Decisive Battles

Cannae

Gaugamela

Return to the scene of one of Alexander the Great's most decisive battles, where he wrested control of the Persian Empire from Darius III.

Marathon

Marathon, Greece, September 490 BC. King Darius leads his Persian army in an attack on Greece.

Thermopylae

Using cutting-edge computer gaming technology, we recreate conflicts that shaped the ancient world and witness great battles like never before. Hosted on location by Matthew Settle (Band of Brothers), we return to Thermopylae in 480 BC.

Spartacus

Spartacus is one of the Ancient World's most famous figures. A Thracian soldier, Spartacus was captured by Romans and sold as a slave for training as a gladiator.

Attila the Hun

Chalons, 451 AD. What made this battle so compelling? Attila the Hun, the terrifying menace who had his eyes set on what was left of the Western Roman Empire.

Crassus: Rich Man, Poor Man

Although he may have been the richest man in Rome, Crassus was the political poor relation in the First Triumvirate. He needed military laurels to raise him up.

The Gothic Invasion of Rome

The Battle of Adrianople in 378 A.D., in which the invading Goths defeated Roman forces, is recalled.

Hail Caesar!

Birth of the Roman Empire

Boudicca: Warrior Queen

The 60 A.D. Iceni Rebellion against Rome, led by Celtic queen Boudicca, is recalled.

Ramses II

The Battle of Kadesh (circa 1300 B.C.) between Egypt and the Hittites is recalled.

Herman the German