Another enjoyable, thought-provoking film I saw recently is Agora, directed by Alejandro Amenábar and starring Rachel Weisz and a good cast.

It takes place in the 4th century C.E. (A.D.) in Alexandria, Egypt which was then located in a province of the Roman Empire. Christianity - the purifying, intolerant religion of slaves - is on the rise. First the pagans and then the Jews are killed or converted so that Christianity has no rivals. Even the agnostic astronomer/philosopher/scientist/mathematician/adviser to the chief magistrate, Hypatia, is commanded to submit. But of course she won't. The Christians in the movie are eerily reminiscent of contemporary extremist Muslims (whether Shia or Sunni) however the movie points out how Christianity caught on with the slaves. And of course the fall of the Roman empire was followed by the Dark Ages which lasted until the Renaissance in the 14th Century.

It was kind of neat that Alexandria had the largest, best library of the Ancient world and a lighthouse which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient world.

I read a review that panned the movie, but I found it completely enthralling and inspiring. Plus you get to see Weisz's bum!