Decisive Battles
Battles are sometimes great and easily defined moments of history with whole nations and peoples in the balance. This series explores the stories of such battles of such significance, using modern video game visuals to provide a perspective that even the great commanders would envy.
- 2004-2004
- 1 season
- Documentary, Animation, Action & Adventure
Battles are sometimes great and easily defined moments of history with whole nations and peoples in the balance. This series explores the stories of such battles of such significance, using modern video game visuals to provide a perspective that even the great commanders would envy.
Season 1 Episode Guide
13 Episodes 2004
Episode 1
Cannae
Fri, Jul 23, 2004
Hannibal's victory at the Battle of Cannae, 216 BC: In a classic example of double-envelopment maneuver, an under-fortified Hannibal inflicted the greatest ever defeat on the forces of Rome, who marched eight legions strong into their surprising defeat.
Episode 2
Gaugamela
Fri, Jul 30, 2004
Alexander's victory over Darius III of Persia at the Battle of Gaugamela, 331 BC: Gaugamela was the greatest battle fought by Alexander the Great and it gave him control of the Persian Empire. Darius raised a titanic army against Alexander and picked the ideal spot for his cavalry-led force, but it was not enough.
Episode 3
Marathon
Fri, Aug 6, 2004 21 mins
Cutting-edge computer gaming technology takes you to the heart of the Athenians decisive victory over the Persians in Marathon. Why did the seemingly superior force lose?
Episode 4
Thermopylae
Fri, Aug 13, 2004
The Battle of Thermopylae, 480 BCE, where a Spartan led Greek army held off a massive Persian army in a narrow valley for days.
Episode 5
Spartacus
Fri, Aug 20, 2004
Selected battles of the Third Servile War, 73 to 71 BC: Spartacus has long been one of the most famous figures of the ancient world. A Thracian gladiator with a gift for leadership, he led a huge revolt against Rome at the height of its power.
Episode 6
Attila the Hun
Fri, Aug 27, 2004
The 'scourge of God' Attila led the Huns to victory against the faltering Romans. Cutting-edge computer gaming technology takes you to heart of the battle.
Episode 7
Crassus: Rich Man, Poor Man
Fri, Sep 3, 2004
After letting Roman legions march deep into the desert, the Parthians encircle and annihilate them.
Episode 8
The Gothic Invasion of Rome
Fri, Sep 10, 2004
Roman legions try to stop Goth tribes from crossing the Danube in search of land.
Episode 9
Hail Caesar!
Fri, Sep 24, 2004
Julius Caesar and Pompey face each other at Pharsalus, Greece.
Episode 10
Birth of the Roman Empire
Fri, Oct 1, 2004
The Battle of Cynoscephalae against Macedonia in 197 B.C. removes Rome's last rival for power in the Mediterranean.
Episode 11
Boudica: Warrior Queen
Fri, Oct 8, 2004
The battle of Watling St. ends British resistance to the Roman occupation.
Episode 12
Ramses II
Fri, Oct 15, 2004
Let cutting-edge computer gaming technology take you to the battle between the Egyptian King and the Hittite Empire in 1274BC. The outcome decided the future of the Middle East.
Episode 13
Herman the German
Fri, Oct 22, 2004
Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, AD 9: The patrician leader Arminius, or Herman the German, was at the helm of one of the darkest ambushes in the history of Rome, dispelling the aura of invincibility that had long marched ahead of the vaunted legions.