Series synopsis
The Mark Of Empire is a documentary television series that premiered on CNA on May 3, 2020. It stars Peter Lee.
Singaporean curator and scholar Peter Lee explores the history of four Southeast Asian empires that made their mark on the world. Travelling from Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia to Indonesia, Peter explores ancient ruins, epic legends and vibrant traditions to chart the rise and fall of four distinct empires, and how their legacy still shapes cultures and identities in the region today.
Premise
Singaporean curator and scholar Peter Lee explores the history of four Southeast Asian empires that made their mark on the world. Travelling from Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia to Indonesia, Peter explores ancient ruins, epic legends and vibrant traditions to chart the rise and fall of four distinct empires, and how their legacy still shapes cultures and identities in the region today.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Peter Lee as Narrator
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 8 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 4 | May 3, 2020 | May 24, 2020 |
| Season 2 | 4 | December 10, 2022 | December 13, 2022 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Ayutthaya 500 years ago, Thailand’s Ayutthaya was one of the world’s largest and most cosmopolitan cities. Curator and scholar Peter Lee charts its transformation from backwater state to global superpower. |
May 3, 2020 |
| 2 |
Bagan 900 years ago, the Bagan Empire united Myanmar and transformed into a world centre of Buddhism. Curator and scholar Peter Lee explores how it grew and how its legacy still echoes in the modern nation. |
May 10, 2020 |
| 3 |
Angkor Curator and scholar Peter Lee visits Angkor to discover how, a thousand years ago, the ancient Khmer overcame nature to thrive, leaving behind iconic ruins that lie at the heart of Cambodian identity. |
May 17, 2020 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Warriors Of Tokugawa Peter Lee tries his hand at samurai swordsmanship and makes supersized sushi, as he uncovers the legacy of the mighty Tokugawa Shogun that unified Japan 400 years ago. |
December 10, 2022 |
| 2 |
Joseon’s Defenders Peter joins a deep-sea archaeology expedition, as he uncovers the legacy of the Joseon Dynasty in South Korea. And tries his hand at archery, a skill that was a key weapon in defence. |
December 11, 2022 |
| 3 |
Merchants Of Ryuku Peter Lee learns the art of kobudo fighting and searches for underwater artefacts in Japan’s Ryukyu islands, as he traces the history of the vibrant kingdom of merchants. |
December 12, 2022 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | CNA |
|---|---|
| First aired | May 3, 2020 |
| Last aired | December 13, 2022 |
| Runtime | 46 minutes |
| Status | continue |