The Story of the Jews

In this programme, historian Simon Schama explores the story of the Jewish people from ancient times to the present day. The story begins 3,000 years ago when a tribal people emerged in a contested land and had a stormy relationship with a faceless, formless God. Schama goes on to explain how the ancient Jews' identity was developed through events such as war, enslavement and exile. The story includes a cast of historical characters, including Sigmund Freud dying in exile in London and Jewish historian Josephus, who witnessed the Romans destroying the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.