American Heroes Channel (AHC) often focuses on the heroic exploits of history’s greatest leaders. But great commanders have always needed elite combat troops–men trained to perfection, skilled with a devastating array of weaponry – to infiltrate, disrupt and destroy the enemy.

Returning for a second season on Saturday, October 8 at 10/9c, ANCIENT ASSASSINS showcases the fatal tactics, immense physical strength and treacherous skillset of the most feared assassins, elite units and mercenaries throughout time. Interviews with military commanders draw modern-day comparisons to today’s special forces.

From Ancient Greece to marauding Viking hordes, rulers and conquerors have always needed elite combat troops. Each episode of ANCIENT ASSASSINS illustrates the tactics of these highly trained killers, skilled to perfection in a variety of lethal arts—even going so far as to mimic movements of wild animals. The premiere episode, “Vlad The Impaler,” features Prince Vlad Dracula III, the inspiration for the fictional character of Dracula. In 1462, Vlad’s tiny Christian kingdom of Wallachia faced the crushing might of the Ottoman Empire on its borders. Outnumbered three to one, Vlad embarks on one of the most horrific military campaigns in history, ultimately earning the Prince his terrible title. Contributions from eminent historians and military experts in this and all episodes examine the key tactics that gave these innovative commanders their victories and the weapons and skills used by their men to devastating effect.

Other episodes include:

Alexander The Great’s Spidermen

Premieres Saturday, October 15 at 10/9c

Before Alexander the Great can continue his conquests, a certain rebel warlord must be removed—but first, they must face a 3,000-foot sheer rock face surrounding the warlord’s estate. Can Alexander’s men can handle scaling the “Spidermen” so their leader can proceed with his master plan?

Beautiful Samurai

Premieres Saturday, October 22 at 10/9c

In 12th century Japan, one samurai outfought all the others—a woman. Tomoe Gozen was as lethal as she was lovely, a “warrior worth a thousand,” best known for taking her opponent’s heads. Battling against tyranny and heartbreak in a brutal civil war, Tomoe’s innovative tactics, such as a cattle stampede to win on the battlefield, were long revered as being so brilliant that the Green Berets still mirror her strategies to this day.

Rome’s Navy Seals

Premieres Saturday, October 29 at 10/9c

The Batavi, a barbarian tribe, is an amphibious Roman unit tasked with the impossible: to supply the Roman army with thousands of highly trained, elite warriors in return for Roman citizenship. With expert comparisons to D-Day and modern Navy SEALS, this episode shows how the Batavians—led by a young chieftain called Julius Civilis—spearheaded the amphibious Roman invasion of Britain in AD 43.

ANCIENT ASSASSINS is produced by World Media Rights (WMR) with Jean Claude Bragard as executive producer. For American Heroes Channel, Liz Massie is executive producer, Sara Kozak is senior vice president of production, Kevin Bennett is general manager, and Henry Schleiff is Group President of Investigation Discovery, American Heroes Channel, and Destination America.