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**
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00:00:09,067 --> 00:00:11,400
Thousands of years ago,
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00:00:11,400 --> 00:00:14,833
ancient powers ruled our world.
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00:00:18,100 --> 00:00:21,533
Egypt, China,
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00:00:21,533 --> 00:00:27,933
India, Greece, and Rome--
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00:00:27,933 --> 00:00:32,933
players in a high-stakes game
of strategy and luck.
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00:00:34,933 --> 00:00:39,833
Success will bring them wealth
and immortality,
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00:00:39,833 --> 00:00:44,400
failure--
oblivion, and death.
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00:00:46,367 --> 00:00:49,967
In their battle for survival,
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00:00:49,967 --> 00:00:55,300
each civilisation will face
the same challenges.
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00:00:55,300 --> 00:00:58,533
How they respond
will shape their destiny.
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00:00:58,533 --> 00:01:06,833
**
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00:01:06,833 --> 00:01:11,533
In this episode,
"Kill or Be Killed."
14
00:01:15,767 --> 00:01:19,367
In a world where enemies
watch for weakness,
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00:01:19,367 --> 00:01:22,933
our ancient powers must use
all their strength and cunning
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00:01:22,933 --> 00:01:28,433
to defend their people
and conquer new lands.
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00:01:28,433 --> 00:01:32,767
Who will rise to the challenge
of the battlefield?
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00:01:32,767 --> 00:01:51,900
**
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00:01:51,900 --> 00:01:57,300
Our ancient powers have settled,
built their cities,
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00:01:57,300 --> 00:02:00,533
exploited
their natural resources...
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00:02:02,733 --> 00:02:05,900
...and they're getting rich
through trade.
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00:02:07,967 --> 00:02:10,333
Now, each must protect
their lands
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00:02:10,333 --> 00:02:12,033
from aggressive neighbours.
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00:02:12,033 --> 00:02:19,567
**
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00:02:34,633 --> 00:02:36,967
**
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00:02:36,967 --> 00:02:42,133
Greece is home to hundreds
of independent city states.
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00:02:42,133 --> 00:02:45,367
They exist
as competing alliances.
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00:02:47,567 --> 00:02:52,667
But collectively, they are
becoming a distinctive culture.
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00:02:52,667 --> 00:02:57,267
It's a flourishing ancient power
on the verge of a golden age.
30
00:02:59,567 --> 00:03:03,233
But it's facing a crisis.
31
00:03:03,233 --> 00:03:08,633
To the east is Persia,
the region's dominant force.
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00:03:08,633 --> 00:03:12,100
It has already conquered nearly
five million square kilometres
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00:03:12,100 --> 00:03:16,800
of land across
the Mediterranean and Asia.
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00:03:16,800 --> 00:03:20,767
Now it is turning its attention
to Greece.
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00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:28,500
The Persian army is a quarter
of a million men strong.
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00:03:28,500 --> 00:03:31,733
And in the summer of 480 BCE,
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00:03:31,733 --> 00:03:34,367
they invade mainland Greece
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to confront
the Greek forces here.
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00:03:38,433 --> 00:03:51,200
**
40
00:03:51,200 --> 00:03:54,833
Back then, the landscape
was entirely different.
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00:03:54,833 --> 00:03:59,367
The coastline was up to the road
as we see today.
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00:04:04,900 --> 00:04:10,333
**
43
00:04:10,333 --> 00:04:13,633
The small Greek army
is vastly outnumbered
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00:04:13,633 --> 00:04:17,267
and know they don't
stand a chance.
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00:04:17,267 --> 00:04:20,300
They must retreat and regroup.
46
00:04:20,300 --> 00:04:24,767
But how can they do this against
such a formidable aggressor?
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00:04:27,933 --> 00:04:32,367
To buy them time,
one unit must stay and fight.
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00:04:32,367 --> 00:04:36,933
These need to be the Greeks'
fiercest warriors.
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00:04:36,933 --> 00:04:40,067
The obvious choice is
the Spartans,
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00:04:40,067 --> 00:04:43,067
led by their king, Leonidas.
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00:04:46,633 --> 00:04:51,033
Sparta is one of the few Greek
states with a standing army,
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00:04:51,033 --> 00:04:53,200
and for good reason.
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00:04:53,200 --> 00:04:56,433
They were in
constant fear of slave revolt,
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00:04:56,433 --> 00:05:00,800
and their army was effectively
a militarised police force
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00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:04,967
whose main objective was to
control that slave population.
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00:05:06,933 --> 00:05:10,700
Every Spartan male
is a highly skilled warrior.
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00:05:10,700 --> 00:05:15,100
They train constantly
and start young.
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00:05:15,100 --> 00:05:17,267
Spartan children
started training
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00:05:17,267 --> 00:05:19,967
when they were
about 7 years of age.
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00:05:19,967 --> 00:05:24,000
And they had to forage
for their own food.
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00:05:24,000 --> 00:05:28,367
That's why they had to sharpen
their skills in stealth,
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camouflage,
and stealing objects.
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00:05:31,833 --> 00:05:34,800
They were punished
because they were caught,
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00:05:34,800 --> 00:05:36,833
not because they stole.
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00:05:36,833 --> 00:05:40,033
And their training
could be compared
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00:05:40,033 --> 00:05:43,367
to the modern
special-forces courses.
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00:05:45,600 --> 00:05:47,533
The Spartans' courage and skills
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00:05:47,533 --> 00:05:52,100
are famous
throughout the ancient world,
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00:05:52,100 --> 00:05:55,033
although one aspect
of their modern reputation
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isn't entirely true.
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00:05:57,733 --> 00:06:01,100
Legend had it that
Spartans fought naked.
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00:06:01,100 --> 00:06:03,433
And this is reinforced
by modern people
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seeing the statue of Leonidas
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00:06:05,300 --> 00:06:10,267
that has the artistic
concept of heroic nudity.
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00:06:10,267 --> 00:06:12,600
But that's false.
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00:06:12,600 --> 00:06:15,067
Fighting naked
in hands and close combat,
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00:06:15,067 --> 00:06:17,433
it's not a smart thing to do.
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00:06:17,433 --> 00:06:20,633
Spartans were the most
heavily armed infantry
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00:06:20,633 --> 00:06:22,533
of Greece at that time.
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00:06:25,200 --> 00:06:27,367
With their fearsome reputation,
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the Spartans are Greece's
best hope
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of holding the Persians at bay.
83
00:06:33,500 --> 00:06:36,367
But they aren't alone
at Thermopylae.
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00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:42,067
Everyone thinks
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00:06:42,067 --> 00:06:43,767
because of how history
is presented,
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that there were only
300 Spartans here.
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00:06:46,467 --> 00:06:51,100
Actually, there was a group
between 7,000 to 8,000 men
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from various city states.
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00:06:53,367 --> 00:06:55,900
They all were under
the command of the Spartans,
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who were the best warriors
of Greece.
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00:07:00,567 --> 00:07:02,733
King Leonidas
positions his men
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00:07:02,733 --> 00:07:07,467
between the cliffs and the sea.
93
00:07:07,467 --> 00:07:09,133
This is a good
place to defend
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00:07:09,133 --> 00:07:11,500
because it was
a very narrow spot
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00:07:11,500 --> 00:07:15,433
where a smaller army
could contain a larger army,
96
00:07:15,433 --> 00:07:18,533
and the larger army
could not count on
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00:07:18,533 --> 00:07:21,400
its numerical advantage.
98
00:07:21,400 --> 00:07:24,700
The Persians advance
from the north,
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00:07:24,700 --> 00:07:27,367
and the bloody battle begins.
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00:07:27,367 --> 00:07:32,000
**
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00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:33,467
In the ancient world,
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00:07:33,467 --> 00:07:36,600
hand-to-hand combat
was extremely horrific
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and very brutal.
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The men were tightly packed,
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00:07:40,267 --> 00:07:42,867
and they were shoving the enemy
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and puncturing
with their spears.
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00:07:46,200 --> 00:07:50,067
So a number of these men
would be losing their balance,
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00:07:50,067 --> 00:07:51,733
go down,
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and the rear ranks
would use their spikes
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to skewer their fallen enemies.
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00:08:00,600 --> 00:08:02,867
Despite overwhelming odds,
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00:08:02,867 --> 00:08:06,000
the Spartans hold off
the Persian advance
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for three days,
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00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:12,900
buying the main Greek army
enough time to retreat.
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00:08:12,900 --> 00:08:15,700
But it can't last,
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and eventually
the last of them falls.
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00:08:24,033 --> 00:08:27,133
The Spartan suicide mission
allows their Greek allies
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00:08:27,133 --> 00:08:29,133
to fight another day
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00:08:29,133 --> 00:08:32,933
and creates a fearsome
military legend.
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00:08:35,867 --> 00:08:39,433
The Spartans are
remembered in history
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as the epitome of
the disciplined warrior,
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the warrior who stands
his ground on the battlefield
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no matter what,
even if it cost him his life.
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00:08:50,433 --> 00:08:58,233
**
125
00:08:58,233 --> 00:09:00,333
The Greeks defend
their homeland
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00:09:00,333 --> 00:09:02,533
with the ultimate warriors.
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00:09:02,533 --> 00:09:07,567
**
128
00:09:07,567 --> 00:09:12,000
In China, a new dynasty
is turning to technology
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in its fight for supremacy.
130
00:09:14,233 --> 00:09:17,833
**
131
00:09:33,100 --> 00:09:36,800
**
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The Shang dynasty have ruled
China for 500 years.
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Their territory extends over
1.2 million square kilometres.
134
00:09:48,067 --> 00:09:51,667
But to the west,
rebellion is brewing.
135
00:09:53,700 --> 00:09:58,833
The Zhou people, greedy
for power, are mobilising.
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00:09:58,833 --> 00:10:02,333
But their army is outnumbered
10 to 1.
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What can they do
to even the odds?
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00:10:05,167 --> 00:10:09,867
**
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00:10:09,867 --> 00:10:15,167
The Zhou put their faith
in new battlefield technology,
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revealed in the giant tomb
of a warrior king.
141
00:10:25,767 --> 00:10:34,100
**
142
00:10:34,100 --> 00:10:36,467
The Marquis Xian is buried
surrounded
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by all the things
that made him great--
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00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:45,467
weapons, armour,
and dozens of horses.
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00:10:45,467 --> 00:10:49,333
But pride of place is reserved
for his fleet of war chariots.
146
00:10:49,333 --> 00:11:05,067
**
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The two rows in the north
are 20 war chariots.
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00:11:10,233 --> 00:11:12,533
We can be certain
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they are the earliest Chinese
war chariots ever discovered
150
00:11:17,533 --> 00:11:19,700
and the earliest
armoured vehicles.
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00:11:20,400 --> 00:11:25,800
Around the chariot box
is bronze armour,
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like the armour
worn by soldiers.
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00:11:31,700 --> 00:11:33,300
War chariots like these
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00:11:33,300 --> 00:11:36,900
are a revolutionary addition
to the Zhous' army.
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00:11:40,100 --> 00:11:42,600
On the chariot, there are
usually three people.
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The middle one is called
"Yurong", he drives the chariot.
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To the right of Yurong,
there is Rongyou.
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00:11:49,867 --> 00:11:55,400
Rongyou holds a long weapon,
such as a dagger or spear.
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00:11:55,400 --> 00:11:57,733
What does the person
to the left of Yurong do?
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00:11:57,733 --> 00:12:01,233
He carries a short weapon,
bow and arrows,
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00:12:01,233 --> 00:12:03,600
so he can shoot at the enemy
from a long distance.
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00:12:07,467 --> 00:12:08,900
The Zhous' bid for glory
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comes to a head on the banks
of the Yellow River.
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Led by just 300 chariots,
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they face down
the vast Shang army.
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**
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The Zhou chariots lead
the charge
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and smash into the mass ranks
of Shang infantry.
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00:12:41,433 --> 00:12:46,667
In the chaos, the Shang are easy
pickings for the advancing Zhou,
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who route the entire Shang army
in a single day.
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**
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00:12:59,533 --> 00:13:04,433
Victorious, the Zhou are now
China's new leaders,
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building a dynasty that will
rule for almost eight centuries,
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the longest ever
in China's history.
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00:13:11,500 --> 00:13:20,867
**
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00:13:20,867 --> 00:13:22,633
For the Chinese,
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00:13:22,633 --> 00:13:28,667
news weapons technology is key
in the battle for control.
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In India, they turn to
a very different weapon
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to save themselves
from destruction.
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**
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India is under threat.
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The most aggressive fighters
on Earth
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are gathering
on its northern borders--
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the Macedonians.
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00:14:06,633 --> 00:14:10,333
They want India
for their growing empire.
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00:14:10,333 --> 00:14:13,767
Few have withstood
their attacks,
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but one Indian kingdom
has a secret weapon.
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**
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00:14:35,567 --> 00:14:37,167
You cannot understand
the history
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of the Indian subcontinent
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unless you understand
the history of the elephant.
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00:14:44,300 --> 00:14:48,367
Indian societies, cultures,
states, civilisation
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would not exist
if not for the elephant.
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**
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00:14:57,800 --> 00:15:00,033
Sacred and revered,
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00:15:00,033 --> 00:15:04,200
elephants are worshipped
as gods.
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00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:07,367
But can the Indians unleash
this animal's dark side
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to protect their land?
199
00:15:09,333 --> 00:15:14,167
**
200
00:15:14,167 --> 00:15:16,400
These enormous creatures
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are capable of such gentleness.
202
00:15:20,667 --> 00:15:22,367
But they're also,
when provoked,
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capable of absolutely
terrifying acts of destruction.
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00:15:26,467 --> 00:15:29,400
Elephants seem
perfectly designed for war,
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00:15:29,400 --> 00:15:31,433
capable of charging the enemy,
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00:15:31,433 --> 00:15:35,167
breaking their ranks,
and instilling terror.
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00:15:37,833 --> 00:15:40,267
They are put to the test
in a battle on the banks
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of the Hydaspes River
in modern-day Punjab.
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00:15:44,100 --> 00:15:49,333
**
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200 elephants lead the charge,
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00:15:52,400 --> 00:15:56,233
petrifying the battle-hardened
Macedonians.
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00:15:56,233 --> 00:15:59,567
But the advantage
doesn't last long.
213
00:15:59,567 --> 00:16:02,267
Poor training
and inadequate armour
214
00:16:02,267 --> 00:16:06,933
mean many of the elephants
suffer crippling injuries.
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00:16:06,933 --> 00:16:10,733
Frightened and in pain,
they go berserk,
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00:16:10,733 --> 00:16:14,067
trampling their own soldiers.
217
00:16:14,067 --> 00:16:15,933
Defeat swiftly follows.
218
00:16:21,633 --> 00:16:25,967
This leaves the Indians
with a challenge.
219
00:16:25,967 --> 00:16:27,533
They need a new way to unlock
220
00:16:27,533 --> 00:16:30,500
the elephant's
destructive potential.
221
00:16:32,767 --> 00:16:35,267
These are highly intelligent,
222
00:16:35,267 --> 00:16:39,200
highly sensitive,
very social animals.
223
00:16:39,200 --> 00:16:42,400
You can't treat them
like a chariot.
224
00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:45,100
You need to treat them
like elite warriors,
225
00:16:45,100 --> 00:16:47,533
like nobles, like kings, even.
226
00:16:47,533 --> 00:16:49,300
All of them needs to be
trained in unique ways.
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00:16:49,300 --> 00:16:51,133
All of them have
different preferences
228
00:16:51,133 --> 00:16:53,500
in terms of the kind of food
that they might want to eat.
229
00:16:53,500 --> 00:16:55,000
And these animals consume
230
00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:58,733
hundreds of kilogrammes
of food a day.
231
00:16:58,733 --> 00:17:01,400
The key is training.
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00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:05,867
Both elephants and riders
must learn the art of war.
233
00:17:07,433 --> 00:17:10,133
They were taught
how to attack dummies.
234
00:17:10,133 --> 00:17:11,700
They were taught
to charge on command,
235
00:17:11,700 --> 00:17:15,367
move on the battlefield,
attack in particular ways.
236
00:17:15,367 --> 00:17:19,200
And they invested in this
in an absolutely massive way.
237
00:17:19,200 --> 00:17:22,033
The elephants were possibly
the single biggest item
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00:17:22,033 --> 00:17:24,933
of expenditure for the army.
239
00:17:24,933 --> 00:17:27,500
But there was a clear sense
that even though an elephant
240
00:17:27,500 --> 00:17:31,033
takes a lot of money to upkeep,
they more than make up for it
241
00:17:31,033 --> 00:17:34,467
with their enormous capabilities
on the battlefield.
242
00:17:36,167 --> 00:17:39,000
But training alone
isn't enough.
243
00:17:39,000 --> 00:17:41,167
To become effective weapons,
244
00:17:41,167 --> 00:17:44,400
the elephants
also need protection.
245
00:17:46,533 --> 00:17:47,933
As time goes on,
246
00:17:47,933 --> 00:17:49,333
we begin to see depictions
of elephants
247
00:17:49,333 --> 00:17:51,467
wearing armour
of overlapping plates.
248
00:17:51,467 --> 00:17:53,500
That would have allowed them
a great deal of flexibility
249
00:17:53,500 --> 00:17:55,333
and manoeuvrability in combat,
250
00:17:55,333 --> 00:17:57,967
as well as providing protection
from projectiles
251
00:17:57,967 --> 00:17:59,333
and slashing weapons,
252
00:17:59,333 --> 00:18:02,667
as well as piercing weapons
like spears.
253
00:18:05,633 --> 00:18:07,567
We also begin to see that
they're provided
254
00:18:07,567 --> 00:18:10,667
with infantry escorts
and cavalry guards
255
00:18:10,667 --> 00:18:13,833
to ensure that their advance
200 feet from the battlefield
256
00:18:13,833 --> 00:18:16,767
is better covered.
257
00:18:16,767 --> 00:18:18,733
The last piece in the jigsaw
258
00:18:18,733 --> 00:18:22,067
is a turret
on the elephant's back.
259
00:18:22,067 --> 00:18:27,333
From these, archers can safely
rain down arrows on the enemy.
260
00:18:27,333 --> 00:18:32,167
India's super weapon
is complete
261
00:18:32,167 --> 00:18:34,867
and about to prove its worth.
262
00:18:37,933 --> 00:18:42,667
In 322 BCE,
263
00:18:42,667 --> 00:18:45,800
a new Indian power,
the Mauryan Empire,
264
00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:47,867
is on the rise.
265
00:18:47,867 --> 00:18:53,133
**
266
00:18:57,367 --> 00:18:59,633
The Mauryas assemble
a force of elephants
267
00:18:59,633 --> 00:19:03,233
that numbered at least 1,000,
if not more.
268
00:19:03,233 --> 00:19:05,600
Perhaps the single largest
elephant army
269
00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:07,767
the world had ever seen.
270
00:19:07,767 --> 00:19:10,233
And it becomes fundamental
to their success
271
00:19:10,233 --> 00:19:11,900
as an ancient power.
272
00:19:15,067 --> 00:19:17,233
The vast Mauryan elephant army
273
00:19:17,233 --> 00:19:20,800
makes them almost invincible.
274
00:19:20,800 --> 00:19:23,433
Over the next 90 years,
they conquer an empire
275
00:19:23,433 --> 00:19:26,767
which stretches from modern-day
Bangladesh in the east
276
00:19:26,767 --> 00:19:29,500
to Pakistan in the west.
277
00:19:31,733 --> 00:19:36,300
And news of its terrifying
new weapon spreads quickly.
278
00:19:38,033 --> 00:19:39,733
There's a clear recognition
279
00:19:39,733 --> 00:19:42,033
from the ancient powers
that the elephants
280
00:19:42,033 --> 00:19:44,000
are the tanks
of the battlefield.
281
00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:45,933
And they invest
extraordinary amounts
282
00:19:45,933 --> 00:19:48,533
in getting their hands
on these priceless animals.
283
00:19:48,533 --> 00:19:50,667
There's one particular
Greek general
284
00:19:50,667 --> 00:19:52,600
who trades his daughter's
hand in marriage
285
00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:55,633
for 500 war elephants.
286
00:19:55,633 --> 00:19:58,233
The war elephant helps
keep the Mauryans in power
287
00:19:58,233 --> 00:20:01,600
for almost 140 years.
288
00:20:01,600 --> 00:20:05,667
And while India thrives,
its superweapon is adopted
289
00:20:05,667 --> 00:20:08,867
across the Middle East
and Europe.
290
00:20:08,867 --> 00:20:11,467
They spread from the borders
of Mauryan Empire
291
00:20:11,467 --> 00:20:13,900
in Afghanistan,
all the way through Iran,
292
00:20:13,900 --> 00:20:15,967
into the battlefields
of Iraq and Syria,
293
00:20:15,967 --> 00:20:18,133
and into north Africa.
294
00:20:18,133 --> 00:20:21,300
Eventually during the might
of imperial Rome,
295
00:20:21,300 --> 00:20:22,667
even reached
the shores of Britain
296
00:20:22,667 --> 00:20:25,400
and fight in battles
near the Thames River.
297
00:20:25,400 --> 00:20:28,933
And that is the ultimate
resounding sign
298
00:20:28,933 --> 00:20:31,000
of the elephants' success.
299
00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:46,633
**
300
00:20:46,633 --> 00:20:49,600
The Indians' control
of their living weapon
301
00:20:49,600 --> 00:20:52,067
helps them conquer an empire.
302
00:20:54,600 --> 00:20:57,933
In Egypt, they will use
battlefield technology
303
00:20:57,933 --> 00:20:59,633
to defend their borders
304
00:20:59,633 --> 00:21:03,033
and propaganda to create
a legend.
305
00:21:20,067 --> 00:21:21,067
**
306
00:21:21,067 --> 00:21:24,633
Egypt is in its 19th dynasty.
307
00:21:24,633 --> 00:21:26,767
Wealthy and prosperous,
308
00:21:26,767 --> 00:21:31,533
it's blessed with an abundance
of natural resources--
309
00:21:31,533 --> 00:21:34,100
gold,
310
00:21:34,100 --> 00:21:35,800
wheat...
311
00:21:40,567 --> 00:21:43,133
...and stone.
312
00:21:43,133 --> 00:21:47,333
And thanks to trade,
it's getting richer.
313
00:21:47,333 --> 00:21:51,667
But as a new young pharaoh,
Rameses II, takes the throne,
314
00:21:51,667 --> 00:21:53,733
Egyptian territory
and trade routes
315
00:21:53,733 --> 00:21:55,767
fall into enemy hands,
316
00:21:55,767 --> 00:22:00,367
threatening his kingdom's wealth
and security.
317
00:22:00,367 --> 00:22:02,800
What can he do to win them back?
318
00:22:02,800 --> 00:22:08,600
**
319
00:22:08,600 --> 00:22:11,900
Rameses II is perhaps
Egypt's most celebrated pharaoh
320
00:22:11,900 --> 00:22:13,867
after Tutankhamun.
321
00:22:13,867 --> 00:22:16,033
He was
an extraordinary person--
322
00:22:16,033 --> 00:22:18,367
taller than the average Egyptian
by a lot,
323
00:22:18,367 --> 00:22:21,733
and also a fantastic warrior.
324
00:22:21,733 --> 00:22:23,600
But he had an ego,
325
00:22:23,600 --> 00:22:27,200
so he really wanted
to make his mark.
326
00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:29,533
And the easiest way for
a hothead
327
00:22:29,533 --> 00:22:32,100
would be to go to battle.
328
00:22:32,100 --> 00:22:34,833
Rameses' enemy is
the new superpower,
329
00:22:34,833 --> 00:22:37,133
the Hittites.
330
00:22:37,133 --> 00:22:40,367
They control the land
on Egypt's northern border.
331
00:22:40,367 --> 00:22:42,100
The Hittites lived in Anatolia,
332
00:22:42,100 --> 00:22:44,067
which is modern-day Turkey,
333
00:22:44,067 --> 00:22:46,633
and they were quite warlike.
334
00:22:46,633 --> 00:22:51,333
They were known for being brutal
and also power hungry.
335
00:22:53,933 --> 00:22:55,967
Equipped with a huge army,
336
00:22:55,967 --> 00:22:58,933
they are Egypt's
greatest threat.
337
00:22:58,933 --> 00:23:01,133
If Rameses can beat them,
338
00:23:01,133 --> 00:23:04,767
he'll kill two birds
with one stone,
339
00:23:04,767 --> 00:23:07,467
making his name
as a warrior pharaoh
340
00:23:07,467 --> 00:23:12,767
and taking back
his valuable trade territories.
341
00:23:12,767 --> 00:23:16,633
The two forces come face to face
at the city of Kadesh
342
00:23:16,633 --> 00:23:20,133
on the Egyptian-Hittite border.
343
00:23:20,133 --> 00:23:23,267
There would have been about
20,000 people on each side,
344
00:23:23,267 --> 00:23:26,167
which would have been
phenomenally huge.
345
00:23:26,167 --> 00:23:29,533
And this is the first
military engagement
346
00:23:29,533 --> 00:23:32,900
ever described properly
in human history.
347
00:23:36,267 --> 00:23:39,600
Rameses records
details of the conflict here,
348
00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:43,467
at his own temple,
the Ramesseum.
349
00:23:43,467 --> 00:23:46,200
He shows both armies
are well-equipped
350
00:23:46,200 --> 00:23:51,600
with infantry, horses,
and chariots.
351
00:23:52,267 --> 00:23:57,100
**
352
00:23:57,100 --> 00:23:59,600
Chariots are amazing
war machines,
353
00:23:59,600 --> 00:24:02,800
because they give you
speed, dexterity.
354
00:24:02,800 --> 00:24:04,733
You can manoeuvre much more.
355
00:24:04,733 --> 00:24:07,867
And you're also higher up
when you're raining down arrows.
356
00:24:07,867 --> 00:24:12,000
**
357
00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:14,000
Rameses' Egyptian chariots
358
00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:16,767
carry a charioteer
and an archer,
359
00:24:16,767 --> 00:24:20,133
and they're his first
strike weapon in any battle...
360
00:24:22,467 --> 00:24:25,700
...while the Hittite chariots
are bigger and heavier
361
00:24:25,700 --> 00:24:28,100
and carry up to three men.
362
00:24:30,400 --> 00:24:32,167
They were much more cumbersome,
363
00:24:32,167 --> 00:24:34,933
and you can see it
in the images here.
364
00:24:34,933 --> 00:24:36,700
So with that added weight,
365
00:24:36,700 --> 00:24:38,700
you couldn't manoeuvre them
as well,
366
00:24:38,700 --> 00:24:40,533
they weren't as fast,
367
00:24:40,533 --> 00:24:43,067
and they had a tendency
to get bogged down.
368
00:24:45,200 --> 00:24:51,733
Kadesh will be the biggest
chariot battle in history,
369
00:24:51,733 --> 00:24:55,900
with over 6,000 of them
facing each other.
370
00:24:55,900 --> 00:24:57,967
But will the lighter
Egyptian chariots
371
00:24:57,967 --> 00:25:00,867
give them the edge
over their enemy?
372
00:25:00,867 --> 00:25:06,200
**
373
00:25:06,200 --> 00:25:09,400
As the Egyptian forces
approach Kadesh,
374
00:25:09,400 --> 00:25:13,033
Rameses is impatient to fight.
375
00:25:13,033 --> 00:25:17,667
Young and headstrong,
he races ahead of his army.
376
00:25:17,667 --> 00:25:21,267
But the Hittites
are lying in wait.
377
00:25:21,267 --> 00:25:24,167
Rameses winds up
in the thick of battle,
378
00:25:24,167 --> 00:25:27,300
almost single-handedly
hitting left and right.
379
00:25:27,300 --> 00:25:31,000
He could easily have lost
Kadesh and indeed his life.
380
00:25:31,000 --> 00:25:32,833
If he hadn't been so stupid
as to go ahead
381
00:25:32,833 --> 00:25:34,433
of all of his troops,
382
00:25:34,433 --> 00:25:38,467
he might not have put himself
in such vital danger.
383
00:25:38,467 --> 00:25:40,767
As the battle rages on,
384
00:25:40,767 --> 00:25:45,567
the heavier Hittite chariots
crash into each other.
385
00:25:45,567 --> 00:25:47,300
The Egyptian military
seems to have been
386
00:25:47,300 --> 00:25:50,333
far better trained,
and their chariots
387
00:25:50,333 --> 00:25:53,633
could manoeuvre better
over this terrain.
388
00:25:53,633 --> 00:25:56,633
We can see the Egyptian chariots
coming in,
389
00:25:56,633 --> 00:25:59,000
cutting off Hittite chariots,
390
00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:01,767
Hittite chariots
attacking the Egyptians.
391
00:26:01,767 --> 00:26:07,733
**
392
00:26:07,733 --> 00:26:10,267
Rameses gains the upper hand,
393
00:26:10,267 --> 00:26:12,400
slaughtering thousands.
394
00:26:12,400 --> 00:26:16,500
**
395
00:26:16,500 --> 00:26:18,833
People are under his wheels.
396
00:26:18,833 --> 00:26:22,200
They're crying out for mercy.
397
00:26:22,200 --> 00:26:25,367
The noise, the blood, the flies,
398
00:26:25,367 --> 00:26:28,567
the screams as animals and men
went down and were trampled--
399
00:26:28,567 --> 00:26:30,467
it must have been horrific.
400
00:26:30,467 --> 00:26:34,867
**
401
00:26:34,867 --> 00:26:37,600
Rameses seizes his chance
402
00:26:37,600 --> 00:26:41,533
and drives the Hittite army
into a nearby river.
403
00:26:41,533 --> 00:26:51,367
**
404
00:26:51,367 --> 00:26:54,467
But while Rameses wins
this battle,
405
00:26:54,467 --> 00:26:56,700
he doesn't win the war,
406
00:26:56,700 --> 00:27:01,433
failing to take back
the city of Kadesh,
407
00:27:01,433 --> 00:27:03,867
although this confident pharaoh
408
00:27:03,867 --> 00:27:07,267
doesn't let detail get
in the way of a good story.
409
00:27:09,600 --> 00:27:11,100
When he comes back,
410
00:27:11,100 --> 00:27:13,500
all of these temples
that he builds and decorates
411
00:27:13,500 --> 00:27:17,733
are all engraved
with these extraordinary scenes
412
00:27:17,733 --> 00:27:19,200
showing the battle of Kadesh
413
00:27:19,200 --> 00:27:22,800
and his absolute victory
over the Hittites.
414
00:27:22,800 --> 00:27:25,233
For him, this was
a great thing early on
415
00:27:25,233 --> 00:27:28,767
in his reign as propaganda.
416
00:27:28,767 --> 00:27:33,800
This is to say,
"I am a great pharaoh.
417
00:27:33,800 --> 00:27:37,300
Everyone before me,
look at me and tremble."
418
00:27:37,300 --> 00:27:40,833
**
419
00:27:40,833 --> 00:27:45,033
Throughout Egypt,
Rameses celebrates his victory
420
00:27:45,033 --> 00:27:48,467
and massages his ego.
421
00:27:48,467 --> 00:27:51,433
At Abu Simbel on Egypt's
southern border,
422
00:27:51,433 --> 00:27:55,367
he erects giant statues
of himself--
423
00:27:55,367 --> 00:27:58,133
a warning to any
potential invaders
424
00:27:58,133 --> 00:28:00,633
of who they are dealing with.
425
00:28:00,633 --> 00:28:04,767
**
426
00:28:04,767 --> 00:28:09,167
He reigns successfully
for another 60 years,
427
00:28:09,167 --> 00:28:13,400
his legend secured
by the battle of Kadesh.
428
00:28:13,400 --> 00:28:14,667
Rameses would have been
429
00:28:14,667 --> 00:28:16,933
absolutely delighted
with his legacy
430
00:28:16,933 --> 00:28:19,900
because it worked out
as he had wanted.
431
00:28:19,900 --> 00:28:23,400
He is well known,
his monuments stand,
432
00:28:23,400 --> 00:28:26,567
people think of him
as this extraordinary,
433
00:28:26,567 --> 00:28:29,067
brave warrior.
434
00:28:31,833 --> 00:28:35,467
Clearly Kadesh was
a major turning point.
435
00:28:37,900 --> 00:28:40,533
It epitomises who he was,
436
00:28:40,533 --> 00:28:45,267
and it just set the tone
and formula for his reign.
437
00:28:45,267 --> 00:28:53,533
**
438
00:28:53,533 --> 00:28:57,100
Egypt's chariots bring
fame for its pharaoh,
439
00:28:57,100 --> 00:28:59,967
warning off foreign invaders.
440
00:29:03,200 --> 00:29:06,067
But the ancient Chinese
must defend themselves
441
00:29:06,067 --> 00:29:09,000
against the enemy within.
442
00:29:25,733 --> 00:29:33,733
**
443
00:29:33,733 --> 00:29:36,400
Nearly 600 years after
the Zhous' victory
444
00:29:36,400 --> 00:29:38,767
at the battle of Muye,
445
00:29:38,767 --> 00:29:41,800
their power has dwindled
and fragmented.
446
00:29:44,600 --> 00:29:48,833
With rival warring states
locked in perpetual civil war,
447
00:29:48,833 --> 00:29:52,600
each one is aggressively
vying to take control.
448
00:29:55,300 --> 00:30:00,000
Armies are now made up
of thousands of peasants.
449
00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:02,933
But in their untrained hands,
450
00:30:02,933 --> 00:30:06,867
the traditional weapon of choice
451
00:30:06,867 --> 00:30:09,300
is no longer fit for purpose.
452
00:30:09,300 --> 00:30:28,567
**
453
00:30:28,567 --> 00:30:36,200
It takes a long time to train
to use a bow and arrow.
454
00:30:36,200 --> 00:30:39,633
So, it's not suitable
for mass scale training.
455
00:30:39,633 --> 00:30:44,067
In the Warring States period
large numbers of commoners
joined the army
456
00:30:44,067 --> 00:30:48,300
and they needed a more powerful
and easier to use weapon.
457
00:30:50,733 --> 00:30:53,200
If one state is to win out,
458
00:30:53,200 --> 00:30:55,833
they need a new,
simpler weapon...
459
00:30:55,833 --> 00:31:01,200
**
460
00:31:01,200 --> 00:31:03,300
...and this is it.
461
00:31:07,433 --> 00:31:11,933
A crossbow is made of a trigger
slotted into a long wooden arm.
462
00:31:11,933 --> 00:31:16,633
You place the bow on the arm,
hook the string and shoot.
463
00:31:18,967 --> 00:31:24,633
After 2000 years all the wooden
parts have rotted away.
464
00:31:24,633 --> 00:31:30,467
What we have left
is the bronze mechanism.
465
00:31:30,467 --> 00:31:36,167
This part is called xuan-dao,
similar to a modern
pistol trigger.
466
00:31:36,167 --> 00:31:42,600
This triangular part
is called ya and the string
is hooked onto it.
467
00:31:43,333 --> 00:31:47,433
This simple trigger
mechanism is the key.
468
00:31:47,433 --> 00:31:53,433
Now, even in untrained hands,
a crossbow is deadly.
469
00:31:53,667 --> 00:32:00,300
The advantages are,
the string is held for a long
time without effort,
470
00:32:00,300 --> 00:32:03,400
which helps with accuracy.
471
00:32:03,400 --> 00:32:05,633
The shooting distance is longer.
472
00:32:05,633 --> 00:32:07,867
And when the crossbow is used
on a mass scale
473
00:32:07,867 --> 00:32:10,733
tens of thousands of arrows
released at the same time
474
00:32:13,767 --> 00:32:15,600
are lethal!
475
00:32:17,800 --> 00:32:21,033
The crossbow is
a major battlefield innovation,
476
00:32:21,033 --> 00:32:25,533
one that won't be seen
outside China for 1,000 years.
477
00:32:25,533 --> 00:32:29,167
Capable of shooting arrows
almost 200 metres,
478
00:32:29,167 --> 00:32:32,600
its big test comes at one of
the bloodiest confrontations
479
00:32:32,600 --> 00:32:34,933
in history.
480
00:32:36,733 --> 00:32:41,600
The battle of Changping rages
on for over two years.
481
00:32:41,600 --> 00:32:44,000
Over a million men
from two of China's
482
00:32:44,000 --> 00:32:47,600
strongest military powers,
the Qin and the Zhao,
483
00:32:47,600 --> 00:32:50,433
fight to the death.
484
00:32:50,433 --> 00:32:53,900
450,000 are killed.
485
00:32:53,900 --> 00:32:57,367
And it's the Qin who have
the technological edge.
486
00:33:00,467 --> 00:33:05,433
We have found crossbows of very
good quality in the Terracotta
Warrior burial pits.
487
00:33:05,433 --> 00:33:09,633
They show the Qin's crossbows
were very advanced
488
00:33:09,633 --> 00:33:15,467
and a great military support
in their large scale wars
to unify China.
489
00:33:15,467 --> 00:33:24,233
**
490
00:33:24,233 --> 00:33:27,300
After 250 years
of civil war,
491
00:33:27,300 --> 00:33:31,700
the Qin are victorious.
492
00:33:31,700 --> 00:33:34,500
They grant greater rights
to their peasant population
493
00:33:34,500 --> 00:33:38,033
who won them their power,
494
00:33:38,033 --> 00:33:41,200
ushering in a new age
of prosperity.
495
00:33:41,200 --> 00:33:47,867
**
496
00:33:47,867 --> 00:33:50,833
Thanks to new
military technology,
497
00:33:50,833 --> 00:33:55,800
China is now ruled
by a single dynasty.
498
00:33:55,800 --> 00:33:59,933
Far to the west, the Greeks
will use their army
499
00:33:59,933 --> 00:34:02,433
to punch far above their weight.
500
00:34:02,433 --> 00:34:06,100
**
501
00:34:22,333 --> 00:34:27,033
**
502
00:34:27,033 --> 00:34:30,833
The Spartans held the Persians
at bay at Thermopylae,
503
00:34:30,833 --> 00:34:34,500
but since that heroic act,
many Greek city states
504
00:34:34,500 --> 00:34:38,933
have fallen
to their Persian foes.
505
00:34:38,933 --> 00:34:43,867
In the far north,
one man is plotting revenge.
506
00:34:47,600 --> 00:34:50,467
He is Philip II.
507
00:34:50,467 --> 00:34:53,967
**
508
00:34:53,967 --> 00:34:57,300
Desperate to take the fight
to the Persians,
509
00:34:57,300 --> 00:35:01,533
he creates an army
like no other,
510
00:35:01,533 --> 00:35:03,967
implementing
stricter discipline,
511
00:35:03,967 --> 00:35:07,133
improved training,
swifter promotion,
512
00:35:07,133 --> 00:35:11,400
and even bonuses
for exceptional service.
513
00:35:11,400 --> 00:35:16,133
It's a fearsome fighting force.
514
00:35:16,133 --> 00:35:19,267
And Philip leads from the front.
515
00:35:22,533 --> 00:35:28,000
This formidable warrior is
protected by his helmet of iron,
516
00:35:28,000 --> 00:35:30,567
his gold and ivory shield...
517
00:35:33,233 --> 00:35:36,133
...and a leather-and-gold
breast plate.
518
00:35:38,700 --> 00:35:41,700
In his hand, he wields
a leaf-shaped sword
519
00:35:41,700 --> 00:35:44,100
called Xiphos,
520
00:35:44,100 --> 00:35:48,800
perfect for slashing
and thrusting.
521
00:35:48,800 --> 00:35:52,033
And Philip isn't just protected
by his armour.
522
00:35:52,033 --> 00:35:55,633
He also believes
the gods are on his side.
523
00:35:55,633 --> 00:35:59,167
Golden Gorgons adorn his tunic.
524
00:35:59,167 --> 00:36:01,133
These mythical beasts
possess the power
525
00:36:01,133 --> 00:36:03,367
to turn people to stone
526
00:36:03,367 --> 00:36:08,167
and are a powerful symbol
of protection.
527
00:36:08,167 --> 00:36:11,767
The oak leaves and acorns
on his crown go one better,
528
00:36:11,767 --> 00:36:16,533
connecting him to Zeus,
father of all gods and humans.
529
00:36:16,533 --> 00:36:22,500
**
530
00:36:22,500 --> 00:36:24,767
Philip goes on the march.
531
00:36:24,767 --> 00:36:28,267
With his new model army
and god-given charisma,
532
00:36:28,267 --> 00:36:33,333
he unifies almost all the Greek
city states in just 15 years.
533
00:36:33,333 --> 00:36:38,533
**
534
00:36:38,533 --> 00:36:41,100
But he wants more,
535
00:36:41,100 --> 00:36:42,967
and he's ready to go
head-to-head
536
00:36:42,967 --> 00:36:46,167
with his archenemy to get it.
537
00:36:46,167 --> 00:36:50,567
**
538
00:36:50,567 --> 00:36:55,300
But in a twist of fate,
Philip never gets the chance.
539
00:36:57,300 --> 00:36:59,367
On the eve of the invasion...
540
00:37:01,633 --> 00:37:03,900
...he's assassinated...
541
00:37:06,167 --> 00:37:08,967
,,,brutally stabbed
by his own bodyguard.
542
00:37:08,967 --> 00:37:15,467
**
543
00:37:15,467 --> 00:37:18,200
It's now down
to his 20-year-old son
544
00:37:18,200 --> 00:37:22,833
to take the fight
to the Persians.
545
00:37:22,833 --> 00:37:26,800
Alexander is a brilliant
young general,
546
00:37:26,800 --> 00:37:30,867
famed for his courage
and intelligence.
547
00:37:30,867 --> 00:37:34,067
Equipped with his father's
formidable army...
548
00:37:36,167 --> 00:37:41,000
...he rampages through
Persian territories,
549
00:37:41,000 --> 00:37:45,433
liberating occupied cities,
550
00:37:45,433 --> 00:37:48,133
overcoming violent
counter attacks...
551
00:37:51,100 --> 00:37:54,367
...and stealing Egypt
from their grasp.
552
00:37:56,567 --> 00:38:02,133
With the Persians defeated,
Alexander, aged just 32,
553
00:38:02,133 --> 00:38:04,467
completes his father's work.
554
00:38:04,467 --> 00:38:15,133
**
555
00:38:15,133 --> 00:38:18,267
Charismatic leaders
and well-trained troops
556
00:38:18,267 --> 00:38:20,133
bring Greece victory.
557
00:38:20,133 --> 00:38:25,800
**
558
00:38:25,800 --> 00:38:29,967
But the Romans will take this
to another level
559
00:38:29,967 --> 00:38:33,067
to deliver total
military domination.
560
00:38:33,067 --> 00:38:36,667
**
561
00:38:52,533 --> 00:38:57,867
Rome's republic has existed
for 400 years.
562
00:38:57,867 --> 00:39:00,533
It dominates
the Italian mainland,
563
00:39:00,533 --> 00:39:06,000
much of southern Europe,
and parts of north Africa.
564
00:39:06,000 --> 00:39:09,267
But holding all this land
is a struggle.
565
00:39:12,267 --> 00:39:15,200
Invasions and uprisings
along its frontiers
566
00:39:15,200 --> 00:39:18,100
stretch their army
to its limits,
567
00:39:18,100 --> 00:39:21,600
risking loss of territory.
568
00:39:21,600 --> 00:39:25,367
The main problem
is the army itself.
569
00:39:25,367 --> 00:39:27,867
A small, part-time force,
570
00:39:27,867 --> 00:39:31,000
it disbands after each campaign.
571
00:39:32,600 --> 00:39:34,500
At that time,
they had a militia army.
572
00:39:34,500 --> 00:39:37,900
There was a requirement
you had to be a landowner.
573
00:39:37,900 --> 00:39:39,900
You had to provide
Your own equipment.
574
00:39:39,900 --> 00:39:44,833
So to be in the army really
was a wealthy man's game.
575
00:39:44,833 --> 00:39:46,800
What Rome needs is a larger,
576
00:39:46,800 --> 00:39:51,367
stronger, and more permanent
military force.
577
00:39:51,367 --> 00:39:57,267
So it begins to recruit from
the poorest in Roman society.
578
00:39:57,267 --> 00:39:59,233
People who had
absolutely nothing
579
00:39:59,233 --> 00:40:01,733
suddenly have an opportunity
at a profession,
580
00:40:01,733 --> 00:40:07,267
which means regular pay,
regular meals, shelter.
581
00:40:07,267 --> 00:40:10,333
From an army that once disbanded
at the end of the campaign
582
00:40:10,333 --> 00:40:12,467
and lost all the experience,
583
00:40:12,467 --> 00:40:16,167
now you have guys who are signed
up for 16 years of service.
584
00:40:16,167 --> 00:40:17,967
And that is really
one of the key things
585
00:40:17,967 --> 00:40:21,533
that makes Rome the military
powerhouse of antiquity.
586
00:40:24,800 --> 00:40:27,267
Equipment is changing, too.
587
00:40:27,267 --> 00:40:32,233
In the past, soldiers had bought
their own armour and weapons.
588
00:40:32,233 --> 00:40:34,900
Now it's state-funded.
589
00:40:34,900 --> 00:40:37,400
Helmets, chain mail,
swords, and spears
590
00:40:37,400 --> 00:40:40,000
are all standard issue.
591
00:40:40,000 --> 00:40:42,400
They also make game-changing
improvements
592
00:40:42,400 --> 00:40:44,533
to the iron-plated armour.
593
00:40:44,533 --> 00:40:47,333
It gives you a fantastic amount
of flexibility,
594
00:40:47,333 --> 00:40:49,067
covers the shoulders,
covers the heart,
595
00:40:49,067 --> 00:40:50,800
covers all the organs.
596
00:40:50,800 --> 00:40:52,967
But the most
significant change
597
00:40:52,967 --> 00:40:55,600
is to the shields.
598
00:40:55,600 --> 00:40:59,767
Out goes the old round design
which offered little protection,
599
00:40:59,767 --> 00:41:04,400
and in comes a long, rectangular
shield called a scutum.
600
00:41:04,400 --> 00:41:08,300
It's a revolutionary
piece of kit.
601
00:41:08,300 --> 00:41:09,767
It's a fantastic piece
of defence.
602
00:41:09,767 --> 00:41:11,333
It's covering the entire body.
603
00:41:11,333 --> 00:41:12,967
You can hide behind it.
604
00:41:12,967 --> 00:41:14,867
It gives you a little bit
of visibility over the edge.
605
00:41:14,867 --> 00:41:17,667
And when used with
the might of the sword,
606
00:41:17,667 --> 00:41:19,867
it's a deadly combination.
607
00:41:19,867 --> 00:41:22,700
People forget that
this is, in itself, a weapon.
608
00:41:22,700 --> 00:41:24,800
If I'm facing my enemy
such as this,
609
00:41:24,800 --> 00:41:28,833
I can shoulder barge into one,
strike the other.
610
00:41:28,833 --> 00:41:37,867
**
611
00:41:37,867 --> 00:41:40,067
Fully equipped and full-time,
612
00:41:40,067 --> 00:41:43,933
Rome's first professional
standing army is born.
613
00:41:43,933 --> 00:41:57,467
**
614
00:41:57,467 --> 00:41:58,933
But its real strength
615
00:41:58,933 --> 00:42:03,033
comes from improved
battlefield organisation.
616
00:42:03,033 --> 00:42:06,100
Troops are divided into
identical fighting units
617
00:42:06,100 --> 00:42:10,000
of 80 men, called centuries.
618
00:42:10,000 --> 00:42:14,000
Six of these make up a cohort,
and multiple cohorts
619
00:42:14,000 --> 00:42:17,467
combine to create
the mighty legion.
620
00:42:17,467 --> 00:42:22,267
Working together,
it's an almost unbeatable force.
621
00:42:23,567 --> 00:42:26,133
What they created was
this impenetrable wall
622
00:42:26,133 --> 00:42:27,900
of tanks, essentially.
623
00:42:27,900 --> 00:42:31,433
And because they're all dressed
in the uniform, this itself,
624
00:42:31,433 --> 00:42:33,300
the image
of the Roman soldier,
625
00:42:33,300 --> 00:42:37,167
of the legion who struck fear
into anybody who crossed them.
626
00:42:45,333 --> 00:42:47,733
Locking shields,
the centurions create
627
00:42:47,733 --> 00:42:50,467
a unique defence
known as the testudo,
628
00:42:50,467 --> 00:42:52,067
or tortoise.
629
00:42:52,067 --> 00:42:55,100
What you see here
is like building a fortress.
630
00:42:55,100 --> 00:42:56,633
They've got great vision,
631
00:42:56,633 --> 00:42:59,033
but any arrows
that are raining down,
632
00:42:59,033 --> 00:43:02,233
sling shots--
they're well protected.
633
00:43:02,233 --> 00:43:05,467
While the testudo is
perfect for defence,
634
00:43:05,467 --> 00:43:08,433
for attack,
something else is needed.
635
00:43:08,433 --> 00:43:11,100
This technique is where
the Romans really show
636
00:43:11,100 --> 00:43:12,600
how their discipline,
their mentality,
637
00:43:12,600 --> 00:43:14,267
their approach
to being a soldier
638
00:43:14,267 --> 00:43:17,067
and to war
comes into perfect use.
639
00:43:17,067 --> 00:43:18,900
This is the mutacho,
so what you have is,
640
00:43:18,900 --> 00:43:21,400
remember, you've got your line
of soldiers right behind you.
641
00:43:21,400 --> 00:43:22,967
He's holding my swordbelt,
which means that
642
00:43:22,967 --> 00:43:25,967
if I go too far forward,
he brings me back.
643
00:43:25,967 --> 00:43:28,933
At a certain point,
the whistle is blown.
644
00:43:28,933 --> 00:43:30,600
I'm thrown to the side.
645
00:43:30,600 --> 00:43:34,500
He comes forward
and protects me.
646
00:43:34,500 --> 00:43:36,567
I go to the back of the line.
647
00:43:36,567 --> 00:43:39,000
If I have any injuries,
if I'm able to fight,
648
00:43:39,000 --> 00:43:40,833
I get a little bit of food,
little bit of water,
649
00:43:40,833 --> 00:43:43,567
I start back
at the end of the line.
650
00:43:48,233 --> 00:43:50,033
Rome's new professional army
651
00:43:50,033 --> 00:43:52,833
makes it almost invincible.
652
00:43:52,833 --> 00:43:57,200
It secures and expands
its territory.
653
00:43:57,200 --> 00:44:02,200
By 107 CE, it's no longer
a republic,
654
00:44:02,200 --> 00:44:04,967
but an empire.
655
00:44:04,967 --> 00:44:07,333
And it's new emperor, Trajan,
656
00:44:07,333 --> 00:44:11,633
has total European domination
in his sights.
657
00:44:11,633 --> 00:44:15,967
Only the Dacians in modern
Romania stand in his way.
658
00:44:19,033 --> 00:44:22,400
Crossing the Danube
ahead of a mighty army,
659
00:44:22,400 --> 00:44:27,400
Trajan spends years laying siege
to the Dacian capital.
660
00:44:27,400 --> 00:44:31,833
Finally, his forces prevail
when the king takes his own life
661
00:44:31,833 --> 00:44:33,400
and the city falls.
662
00:44:33,400 --> 00:44:38,733
**
663
00:44:38,733 --> 00:44:42,600
To celebrate
this military victory,
664
00:44:42,600 --> 00:44:45,633
Trajan erects an intricately
carved column
665
00:44:45,633 --> 00:44:47,600
in the heart of Rome.
666
00:44:50,633 --> 00:44:52,067
I think what
you're looking at
667
00:44:52,067 --> 00:44:54,067
is nothing less than
the first example
668
00:44:54,067 --> 00:44:56,067
of modern cinema.
669
00:44:56,067 --> 00:45:01,367
**
670
00:45:01,367 --> 00:45:05,167
If you look at it, physically
it looks like a reel of film
671
00:45:05,167 --> 00:45:08,800
wrapped around a pole,
and cinema is a great tool,
672
00:45:08,800 --> 00:45:12,033
because at the end of the day,
most Romans are illiterate.
673
00:45:14,767 --> 00:45:16,400
This is a chance for them
to experience
674
00:45:16,400 --> 00:45:18,900
what's happening
on the frontier.
675
00:45:21,933 --> 00:45:24,900
But it's also Trajan saying
to people, "I did this."
676
00:45:24,900 --> 00:45:28,967
**
677
00:45:30,333 --> 00:45:33,133
Trajan's conquest
extends Rome's borders
678
00:45:33,133 --> 00:45:36,467
to its greatest extent--
679
00:45:36,467 --> 00:45:40,700
a mighty empire of over
5 million square kilometres
680
00:45:40,700 --> 00:45:44,867
with tens of millions
of people under its yoke.
681
00:45:44,867 --> 00:45:47,200
Rome is at its zenith
682
00:45:47,200 --> 00:45:51,167
thanks to its powerful
new army--
683
00:45:51,167 --> 00:45:54,800
disciplined, regimented,
and tactically perfect,
684
00:45:54,800 --> 00:45:57,667
the most brutally efficient
killing machine
685
00:45:57,667 --> 00:45:59,867
in the ancient world.
686
00:45:59,867 --> 00:46:06,767
**
687
00:46:06,767 --> 00:46:09,533
For all the ancient powers,
688
00:46:09,533 --> 00:46:13,267
it's kill or be killed.
689
00:46:13,267 --> 00:46:16,700
But there are different routes
to victory.
690
00:46:16,700 --> 00:46:19,900
The Greeks use unrivalled
bravery and charisma
691
00:46:19,900 --> 00:46:22,533
to inspire their people
to glory.
692
00:46:22,533 --> 00:46:30,067
**
693
00:46:30,067 --> 00:46:32,100
Egypt's pharaohs consolidate
694
00:46:32,100 --> 00:46:36,100
their great triumphs
with propaganda.
695
00:46:38,067 --> 00:46:41,300
China pushes the boundaries
of technology
696
00:46:41,300 --> 00:46:43,567
to achieve total domination.
697
00:46:43,567 --> 00:46:50,167
**
698
00:46:50,167 --> 00:46:52,933
India embraces the value
of training
699
00:46:52,933 --> 00:46:57,733
to turn its elephants
in living superweapons.
700
00:47:00,800 --> 00:47:05,333
And Rome employs its legions
to build an empire
701
00:47:05,333 --> 00:47:07,433
almost unopposed.
702
00:47:07,433 --> 00:47:12,633
**
703
00:47:12,633 --> 00:47:17,267
But with their enemies subdued,
the next challenge
704
00:47:17,267 --> 00:47:21,367
is to ensure the obedience
of their own people.
705
00:47:21,367 --> 00:48:02,400
**
53227
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