0:00:02 > 0:00:05It's the year 202BCE and two of history's greatest generals
0:00:05 > 0:00:07are battling to dominate the ancient world.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11Hannibal of Carthage
0:00:11 > 0:00:12against Rome's Scipio.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16Tonight, a team of wrestlers...
0:00:16 > 0:00:19Get them to do a big swing round behind the Romans.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22..take on a team of board game enthusiasts.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24We have them. We have them.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26You are getting surrounded!
0:00:28 > 0:00:31They are going to fight each other in a virtual rerun of the historic
0:00:31 > 0:00:33battle of Zama.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37Rome takes on Carthage in an epic do or die struggle.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39Can history be rewritten?
0:00:39 > 0:00:43The fate of two great civilisations hangs in the balance.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47Which one will emerge as the ruler of the Mediterranean world?
0:00:47 > 0:00:49This is Time Commanders.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58Hello and welcome to Time Commanders,
0:00:58 > 0:01:01the show that brings military history to life,
0:01:01 > 0:01:03resurrects the mightiest generals of all time
0:01:03 > 0:01:07and reruns the greatest battles ever fought.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10We've brought together a team of experts,
0:01:10 > 0:01:13familiar with every ancient weapon known to man
0:01:13 > 0:01:17and a military historian who brings years of experience -
0:01:17 > 0:01:20advising governments and armies on strategy.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23And at the heart of it all is the engine that brings our
0:01:23 > 0:01:24ancient battles to life.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26Based on detailed historical research
0:01:26 > 0:01:31and factoring in everything from terrain to fitness and morale.
0:01:31 > 0:01:36Tonight, from London, we have three historical board game enthusiasts,
0:01:36 > 0:01:39- James, Dan and Peter, welcome. - Thank you.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42So, you guys think you know about military history?
0:01:42 > 0:01:45- Wouldn't want to presume anything. - I'd like to think we would.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48I'm a history teacher, so if I don't know about the history,
0:01:48 > 0:01:50I'm in trouble with my students when this airs.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54And, from Glasgow, we have three guys who are no strangers to battle,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57because all three of them are wrestlers.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01Ali, Ross, Gary, welcome to the show.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04Wrestlers! So, no-one is going to want to face you in a fight.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07- Don't fancy their chances, no. - Wouldnae be a good idea.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09If it does go wrong, will you be tempted to chuck
0:02:09 > 0:02:12- someone on the floor? - That's always an option.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16Do you seriously want to do battle with wrestlers?
0:02:16 > 0:02:17Not physically!
0:02:20 > 0:02:24Teams, tonight, you will be fighting the battle of Zama.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29After decades of fighting,
0:02:29 > 0:02:33this is the battle that will decide who rules the Mediterranean world
0:02:33 > 0:02:35for centuries to come.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39Rome takes on Carthage in one of THE most significant battles
0:02:39 > 0:02:41of the classical period.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43We've tossed a coin to decide which team
0:02:43 > 0:02:47will embody the fighting spirit of which army.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51Ali, Ross, Gary, you three will be Carthage.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54A power on the rise,
0:02:54 > 0:02:59a mercantile civilisation that has military aspirations.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02That means James, Dan and Peter, you will be Rome.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05You are used to being the alpha dog in the pack,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08with no time for uppity pups.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14You're Carthage and that means your general is a tactical genius.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18Known to some as the father of strategy, Hannibal.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25Having promised his father he'd spend his life fighting Rome,
0:03:25 > 0:03:26by the battle of Zama,
0:03:26 > 0:03:30Hannibal has created havoc all around the western Mediterranean.
0:03:32 > 0:03:37Who has the strategic skills to step into this great general's sandals?
0:03:37 > 0:03:39- That would be me.- You?
0:03:39 > 0:03:41- Yeah.- Are you the best wrestler of the three?
0:03:43 > 0:03:46- The most experienced. - The most experienced, yeah.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48Right, OK. Is that how you have made this decision?
0:03:48 > 0:03:51- It was kind of a team effort. - A group decision.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53Yeah, it was a group decision. We all spoke about it.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56All right. If you are our Hannibal,
0:03:56 > 0:03:57that means you're Hannibal's captains.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59OK. Have you got it in you?
0:03:59 > 0:04:01- Yeah.- Looking forward to it. - I tell you what,
0:04:01 > 0:04:03there's a steely look in your eyes.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07OK, Romans, that means that you are Hannibal's nemesis,
0:04:07 > 0:04:09a general who stands proudly
0:04:09 > 0:04:14in the pantheon of Rome's greatest ever generals - Scipio.
0:04:15 > 0:04:20Scipio is famed as a gifted general and tactician, and this battle is
0:04:20 > 0:04:22personal for him, too.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26His father died in battle against Carthage a decade before Zama.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31Who can take on the role of protecting Rome?
0:04:31 > 0:04:33For the glory of my ancestors.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- You?- Yes.- Does he look like a leader to you?- He sounds like one.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40He sounds like one certainly and he assumes he is one, so...
0:04:43 > 0:04:46But, before anyone draws first blood,
0:04:46 > 0:04:48we'll meet our two resident experts,
0:04:48 > 0:04:52Doctor Lynette Nusbacher and Mike Loades.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57Greg, the Roman general Scipio has been fighting the Carthaginians all
0:04:57 > 0:05:02over Europe and he is now ready to take the fight across
0:05:02 > 0:05:04the Mediterranean to North Africa,
0:05:04 > 0:05:07to fight the Carthaginians in their homeland
0:05:07 > 0:05:10and destroy them as a threat to Rome.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14Carthage has recalled Hannibal.
0:05:15 > 0:05:20Hannibal is a hero in Carthage and he is the nemesis of Scipio.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24He fought Scipio's father, he fought Scipio in Spain.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28These two men have a shared destiny.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32Now Hannibal has been brought back for a final stand-off
0:05:32 > 0:05:35and a defeat at home, he will be finished.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39With the city of Carthage itself under threat,
0:05:39 > 0:05:43Hannibal has no choice but to hurry home from Italy.
0:05:46 > 0:05:51We've got, then, Scipio coming from Rome to Sicily,
0:05:51 > 0:05:55Sicily to Carthage itself and, guys, help me out here,
0:05:55 > 0:05:58we expect the battle to be roughly there.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00Near modern-day Tunis.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02Yeah, OK. Fair enough.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04Got it?
0:06:04 > 0:06:08Great. Now, before we send you headlong into battle,
0:06:08 > 0:06:10each team gets to fight a skirmish,
0:06:10 > 0:06:14a smaller engagement of the sort that might have taken place ahead
0:06:14 > 0:06:17of the main battle. To help you with your skirmish,
0:06:17 > 0:06:21we will visit our field team, who will show you some
0:06:21 > 0:06:24of the weapons of the time and how they were used.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28The outcome of this will not affect the battle,
0:06:28 > 0:06:30but the skills our teams learn here should help.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Slings and javelins were the weapons of skirmishes,
0:06:35 > 0:06:38light troops that engaged at the start of a battle.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43The velites were young men, keen to win fame and glory.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46They wore wolf skins to mark themselves out,
0:06:46 > 0:06:47they were Rome's wolf cubs.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50They carried a handful of javelins to hurl at the enemy.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54You can't ignore this, you have to defend against it,
0:06:54 > 0:06:55so if you're throwing at their face,
0:06:55 > 0:06:58they've got to bring the shield up. When you bring the shield up,
0:06:58 > 0:07:00one of my mates is going to throw low.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03So, it's doing what all skirmishes do - it's keeping the enemy
0:07:03 > 0:07:06pinned down, preventing them from forming up correctly.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08Meanwhile, we're coming on apace.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10It's a good idea not to throw away your last javelin,
0:07:10 > 0:07:12- you may need it in the battle. - Indeed. Hand-to-hand.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14That's why the velites carried this shield.
0:07:16 > 0:07:17Surprisingly effective.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22And on Hannibal's side, the skirmishers were slingers.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28The best slingers came from the Balearic islands - Majorca, Minorca,
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Ibiza, etc, and they were famous throughout the ancient world
0:07:31 > 0:07:33for their prowess with a sling.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40As weapons go, it's about as simple as it gets,
0:07:40 > 0:07:41it is just a piece of rope.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44It is, but it extends the leave of my arm,
0:07:44 > 0:07:47making my throw much more powerful and the most important thing
0:07:47 > 0:07:49is the ammo, and the ammo was as big as this.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Would you like one of these in your face?
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Not a great deal. That would hit you with some power, wouldn't it?
0:07:54 > 0:07:57What about if you're attacked by enemy skirmishes?
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Well, then they retreat, they're not designed for close combat,
0:08:00 > 0:08:03they are strictly noncontact troops.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06Your slingers will be really vital for you, Carthage,
0:08:06 > 0:08:09but be careful not to squander them in close fighting.
0:08:10 > 0:08:16Carthage, Mike's here to explain how your skirmish is going to work.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21So, you are going to have to defend a little village.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24You've got four units of Balearic slingers.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27Just two cavalryman,
0:08:27 > 0:08:32who can scout about and have a look, and you have some heavy infantry.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36These are guys with a shield and a big, curved sword called a falcata.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38It's a really good, crunching,
0:08:38 > 0:08:41heavy, get in there and mix it up kind of weapon.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43They're pretty tough guys.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Romans are coming towards this village.
0:08:46 > 0:08:51It is going to be a surprise to find you there, but, if they do find you,
0:08:51 > 0:08:53they've got superior forces.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55You need to be a wee bit canny.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59You can use the streets and hide and get around,
0:08:59 > 0:09:02so stealth would be something to think about.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05- Try and stay alive.- That's all you have to do.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08You have to stay alive, is really the thing.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11And kill as many of them as you can.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14You can see the buildings here, can't you?
0:09:14 > 0:09:17It's obvious, all right?
0:09:17 > 0:09:19Here is, of course, where you are.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23Right? That is you.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27Over here are your enemy.
0:09:27 > 0:09:28Those Romans!
0:09:28 > 0:09:33All right. They are going to be heading towards you.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36You've got to protect that town.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Hannibal, you're the general, so you need to set the strategy here.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43OK? You'll be positioned here to do that.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47'To ease Gary in as Hannibal, he'll only have one captain at a time to
0:09:47 > 0:09:49'command, so Ross and Ali will take it in turns
0:09:49 > 0:09:51'to control their troops.'
0:09:51 > 0:09:56Captains, you'll be down in the field with the operators.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59The operators will turn your commands into actions,
0:09:59 > 0:10:02but there will be a lot going on, so good luck.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06Right, good. Let's bash the Romans.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Take positions. 'First up, Captain Ross.'
0:10:11 > 0:10:12- Ross?- Yeah.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15They don't know we're here, so when they're coming down the middle,
0:10:15 > 0:10:16I want to position our troops
0:10:16 > 0:10:18at either side of this village of the houses.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- On the outside, even some on the waterfront here.- Yeah.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Do you know what I'm talking about? When they come in,
0:10:24 > 0:10:26down the middle, we can then come around and flank them
0:10:26 > 0:10:29and create a really, really tight container.
0:10:29 > 0:10:30And then we savagely maul them.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33'So, to savagely maul the Romans,
0:10:33 > 0:10:36'General Gary is going to send his Carthagian troops
0:10:36 > 0:10:39'to hide among the buildings, hoping to ambush the enemy
0:10:39 > 0:10:42'once they're in the centre of the town. Of course,
0:10:42 > 0:10:46'that relies on the Romans walking straight down the main street.'
0:10:47 > 0:10:49They're coming.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51I can see them coming. Can you?
0:10:51 > 0:10:53Ross, can we get those troops moved?
0:10:53 > 0:10:56As they come into this village, the slingers are going to attack.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- MIKE:- Gary is making a very sensible plan.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00He's straight there with decision making.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02Don't give them any form of escape.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04- At all.- If it works, he's got it.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08What happens if the Romans don't do what you think they're going to do
0:11:08 > 0:11:10and walk straight down the middle of the high street?
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- Look about a plan B.- Plan B?
0:11:13 > 0:11:17- Right.- What if you hide behind that building there and go diagonally and
0:11:17 > 0:11:19attack them that way. Do you know what I mean?
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- Is this an ancient game of hide and seek?- Pretty much.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24Ali is a real presence down there.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27He's getting involved with his general.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30That will be great, as long as Gary is prepared to exercise
0:11:30 > 0:11:33his command and control over what actually happens.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36- GARY:- Is this just my scout up here, Ross?
0:11:36 > 0:11:39That's just a scout? Right.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42- LYNETTE:- Ah, that is clever. Look at that.- Scouts up on the hill.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44That's good. They're away from the village.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47They're not saying there's any presence in the village.
0:11:47 > 0:11:48- GARY:- So, when they come in, we can attack.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51You realise the Romans aren't going to wait for you to reposition,
0:11:51 > 0:11:53- don't you?- No, no.
0:11:53 > 0:11:54Right captains, swap over.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56'Next up, Captain Ali.'
0:11:56 > 0:11:59The only thing I would maybe say is these slingers here on the left
0:11:59 > 0:12:01near the coast, right next to the water,
0:12:01 > 0:12:04they look as if they could be easily seen as they are approaching.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06I mean, I would see that.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10They're already slinging.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12- We're already slinging. - They're already slinging.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15- They're already doing it. - They are slinging.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20They announced their presence too early.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22They gave the game away.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24They ran out of patience.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27It's safe to say the Romans now know you are there.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30- Yeah, yeah, yeah. They're not going to walk straight into this.- No.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34Let them think that that's who they're only fighting, right now.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37They don't know about these ones on the right.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40The slingers on the shoreline have blown their cover,
0:12:40 > 0:12:43but Gary still hopes he can use the rest of the troops he has hidden
0:12:43 > 0:12:45around town to spring his trap.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49Can I have the infantry, Ali?
0:12:49 > 0:12:51Ali, see the infantry at five o'clock position?
0:12:51 > 0:12:55Get them to do a big swing around behind the Romans.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58We need to bring the slingers around.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- Back here?- Yes. Infantry.
0:13:01 > 0:13:02'Things are heating up.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05'We've got battles on both sides of the main street now
0:13:05 > 0:13:07'and the team is being forced to react quickly.'
0:13:09 > 0:13:11- OK, we have two little battles going on here.- Yeah, yeah.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14You have slingers on the left, what is that on the right?
0:13:14 > 0:13:16Slingers on the right as well.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18Bring this infantry around.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20That's it.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22Despite giving their position away earlier than planned,
0:13:22 > 0:13:26those slingers on the left-hand waterfront are proving exactly
0:13:26 > 0:13:29why they were a feared force all around the Mediterranean.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31ALARM BLARES
0:13:31 > 0:13:34Captains, swap!
0:13:34 > 0:13:37On the left-hand side there, you have routed the Romans.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39- You've now got slingers with nothing to do.- That's it.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41Yeah, bring them around and flank the ones
0:13:41 > 0:13:44that are chasing my infantry.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46Right? It will surprise them.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48Gary's quick to reinforce his infantry,
0:13:48 > 0:13:52who are taking a pounding from the Romans in the square.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55- That's it right there. Yeah, that's good.- Smart decision.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57- LYNETTE:- Look at that flexibility.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01Yes. What the slingers have got, they have got mobility,
0:14:01 > 0:14:03- they can whip around that other side very quickly.- That's right.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Much more mobile than the Romans.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Ross, can you see the big screen?
0:14:09 > 0:14:10- Yeah.- That's what I want attacked.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15They're getting attacked from both sides here.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18There is a serious fight going on there and it looks like
0:14:18 > 0:14:19the Romans are about to run away.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22You've now got another fight going on further up the hill.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24- Yeah, definitely.- Fine.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Bring the slingers in as much as you can.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29The ones that were just moving.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31Bring them in. Let's compress them.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34OK, OK, the Romans are routing, the Romans are routing
0:14:34 > 0:14:37- all over the field. - Rome is on the run.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39That doesn't often happen.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41They have taken some heavy losses,
0:14:41 > 0:14:45but Hannibal and his Carthaginians have won the battle in the town.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49But his men in the field to the north are in serious trouble.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51Your troops are getting annihilated.
0:14:51 > 0:14:52We need to get over there.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54They're trying to bring their forces together, guys.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58They're trying to regroup. I want to split the troops around either side
0:14:58 > 0:15:01of the set of houses, so I want one coming from the left
0:15:01 > 0:15:03and one coming in from the right.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06This might be Gary's final roll of the dice.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Can his men encircle the remaining Romans
0:15:09 > 0:15:12before they have a chance to rally?
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Just got to fight it out, guys, now.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16Bring the scout back.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18You might do this. You might do this!
0:15:18 > 0:15:20- Keep fighting, guys. - You might actually do this!
0:15:20 > 0:15:22Come on!
0:15:22 > 0:15:25BATTLE CRIES
0:15:26 > 0:15:29Your scout's having a go as well.
0:15:29 > 0:15:30GREG CHEERS
0:15:31 > 0:15:34You've done it. The Romans are routing.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39Very well done. It's not the most skilful battle I've ever seen,
0:15:39 > 0:15:41- but it might be the bravest. - Good job, guys.- Nice one.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43What a performance from our wrestlers.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47They took on and beat a larger force of Romans.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50A good result for them to take into the main battle later.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57What I thought was really interesting
0:15:57 > 0:16:00was the way you guys grew as a team in only a very few minutes.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03At the beginning, Ali, you were right here beside Gary,
0:16:03 > 0:16:04your general.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09You were almost competing with him for who was going to run the show.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11I didn't actually mean that. If that's the way it came across,
0:16:11 > 0:16:14- sorry.- Once you've figured out a role for yourself,
0:16:14 > 0:16:16you did it brilliantly. Absolutely brilliantly.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18The thing that irritated me the most was starting
0:16:18 > 0:16:20to sling a little bit early.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23You announced where you were earlier than you needed to.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26I was wanting them to come in more and then, all of a sudden,
0:16:26 > 0:16:30we started firing, which, you know, is a bit of let down.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32I sent them out and I might have messed that one up.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35So, it's interesting, because what I'm getting from you is, it was
0:16:35 > 0:16:39nobody's decision to start shooting and, as a result,
0:16:39 > 0:16:43they had a fighting chance, and because the Romans are the Romans,
0:16:43 > 0:16:45they took their fighting chance.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49However, you took on the might of Rome and give them
0:16:49 > 0:16:51- a good wrestling-kicking.- Yeah.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56More from our field team now.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01This one involves weapons and techniques that will feature
0:17:01 > 0:17:03in the Roman skirmish, so don't blink.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10Every legionary soldier was armed with a gladius,
0:17:10 > 0:17:13the famed Roman short sword.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16Combat training was a daily practice.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18You see how they're moving around it.
0:17:18 > 0:17:19They're developing their footwork.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22They're using the shield as an offensive weapon
0:17:22 > 0:17:25and that was key to the Roman legionary fighting system.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29Legionaries used both the shield and the gladius -
0:17:29 > 0:17:32the twin pistons of the Roman war machine.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35The Roman army was famous for its discipline formation.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39Shield walls crunching across Europe and north Africa.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42You didn't want some young have-a-go jumping out of line,
0:17:42 > 0:17:45breaking it all up, just for a bit of individual glory.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47Hold the line. Discipline was everything.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50- THEY CHANT:- One, two. One, two. One, two.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54In order to hold formation, the Roman legionary only used short
0:17:54 > 0:17:57thrusts. Wilder blows would risk breaking the line.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00A short trust was enough to take a man out of action.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03They were also pushed back with powerful shield strikes.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07This is the Roman war machine in action.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10A relentless meat grinder.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14No matter how disciplined, all formations break up eventually.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17It was then that the gladius could be used more freely,
0:18:17 > 0:18:20adapted to the demands of individual combat.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23Even against a spear, which has got, obviously,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26advantage over me in terms of reach, I'm going to get out the way.
0:18:26 > 0:18:32But, if I can close his line, then it's not a bad little tool.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36To hold a gladius, to feel its weight and balance,
0:18:36 > 0:18:39is to realise that this is an all-purpose slash,
0:18:39 > 0:18:40thrust and punch weapon.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42As versatile in a tight spot
0:18:42 > 0:18:46as it was as the teeth of the Roman front line.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52So, here we are on the Roman side of the battlefield.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56Mike, from gladius we get gladiator, don't we?
0:18:56 > 0:18:58We do. "Gladiator," simply means "swordsman."
0:18:58 > 0:19:01Here's Lynette with the details of your skirmish.
0:19:02 > 0:19:09Gentleman, you're coming into an enemy-held village in North Africa.
0:19:09 > 0:19:16It's held by a reasonably chunky force of Carthaginians and you're
0:19:16 > 0:19:21bringing into it a reasonably chunky force of Roman infantry.
0:19:21 > 0:19:26The force you're taking into that town is going to be part triarii.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30That is the grizzled old veterans of the Roman army,
0:19:30 > 0:19:32the hard men at the back.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34And, in front of them, you're going in with the principes.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37That is the main line of Roman infantry.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39The slightly younger guys,
0:19:39 > 0:19:42the slightly hungrier guys and the guys who are a little bit quicker on
0:19:42 > 0:19:46their feet. You haven't got cavalry support.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50You haven't got your light forces to go and skirmish in front of you.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52It's already been stripped away from you.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56You need to go into this town and make it your own.
0:19:58 > 0:20:03So, this is just a full-on infantry against infantry, big, meaty fight?
0:20:03 > 0:20:06Well, this is a full-on infantry against somebody
0:20:06 > 0:20:08- in that town meaty fight.- Fine.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12Time Commanders, to your positions, please.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Let's do battle. Come on!
0:20:14 > 0:20:17'Taking on the captain's role first is Peter.'
0:20:17 > 0:20:21Moving both units forward. Keep the triarii just slightly behind.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Engage them and watch the flanks.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27James is going straight for it with a full frontal assault,
0:20:27 > 0:20:29although he is worried the town's defenders might try
0:20:29 > 0:20:31and attack him from the sides.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34Shall we run into them or do you think the stamina?
0:20:34 > 0:20:37- Wait for their charge.- OK, then.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39They're getting into a committee now.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42It's like, "I can't make the decision, what do you think?"
0:20:42 > 0:20:44So, that's always a little bit dangerous
0:20:44 > 0:20:48in this sort of operation, because once things start happening,
0:20:48 > 0:20:50there's no time for that sort of chat.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54Peter, you're being given quite a bit of responsibility here.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58- How do you feel about that? - Fairly well about it.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01I'm just concerned about the flanks coming in,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04but if I can just get them to march in a straight line towards the enemy
0:21:04 > 0:21:07and hit them with swords, that'll probably work.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Get the principes running forward, please. Triarii behind.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11OK. Principes start running.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15Do we want the triarii running?
0:21:15 > 0:21:17Erm, n...
0:21:17 > 0:21:20- Yes.- Too much thinking time there.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23'James and his team are steaming in,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26'but they've not got the full picture.'
0:21:26 > 0:21:29The Carthaginian are set up here with a big killing box
0:21:29 > 0:21:34and the force of infantry ready to tempt the Romans in.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40The Carthaginians are now moving back further into the town.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43They're going to try to suck the Romans deeper into that town
0:21:43 > 0:21:44and tear them to pieces.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48- You're going to engage them? - Absolutely.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51Halt when in javelin range, give me a volley and then close.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55Finally, the Romans launch their attack.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57They've taken the bait,
0:21:57 > 0:22:00given the Carthaginians the chance to attack the Roman rear,
0:22:00 > 0:22:03slamming their trap shut.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06You're getting surrounded! You are getting surrounded!
0:22:06 > 0:22:07Look, right, hang on! These guys in there.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10Principes have pulled out and engaging on the right flank,
0:22:10 > 0:22:11if you please.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15- Thank you.- You're getting mullered in the middle there.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20You are getting mullered in the middle!
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Change captains. Change captains!
0:22:22 > 0:22:25'Next up, Daniel.'
0:22:25 > 0:22:26They're changing captains.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29I think they'd do better to change generals.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33- Is this going how you planned? - This is exactly how it works.
0:22:33 > 0:22:34You planned on being surrounded?
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Absolutely. We've got them right where we want them.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39THEY LAUGH
0:22:39 > 0:22:41Principes in the town. Three units.
0:22:41 > 0:22:42How are we looking? All of them engaged?
0:22:42 > 0:22:45We're getting surrounded pretty badly, actually.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48- Surrounded badly?! - And encircled. OK.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52And it's not just in the main square that the Romans are in trouble -
0:22:52 > 0:22:54James has left his triarii outside the town
0:22:54 > 0:22:56and they're under attack, too.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00You've got two fights going on here.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03I'm not sure you're winning the fight outside the town.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05- What's my priorities, cos...? - Both!
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Two units of principes engage in that combat.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10Take one out, tell it to engage in cavalry, please.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12Bit late, bit late. Bit late to engage.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15Oh! I think it's engaged you, mate!
0:23:15 > 0:23:17- That's going to hurt. - It's engaged you.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20The triarii have held their ground, which triarii do.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24The old Roman expression, "The last hope is in the triarii."
0:23:24 > 0:23:26If they're told to hold, they'll hold.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29- That's right.- Your troops are doing quite well outside the town.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Absolutely. They're triarii. They know what they're doing.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35- Now, those Carthaginian units are about to rout.- I'm aware.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Thank you. Thank you very much. You're incredibly helpful, sir,
0:23:38 > 0:23:40and I'm incredibly appreciative of it.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42Is this what you expected?
0:23:42 > 0:23:45What, James yelling at me? Yeah, that's about right, yeah.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48And all three units of triarii, let's march together.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50Bring the three at the back of the middle there?
0:23:50 > 0:23:53- Throw them into the centre.- Your best troops are coming into the
0:23:53 > 0:23:54- town.- Everything in, now.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57The triarii have survived the Carthaginians' cavalry attacks.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01Now, James is committing everything he has to the fight in the town.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05The Romans will finally have all of their combat power together,
0:24:05 > 0:24:08- which they should had all along. - Yes.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11- This is the pivotal moment for you, isn't it?- Absolutely.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13Change captains! Swap over.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15Swap them over. Thank you very much.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17If you don't finish the Carthaginians in front of you,
0:24:17 > 0:24:20- they're going to finish you from behind, aren't they?- Absolutely,
0:24:20 > 0:24:22- yes.- There's an elephant! - An Elephant?!
0:24:22 > 0:24:24- Oh, my God!- Nobody told me about elephants!
0:24:24 > 0:24:26There's an elephant!
0:24:26 > 0:24:29That elephant has just built a motorway through your unit.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31That it has, but it's only one elephant.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35Only one elephant, they cry, but look what it's doing.
0:24:35 > 0:24:36It's coming back!
0:24:36 > 0:24:38Look out! Jumbo!
0:24:38 > 0:24:40Can we do anything about the elephant?
0:24:40 > 0:24:42- We can't.- Right, now you've got more Carthaginian units.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45What do you want me to do with these?
0:24:45 > 0:24:48OK, the unit in the middle, if it can be turned around...
0:24:48 > 0:24:50It's too late. They've just been charged.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52And the right are getting charged as well.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54The triarii have routed.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57The triarii have routed. You are now surrounded.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Triarii have gone, so where's the hope now?
0:25:01 > 0:25:03Oh, cavalry now!
0:25:03 > 0:25:06Ah, well, you know, I didn't see that coming.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10In retrospect, maybe I should've remembered the cavalry,
0:25:10 > 0:25:12but let's take the positives from this.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14Is that another Roman unit routing?
0:25:14 > 0:25:16- Yeah, it is.- What can I do?
0:25:16 > 0:25:17Give me orders, give me instructions.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20- Peter, how are you feeling? - Erm...defeated.
0:25:20 > 0:25:21Everybody's gone!
0:25:21 > 0:25:24And so it ends with a whimper.
0:25:24 > 0:25:25- Oh, dear.- Hm.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27Oh, dear.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29Oh, well.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33It's all a bit quiet, isn't it?
0:25:35 > 0:25:37'Not the result the Romans were after.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41'They fell into the Carthaginian trap and just could not deal with
0:25:41 > 0:25:43'that elephant. That has got to worry them
0:25:43 > 0:25:45'as they approach the main battle.'
0:25:49 > 0:25:51Ooh!
0:25:51 > 0:25:56Three generations of Scipios are looking down at the people
0:25:56 > 0:26:01who wrote off a Roman legion, and they're not impressed.
0:26:01 > 0:26:06- Harsh.- When Peter asked you, "What shall I do?"
0:26:06 > 0:26:08you said, "How are you feeling?"
0:26:08 > 0:26:12- Yes, I did.- Wonderful compassion, but not terribly military.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14Well, morale is important.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19Well, it is. So you're assuming that you're going to live to fight
0:26:19 > 0:26:21another day? You're assuming that that wasn't annihilation?
0:26:21 > 0:26:23Exactly, sir.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26- The elephant rather surprised you. - Yeah.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28Well, how would you recommend one deals with an elephant?
0:26:28 > 0:26:30You stick spears into them.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34And it then runs rampaging and angry into its own men,
0:26:34 > 0:26:37so it is something you can turn against the other side.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41We are at Zama, be aware of the elephant in the room.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45Did Scipio let you down a little bit there?
0:26:45 > 0:26:48I think we could probably have made a unit from the back up to the
0:26:48 > 0:26:49front, but hindsight is 20-20, so...
0:26:49 > 0:26:52Yeah, but it's kind of your job though, wasn't it, to report that?
0:26:52 > 0:26:54It was. So, I learned that as well.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57I was innocent in all of this.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00I made the error there and these guys did an excellent job.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02Well, that's a very honourable admission.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05You all worked very hard and it still could've gone either way.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13Teams, you've now seen each other in action.
0:27:13 > 0:27:18I wonder, does this now make the Carthaginians favourites, or...?
0:27:18 > 0:27:20Well, they have got Hannibal on their side.
0:27:20 > 0:27:21Oh, yes. Powerful card.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24Anything you particularly admire, or...?
0:27:24 > 0:27:26The fact that they were able to win.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28That was quite impressive.
0:27:29 > 0:27:30Are you sure, both teams,
0:27:30 > 0:27:32that you've got the command structure right?
0:27:32 > 0:27:34Yeah, definitely.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36I think learning from the skirmish,
0:27:36 > 0:27:39things like communication and stuff and commands, you know,
0:27:39 > 0:27:42- I think we've got our own wee system now.- Do you have the right Scipio?
0:27:42 > 0:27:45I think we might, but he might need to work on his communication
0:27:45 > 0:27:47- and some of his tactics.- Absolutely. - Your general,
0:27:47 > 0:27:50you'd think he needs work on his communication and his tactics,
0:27:50 > 0:27:54- so what is it that he's got? A nice shirt?- Certainly.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58He's got a loud voice as well, which helps in general-ships.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00We can fill in the communication problem.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03We can assist with the tactics by just sharing ideas.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06Would you mind stepping down if one of them took over?
0:28:06 > 0:28:08I'd rather like another crack to redeem myself.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12Right, OK. So you're going to stay with the Scipio you've got?
0:28:12 > 0:28:15He'll never let us hear the end of it otherwise.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17Fair dues, fair dues.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19Let's go to our field team one more time
0:28:19 > 0:28:23to have a look at a staple of Roman warfare.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32This is the pilum - the specialised spear of the Roman legionary.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36They carried two - one for medium-to-short range
0:28:36 > 0:28:38and a heavier one for very short range.
0:28:40 > 0:28:41It's actually quite awkward to throw.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44I mean, compared to a sports javelin, it doesn't go very far.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46No, it's not a range weapon, it's a shock weapon.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48And, of course, it could be used as a pike.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51There were many instances ambushed by cavalry,
0:28:51 > 0:28:54a small detachment of legionaries suddenly make a tight formation.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56Out goes the pilum.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59It must've looked like an angry, spiky hedgehog.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01But, I mean, principally, it's a throwing weapon,
0:29:01 > 0:29:03either to break an enemy's charge, or, for us,
0:29:03 > 0:29:06just before the legionaries close.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09This shield represents a barbarian hoard.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13- Right.- Andrew, would you do the honours?- Really?
0:29:13 > 0:29:16- Always a pleasure.- Thank you. You might want to back off.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20Argh!
0:29:22 > 0:29:24Wow. You can see here that it's broken on impact
0:29:24 > 0:29:27and it was designed that way so it couldn't be reused by your enemy.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30And another thing, it's gone straight through the shield,
0:29:30 > 0:29:32so the shield's now completely useless.
0:29:32 > 0:29:33It's jammed into the ground.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36The guy behind here's going to have to drop it, if he's still alive.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39He's used the enemy's momentum against it, because the harder they
0:29:39 > 0:29:43run at us, the harder that that pilum's going to strike.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46The most important thing for a Roman army was to maintain formation.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50The pilum was an essential weapon to prevent the tide of an enemy army
0:29:50 > 0:29:52from breaking its walls.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56Now, the time for training is over.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59Soon, our teams will take to the battlefield,
0:29:59 > 0:30:04going head-to-head against each other in the battle of Zama itself.
0:30:05 > 0:30:09So, before we get to the fight, Mike and Lynette,
0:30:09 > 0:30:11can you set the scene for us, please?
0:30:11 > 0:30:12What do we know about the battlefield?
0:30:12 > 0:30:16Well, as you can see, it's on a flat desert plain.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19There's no real topographical features to worry about.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22A few stands of scrubby trees, but nothing there.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24Perfect battlefield.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26Perfect battlefield for cavalry.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29Cavalry can move very fast on a plain.
0:30:29 > 0:30:33They can get round your flanks, get behind you. The Numidian cavalry,
0:30:33 > 0:30:36who are the elite cavalry at this time,
0:30:36 > 0:30:40who have been fighting with Hannibal throughout his Italian campaign,
0:30:40 > 0:30:45they have defected, largely, over to Scipio.
0:30:45 > 0:30:50Scipio has made Masinissa king of Numida and, in exchange,
0:30:50 > 0:30:54Masinissa has brought his wonderful cavalry in support of Scipio.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56Hannibal has a few remnants,
0:30:56 > 0:31:00but the cavalry advantage lies with the Romans.
0:31:00 > 0:31:05The Carthaginians, as a pan-Mediterranean empire,
0:31:05 > 0:31:09draw skills in from all over the known world,
0:31:09 > 0:31:13so they've got people who are very good at fighting on a broad,
0:31:13 > 0:31:16open space - just like those cavalry.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18That's going to make this a real contest.
0:31:18 > 0:31:23And the Carthaginians have also got Gauls from France,
0:31:23 > 0:31:25they've got Celto-Iberians from Spain,
0:31:25 > 0:31:31but it means that they've got solid infantry, just like the Romans.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33And when you're talking about Roman infantry,
0:31:33 > 0:31:38you've got to keep in mind that the Romans had a very special way of
0:31:38 > 0:31:42deploying them. So, let me have somebody young and good-looking.
0:31:42 > 0:31:43You come along with me.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45And you can join with Peter.
0:31:45 > 0:31:50And you two are here, and you are the hastati.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54You are the youngest of the Romans,
0:31:54 > 0:31:57full of verve and eagerness, but not very experienced.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59OK, you are in the front line,
0:31:59 > 0:32:02armed with a shield, and a sword, and a pilum.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05You are the principes, OK?
0:32:05 > 0:32:06So, you are senior to them.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10You are more experienced, more virile, you are tougher.
0:32:10 > 0:32:15You are armed in the same way, and you are principes prior,
0:32:15 > 0:32:17and I'm afraid you are the posterior.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21You - tough, grizzled, hard boys - the triarii.
0:32:21 > 0:32:27The last hope is with the triarii, so you are armed with a long hasta,
0:32:27 > 0:32:30a long spear. You can stand and take anything.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33Everything relies on you, if it gets tough.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36Now, what you can notice is we can move between them.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40So, you can move to the front, and you two can move back,
0:32:40 > 0:32:43and you get a breather. So, you get all this interchange.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45You can move over to the side, you can move here,
0:32:45 > 0:32:47so you have this ability.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49That's called a maniple.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51Every handful of men can move around in blocks.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55Very important that you hold formation as Romans.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00So, we've got a flat, featureless plain
0:33:00 > 0:33:02just outside the city of Carthage.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05Rome's Scipio wants to use his legendary infantry
0:33:05 > 0:33:09formations and his cavalry superiority to take the city.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12On the opposite side of the field, standing in the way,
0:33:12 > 0:33:16is Hannibal with his multinational force of infantry,
0:33:16 > 0:33:18slingers and war elephants.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22Now, you need to get to know the troops at your disposal.
0:33:22 > 0:33:24Have a good look at what forces you have
0:33:24 > 0:33:26and how they are arranged, please.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32- What have we got?- Right, so, we've got two Numidian cavalry.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35- We've got the four elephants.- Do you think we could use some of these
0:33:35 > 0:33:38- trees as an advantage?- I think we can definitely rush them.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41- LYNETTE:- There were two competing aggressive powers
0:33:41 > 0:33:42in the Mediterranean basin -
0:33:42 > 0:33:45Rome and Carthage,
0:33:45 > 0:33:49but only one was going to go on to formidable greatness.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53- Horse archers or heavy cav? - Horse skirmishes.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56The Mediterranean basin was the Roman world.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59Africa starts at the Sahara.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03Above the Sahara is part of the European world.
0:34:03 > 0:34:07The Mediterranean is a uniter of that world,
0:34:07 > 0:34:09and it was bustling with trade.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12And that economic prosperity is what they were all playing for.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16Have you got a fair idea of what you've got there?
0:34:16 > 0:34:21Yeah, we have elephants, we have cavalry, infantry,
0:34:21 > 0:34:24we have slingers and we have scouts.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27Hannibal fought the Romans for 16 long years,
0:34:27 > 0:34:30and he had a lot of success.
0:34:30 > 0:34:35He brought elephants over the Alps to attack the Romans in Italy,
0:34:35 > 0:34:39and that really scared the Romans.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41Do you know what it is you've got, Scipio?
0:34:41 > 0:34:44Three lines of infantry - hastati, then principes, then triarii.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47- All in the middle?- All in the middle.- Numidian cavalry?
0:34:47 > 0:34:50Absolutely. They're the game-winner.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53Scipio's father was one of the generals in charge
0:34:53 > 0:34:57of stopping Hannibal as soon as he came over the Alps.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01He then saw defeat at battles like the Trebia and Cannae.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04Scipio, as a youngster, saw these defeats.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08This was a personal grudge match that had gone on for 16 years.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12Now, Scipio was determined to take it to the homeland.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14It was do or die.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20So, the Romans, led by James, have six units each of hastati,
0:35:20 > 0:35:25principes and triarii, and twice as many cavalry units as Carthage,
0:35:25 > 0:35:27led by Gary.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31But they have four units each of war elephants and cavalry,
0:35:31 > 0:35:36and a strong force of mixed infantry, including slingers.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38- GARY:- Cool, thank you.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41Right, teams, you have now got a chance to recce the enemy's
0:35:41 > 0:35:44position, OK? Off you go scouting, but, remember,
0:35:44 > 0:35:47if you do come into contact, you may well be fired on.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51They've got four units of elephants at the front.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54Slingers.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58- Have a sneak peek? - My guy's here just now.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00- Seen many slingers?- Slingers...
0:36:00 > 0:36:01I see slingers on the flanks.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05At the front, they've got two units of them.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09I haven't yet heard these captains report back to their general
0:36:09 > 0:36:13about what they can see. They're chatting to their operators about
0:36:13 > 0:36:15what they're seeing, but no-one's reported back.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17He can't be forming a plan.
0:36:18 > 0:36:23- And Gary's not demanding anything from them yet, is he?- No.
0:36:23 > 0:36:24Oh, their scout's just gone straight past us.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27- Excellent, I can see him. - 'Now that both sides have seen
0:36:27 > 0:36:30'what they have to fight with, and what they're up against,
0:36:30 > 0:36:33'can hometown boy Hannibal stop Scipio
0:36:33 > 0:36:35'reaching the city of Carthage?
0:36:35 > 0:36:38'Or can Scipio come back from that disastrous skirmish
0:36:38 > 0:36:41'and lead his Romans to victory?'
0:36:43 > 0:36:45Right, stop! Stop!
0:36:48 > 0:36:50So, teams, this is it.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54And Hannibal, Scipio, my generals, it's getting real now.
0:36:54 > 0:36:59You need to command not one, but two captains at once now.
0:36:59 > 0:37:04But, if it all gets too much, each of you can call a time-out,
0:37:04 > 0:37:05all right?
0:37:05 > 0:37:09That's a chance for the generals to get their captains and the experts
0:37:09 > 0:37:13around the table to discuss the battle's progress.
0:37:13 > 0:37:18But when it's gone, it's gone, so use that time-out well.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22So, it's finally time for the main event.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26It's the year 202BCE all over again.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30Rome and Carthage are competing for dominance in the Mediterranean
0:37:30 > 0:37:33world, and they've been tussling for years.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37It's time to settle the dispute with a right good barney.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40Let the battle commence.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42Go! Let's fight!
0:37:44 > 0:37:49- Two sets of spears.- Yeah. - Hannibal, talk to me.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53- What's your plan? - The plan, all it is,
0:37:53 > 0:37:56is to try and maybe let them come at us a little bit.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00- OK.- Because they seemed, from the skirmish, that they like to do it.
0:38:00 > 0:38:01I quite like these trees over here.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04- I know it's flat.- You love your ambush, don't you, mate?
0:38:04 > 0:38:06- You're a real sneaky fighter. - I might try...
0:38:06 > 0:38:09- Try and envelop them again?- Yeah.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12'Leading the Carthaginian forces as Hannibal is Gary.
0:38:12 > 0:38:17'He's going to try and pull the same trick as in his successful skirmish
0:38:17 > 0:38:21'by hiding his cavalry in the trees and waiting to ambush the Romans.'
0:38:21 > 0:38:23- They're untying themselves. - What are you doing?
0:38:23 > 0:38:25- Waiting for them.- Really?
0:38:25 > 0:38:27You're waiting for them?
0:38:27 > 0:38:29'Leading the Roman forces as Scipio,
0:38:29 > 0:38:32'James has decided to go on the defensive,
0:38:32 > 0:38:34'waiting for an attack from Carthage,
0:38:34 > 0:38:37'one that might not be coming any time soon.'
0:38:39 > 0:38:42The Romans might be forgetting that what they need to do
0:38:42 > 0:38:47is defeat this Carthaginian army and crack on to Carthage.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50And the Carthaginians might be forgetting
0:38:50 > 0:38:53that they need to wipe out this threat to their home city
0:38:53 > 0:38:56as fast as possible. They're both sitting there,
0:38:56 > 0:38:58forgetting they are here with a job to do.
0:38:58 > 0:39:02For the Carthaginians, Ali is in charge of the infantry forces,
0:39:02 > 0:39:05while Ross looks after the mounted forces
0:39:05 > 0:39:07and the all-important slingers.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12For the Romans, Peter is in charge of all of Scipio's infantry,
0:39:12 > 0:39:16while Daniel is commanding all of the cavalry.
0:39:16 > 0:39:17Dan, take one unit of range cav,
0:39:17 > 0:39:20- one unit of heavy cav from the right flank...- Yeah.
0:39:20 > 0:39:21..bring it over to the left, reinforce.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24I want a superiority there. Have them ready to kill that unit.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26You've moved all your cavalry to the left
0:39:26 > 0:39:29- to face all their cavalry on the right.- Yes.- So, at some point...
0:39:29 > 0:39:30We outnumber their cavalry.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33- At some point, there's going to be a massive cavalry clash?- Absolutely.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36Both generals are rearranging their cavalry in preparation for
0:39:36 > 0:39:41the battle, so they're facing each other out on the Roman left
0:39:41 > 0:39:44and that's as exciting as it's going to get for now.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47Both teams want to fight a defensive battle.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49- Yeah.- So they're going to stand across that desert plain
0:39:49 > 0:39:52- looking at each other?- Yeah. They don't know what to do,
0:39:52 > 0:39:55so they're waiting for the other person to do something
0:39:55 > 0:39:56so they can react.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00They're coming down, though. If they want to attack first...
0:40:00 > 0:40:03- James, am I bringing these guys back?- Not yet. Daniel?
0:40:03 > 0:40:05- Yes?- Cavalry on the left flank, all of it.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08Yeah, advance with the...?
0:40:08 > 0:40:10Very slowly to the left.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12Yes, that's more like it!
0:40:12 > 0:40:13That's more like it.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16That sounds like Scipio.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19At last, the Romans are advancing!
0:40:20 > 0:40:24And the Carthaginians are sending in the heavies, their war elephants.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27TRUMPETING
0:40:27 > 0:40:29Let's see the elephants?
0:40:29 > 0:40:30Go with the elephants.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33- The elephants are going. - Yeah, yeah, go for it.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36- You're just going to run at them. - Take your elephants and run at them.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39Elephants coming up in front of you, Daniel. Be aware.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42Ali, you see those elephants? See those elephants?
0:40:42 > 0:40:44Support them. Support them.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46- The elephants are going straight at them.- Elephants on the right.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49We need support. We can't just have them running in.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51- We need infantry behind them. - Do you?- Yes.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55Behind the elephants? Who's controlling your infantry?
0:40:55 > 0:40:57- Ali.- Does he know what he's doing?
0:40:57 > 0:41:00He's a distance away from me but I'm going to go and get them now.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02If the Carthaginian elephants go in
0:41:02 > 0:41:06without the support of Carthaginian foot soldiers,
0:41:06 > 0:41:09they are going to get cut to pieces.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11They might cause some disorder among the Roman army,
0:41:11 > 0:41:16but elephants aren't magic, they can't defend themselves.
0:41:16 > 0:41:18But Ali hasn't managed to get his infantry
0:41:18 > 0:41:21moving fast enough to support the elephants.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24They're going in on their own and Scipio's front line
0:41:24 > 0:41:28is doing a very decent job of defending itself.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30Those elephants are going berserk.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33- Yes, they are, and they are dying. - They are, you've seen them off.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35- Absolutely.- Oh, that's got to hurt.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38Those elephants have just not had the impact Gary
0:41:38 > 0:41:40and his Carthaginians would have wanted.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42Did those elephants work?
0:41:42 > 0:41:44- Hmm.- I think they have done some damage, but not as much as we...
0:41:44 > 0:41:47The infantry wasn't as quick as I wanted behind the elephants.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50And, over on the right, their planned ambush hasn't worked either.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54That Numidian cavalry is heading straight for them.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57- Daniel?- Yeah?- Missile cavalry to slaughter their missile cavalry.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59Melee cavalry, form into line,
0:41:59 > 0:42:03be ready to take the enemy infantry in the flank. We have them.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06This cavalry clash has been coming ever since the opening moves
0:42:06 > 0:42:10of this battle and with the Romans having the advantage in numbers,
0:42:10 > 0:42:12it could be another blow to Carthage.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15There's only one place on this battlefield
0:42:15 > 0:42:17where I wouldn't want to have a cavalry engagement
0:42:17 > 0:42:19- and it's in those trees. - Exactly.- And you know what?
0:42:19 > 0:42:22They're going to have a cavalry engagement in those trees.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25Attack. Cavalry attack, come on.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28- See these guys here. - There's a big clash.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30Here it comes! Here it comes.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32Right, that's it. Come over, Ross.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34Have them heading up...
0:42:38 > 0:42:39Big cavalry battle!
0:42:39 > 0:42:41YELLING
0:42:46 > 0:42:48You've got a cavalry battle over here.
0:42:48 > 0:42:52- I know, and we're winning it. - And you're winning it. Here we go.
0:42:52 > 0:42:56Daniel, are they routed except for their melee cav?
0:42:56 > 0:42:59- Yes.- Daniel, run back into the centre if you please.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02- Oh!- By Jupiter, we have them.
0:43:03 > 0:43:09Those Numidians are deadly and the Carthaginians are feeling it.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13- Yeah, time out. - Time out, time out over here.
0:43:13 > 0:43:14Time out.
0:43:19 > 0:43:23- How do you feel? - Like I needed a time out.
0:43:23 > 0:43:25'Carthage need to sort themselves out.
0:43:25 > 0:43:27'Their elephants have all been killed
0:43:27 > 0:43:29'without inflicting any real damage
0:43:29 > 0:43:31'and now they are in danger of losing all their cavalry
0:43:31 > 0:43:33'to the Roman charges on their right.
0:43:33 > 0:43:35'Hannibal's troops are in disarray.
0:43:35 > 0:43:38'Maybe that masterful skirmish was just a flash in the pan.'
0:43:39 > 0:43:41I think we need to regroup.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44Pull... The guys in the middle,
0:43:44 > 0:43:47we need to get them back into some sort of orderly group.
0:43:47 > 0:43:50- MIKE LOADES:- You're sort of right. You can see you're scattered.
0:43:50 > 0:43:51You can see they're together.
0:43:51 > 0:43:53I think it's really important for you guys
0:43:53 > 0:43:57to concentrate your infantry because you are about to be hit
0:43:57 > 0:44:00by a freight train of Roman infantry
0:44:00 > 0:44:02and you've got to get your cavalry together
0:44:02 > 0:44:05because it has got to screen you
0:44:05 > 0:44:08from that big North African cavalry force
0:44:08 > 0:44:11that is capable of causing havoc for you guys.
0:44:11 > 0:44:14So you really need to stop using your cavalry to attack.
0:44:14 > 0:44:16You haven't got that many left.
0:44:16 > 0:44:18They're telling you to completely regroup again
0:44:18 > 0:44:23as a unified force with cavalry on the outside of your infantry units.
0:44:23 > 0:44:26OK? And wait for what is obviously going to hit now
0:44:26 > 0:44:28because they now have a vast superiority.
0:44:28 > 0:44:32'So, the new plan is attempt to regroup and protect those flanks.
0:44:32 > 0:44:35'But having had the initiative before the time out,
0:44:35 > 0:44:37'the question is will the Romans
0:44:37 > 0:44:39'give them the time they need to do it?'
0:44:39 > 0:44:41- I'll get the cavalry back. - Let's regroup.
0:44:41 > 0:44:43We need to get infantry back in the middle.
0:44:43 > 0:44:44Right, captains, back in positions.
0:44:44 > 0:44:46General, have you got a plan?
0:44:46 > 0:44:50- Let's go. - That's it, pull back, regroup.
0:44:50 > 0:44:52- Well done.- Yeah, yeah, pull back.
0:44:52 > 0:44:54What about this one on the left-hand side here?
0:44:54 > 0:44:56- Bringing it back as well. - Good, good, good, that's it.
0:44:56 > 0:44:59Bring it in. I want my cavalry on the outside.
0:44:59 > 0:45:01- LYNETTE: - The Carthaginians were in a mess.
0:45:01 > 0:45:05They're struggling to reform their cohesion.
0:45:05 > 0:45:07Now is the time for the Romans to attack.
0:45:07 > 0:45:09But you know what they're doing instead?
0:45:09 > 0:45:12The Romans are titivating instead of attacking.
0:45:14 > 0:45:16Mate, why don't you go take it at them now?
0:45:16 > 0:45:19Because then more young men of Rome will die.
0:45:20 > 0:45:24- Then I have to write the letters to their mothers, do I not?- Right.
0:45:24 > 0:45:26A terrible mistake from the Romans.
0:45:26 > 0:45:29He's got to sacrifice the lives of Roman soldiers now
0:45:29 > 0:45:34rather than let them live and lose the battle.
0:45:34 > 0:45:36I thought you were going to follow on your attack.
0:45:36 > 0:45:39They're withdrawing. Let's form our infantry perfectly.
0:45:39 > 0:45:42While Scipio has been tidying his lines,
0:45:42 > 0:45:44Hannibal's Carthaginians have been getting
0:45:44 > 0:45:46into a solid square formation
0:45:46 > 0:45:49with cavalry and slingers on their flanks.
0:45:49 > 0:45:51It's going to be hard to crack.
0:45:51 > 0:45:53Has James missed his chance?
0:45:53 > 0:45:56OK, form up your whole army and once it's ready and deployed we'll start
0:45:56 > 0:45:58inching forward and we'll kill them by degrees.
0:45:58 > 0:46:00Cavalry moving in concert with infantry, if you please.
0:46:00 > 0:46:02Let's move this flank up with these guys.
0:46:02 > 0:46:05I want it all on the left, we're going to smash them on the left.
0:46:05 > 0:46:06That is where the battle will be won.
0:46:06 > 0:46:08James is finally going for it.
0:46:08 > 0:46:12He is sending his cavalry in for another attack on his left
0:46:12 > 0:46:17and attempting a massive outflanking move to hit the enemy in the rear.
0:46:17 > 0:46:20This is all about those Numidian horsemen.
0:46:20 > 0:46:22Cavalry!
0:46:22 > 0:46:23This is your moment.
0:46:23 > 0:46:27- Always is!- Continue moving forwards? - Just 50 yards at a time.
0:46:27 > 0:46:31- Ali, Ali, you've got two units of spearmen here near the back.- Ooh!
0:46:31 > 0:46:33I want them to move over to the right,
0:46:33 > 0:46:38right now because we've got an attack coming in from the right.
0:46:38 > 0:46:41- They're coming, they're coming. - Yep.
0:46:41 > 0:46:43Your right side, en masse.
0:46:43 > 0:46:46- Look at that.- Yeah, I see it. - Look at that.
0:46:47 > 0:46:49This could be very messy
0:46:49 > 0:46:52as Scipio's superior Numidian cavalry
0:46:52 > 0:46:55attacks the Carthaginian right flank again.
0:46:55 > 0:46:59But, this time, those deadly Balearic slingers are in position.
0:47:00 > 0:47:03Daniel, withdraw missile cavalry if you're taking too much fire.
0:47:03 > 0:47:06- No, we're not, we're not, we're not, we're fine.- Keep it up.
0:47:06 > 0:47:08How much damage are we taking? We're taking slinger damage.
0:47:08 > 0:47:10Oh, shit. Can we bring them back?
0:47:10 > 0:47:14- James, we've got two of our missile cav...- Withdraw them.
0:47:17 > 0:47:19- Time out!- Time out.- OK.
0:47:22 > 0:47:26Half of James' cavalry has been wiped out by those slingers
0:47:26 > 0:47:28while the other half has got round the back of the Carthaginians
0:47:28 > 0:47:30but isn't actually doing anything.
0:47:30 > 0:47:34The battle is turning and the Romans really need to get their troops
0:47:34 > 0:47:35and their heads together.
0:47:36 > 0:47:38Why did you call the time out?
0:47:38 > 0:47:40Because I think this is the crucial moment.
0:47:40 > 0:47:42I think I may have blundered on the left flank
0:47:42 > 0:47:45with my missile cavalry and I wanted advice on how to crack
0:47:45 > 0:47:49a quite formidable Carthaginian fighting square.
0:47:49 > 0:47:53Did you see the size of the sling stones of the Balearic slingers?
0:47:53 > 0:47:57- Yes.- Stones like that striking horses is going to cause mayhem.
0:47:57 > 0:48:00- Absolutely.- The horses are your strongest point.
0:48:00 > 0:48:02What are cavalry best at?
0:48:02 > 0:48:05- Surprise! - And where are my cavalry right now?
0:48:05 > 0:48:07Do you have a surprise? You sit there.
0:48:07 > 0:48:10You've got to use your cavalry with more force and more suddenness.
0:48:10 > 0:48:12Where were all these cavalry going?
0:48:12 > 0:48:13They're going to come around the back.
0:48:13 > 0:48:16Daniel makes a really good point.
0:48:16 > 0:48:21If the Roman infantry with those formidable grim, gritty,
0:48:21 > 0:48:27buzz-saw tactics start grinding away at the Carthaginian front,
0:48:27 > 0:48:31- at the same time as those cavalry hit from the rear...- Are you sure?
0:48:31 > 0:48:34..it could be really effective at disrupting the Carthaginians.
0:48:34 > 0:48:36That's what you've got to do.
0:48:36 > 0:48:37We thought you were doing the right thing
0:48:37 > 0:48:40because it looked like you were getting a pincer movement
0:48:40 > 0:48:42with your cavalry and you were coming in at the side and the rear,
0:48:42 > 0:48:46which is exactly right. But you just didn't coordinate in time.
0:48:46 > 0:48:48This lot sat there and got decimated.
0:48:48 > 0:48:51- The ferocity of those slingers surprised your cavalry.- Absolutely.
0:48:51 > 0:48:53'So, a coordinated attack is what James
0:48:53 > 0:48:55'and his Romans need to concentrate on.
0:48:55 > 0:48:58'Can they get their timing right?'
0:48:58 > 0:49:02Right, now! Right, go, go, go. The battle's back on.
0:49:02 > 0:49:06Come on. This is your time to cover yourself in glory.
0:49:06 > 0:49:09Missile cavalry along to link up, if you please.
0:49:09 > 0:49:11Here we go, here we go.
0:49:11 > 0:49:14Those wonderful young men of Rome to charge, charge, charge.
0:49:14 > 0:49:16- Peter...- You can you see what's coming, can't you?
0:49:16 > 0:49:19- You can see what's coming? - Yeah, but look at this.
0:49:23 > 0:49:26At last, those two infantry lines are crunching
0:49:26 > 0:49:28into each other. This is brutal.
0:49:30 > 0:49:31- Wow.- Whoa.
0:49:31 > 0:49:34- Whoa.- They're coming in from the side, guys.
0:49:34 > 0:49:38Now they're bringing in the units from the back.
0:49:38 > 0:49:42The left flank is a worry for Carthage, but over on the right...
0:49:42 > 0:49:44Ali, see these two infantry here, doing nothing?
0:49:44 > 0:49:46Look, look, look, look! What are you going to do with these,
0:49:46 > 0:49:49- what are you going to do? - Yeah, bring it in, bring it in.
0:49:49 > 0:49:51- What are you going to do with them? - Engage in the battle.- Go!
0:49:51 > 0:49:54- Yes, go, engage.- Go, go, go! - That's it, bring it in.
0:49:54 > 0:49:57Go! Well done, good use of the infantry.
0:49:57 > 0:49:59Good boy, well done, good job.
0:49:59 > 0:50:01Good lad. Good lad.
0:50:01 > 0:50:03- Absolutely brilliant.- Yes.
0:50:03 > 0:50:05Look at that, there are Carthaginians
0:50:05 > 0:50:08outflanking the Roman line.
0:50:08 > 0:50:11How could the Romans let themselves be outflanked like that?
0:50:11 > 0:50:14I can tell you how - they've let all of their cavalry go
0:50:14 > 0:50:16and they've left their flanks unprotected.
0:50:16 > 0:50:17The cavalry are over there.
0:50:17 > 0:50:20That is masterful from Ali, and it's made a real impact.
0:50:20 > 0:50:23The Carthaginians are winning on their right flank,
0:50:23 > 0:50:26but it's looking worrying on the left.
0:50:26 > 0:50:28Right, watch these horses coming round.
0:50:28 > 0:50:30They're coming round into this left.
0:50:30 > 0:50:32- Ross?- We're shadowing them.
0:50:32 > 0:50:35- Are you shadowing them? - Don't move too much.
0:50:35 > 0:50:37- Here they go. Here you go. - Can you bring...?
0:50:37 > 0:50:38- Whoa!- Ali!
0:50:38 > 0:50:41Finally, that heavy cavalry has smacked
0:50:41 > 0:50:45into the back of the Carthaginians on the left flank,
0:50:45 > 0:50:48and that could be decisive.
0:50:48 > 0:50:50The hammer and the anvil, we have them.
0:50:50 > 0:50:52- We have them.- So you finally engaged, did you?
0:50:52 > 0:50:54- Yeah.- You finally engaged.
0:50:54 > 0:50:57Peter, your infantry on the right flank, throw it in.
0:50:57 > 0:50:59Daniel, cavalry, melee cavalry, bring them out.
0:50:59 > 0:51:03The Carthaginians are committing every last man,
0:51:03 > 0:51:06but that cavalry attack has destroyed their left flank,
0:51:06 > 0:51:09so each side is now winning on its own right flank,
0:51:09 > 0:51:12which means they're both losing on their left.
0:51:12 > 0:51:14This is incredibly close.
0:51:15 > 0:51:17Has your general got it together?
0:51:17 > 0:51:20I think he's definitely got it together at this point.
0:51:20 > 0:51:22We need to start attacking.
0:51:22 > 0:51:24What are these units here?
0:51:24 > 0:51:27- That's the slingers.- Get those slingers involved in the battle.
0:51:27 > 0:51:28- Are they in?- Yeah, get involved.
0:51:28 > 0:51:31They are? They are, they are, they are involved.
0:51:31 > 0:51:34They don't like the slingers, come on.
0:51:34 > 0:51:37The slingers are still doing a great job against the cavalry.
0:51:39 > 0:51:41Those slingers have been invaluable for Carthage,
0:51:41 > 0:51:44but they will run out of ammunition eventually.
0:51:44 > 0:51:47Can they achieve enough before they do?
0:51:48 > 0:51:50They're fighting divided, we have them,
0:51:50 > 0:51:51but it's a little bit closer
0:51:51 > 0:51:53- than I thought it would be. - It is very close.
0:51:53 > 0:51:54Peter, you've got it.
0:51:54 > 0:51:57I'm not sure I do, because we've got slingers on the right.
0:51:57 > 0:51:59This is just a number of different melees, isn't it?
0:51:59 > 0:52:01See these slingers up here, Roscoe?
0:52:01 > 0:52:02When they run out of ammo,
0:52:02 > 0:52:05I just want you to bring them in and attack.
0:52:05 > 0:52:08Have they still got...? Yeah, they're still firing.
0:52:08 > 0:52:11- OK, that's better.- The Carthaginians are routing on this side.
0:52:11 > 0:52:13We need to get some of these guys around,
0:52:13 > 0:52:15we need to try and get them back in involved,
0:52:15 > 0:52:17even bring them over the right here.
0:52:17 > 0:52:20This battle is now a series of small, bitterly-fought engagements,
0:52:20 > 0:52:24and with Rome's attack starting to wear the Carthaginians down,
0:52:24 > 0:52:26Hannibal is making it personal.
0:52:26 > 0:52:29He's taking on Scipio man-to-man.
0:52:29 > 0:52:32Hannibal and Scipio have met in the middle of the field,
0:52:32 > 0:52:35they're having a tear-up.
0:52:35 > 0:52:38These two generals are one-on-one, and, I have to say,
0:52:38 > 0:52:41if it comes down to an arm wrestle, my money's on Gary!
0:52:41 > 0:52:42SHE LAUGHS
0:52:42 > 0:52:48Two of the ancient world's greatest generals are in mortal peril here.
0:52:48 > 0:52:49Hannibal's just getting a pasting.
0:52:49 > 0:52:51Just go full attack.
0:52:51 > 0:52:54Full attack with what?! With whom?!
0:52:54 > 0:52:57The whole field's just littered with dead bodies.
0:52:57 > 0:52:58The Romans are reforming.
0:52:58 > 0:53:00- Ali, look at me. - The Romans are reforming.
0:53:00 > 0:53:05- They're reforming.- This infantry, attack this, this here. Here, here.
0:53:05 > 0:53:08Well, we're always banging on about how important it is
0:53:08 > 0:53:12for the Romans to keep cohesion, keep formation, and, to be fair,
0:53:12 > 0:53:13this is what they're doing all the time.
0:53:13 > 0:53:16Every time they lose it, they do reform.
0:53:16 > 0:53:17As you win combats on the right,
0:53:17 > 0:53:19roll the infantry round into the left.
0:53:19 > 0:53:22This may be the last clash of the battle.
0:53:22 > 0:53:25And give me a reserve, do not commit everything, keep one unit back.
0:53:25 > 0:53:27Hannibal!
0:53:28 > 0:53:30Have you got anything left to control?
0:53:30 > 0:53:34Pretty much just doing the old sending off, it's only Ali left.
0:53:34 > 0:53:37Sending, kill that general, get that general.
0:53:37 > 0:53:38- Go!- Go on!
0:53:40 > 0:53:41Go, get him, get him, get him.
0:53:41 > 0:53:43Bring me back Scipio's head!
0:53:43 > 0:53:45- Come on!- Come on!
0:53:45 > 0:53:49Ali, you've got the only Carthaginians left standing.
0:53:49 > 0:53:52Aye, get him, stab him, that's it. Cut his throat.
0:53:52 > 0:53:55This is actually quite close. This is actually quite close.
0:53:55 > 0:53:58- Scipio's down! - I killed their general.
0:53:58 > 0:53:59Scipio's gone!
0:54:00 > 0:54:01- Scipio?- Yes?
0:54:03 > 0:54:05- You're dead!- I am.
0:54:05 > 0:54:07But, in the afterlife, my men are avenging me.
0:54:07 > 0:54:08I am woken in Elysium!
0:54:08 > 0:54:10Well, history has been rewritten.
0:54:10 > 0:54:14And one of Rome's greatest ever generals lies dead in the field.
0:54:14 > 0:54:17Can Rome recover from this loss?
0:54:17 > 0:54:20- Peter?- Yes.- Report on these three combats?
0:54:20 > 0:54:23- Bottom left, we are... - Struggling.- Possibly struggling.
0:54:23 > 0:54:26Top middle we have three, four units against two.
0:54:26 > 0:54:27Top right is doing fine.
0:54:27 > 0:54:30All of the right into the left, if you please.
0:54:30 > 0:54:32OK, everyone, crush them.
0:54:33 > 0:54:36The Carthaginians have fought valiantly,
0:54:36 > 0:54:39but the relentless melee has reduced their army to a fragment,
0:54:39 > 0:54:42and Hannibal pays the ultimate price.
0:54:44 > 0:54:47Hannibal's dead! Scipio's dead!
0:54:47 > 0:54:51- Rome is victorious!- All that's left is three blokes walking a dog.
0:54:52 > 0:54:56That's it, Rome has the field.
0:54:56 > 0:54:58- Well done.- Fantastic work, General.
0:54:58 > 0:54:59Well done.
0:55:02 > 0:55:05Well, congratulations, London Gameplayers.
0:55:05 > 0:55:10The Romans. Commiserations, Hannibal, Wrestlers, Carthaginians.
0:55:10 > 0:55:11Very, very close indeed.
0:55:11 > 0:55:14You gave them a real bloody nose, I think, there.
0:55:14 > 0:55:16What's your expert analysis of this battle?
0:55:16 > 0:55:20When the Carthaginians realised they were losing cohesion,
0:55:20 > 0:55:23they did what they needed to do, they got back together,
0:55:23 > 0:55:26and they gave the Romans a real run for their money.
0:55:26 > 0:55:29Because you thought you had it much earlier than you did, didn't you?
0:55:29 > 0:55:32It was ours to lose. And we very nearly engineered a loss.
0:55:32 > 0:55:36I think what proved decisive was the fantastic Roman infantry...
0:55:36 > 0:55:39- The machine here.- Well, I've got to say thanks to Mike,
0:55:39 > 0:55:42that idea of the meat grinder, to just go straight at them,
0:55:42 > 0:55:44hit them with that kind of staggered formation.
0:55:44 > 0:55:47Did they perform well under pressure, these Romans?
0:55:47 > 0:55:50Well, they won, which is one indicator!
0:55:50 > 0:55:54- I'll take that!- Could you feel that you were fighting other people?
0:55:54 > 0:55:55If you're playing a computer,
0:55:55 > 0:55:58it doesn't seem like it's thinking that many moves ahead,
0:55:58 > 0:56:00whereas if you're playing people, for one thing,
0:56:00 > 0:56:02playing three people, you've got layers of strategy,
0:56:02 > 0:56:04as well as different people commanding different parts,
0:56:04 > 0:56:07- rather than it being one central unit.- Absolutely.- Well, I loved it.
0:56:07 > 0:56:09I hope both teams have got your breath back.
0:56:09 > 0:56:13Lynette, Mike, what really did happen at the Battle of Zama?
0:56:13 > 0:56:16They sent their elephants down the middle,
0:56:16 > 0:56:21and what the Romans did was they split apart.
0:56:21 > 0:56:23They used those formations,
0:56:23 > 0:56:26those maniples to split apart and make corridors.
0:56:27 > 0:56:30But the elephants needed to be guided up those corridors,
0:56:30 > 0:56:34so throwing the javelins and there was also lots of shouts and screams,
0:56:34 > 0:56:37and the rampaging, charging elephants went right through them
0:56:37 > 0:56:39and off the battlefield.
0:56:39 > 0:56:42Once the Carthaginian elephants were gone,
0:56:42 > 0:56:47the much stronger Roman cavalry arm were able to engage
0:56:47 > 0:56:53and drive off the Carthaginian cavalry from off their flanks.
0:56:53 > 0:56:54Then they engaged.
0:56:55 > 0:56:58And the Romans, under Scipio,
0:56:58 > 0:57:03did exactly what you guys did under James.
0:57:03 > 0:57:05You started to move your second line,
0:57:05 > 0:57:07and Scipio even his third line,
0:57:07 > 0:57:12out on the flanks to widen the Roman line against the Carthaginians,
0:57:12 > 0:57:15and the Carthaginian formation collapsed in on itself
0:57:15 > 0:57:19and the Romans just ground through them for a while.
0:57:19 > 0:57:20But, then,
0:57:20 > 0:57:23at just the right moment,
0:57:23 > 0:57:28all of that excellent Numidian cavalry that the Romans had
0:57:28 > 0:57:33swung in and attacked the Carthaginians from behind,
0:57:33 > 0:57:37and the Romans slaughtered the Carthaginians,
0:57:37 > 0:57:41and 20,000 Carthaginians were killed on the field.
0:57:41 > 0:57:4420,000 were taken prisoner,
0:57:44 > 0:57:49and only 1,500 Romans were killed in the Battle of Zama.
0:57:49 > 0:57:52This battle sealed the fate of Carthage as a world power.
0:57:52 > 0:57:56Rome sacked the city and took over the western Mediterranean,
0:57:56 > 0:57:59which it would rule for 600 years to come.
0:57:59 > 0:58:03But, unlike your battle, both leaders survived!
0:58:03 > 0:58:05- THEY LAUGH - Yes!
0:58:05 > 0:58:07There you have it, the battle
0:58:07 > 0:58:10that decided the fate of the ancient world,
0:58:10 > 0:58:13and the fate of our two teams of Time Commanders.
0:58:13 > 0:58:15Hannibal is finally bested.
0:58:15 > 0:58:18Thanks to our two teams for joining us today.
0:58:18 > 0:58:20It was, I think, a fantastic battle.
0:58:20 > 0:58:26Join us again when we see if we can rewrite history on Time Commanders.