S1, E1: It all begun in 1585 as the small city of Amsterdam, in a few decades, gradually became the first world city in human history. Watch the story of Amsterdam ascension and growing dominance on world trade, and the spectacular innovations that made it possible. Across the Channel, London is not yet the challenger that it will soon become - but the City is growing and finds its destiny: commerce and finance will be its weapons to conquer the world. Amsterdam and London, twin cities in many ways, will soon fight each other to lead the rising global economy.