Foot Soldier

Episode 01

The Egyptians

Jan 7, 1998 · 45 min

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

Episode 02

The Greeks

Jan 14, 1998 · 45 min

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

Episode 03

The Romans

Jan 21, 1998 · 45 min

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.

Episode 04

The Barbarians

Jan 28, 1998 · 45 min

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.

Episode 05

The Medieval Soldier

Feb 4, 1998 · 45 min

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.

Episode 06

The Vikings

Feb 11, 1998 · 45 min

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.

Episode 07

The Napoleonic Soldier

Feb 18, 1998 · 45 min

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.

Episode 08

The Yankees

Feb 25, 1998 · 45 min

"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.

Episode 09

The Rebels

Mar 4, 1998 · 45 min

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.

Episode 10

World War I

Mar 11, 1998 · 45 min

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.

Episode 11

The Axis

Mar 18, 1998 · 45 min

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.

Episode 12

The Allies

Mar 25, 1998 · 45 min

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

Episode 13

Today and the 21st Century

Apr 1, 1998 · 45 min

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