younger in the Past?2025-07-27 · 23mAdvances in agriculture, hygiene and medicine have steadily increased average life expectancy throughout history. But even in the Stone Age, some people reached old age. Was life e
8. 8 8. ...Hitler Invented the Autobahn?2025-07-30 · 24mMany believe that Hitler invented the Autobahn, boosting the German economy and solving unemployment in the process. But this is not actually true. So why do we think it is?
9. 9 9. ...The Steam Engine Started the Industrial Revolution?2025-08-13 · 23mThe steam engine marked the beginning of the fossil fuel era. But was it really this invention that triggered the Industrial Revolution? The search for answers takes us back to anc
10. 10 10. ...Bartering Was the First Form of Money?2025-08-20 · 23mA world without money? It is hard to imagine - but it did exist. But was bartering really the first form of exchange, with money gradually replacing it? And how did this happen?
11. 11 11. ...Men Have Always Worn Trousers?2025-08-27 · 23mWhat does what we wear reveal about our society? Who determines what is considered masculine or feminine? From Antiquity to the present day, this episode looks back at the history
12. 12 12. ...Beauty Standards Have Always Been the Same?2025-09-03 · 24mBeauty has shaped our thoughts and feelings from ancient times to the present day. Who do we find attractive? And why? Although many cultures share a similar vision of beauty crite
13. 13 13. ...Julius Caesar Was Born by C-Section?2025-09-10 · 24mA caesarean has become a common way to give birth, but until the 19th century, it was a highly dangerous last resort. So did Julius Caesar really come into this world by C-section?
14. 14 14. ...We All Believed the World Was Flat?2025-09-17 · 23mDid everyone think that the Earth was a flat disc until Christopher Columbus boldly attempted to prove otherwise ? How do we actually know that the Earth is round? And why do peopl
15. 15 15. ...There Was No Hygiene in the Middle Ages?2025-09-24 · 21mWith chivalrous Knights, great castles and high adventure, the Middle Ages have always fascinated us. While fans of heroic tales may see it through rose-tinted glasses, others only
16. 16 16. ...Decadence Caused the Fall of Rome?2025-10-01 · 24mMilitary victories, efficient administration, flourishing trade, innovative technologies: the Roman Empire is the archetype of a successful empire. But after centuries of dominati
17. 17 17. Education Serves the Common Good?2025-10-08 · 24mEducation is seen today as one of the pillars of a modern, democratic society. Yet its historical roots are more often found in authoritarian structures. This episode looks at how
18. 18 18. Pirates Were Always Bad?2025-10-15 · 23mThey sailed under the flag of the skull and crossbones - as the self-proclaimed enemies of all mankind. Pirates are seen as lawless thugs, proud of their reputation. But are we doi
19. 19 19. ... Collective Ownership is Doomed to Fail?2025-10-22 · 24mThe Tragedy of the Commons theory posits that a valuable and finite resource, freely available to everyone, will be overused and be at risk of destruction. But with common land sha
20. 20 20. ...Pasta Was Made in Italy?2025-10-29 · 23mWho doesn't love pasta? It's conquered the world, but Italians love it most. But did they really invent it? We explore its history from ancient China through the Middle Ages to New
21. 21 21. Men and Women Have Never Been Equal?2025-11-05 · 24mFrom Iceland’s women’s strike in 1975 right back to strong Viking women and the very first human settlements, was the past more equalitarian than we think? Can we find matriarchy r
22. 22 22. ...We have always gone on strike?2025-11-12 · 22m
23. 23 23. ...Secret agents have no qualms of conscience?2025-11-19 · 23m
24. 24 24. ...We all used to speak the same language?2025-11-26 · 24m
25. 25 25. ...We used to live in harmony with nature?2025-12-03 · 25m
26. 26 26. ...Borders Have Always Existed?2025-12-10 · 24m250,000 kilometres of borders stretch across the world todaya nd even on the oldest maps they are everywhere. But have borders always been with us? From the frontiers of the Roman
27. 27 27. ...Migrations were not as numerous in the past?2025-12-17 · 22m
28. 28 28. ...Childhood Is A Modern Invention?2025-12-24 · 23mIn the past, childhood did not exist: Children had to go out into the fields and work alongside adults from a very young age in a difficult like of toil… or so many people think. B
29. 29 29. ...We Have Always Eaten Meat?2025-12-31 · 23mPeople eat meat - all over the world in the most diverse cultures. But have they always done so? And what is the truth of the theory that the human brain needed meat to grow? This