If ancient soldiers were trained at all, it was generally for fighting in a formation in the battle line. But on rare occasions, generals would train and use troops for special operations.

Theme: Special Operations in antiquity

• Ron Ruiters, 'Historical introduction - Ancient Special Operations'.
• Ross Cowan, 'Scouting for the soldier-emperor - Exploratores'.
• Paul Bardunias, 'Father of Special Operations forces - Philopoemen at Gythium'.
• Murray Dahm, 'Demosthenes and the Battle of Olpae, 426 BC - Lessons for the future'.
• Adam Johnson, 'Special Operations at the Sogdian Rock - Alexander's mountaineers'.
• Valentine J. Belfiglio and Murray Dahm, 'The Battle of Camarina, 258 BC - The 300 Romans'.
• Sean Strong, 'Late antique military operations at twilight - Death, confusion, and darkness'.

Features:

• Simon Elliott, 'Neolithic Jericho and the first evidence of warfare - Walls that didn't tumble down'.
• Anneka Mihajlov, 'The Hippotoxotai of Athens - The 'Paris' of the cavalry'.
• Mark McCaffery, 'A deadly Roman sidearm - The Pugio'.
• Jo Ball, 'The Kalkriese battlefield - Varus and Germanicus'.