The all-powerful Roman Empire dominated the city-states around the Mediterranean by the 1st century AD. How did it acquire so much territory? The professionalism of the Roman army made a vital contribution; another factor was its mastery of the arts of war.

The Roman army’s strategic approach lifted it above the level of a well-oiled fighting machine. The Romans adopted brilliant inventions from the Greeks and implemented ‘siegecraft’ to disrupt, bludgeon or terrify their opponents.

Tactics involving siege towers, siege walls, battering rams and catapults became crucial methods of overwhelming the enemies of Rome. Find out how they ensured Roman victory at the dramatic and tragic sieges of Jotapata, Jerusalem and Masada.

This DVD is accompanied by a beautifully illustrated 24-page hardcover book. Watch and discover the secrets of cultures that thrived for centuries and then disappeared, and at the same time read the captivating book packed with intriguing facts, illustrations, photography and more.

Produced by S4C International.