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Secrets of the Dead

This Cleopatra coin has been lost underwater for 2,000 years

Season 22 Episode 8 | 2m 24s

Cleopatra VII, Egypt’s iconic queen, left behind few traces of her reign. Beneath the harbor of modern-day Alexandria, archaeologists have uncovered ancient coins bearing her image amid the ruins of a temple where she may have once worshipped. Historians believe this temple stood on the island of Antirhodos, which ultimately sank into the Mediterranean Sea following a series of earthquakes.

SECRETS OF THE DEAD is made possible, in part, by public television viewers.
Extras
Watch • 0:32
Secrets of the Dead
Preview | Picturing Shakespeare
Could the discovery of a third portrait of William Shakespeare be a genuine article?
Preview: S23 E2 | 0:32
Watch • 0:32
Secrets of the Dead
Preview | China's Bronze Kingdom
The chance discovery of a jade artifact unearths an ancient Chinese city.
Preview: S23 E1 | 0:32
Watch • 0:32
Secrets of the Dead
Preview | Cracking the Queen's Code
See how secret letters written by Mary, Queen of Scots, were finally decoded.
Preview: S22 E9 | 0:32
Watch • 0:32
Secrets of the Dead
Preview | Cleopatra's Last Temple
An unprecedented discovery could reveal new information about Cleopatra’s reign.
Preview: S22 E8 | 0:32
Watch • 3:14
Secrets of the Dead
What Cleopatra’s Temple may have looked like
Tiny lead tokens revealed the first clues to Cleopatra’s temple façade in Alexandria.
Clip: S22 E8 | 3:14
Watch • 2:00
Secrets of the Dead
Rare crystal head found in Cleopatra’s temple ruins
Could this mysterious crystal head buried in the ruins of Cleopatra's temple depict Marc Antony?
Clip: S22 E8 | 2:00
Watch • 0:32
Secrets of the Dead
Preview | The Rise & Fall of the Colosseum
The spectacular arena showcasing Ancient Rome’s power also contributed to its downfall.
Preview: S22 E7 | 0:32
Watch • 3:08
Secrets of the Dead
What the First Gladiator Bones Can Tell Us About How They Lived
The first gladiator bones ever found reveal a small but unmistakable detail about how they lived.
Clip: S22 E7 | 3:08
Watch • 3:23
Secrets of the Dead
The Gladiator Match Rome Couldn’t Get Enough Of
Ancient Rome’s retiarius vs secutor: inside the colosseum’s most popular fight.
Clip: S22 E7 | 3:23
Watch • 2:40
Secrets of the Dead
The Ultimate Warrior Sports Drink
Gladiator bones reveal a mysterious strength-boosting drink used before combat.
Clip: S22 E7 | 2:40
All
  • All
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 23
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 22
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 21
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 20
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 19
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 18
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 17
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 16
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 15
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 14
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 13
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 12
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 11
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 10
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 9
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 8
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 7
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 6
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 5
  • Secrets of the Dead Season 4
Secrets of the Dead
China's Bronze Kingdom
The chance discovery of a jade artifact unearths an ancient Chinese city.
Episode: S23 E1
Secrets of the Dead
Chasing the Plague
Scientists study medieval bubonic plague victims in hopes of preventing future outbreaks.
Episode: S22 E10
Secrets of the Dead
Cracking the Queen's Code
See how secret letters written by Mary, Queen of Scots, were finally decoded.
Episode: S22 E9
Watch • 55:15
Secrets of the Dead
Cleopatra's Last Temple
An unprecedented discovery could reveal new information about Cleopatra’s reign.
Episode: S22 E8 | 55:15
Watch • 55:15
Secrets of the Dead
The Rise & Fall of the Colosseum
The spectacular arena showcasing Ancient Rome’s power also contributed to its downfall.
Episode: S22 E7 | 55:15
Secrets of the Dead
Picturing Shakespeare
Could the discovery of a third portrait of William Shakespeare be a genuine article?
Episode: S23 E2
Watch • 54:25
Secrets of the Dead
Plunderer: The Life and Times of a Nazi Art Thief (Part Two)
Historian Jonathan Petropoulos investigates the post-war life of former Nazi art dealer Bruno Lohse.
Episode: S22 E6 | 54:25
Watch • 54:50
Secrets of the Dead
Plunderer: The Life and Times of a Nazi Art Thief (Part One)
Historian Jonathan Petropoulos investigates the life of former Nazi art dealer Bruno Lohse.
Episode: S22 E5 | 54:50
Watch • 55:15
Secrets of the Dead
Lost Treasures of Angkor – King's Gold
Priceless artifacts in Laos reveal holy sites from the early days of the Khmer Empire.
Episode: S22 E4 | 55:15
Watch • 55:15
Secrets of the Dead
Lost Treasures of Angkor – The Discovery
The discovery of priceless artifacts in Laos sheds light on the ancient Khmer Empire.
Episode: S22 E3 | 55:15