BBC BIBLE MYSTERIES

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Episode 1: Crucifixion
This programme reopens the files on the trial of Jesus Christ and his horrific death by crucifixion, and examines what really happened in the style of a murder investigation.

Episode 2: Mary Magdelene
Who was the real Mary Magdalene? We remember her as a prostitute, forgiven by Jesus. We�re told that she washed his feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. For centuries she�s been known as the repentant sinner. In art, she has been immortalised as a semi-naked penitent, or an isolated hermit in the wilderness: an outcast.

Episode 3: The Disciples
They grumbled about the way Jesus handled situations. They wanted to destroy villages that refused to accept them. They argued amongst themselves about which one was the greatest.

Episode 4: Peter and the First Church
An archaeological investigation into the story of Peter, the disciple Jesus named �The Rock� on which He would build his Church. Contrary to the Bible, tradition says that Peter went to Rome to spread Christianity where he was martyred. Now with archaeological and scientific evidence we discover who Peter was, how he became the leader of the Early Church and whether his body really was buried on the Vatican Hill.

Episode 5: Joseph and his Coat of Many Colours
The story of Joseph and his multicoloured coat - made famous by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice�s stage show - is one of the oldest and greatest in the bible: A young man from Canaan, sold into slavery by his broth-ers, rises to be prime minister of Egypt saving his Pharaoh and his people from a devastating famine. But what evidence is there that someone like Joseph existed? Bible Mysteries finds out.

Episode 6: Joshua and the Walls of Jericho
This programme investigates the facts behind the famous Bible story of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho [in which �the walls came tumbling down� at the sound of trumpets], and reaches the startling conclusion that this incredible story is rooted in actual historical events.

Episode 7: The Nativity, Herod and the Massacre
This programme investigates the murders at Bethlehem, that first Christmas, and asks, did King Herod kill the children?

Episode 8: David and Goliath
This programme travels to Israel to reveal the archaeological evidence that a King called David really did exist. Experts show how ancient water tunnels below Jerusalem allowed David�s men to storm the city and make it their capital. We dig below the �spin� of the Biblical accounts to find the David of history � a man more flawed and ruthless than anyone could have imagined.

Episode 9: Revelations
The programme reveals how archaeology and science show that Revelation was written not for a 21st century audience, but by a church leader called John for his 1st century Christian Church, and that it was written as a warn- ing by him against involvement in the Roman Empire and in particular the worship of its emperors. In a surprising twist, the programme also reveals that thanks to recent archaeological finds the infamous number of the Beast may not be 666 but 616...