Epic History

Immediately after independence, the US Army was a tiny force consisting of a single infantry regiment, supported by largely untrained militia, poorly supplied by corrupt contractors. When President Washington launched the America's first major military operation - a punitive expedition against native tribes of the Northwestern Confederacy - the result was a humiliating disaster. Discover the story in our new video:
https://youtu.be/NMn3TNdLWv0?si=L2R8a...

6 hours ago | [YT] | 1,368

Epic History

#OnThisDay 1815 Marshal Berthier, Napoleon’s Chief of Staff, died aged 61 after falling from a window. Whether it was an accident, or suicide, remains a matter of speculation.

Coincidentally, Marshal Davout died on the same day eight years later, aged 53, in Paris.

Our video on the illustrious careers of these two Napoleonic Marshals, and many more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyTb2...

1 day ago | [YT] | 2,868

Epic History

#OnThisDay 1916 British and German fleets clashed at the Battle of Jutland off the coast of Denmark, the largest naval battle of World War 1 involving 250 ships, and resulting in more than 8,500 deaths.

The British had hoped for a decisive victory like Trafalgar, while the Germans wanted to destroy enough British ships to allow future operations in the Atlantic. But the battle was indecisive. Both sides claimed victory. And while the British suffered heavier losses, the German High Seas Fleet remained confined to the Baltic Sea.

These paintings are by Claus Bergen (1885 – 1964), official marine artist to Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Check out our video on World War 1 charting every major campaign and battle: https://youtu.be/GG0LY8OLBG8

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3 4

2 days ago | [YT] | 1,641

Epic History

On the evening of 22 December 1810, HMS Minotaur, a British 74 gun ship-of-the-line and veteran of the battles of the Nile and Trafalgar, was hit by storms off the Dutch coast.

The Minotaur struck a sandbank, but amid darkness and crashing waves, efforts to lighten the ship and refloat her proved futile.

When daylight came, the crew began a perilous attempt to reach the shore. Two of the ship’s boats, carrying more than 100 men, reached the Dutch coast successfully, only to be taken prisoner by the authorities. A third boat, carrying another 100 men and the ship’s captain, was swamped by the waves, drowning all aboard. The Dutch refused to send out more than one pilot vessel into such stormy waters, to assist the rescue, later leading to bitter recriminations.

That afternoon, Minotaur rolled over, drowning all the remaining crew except four men who clung to pieces of wreckage. The death toll came to 370.

This painting by J.M.W Turner was intended as a generic depiction of a wreck, but upon its completion in 1810, the Minotaur’s fate was the news of the day, and an enduring link was made between the ship and the artwork.

Our new series on Nelson’s Battles is in production now. You can watch Part 1 - the Battle of Cape St.Vincent - on Patreon and Nebula now.

3 days ago | [YT] | 2,606

Epic History

Napoleon’s invasion of Russia was one of the greatest military disasters in history. His fatal miscalculations meant for every 12 men in his invasion force, 1 was killed in action, 2 were captured, 7 died from disease or the climate, and only two returned alive.

Follow every step of the campaign in our documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byH2W...

4 days ago | [YT] | 3,191

Epic History

Brigadier General Josiah Harmar was a veteran of America’s War of Independence, who served with Washington at Valley Forge. In 1790 he led US forces on a punitive expedition against Native American tribes on the Northwest frontier. But the US’s first major military operation since independence ended as an embarrassing fiasco. Our new video - America’s First Defeat - Battle of the Wabash Part 1 - is out now on Nebula.
nebula.tv/videos/epichistorytv-battle-of-the-wabas…

5 days ago | [YT] | 2,091

Epic History

“Remember, that I walk accompanied by the god of war and by the god of fortune!”

In 1799, General Napoleon Bonaparte led a coup against France’s corrupt and unpopular government, the Directory. But when he was heckled and interrupted by the legislature, he harangued them in turn, leading to uproar. The coup came perilously close to failure. Napoleon had to be dragged to safety by loyal troops. Follow every move in a seismic 48 hours for French history in our new video - Napoleon’s Brumaire coup.
https://youtu.be/mY8Ou7r913Y

6 days ago | [YT] | 3,985

Epic History

New video out now on Patreon! We tell the story of the United States' first major military operation after independence - a punitive expedition against Native American tribes on the Northwest frontier, that ended in fiasco. This is the first in a two-part series covering the Battle of the Wabash in 1791.

Support our work, watch ad-free videos early, and vote for future topics, by signing up here:

www.patreon.com/posts/battle-of-wabash-104647616?u…

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3 4

1 week ago | [YT] | 2,221

Epic History

Ilya Repin’s ‘Religious Procession in Kursk Governorate’ (1883) shows a crowd of Russians from all levels of society as they follow ‘Our Lady of Kursk’, an icon painting of the Virgin Mary and Jesus, believed to date from the 13th century.

Repin’s painting was popular but controversial, as some saw an implied criticism of Russia’s traditional social structure. Discover the history of Russia from ‘Rurik to Revolution’ in our documentary:
https://youtu.be/w0Wmc8C0Eq0

1 week ago | [YT] | 3,076

Epic History

The Mamluk sword.

During the French expedition to Egypt in 1798, Napoleon’s army marvelled at the colourful, bejewelled outfits and ornate weaponry of the Mamluk warriors. They were particularly impressed with the craftsmanship of the Mamluks’ scimitar-like swords.

Returning from Egypt, many French officers adopted the sword as both a fashion accessory, and sign of hard service in distant lands.

This adoption of the Mamluk sword, also seen in the British army, was part of an early 19th century European trend of ‘Egyptomania’ and ‘Orientalism’.

Find out about Napoleon’s expedition to Egypt in our series: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU...

1 week ago | [YT] | 4,124