From stone-age Hawaii to 16th-century Japan, from Ancient Greece to the Byzantine Empire, elite combat troops -- men trained to perfection, skilled with a devastating array of weaponry -- have been called upon to infiltrate, disrupt and destroy the enemy. "Ancient Assassins" illustrates the tactics of these highly trained killers, showcasing the fatal tactics, immense physical strength and treacherous know-how of the most feared assassins, elite units and mercenaries throughout time. Each hourlong episode brings history to life with a mixture of dramatic reconstruction and documentary filming. Plus, interviews with military commanders help draw modern-day comparisons to today's special forces.
Seasons & Episode
The Season 2 premiere focuses on Vlad "The Impaler" Tepes, a 15th-century Romanian prince, and the legends of mass murder against his enemies and his own people. Tepes was the inspiration for Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula."
When Alexander the Great confronts a rebel warlord in an impregnable mountain stronghold, he dispatches 300 hand-picked warriors to scale the sheer rock face, at night, without being detected.
A female samurai named Tomoe Gozen is famous for her bravery and fighting skills on the battlefield in 12th-century Japan.
They are the amphibious Roman unit tasked with the impossible. Called Batavians, they led the invasion of ancient Britain in AD43. Discover the story behind a desperate mission deep in enemy territory that may hand the emperor an unlikely victory.
A profile of Sir William Wallace, the legendary Scottish knight who played an important role in the Wars of Scottish Independence.
A 9th-century conflict between English monarch Alfred the Great and invading Vikings is recalled.
1644. Ng Mui escapes from Beijing. Taking refuge in a Shaolin monastery, she learns their Kung Fu and develops a new form of the martial art.
In the 16th century a collection of 20,000 Germanic mercenaries attempt to breach the walls of Rome so that they can take the Pope hostage.
English mercenary Sir John Hawkwood makes a name for himself in 14th-century Italy by serving a variety of sponsors, including Pope Gregory XI in the War of the Eight Saints.
The Battle of Leuctra in 371 B.C. pits the Spartans versus the Thebans, with the decisive blow enabled by the Sacred Band of Thebes.
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