Battles BC

From Hannibal to David the Giant Slayer, examine the strategies, tactics and weapons of infamous leaders throughout ancient history.

2009 HD 60min United States English

Action Documentary

S1E1 - Hannibal: The Annihilator 2009-03-09

Hannibals merciless attacks on Roman soil dealt a near fatal blow to the soon-to-be Empire. Sworn by his father to a blood oath against the Romans, Hannibal of Carthage does the unthinkable... he marches 40 war elephants and a massive army over the Alps to gain an element of surprise. In three key battles--Hannibal uses terrain, intimidation and his iron will to annihilate the Roman Legions, killing every Roman soldier that he possibly can.

S1E2 - David: Giant Slayer 2009-03-16

Its 1000 BC and the Israelites are battling the Philistines. After wresting control of the throne of Israel in a bloody civil war, David moves quickly to exterminate his enemies. He crucifies anyone who challenges his right to the throne and then turns his sword on his political enemies. Finally, David sets his sites on a new target--the beautiful Bathsheba, but she is already married. For someone like David this is a minor impediment.

S1E3 - Joshua: Epic Slaughter 2009-03-23

The bloody first battle of the conquest of the Promised Land. The walls of Jericho are believed to be impenetrable. But Joshua sends in spies who find a defector in Jericho named Rahab. As Joshuas army parades around the walled city for six days, the Israelites sneak special ops forces into Rahabs house. Once they amass forty soldiers inside, Joshua and his army outside the city blow their horns and attack. The forty troops inside catch the city completely unaware.

S1E4 - Caesar: Super Siege 2009-03-30

Its 52 BC and the great Roman Commander Julius Caesar is butchering is way through Gaul. Thanks in large part to the iron will of Caesar, the Romans complete their long quest for total Mediterranean dominance, defeating the Gauls in the final battle of the Gallic Wars. For a period of time though, Gallic victory seemed possible. Out-numbering the Romans five to one, they held the high ground, on the hilltop fortress city of Alesia. Caesar besieges Alesia, however, and builds a wall around the city cutting it off from all possible supply lines. When Gallic reinforcements arrive to break the blockade, Caesar puts a startling twist on his strategy by constructing a second wall between his army and the reinforcements. It is siege upon siege, but Caesar knows the Romans, although fewer in numbers, are better supplied.

S1E5 - Moses: Death Chase 2009-04-12

Most consider the Israelite Exodus out of Egypt an act of Divine intervention. Whether inspired by God or not, the Exodus is not merely a migration of slaves, but a military maneuver by a group of combat-hardened mercenaries. An enraged Pharaoh releases his army to hunt the Israelites down after they sack an Egyptian town as they make their exit. But Mosess sharp military mind and intimate knowledge of the terrain prove more than the massive, heavily armed Egyptian army can handle. While the Israelites perform a complicated night water crossing, Moses lures the Egyptians to a watery grave in the Sea of Reeds.

S1E6 - Alexander: Lord of War 2009-04-19

In 327 BC, Greece goes head-to-head with India in Alexander the Greats final campaign. As Alexander leads his armies into India, he faces one of the most difficult tactical challenges any ground commander can confront--a forced river-crossing, a raging thunder storm and a vicious enemy. Alexander is able to deceive the Indian General Porus into believing that they would not attempt a crossing, instead he maneuvers his infantry across the river at night--catching the Indian Legions unaware. Victory is at hand thanks to this strategic brilliance.

S1E7 - Ramses: Raging Chariots 2009-04-26

The Battle of Kadesh, fought in 1274 B.C., between the Egyptians and the Hittites, is recalled.

S1E8 - Judgment Day at Marathon 2009-05-01

A recollection of the Persians defeat at the hands of the Greeks at The Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C.