The History Channel's most motivational documentary

When I was thirteen in the year 2004, my older brother introduced me to a documentary series on the History Channel called, “Decisive Battles.” The series used video game technology to recreate battles from ancient times. Feel free also to watch the whole episode if you have time. It’s pretty awesome. If you have only a few seconds to get the idea, I will be content with that too.

The episode linked here is the first episode of the series I watched. Yes, the graphics and documentary style are a little dated now, but I invite you put yourself in the shoes of thirteen year old Antonio in the year 2004.

First, I was captivated by the show’s ability to visualize events in vivid detail.

Ancient historians recorded all of these battles… which means of course no video or photos. If a battle from ancient times became famous enough, there is always a possibility that it gets featured in a Hollywood movie. Battles in film unfortunately are usually style over substance. Filmmakers may strive to respect and honor history, but they often have a different goal in mind. Their primary objective is to create compelling films, not follow an ancient historians notes line by line.

But Decisive Battles does just that, and with some cinematic style. It’s the historian’s notes and perspective brought to life.

Second, it’s easier to understand and relate to historical figures when you see them in action.

Before watching this episode on Alexander the Great, I could have told you very little about the famous conqueror or the Battle of Gaugemela. After thirty minutes of birds-eye view of the battle with commentary, Alexander the Great was no longer just a name written in a book. He was a real person.

Third, while much attention was given to historical detail, the producers put tremendous focus on analyzing human qualities.

The host and interviewees, for instance, focused much more on the why instead of just the who or what. Why does he/she fight, resist, or conquer? Where do their ambitions come from? How do their dreams become reality? What is their greatest weakness? Why are they able to overcome obstacles? Why did the person fail when they should have succeeded? Questions like these drive the program’s discussion as we witness kings, queens, generals and warriors fight to achieve victory and glory, even if it means failure and death.

Or, if you watch Decisive Battles’ recreation of the Battle of Thermopylae featuring the 300 Spartans, why fight at all when victory is lost and defeat is inevitable?

This simulation too was released two years before the Zach Snyder’s movie, 300.

In perhaps the most gut wrenching episode, what happens when you get greed and chase glory and power too much? What if you become jealousy of other conquerors like Alexander the Great, and you try to take what used to be his? The Battle of Carrhae is probably one of the lesser known great battles in history, but it offers some incredible lessons.

Fourth, the show continues to make a lasting impact on me personally and professionally.

After watching all 14 episodes, I took up an immediate interest in studying ancient history more in-depth. When I went to college at Gonzaga University, I became a major in Classical Civilizations and a minor in Broadcast TV Journalism. I added the minor in digital media because watching Decisive Battles not only sparked a fire in me to learn history, it is also gave me a reason to make documentaries. I asked myself as a teenager, why watch documentaries when I can make them? Why not inspire future kids with the same spark?

I have had friends, family, colleagues, and mentors support me along the way, but I think my life would have been very different if my brother didn’t show that episode to me long ago. It really was a history lesson that drove me onward.

And btw, if you’re looking recreate your own battles from the ancient world with the same computer graphics, you can play Rome: Total War on an Iphone or Ipad. It is a brilliant strategy game and a great way to learn geography, history, trade, and economics. I highly recommend it, particularly for countless hours of gameplay (if you risk it).