What begins as a dispute over a buffer zone escalates quickly into a struggle for regional dominance as two of the great Empires of the Ancient world trade blows. The Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses is baited into overextending his armies, believing the first fighting force to arrive at the contested city of Kadesh will be victorious. But Ramses has been deceived... the Hittite Army lies in wait. They strike when he is at his weakest, and his troops are exhausted. Ramses suffers desertion and heavy losses. His weakened force is surrounded on three sides. Amazingly, the pure fighting ability of the Egyptian soldiers is enough to enable them to battle their way out of their corner and escape.

After years of perceived disrespect, a gravely offended Persian army sets sail to teach the insolent Athenians a lesson. The massive Persian fleet seems predestined to overpower the small Athenian army, abandoned by their allies the Spartans. But a brilliant defensive strategy, the extreme mettle of Greek troops, and a runner whose route would go down in history, all combine to drive the Persians back across the Aegean defeated, dripping in their own blood. The Battle of Marathon sets up one of the most famous battles between Greece and Persia... the Battle of the 300.

In 327 BC, Greece goes head-to-head with India in Alexander the Great's 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.

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. Using cutting-edge computer gaming technology, we recreate the Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BC.

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.

After Custer, Thermopylae is the most famous last stand in history. In a narrow pass in Northern Greece, seven thousand Greek soldiers await an onslaught of epic proportions. They will soon face the largest fighting force ever assembled--the war machine of the mighty Persian Empire, estimated at over a million men. The Greeks are led by three hundred of the most ferocious warriors of the ancient world--the Spartans. Their leader is the fearless King Leonidas, who after this battle would be catapulted into legend. When it is over, every Spartan in the pass will have sacrificed his life for freedom. Creating a fresh visual style and using new technologies we will dramatically recreate the significant events that lead to Thermopylae and the clash of arms.

The great empires of the ancient world were created through war, and some of the most defining battles were fought through siege warfare. The legendary battle of Troy, the incredibly advanced weapons of Archimedes at the battle of Syracuse, and the beginning of the fall of Rome. These are moments in history that will never be forgotten. But which Top 10 siege will top our list for being the most devastating?

For 3,000 years the Siege of Troy has remained steeped in mystery. Journey with us to the site in Turkey believed to be the location of the real Troy, as we analyze one of the world's greatest historical battlegrounds for new clues. This program takes us behind the Troy celebrated by Hollywood to uncover fascinating evidence in regard to Achilles' duel against Hector, the sailing of the vast Mycenaean fleet, and the wooden horse of Troy. Watch as we apply modern technology, archaeology, and engineering to uncover the real story behind the legend of Troy.

What begins as a dispute over a buffer zone escalates quickly into a struggle for regional dominance as two of the great Empires of the Ancient world trade blows. The Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses is baited into overextending his armies, believing the first fighting force to arrive at the contested city of Kadesh will be victorious. But Ramses has been deceived... the Hittite Army lies in wait. They strike when he is at his weakest, and his troops are exhausted. Ramses suffers desertion and heavy losses. His weakened force is surrounded on three sides. Amazingly, the pure fighting ability of the Egyptian soldiers is enough to enable them to battle their way out of their corner and escape.

After years of perceived disrespect, a gravely offended Persian army sets sail to teach the insolent Athenians a lesson. The massive Persian fleet seems predestined to overpower the small Athenian army, abandoned by their allies the Spartans. But a brilliant defensive strategy, the extreme mettle of Greek troops, and a runner whose route would go down in history, all combine to drive the Persians back across the Aegean defeated, dripping in their own blood. The Battle of Marathon sets up one of the most famous battles between Greece and Persia... the Battle of the 300.

In 327 BC, Greece goes head-to-head with India in Alexander the Great's 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.

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. Using cutting-edge computer gaming technology, we recreate the Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BC.

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.

After Custer, Thermopylae is the most famous last stand in history. In a narrow pass in Northern Greece, seven thousand Greek soldiers await an onslaught of epic proportions. They will soon face the largest fighting force ever assembled--the war machine of the mighty Persian Empire, estimated at over a million men. The Greeks are led by three hundred of the most ferocious warriors of the ancient world--the Spartans. Their leader is the fearless King Leonidas, who after this battle would be catapulted into legend. When it is over, every Spartan in the pass will have sacrificed his life for freedom. Creating a fresh visual style and using new technologies we will dramatically recreate the significant events that lead to Thermopylae and the clash of arms.

The great empires of the ancient world were created through war, and some of the most defining battles were fought through siege warfare. The legendary battle of Troy, the incredibly advanced weapons of Archimedes at the battle of Syracuse, and the beginning of the fall of Rome. These are moments in history that will never be forgotten. But which Top 10 siege will top our list for being the most devastating?

For 3,000 years the Siege of Troy has remained steeped in mystery. Journey with us to the site in Turkey believed to be the location of the real Troy, as we analyze one of the world's greatest historical battlegrounds for new clues. This program takes us behind the Troy celebrated by Hollywood to uncover fascinating evidence in regard to Achilles' duel against Hector, the sailing of the vast Mycenaean fleet, and the wooden horse of Troy. Watch as we apply modern technology, archaeology, and engineering to uncover the real story behind the legend of Troy.

What begins as a dispute over a buffer zone escalates quickly into a struggle for regional dominance as two of the great Empires of the Ancient world trade blows. The Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses is baited into overextending his armies, believing the first fighting force to arrive at the contested city of Kadesh will be victorious. But Ramses has been deceived... the Hittite Army lies in wait. They strike when he is at his weakest, and his troops are exhausted. Ramses suffers desertion and heavy losses. His weakened force is surrounded on three sides. Amazingly, the pure fighting ability of the Egyptian soldiers is enough to enable them to battle their way out of their corner and escape.

After years of perceived disrespect, a gravely offended Persian army sets sail to teach the insolent Athenians a lesson. The massive Persian fleet seems predestined to overpower the small Athenian army, abandoned by their allies the Spartans. But a brilliant defensive strategy, the extreme mettle of Greek troops, and a runner whose route would go down in history, all combine to drive the Persians back across the Aegean defeated, dripping in their own blood. The Battle of Marathon sets up one of the most famous battles between Greece and Persia... the Battle of the 300.

In 327 BC, Greece goes head-to-head with India in Alexander the Great's 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.

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. Using cutting-edge computer gaming technology, we recreate the Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BC.

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.

After Custer, Thermopylae is the most famous last stand in history. In a narrow pass in Northern Greece, seven thousand Greek soldiers await an onslaught of epic proportions. They will soon face the largest fighting force ever assembled--the war machine of the mighty Persian Empire, estimated at over a million men. The Greeks are led by three hundred of the most ferocious warriors of the ancient world--the Spartans. Their leader is the fearless King Leonidas, who after this battle would be catapulted into legend. When it is over, every Spartan in the pass will have sacrificed his life for freedom. Creating a fresh visual style and using new technologies we will dramatically recreate the significant events that lead to Thermopylae and the clash of arms.

The great empires of the ancient world were created through war, and some of the most defining battles were fought through siege warfare. The legendary battle of Troy, the incredibly advanced weapons of Archimedes at the battle of Syracuse, and the beginning of the fall of Rome. These are moments in history that will never be forgotten. But which Top 10 siege will top our list for being the most devastating?

For 3,000 years the Siege of Troy has remained steeped in mystery. Journey with us to the site in Turkey believed to be the location of the real Troy, as we analyze one of the world's greatest historical battlegrounds for new clues. This program takes us behind the Troy celebrated by Hollywood to uncover fascinating evidence in regard to Achilles' duel against Hector, the sailing of the vast Mycenaean fleet, and the wooden horse of Troy. Watch as we apply modern technology, archaeology, and engineering to uncover the real story behind the legend of Troy.