Ancient Warriors

Apr 17, 1994

The Assyrians were the first people to employ a standing army, using recruits from conquered nations to put 200,000 men in the field. The Assyrians' best-known development was their use of two-wheeled chariots and cavalry.

Apr 24, 1994

The Celts were one of the most important civilisations of Europe and at their zenith had conquered Central Europe, France, Spain and the British Isles. The source of their military success lay in their use of finely made iron weaponry, especially their swords and helmets, and their skilled chariot tactics.

May 1, 1994

Descendants of the Vikings, the Normans were one of the most successful warrior groups of the Middle Ages, conquering the French coast and England.

May 8, 1994

The story of Rome's rise to a world empire is one of the most fascinating in history and it was the training, discipline and manoeuvrability of the legion that brought the Romans victory.

May 15, 1994

Philip of Macedonia created one of the most effective and successful armies of antiquity based on the phalanx, a compact body of infantry armed with long spikes. His even more illustrious son, Alexander the Great, defeated and conquered the great Persian Empire.

May 22, 1994

Enormous preparation and financial expenditure went towards creating a fighting force for Ramses II that could protect and expand Egyptian territories in Palestine and Syria, especially against the threats of the Hittites.

May 29, 1994

The Spartans were the most effective warriors of the Greek civilisations due to their rigorous training and the austerity of the Spartan culture.

Sep 11, 1994

Originally captured Christian slaves, the Janissaries became some of the most feared troops of the Muslim world.

Sep 18, 1994

The hordes that swept across Europe were more than just wild tribesmen - they were a highly trained and disciplined army of conquerors.

Sep 25, 1994

These Christian warrior-monks were sworn to a life of poverty and chastity - as well as one of ridding the Holy Land of all Muslims.

Oct 2, 1994

Just the name was enough to strike fear into the hearts of Europeans and the wide-ranging trail of these fierce pagan raiders was littered with cruel violence.

Oct 9, 1994

The clans of the Scottish highlands were hardy people and the men fought hard to maintain their independence from all comers.

Oct 16, 1994

The ancient Irish were part of a highly sophisticated society that bred musicians, farmers, druids and brave warriors.

Oct 23, 1994

The Mauryan army of India would have been a heart-stopping sight for enemies as it numbered more than 600,000 men, 30,000 cavalry and 9000 elephants.

May 7, 1995

The Aztecs were one of the great empires of the Americas and came to power through force of arms.

May 14, 1995

Japan's superbly trained soldiers, the Samurai, lived a life of devotion to honour and loyalty and to betray either required death.

May 21, 1995

The famous warrior-monks' philosophy blended rigorous military training with religion and technology.

May 28, 1995

The campaign to conquer paradise required the Hawaiian king Kamehameha to train his warriors for years in the arts of war.

Jun 4, 1995

Few things caused such awe in ancient Japan as the feared Ninja who struck at night with cunning ruthlessness.

Jun 11, 1995

An Indian nation that was forced from its homelands and who had to learn the art of war in order to survive.