TELEVISION

History's Great Military Blunders and the Lessons They Teach

Series: Great Courses
4.6
(88)
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Episodes
24
Rating
TVPG
Year
2015
Language
English
Publisher
The Great Courses

About

In History's Great Military Blunders and the Lessons They Teach, you'll study these crucibles of history to gain a better understanding of why a civilization took-or didn't take-a particular path. This course examines some of the world's most notable examples of military misfortune, from the destruction of a Roman army at the Battle of Carrhae to the tragic landings at Gallipoli in World War I.

Related Subjects

Episodes

1 to 3 of 24

1. Petersburg: Union Digs Its Own Grave-1864

30m

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Follow the chain of events that led to the Civil War's ill-fated Battle of the Crater, a notable example of what can happen in warfare when a plan goes awry due to poor leadership, last-minute changes, and other unclear objectives. Then, look at the phenomenon of military blunders and what they teach.

2. Syracuse: Athens's Second Front-413 B.C.

30m

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From initiating a second front with a new enemy to dividing supreme command among multiple generals, see how failures of decision-making and leadership spelled disaster for the Greek city-state of Athens in the outcome of the Peloponnesian War, fought with Sparta.

3. Carrhae: The Parthian Shot-53 B.C.

30m

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The Roman military suffered one of its most humiliating defeats at the hands of the smaller Parthian force at the Battle of Carrhae. Discover how this shocking defeat involved glaring intelligence failures, overconfidence, and poor decisions, as well as crafty use of terrain and exploitation of weakness.

4. Red Cliffs: Cao Cao's Bad Day-208 A.D.

30m

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Even outstanding commanders can have a bad day, as evidenced by one of the most celebrated conflicts in Chinese history: the battle of Red Cliffs. How did general Cao Cao get fooled by an obvious ploy that set his armada ablaze-particularly when he had previously used such tactics himself?

5. Barbarian Gate: Adrianople-378, Pliska-811

30m

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Although waged 400 years apart, the battles of Adrianople and Pliska share a number of curious similarities. Explore how both defeats were triggered by the Romans' mistreatment of immigrant "barbarian" groups from the north-who might otherwise have been converted into allies-and overconfidence on the part of the Roman emperors.

6. Fourth Crusade: Byzantium Betrayed-1204

30m

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Innocent III initiated the Fourth Crusade to recapture control of the Holy Lands from Muslim rulers, but Crusaders ultimately rampaged through Christendom. Learn what led to the brutal attack and looting of the city of Constantinople, a supposed ally of the Crusaders and the seat of the Greek Orthodox branch of Christianity.

Extended Details

  • Closed CaptionsEnglish

Artists

Gregory S. Aldretewriter

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