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The Worst Episodes of Ancient Mysteries

Every episode of Ancient Mysteries ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Ancient Mysteries!

Worst episode
S3E1 The Hidden City of Petra
5.620 votes
Best episode
S3E20 The Miraculous Canals of Venice
7.819 votes
Top season
Season 1
7.4avg
Binge time
2d 16h
86 episodes
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
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Seasons5

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Ancient Mysteries Season 3 Episode 1 - The Hidden City of Petra
    5.6/10(20 votes)

    S3:E1

    It remained hidden behind walls of sheer rock for more than 2,000 years. In 1812, Johann Burckhardt ventured into the Jordanian desert and discovered hundreds of structures stretching for miles along narrow canyons: the ancient city of Petra. Narrated by Leonard Nimoy, ANCIENT MYSTERIES journeys into the past, unlocking the secrets long held captive behind Jordan's sandstone cliffs. Nearly 200 years after its discovery, archaeologists are still astonished at the ruins of Petra. The city evokes wonder in all who behold it--who were the people who carved these structures into solid rock, and how? Wander through what was once a thriving, sophisticated city and glean insight into the Nabataeans, the ancient people who lived and worked here. What caused their strange disappearance? Interviews with archaeologists and anthropologists and stunning location footage illuminate an incredible account of THE HIDDEN CITY OF PETRA.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Ancient Mysteries Season 4 Episode 23 - The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
    6.2/10(23 votes)

    S4:E23

    Documentary explores the seven wonders of the ancient world: The Great Pyramid of Giza, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the statue of Zeus, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Temple of Artemis, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the Pharos of Alexandria. The special examines what motivated the ancient people to build these legendary structures.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Ancient Mysteries Season 5 Episode 6 - Knights Templar
    6.1/10(15 votes)

    S5:E6

    Nine hundred years ago, Muslims fighting Christians were suddenly assaulted by a strange and terrifying force...a legion of sword wielding monks called the Knights Templar. Their fanatical courage struck terror in their enemies; their fabulous wealth made them the most powerful men in Europe; their secret rites inspired rumors of blasphemy. Did the Knights Templar find ancient secrets buried beneath Solomon's Temple? Did they conspire to seize part of Europe for themselves? Join us as we search for answers to these enduring enigmas in the long ago time of the bold and mysterious Knights Templar.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Ancient Mysteries Season 3 Episode 11 - Atlantis: The Lost Civilization
    6.4/10(14 votes)

    S3:E11

    It was a myth first told by Plato in the late 4th century B.C. - a dramatic tale of a powerful civilization living on an island that one day mysteriously disappeared underneath the rolling waves of the Atlantic. In the many thousands of years that have passed since Plato's time, questions about the fabled city under the sea have continued to captivate millions across the globe. Did the island of Atlantis really exist, and, if so, where? Throughout the ages, Atlantis has been linked to the island of Bimini, the Canary Islands, Santorini, and Troy, among other places. In this fascinating program, join renowned historians as they examine the many theories surrounding this timeless legend. Was it a purely fictional fable invented by the famous Greek philosopher, or an accurate historical account of a technologically advanced society? Join Ancient Mysteries and discover the truth behind the story of Atlantis: The Lost Civilization.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Ancient Mysteries Season 3 Episode 41 - The Powerful Gods of Mt. Olympus
    6.5/10(11 votes)

    S3:E41

    Twelve great gods, overlooking classical Greece from atop Mount Olympus. Their anger was capable of boiling the oceans, electrifying the skies or splitting the earth. They seduced mortal women and castrated their enemies. From Zeus to Apollo, Poseidon to Demeter, the gods and goddesses were all powerful and unpredictably fickle. The great writer Homer dared to mock the gods. Yet, from Eleusis to Athens, the Greek people built magnificent temples and cult sites. Ceremonies of birth and death were played out and sacrifices were made as the mysteries were celebrated. Propitiating the gods was a duty executed with lyrical devotion and savage passion.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Ancient Mysteries Season 2 Episode 2 - Rapa Nui
    6.2/10(6 votes)

    S2:E2

    A look at the making of "Rapa Nui," which speculates on the native inhabitants of Easter Island, who built strange giant statues before the Dutch arrived in 1722.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Ancient Mysteries Season 4 Episode 16 - Human Sacrifice
    6.8/10(14 votes)

    S4:E16

    Human blood. In the ancient world, this precious substance was believed to be the ultimate gift that could be offered up to appease the omnipotent gods and goddesses who held the fate of the people in their hands. In this fascinating - yet alarming - documentary, discover the widespread history behind human sacrifice within various cultures throughout the ancient world. Investigate a mysterious European culture that once thrived on ritual murder, and journey to ancient Mexico to uncover the secrets of the Aztec sacrifices. Finally, travel to India to learn about the victims sacrificed to Kali, Hindu goddess of darkness and death. Ancient Mysteries journeys to discover the horrifying secrets behind the ancient practice of human sacrifice, and the shocking reality behind the modern-day sacrificial murders still being carried out by some remote groups in the world today.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Ancient Mysteries Season 4 Episode 1 - Ancient Altered States
    6.7/10(8 votes)

    S4:E1

    If you thought the drug culture peaked in the 1960s, you're only off by a few millennia. In fact, since the beginning of civilization, humans have explored means of altering their consciousness in search of something "greater" than everyday reality. ANCIENT MYSTERIES takes an in-depth look at our pervasive drive to experience something "beyond," and reveals the means by which our ancestors explored their inner world. From experiments with substances at the edge of lethality to mysterious rituals meant to help worshipers leave their bodies behind, ANCIENT ALTERED STATES explores the farthest reaches of this primitive and universal desire. Psychologists and physicians, including Dr. Andrew Weil, offer insight into the physical and mental mechanisms and motivations behind this quest. Historians and spiritualists explore the ancient rituals of cultures worldwide that have sought visions and truth through altered consciousness. And riveting footage illuminates the terrifying, exquisite visions revealed to those who journey beyond the constraints of the conscious mind.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Ancient Mysteries Season 3 Episode 6 - Quest for the Fountain of Youth
    6.8/10(11 votes)

    S3:E6

    It is one of the most puzzling tales to come out of the European Age of Discovery. And yet, the alleged search for the Fountain of Youth by Spanish explorer Ponce de León was almost certainly influenced by folklore from many centuries before. In this tale of a quest for immortality, explore the origins of the powerful belief in water mythology - said to be traced back at least as far as the third century. Listen to leading historians propose that despite the account of León's venerable pursuit, he was actually driven by dreams of gold and riches, not the fabled fountain. Or is it possible that when the famed explorer alighted on Florida's shores, he wasn't looking for the fountain at all? The Quest for the Fountain of Youth is the ultimate examination o this much-debated, timeless legend.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Ancient Mysteries Season 5 Episode 9 - Dreamtime of the Aborigines
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    S5:E9

    Take a mesmerizing journey into the ancient, enigmatic culture of Australia's Aborigines, the oldest on earth. They are the oldest continual culture on earth. Enshrined in oral traditions stretching back perhaps 100,000 years are secrets which are memorized by initiates but strictly forbidden any outsiders. Their ancient chants and rites may bring fertility to the land, health to the sick and death to their enemies. "Dreamtime Of The Aborigines" is a spellbinding journey into the mysteries of this ancient culture. Join host Leonard Nimoy as he investigates the astonishing philosophy that appears to bind the present, past and future into one and give these people stunning power. Can their doctors perform surgery without entering the body? Do the spirits of their ancestors really guide their steps today? Incredible evidence, revealing interviews and stunning footage of the Aborigines' life in their beautiful, harsh land makes this a memorable inquiry into the myths and realities of one of the world's most enigmatic people.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Ancient Mysteries Season 4 Episode 6 - Mystical Monuments of Ancient Greece
    7.0/10(9 votes)

    S4:E6

    The glorious temples of Athens's Acropolis bear silent witness to the high point of Ancient Greece's legendary civilization. Built during the reign of Pericles, the most powerful leader in Athenian history, majestic temples such as the Parthenon and the Erechtheum remain marvels of architectural brilliance to this day. Yet what was the purpose of these stunning structures at the heart of the finest city in the ancient world? Were they the centerpieces of a truly civilized society and the symbols of a new form of government known as democracy? Or were they representative of a brutal sect devoted to Athena, goddess of wisdom and war? In this fascinating program, Ancient Mysteries delves into the secret history of Greece's golden age with a behind-the-scenes look at the country's most famous monuments from the point of view of the archeologists dedicated to unearthing these treasures.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Ancient Mysteries Season 3 Episode 22 - Pompeii: Buried Alive
    7.1/10(18 votes)

    S3:E22

    Two-thousand years ago, Rome was an all-powerful empire and Pompeii was one of its prosperous provincial towns - until Mount Vesuvius exploded in the largest eruption ever recorded. In a matter of hours the thriving city was entombed under a thick layer of ash and debris, undiscovered for centuries. Ancient Mysteries journeys to the first century to explore the remarkable city of Pompeii. Recreate the events leading up to the explosion and learn how the ash kept the city and its inhabitants - the only significant discovery of Roman Bodies ever - in a unique state of preservation. Wander through the ancient streets of this sophisticated society and witness current excavations. Interviews with archeologists and historians, extensive location footage, and archival documents - including one remaining eyewitness account - shed eerie light on the cataclysmic eruption of Pompeii, a city frozen in time.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Ancient Mysteries Season 3 Episode 32 - Incredible Monuments of Rome
    7.1/10(14 votes)

    S3:E32

    They stand today as testaments to the glory and grandeur of ancient Rome. But what brutal and murderous price was paid to build and maintain these imperial monuments? The celebrated Roman monuments were once splendid arenas where no form of torture was deemed too cruel; places of worship where gods were frequently honored with shocking ritualistic sacrifices; and pleasure palaces where wanton sexual depravity was not only accepted but encouraged. In this captivating program, Ancient Mysteries presents the stories behind those responsible for creating these imposing structures and attempts to uncover what these monuments symbolized in the ancient Roman world. Join A&E for an exciting journey into the past to resolve some of the unanswered questions surrounding the magnificent and controversial monuments.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Ancient Mysteries Season 3 Episode 15 - Naked Warriors of Europe
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    S3:E15

    An examination of the Celts, whose culture reached its zenith in Europe between the 5th and 1st centuries B.C. Included: their artwork, religious practices and fighting tactics.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Ancient Mysteries Season 3 Episode 18 - Blood and Honor at the First Olympics
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    S3:E18

    A look at the first Olympic competitions in Greece, circa 776 B.C.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Ancient Mysteries Season 3 Episode 53 - UFOs: The First Encounters
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    S3:E53

    Although experts today have been able to decipher artifacts and ruins from once flourishing ancient civilizations, questions remain as to why so many monuments of antiquity seem to refer to certain stars in the sky. UFOs: THE FIRST ENCOUNTERS investigates several early texts and their curious references to strange flying objects, while confronting the age-old question: Are we truly alone or have we been visited by travelers from other worlds for thousands of years?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Ancient Mysteries Season 3 Episode 3 - Camelot
    7.2/10(10 votes)

    S3:E3

    The court of King Arthur, Camelot was at the center of a world of magic and honor. But what lies behind this captivating legend?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Ancient Mysteries Season 1 Episode 2 - Origin of the Vampire
    7.2/10(19 votes)

    S1:E2

    Exploring the myths and legends surrounding vampires, the “immortal monsters that prey on the living and survive by drinking [blood].”

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Ancient Mysteries Season 3 Episode 39 - Secrets of Delphi
    7.2/10(21 votes)

    S3:E39

    One of the holiest sites of ancient Greece, Delphi was the pre-eminent shrine of Apollo. Cradled by Mount Parnassos and a valley of olive groves, it was also sacred to Dionysus, who was supposedly buried there. But Delphi is chiefly known for its legendary oracle the most famous of the ancient world. Journey back to the golden age of Greece, when the mysterious oracle of Delphi predicted the futures of kings and countries. In the smoky, haunting, and hallucinogenic atmosphere of the sacred shrine, predictions were uttered by a priestess in a delirious trance and interpreted by a priest speaking in verse. Dramatic re-creations bring the oracle to life, and leading historians explain how Delphi grew wealthy through the offerings of those seeking a glimpse at destiny. Explore the ruins of this mystical site with archaeologists, and see the latest discoveries that are shedding new light on the legendary city.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Ancient Mysteries Season 3 Episode 25 - The Puzzling Pyramids of Mexico
    7.3/10(7 votes)

    S3:E25

    An examination of the pyramids in the Mexican city of Teotihuacan. Also: the Temple of the Feathered Spirit and the Avenue of the Dead.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Ancient Mysteries Season 5 Episode 3 - The Magic of Alchemy
    7.4/10(8 votes)

    S5:E3

    Did masters of alchemy possess secret wisdom? What were they really seeking? These are but a few ANCIENT MYSTERIES. Nearly two thousand years ago, a shadowy group called alchemists embarked on a mysterious dangerous quest. In primitive laboratories they risked their lives trying to make gold. They also searched for divine wisdom - and the secret of immortality. Mysteries abound in alchemy's dark history. Was Sir Isaac Newton, one of history's greater minds, driven mad by his secret obsession with alchemy?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Ancient Mysteries Season 4 Episode 9 - Tombs of the Gods: The Great Pyramids of Giza
    7.5/10(8 votes)

    S4:E9

    The Great Pyramids of Giza are recognizable throughout the world and are tangible links to powerful secrets from the pre-dynastic days of Ancient Egypt. In this fascinating program from Ancient Mysteries, behold the grandeur of these magnificent pyramids, man-made wonders that have held visitors spellbound for thousands of years. Learn about the complex belief system that enjoined the Egyptians to preserve and protect the bodies of their dead to ensure the fulfillment of resurrection, and follow the journey of the pharaoh's soul to discover how the pyramid served as a threshold to the unknown and a gateway to eternal life. Host Leonard Nimoy travels through the shifting sands of time to the land of the powerful pharaohs, magnificent monuments, and well-preserved mummies in Tombs Of The Gods: Great Pyramids.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Ancient Mysteries Season 4 Episode 11 - The Curse of the Hope Diamond
    7.6/10(7 votes)

    S4:E11

    It is the largest, most famous, and most valuable gemstone in the world. It has been the plaything of kings and sultans and has decorated the necks of many an heiress and empress. But, could this notorious diamond actually be cursed? According the legend, the 45-carat gem is a piece of a larger stone stolen from the eye of a Hindu idol and later purchased by a French merchant in the 1660s. In its long and troubled journey through time, it is said to have destroyed careers, marriages, and empires by way of its alleged curse. Suicide, madness, bankruptcy, and freak accidents have all been attributed to its great powers. Today, the unique stone sits in the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington, DC. Join us as we explore the bizarre legends and the strange facts behind The Curse Of The Hope Diamond.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Ancient Mysteries Season 2 Episode 1 - Enigma of the Dead Sea Scrolls
    7.6/10(8 votes)

    S2:E1

    The "Enigma of the Dead Sea Scrolls," which contain most of the books of the Old Testament. Included: the accidental discovery of the scrolls in 1947 and subsequent findings; interviews with archaeologists.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Ancient Mysteries Season 4 Episode 13 - Secrets of the Romanovs
    7.6/10(8 votes)

    S4:E13

    Experience the final days of the Romanov dynasty and penetrate the web of intrigue surrounding the murder of the royal family.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Worst Episodes Summary

"The Hidden City of Petra" is the worst rated episode of Ancient Mysteries. It scored 5.6/10 from 20 votes. Written and directed by Unknown, it aired on September 8, 1995. This episode scored 0.6 points lower than the second lowest rated, "The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World".

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