This three-episode miniseries chronicles the rise and fall of the Habsburg Empire, one of the most powerful European empires in history. The Habsburg Empire lasted throughout the second millennium and had a major influence on European culture.
1/1/2008
This episode covers the Swiss origin of the Habsburg dynasty and the rise of the future Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, who turned his small Viennese kingdom into a budding empire in the 15th century.
Maria Theresa was the only Habsburg Empress and, in the 18th century, was the last ruler from the House of Habsburg who greatly strengthened the empire's cultural and political influence.
Franz Joseph I of Austria failed to save his still culturally blooming empire. Wars, political infighting, secessionist ethnic movements and social revolts eventually brought the Habsburg Empire to an end by the end of World War I.
