Discover the gripping story of how 12 surprising forces have shaped human civilisation into what we know today. First, the lust for luxury in our lives.

Discover the gripping story of how 12 surprising forces have shaped human civilisation into what we know today. Here, the focus is on the desire to forge weapons.

The world today is linked like never before - but throughout history new trade routes and connectivity have opened the way to terrible dangers, too.

Over millions of years mankind has evolved from a puny, vulnerable creature to become a dominant force on the planet. But occasionally the planet bites back.

Plants are used for food, medicine and clothing, to build our world and change how we feel - and they have played a vital role in our evolution.

Tools and machines have allowed us to overcome our physical limitations, but they are also transforming what it means to be human.

Five thousand years ago man throws a handful of rocks into a campfire and stumbles upon a discovery that changes the world: Metal. Copper, Tin and Bronze empower the ancient world and allow empires to expand, armed with sharp, hard-wearing weapons.

Early man rubbed two sticks together and created fire. We learn to cook our food, saving vital energy. As a result, our brains expand. Armed with fire, we experiment by heating minerals to make tools allowing us to fight wars and build civilizations.

15,000 years ago man and the wolf form a partnership that shapes the future of Mankind. With the help of man's new best friend we domesticate more animals, sowing the first seeds of farming and civilisation.

The ability to share complicated ideas allowed early man to hunt, farm and build communities. And the creation of things like an alphabet and the printing press allow Mankind to further expand, leading to the proliferation of ideas and revolution.

Inspired by the divine, we create monuments to its power (Stonehenge, the Great Pyramid). New challenges create new sciences, and when the Romans mixed volcanic ash with water they created a new super-material: concrete.

No prizes for second place! In this episode we learn how being the fastest enabled empires to be born and capitalism to thrive.