Ancient Warriors

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.

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,…

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

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.

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…

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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