Ancient Assassins

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.

Documentary

Seasons

1. The 47 Ronin

Air Date: 2014-10-03

The loyal followers of feudal ruler Asano Naganori avenge his ritual suicide in early 18th-century Japan.

2. The Ghost Warriors

Air Date: 2014-10-10

An elite special forces corps in ancient Germany appears out of the darkness to frighten their enemies.

3. The Viking Berserkers

Air Date: 2014-10-17

Viking long ships roll up to Lindisfarne in 793 and launch a brutal attack on the island's monastery that forever impacts England's history.

4. Hawaiian Koa Warriors

Air Date: 2014-10-24

Hawaiian Koa were elite warriors in a land dominated by war. They were grand masters of a martial art called Lua- a way to break every bone in an enemy's body. When Captain Cook lands on Hawaii, the Koa warriors greet him in the worst way.

5. Ninja

Air Date: 2014-10-31

In 1562, a young warlord, called Tokugaway Leyasu hires a specialist called Hattori Hanzo to help him free his daughters who are being held hostage in a castle. Through a hard journey, they end up inaugurating a golden era for Japan and the Ninja.

6. The Assassins

Air Date: 2014-11-07

Conflict between Shiite and Sunni Muslims tears away at 11th-century Persia when Ismailian Hassan-i Sabbah founds the Assassins.

7. The Spartans

Air Date: 2014-11-21

Spartan youth learn to withstand pain and survive the harshest conditions, a training technique that comes in quite handy during the Battle of Thermopylae.

8. Varangian Guard

Air Date: 2014-11-28

The elite units of the Byzantine Army, the Varangian Guard, served as personal bodyguards to the Byzantine Emperors, and originated primarily from Scandinavia and England. Along with the prowess in combat they wielded highly effective weapons.

9. Aztec Eagle Warriors

Air Date: 2014-12-05

Eagle Warriors serve as the elite troops of the Aztec Empire, being trained not to kill, but to capture enemies; "La Noche Triste" tests the warriors' strength.

10. The Sicarii

Air Date: 2014-12-12

During the Roman occupation of the Holy Land in the first century, the Sicarii serve as hitmen, working toward the liberation of Judea and the unification of the country.

1. Vlad's Impalers

Air Date: 2016-10-08

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."

2. Alexander the Great's Spidermen

Air Date: 2016-10-15

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.

3. Beautiful Samurai

Air Date: 2016-10-22

A female samurai named Tomoe Gozen is famous for her bravery and fighting skills on the battlefield in 12th-century Japan.

4. Rome's Navy Seals

Air Date: 2016-10-29

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.

5. The Real Braveheart

Air Date: 2016-11-05

A profile of Sir William Wallace, the legendary Scottish knight who played an important role in the Wars of Scottish Independence.

6. Viking Apocalypse

Air Date: 2016-11-12

A 9th-century conflict between English monarch Alfred the Great and invading Vikings is recalled.

7. Kung Fu Nun

Air Date: 2016-11-19

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.

8. The Pope's Bodyguards

Air Date: 2016-11-26

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.

9. Medieval Mercenaries

Air Date: 2016-12-03

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.

10. Sacred Band of Thebes

Air Date: 2016-12-03

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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Rating

8.0/10

Release Date

2014-10-03

Episodes

20 (2 seasons)

Status

Ended