History’s Most Brutal Weapons Explained in 36 Minutes

A dagger forged from meteorite iron. Liquid fire that burned on water. Siege guns that shattered city walls. Explore the weapons and military traditions of 12 civilizations—from Egyptian chariots and Roman swords to Viking axes, Mongol bows, samurai weapons, and Chinese gunpowder. Discover how weapons, armor, battlefield tactics, and siege engineering shaped the rise and fall of empires. Follow the connections between these arsenals across thousands of years, and see how gunpowder transformed warfare. CHAPTERS 00:00 Egypt — Maces, Chariots, and the Khopesh 02:42 Persia — Immortals, Horse Archers, and Heavy Cavalry 05:39 Greece — Hoplites, the Phalanx, and the Sarissa 08:22 Rome — The Gladius, Pilum, and Greek Fire 11:10 Scandinavia — Viking Spears, Swords, and Axes 13:23 England — Shield Walls and the Longbow 15:37 France — Knights, Crossbows, and Artillery 18:16 Ottoman Empire — Janissaries and Giant Cannons 20:56 India — War Elephants, Blades, and Rockets 23:59 Mongolia — Horse Archers and Siege Engines 27:00 Japan — Samurai Weapons and Matchlocks 30:06 China — Crossbows, Fire Lances, and Gunpowder Which civilization had the most impressive arsenal? Share your pick in the comments, and suggest a topic for the next video. #MilitaryHistory #HistoricalWeapons #HistoryExplained