Some of the most important battles in history, the ones that changed the course of civilizations, are often very small battles.
In 1532, a battle, really just a skirmish, took place, which completely changed the future paths of Peru, Spain, and the entire continent of South America.
Despite the importance of this battle, few people have ever even heard o ... Show More
Today
The Caucasus: Where Europe Meets Asia
Between the Black and the Caspian Seas lies one of the most complicated places on Earth. Towering mountains, ancient kingdoms, dozens of languages, competing empires, and conflicts that still shape headlines today all meet in a region many people know only by name: the Caucasus. ... Show More
14m 16s
Yesterday
Mythical Creatures: Unicorns, Dragons, and Mermaids
Throughout history, people have believed in or told stories about fantastical creatures to teach lessons, explain the unknown, or entertain others. Many of these stories originated from accounts by travelers, interpretations of discovered animal bones, or representations of remar ... Show More
15m 15s
Apr 22
The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
On the night of July 21, 356 BC, the sky over the city of Ephesus glowed with the flames of one of the most famous fires in World History. On the same day as Alexander the Great’s birth, the Temple of Artemis, a Wonder of the Ancient World, was reduced to rubble by fire. The dest ... Show More
14m 40s
Sep 2024
Love, Betrayal, and the Battle for Rome (Replay)
HISTORY This Week returns with new episodes starting September 16th! In the meantime, listen to a favorite classic from the archives.
September 2, 31 BCE. Two camps prepare for battle off the coast of Greece. On one side is Octavian, Julius Caesar’s heir apparent. On the other, ... Show More
40m 48s
Aug 2025
593. The Fight of the Century
Why did two men - John Heenan and and Tom Sayers - illegally meet in a field in Hampshire, in 1860, to brutally fight one another, captivating Britain in the process? What can the fight tell us about the nature of Britishness in the 19th century? Was this the birth of boxing? Who ... Show More
58m 57s
Oct 2025
The Big Burn | The Blow-Up | 2
<p>As the fires spread, ranger Ed Pulaski tries to lead his men on a last-ditch effort to save the town of Wallace. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Soldiers race to build firebreaks around Avery, and head ranger Bill Weigle realizes he’s made a terrible mistake. </p><p>Order your cop ... Show More
38m 11s
Aug 2025
The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 118 "The Battle of Tours, AD 732"
In this episode, I’m going to focus on one of the most famous battles in history: the battle of Tours, or Poitiers as it’s sometimes called, in 732. It’s famous because some historians think it stopped the Arabs from conquering Europe. But others think its significance has been e ... Show More
24m 30s