Foot Soldier

A look at the history of ancient Egypt's fighting forces, the world's first organized group of soldiers.

The warriors of ancient Greece, from the warring city-states of Athens and Sparta to the Macedonians under Philip II and Alexander the Great.

The warriors of ancient Rome, who established an empire from Scotland to Saudi Arabia before succumbing to invasions of Germanic peoples in the 5th century.

A look at “The Barbarians,” the warriors who lived on the fringes of ancient Greece and eventually put a halt to Roman expansion. Originally, the word applied to those who spoke a different language than their more “civilized” opponents.

A look at the knights of medieval Europe who pledged loyalty to their kings and fought for feudal lords in their quests for land and power. And though chivalry was the order of the day, not everyone wore shining armor.

A study of Vikings, who, though they were known for their seafaring abilities, were also fierce warriors on land, and their influence spread across Europe and parts of North America.

A study of the men who fought in Napoleon's armies around the turn of the 18th century. The troops conquered more of Europe than anyone since Caesar, but met their match at Waterloo in 1815.

"Yankees" looks at the soldiers who fought for the Union in the American Civil War, and were made up of groups of men from a variety of backgrounds.

A look at the Rebels who fought for the Confederacy in the American Civil War, and who, though often ill-equipped, nearly toppled the Union. Included: camp life; their devotion to General Robert E. Lee.

The infantries of World War I that fought across most of Europe and in Russia with the newest and deadliest weapons the world had ever known.

The “Axis” looks at the men who fought for Germany, Italy and Japan in World War II, from the deserts of Africa and the jungles of Asia to the Eastern front.

A look at the men who contributed to the Allied victory in World War II over dictatorships and nationalism.

"Today and the 21st Century" examines the current training and weaponry of the infantry soldier, and high-tech battle devices of the future.