World of Weapons

S01E04 Weapons for All

A single weapon empowered Alexander the Great to guide the seemingly outmatched Macedonians to victory over the formidable Persian Empire. Another allowed ordinary people to unseat seasoned knights from their mounts, transforming European combat during the Middle Ages. Additionally, a weapon still in use today by guerrilla fighters and terrorists has resulted in more casualties than nuclear weapons. Explore the impact of three devastating weapons that require minimal training: the pike, the crossbow, and the AK-47 rifle, and uncover the reasons for their lethal efficiency.