Ancient Black Ops & Ancient Assassins (Doc Series)

A 2014 UKTV History Documentary narrated by Alisdair Simpson. 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. This series 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 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. Episode 1: Conflict between Shiite and Sunni Muslims tears away at 11th-century Persia when Ismailian Hassan-i Sabbah founds the Assassins. Originally a persecuted band of Ismailis, a Shi'ite Muslim sect, they found themselves vastly outnumbered by the Sunnis of medieval Persia. So they developed a special way of fighting back - killing their enemies' leaders by using stealth, infiltration and their skills with a dagger. Nizari Isma'ili sect lived in the mountains of Persia and Syria between 1090 and 1275. During that time, the sect spread terror throughout the Middle East through the covert murder of first Muslim, and later Christian, leaders. The modern term assassination is based on the tactics used by the Assassins.

Episode 2: Spartan youth learn to withstand pain and survive the harshest conditions, a training technique that comes in quite handy during the Battle of Thermopylae.

Episode 4: The Germanic Ghost Warriors were one of the first special forces trained to fight specifically at night. They emerged out of the fiercely independent tribes of Germania, the wild lands to the North of the Roman Empire. When a huge Roman Army came to conquer their territory, the Ghost Warriors helped inflict the worst defeat in Roman history.

Episode 3: The specialist hit squads that wreaked havoc against the Roman invaders in Jerusalem. This deadly band of stealthy assassins would eventually be cornered in the mighty hilltop fortress of Masada. What happened next has horrified and fascinated the world ever since.

Episode 5: The Viking Beserkers were the elite shock-troops of Viking warlords. Fuelled by alcohol, religious fervour and possibly hallucinogenic magic mushrooms, they believed they could adopt the spirits of wild animals. One single Viking Beserker, after working himself up into a frenzy, held up an entire Saxon army with just an axe.

Episode 6: These are Vikings for hire, ruthless mercenaries who strike fear into their enemies. As an elite armed unit their job is to conquer unruly territories across the great Byzantine Empire, and they'll become known as the Varangian Guard. But it's one particular member of this group of axe-wielding Vikings who will solidify the Varangian Guard's place in history. His name is Harald Sigurdsson, given the epithet Hardrada (roughly translated from Old Norse as "stern counsel" or "hard ruler"), also known as Harald of Norway. In a string of victories across Sicily, he will show an ingenuity and tactical genius which elevates the Varangians from sheer brutality into the ranks of the finest special forces of their day.

Episode 7: In the 16th century, the Spanish conquistadors land in Mexico. Intent on conquering it for king, country and God, they must first overcome the Aztecs, a powerful Native American civilization and its Eagle Warriors. 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.

Episode 8: 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.

Episode 9: 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.

Episode 10: It's 1703, the Shogun is plunged into controversy when Samurai prince, Asano Naganori, loses his temper and attacks a senior official. This is the story of how Asano's followers, the 47 Ronin, braved Japan and mounted the perfect Black Op.