(A middle-aged Roman man wearing lorica hamata chainmail takes his scutum and thrusts his gladius toward the camera.)
Julius Caesar: Roman dictator who turned the Roman republic into the world famous empire.
(Caesar blocks a blow from an enemy soldier and runs him through with his gladius.)
vs.
(An older Asian man wearing steel lamellar swings his saber at the camera while shouting.)
Kublai Khan: The Mongol warlord who brought the empire to its greatest extent and nearly conquered Japan.
(Kublai is seen riding into battle alongside his men against a Chinese army and decapitates a Song soldier with his saber.)
WHO IS DEADLIEST?
To find out, we've assembled a team of world class fighters to test history's most lethal weapons. Using 21st century science, we'll see what happens when two warriors go toe to toe.
No rules. No safety. No mercy. It's a duel to the death to decide who is...THE DEADLIEST WARRIOR!
Last time, both generals defeated their respective opponents in a hard fought battle...
(Caesar decapitates Ashurnasirpal II with a swing from his Gladius.)
...but now, we will bring both generals back once again to see who will be our 'Deadliest General.'
(Kublai Khan swings his saber and slices Mahmud's head off his shoulders.)
Here in our elite fight club we have gathered doctors, medical scientists and weapons experts to test out the lethal arsenals wielded by each of our combatants to determine who would win a fight between two generals who had significant impacts on their empires.
Julius Caesar
Circa: 48 B.C.
Age: 52
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 165 lbs.
Armor: Lorica Hamata, Pteryges, Coolus Helmet, Scutum
Kublai Khan
Circa: 1279 A.D.
Age: 63
Height: 5'7''
Weight: 155 lbs.
Armor: Steel Lamellar, Steel Helmet, Wooden Shield w/Steel Plates
''And here we go! Back for blood match three and final one for the general's bracket and this time around we're having the famous Julius Caesar going up against the last great Khan of the Mongol empire Kublai Khan. It's a battle between two men who came from the greatest empires of the ancient world and there's no denying this one is gonna get really bloody.'' Ancient weapons and combat specialist DeadAliveManiac started off.
''Rome and the Mongolian empire have been pitted against each other in various debates among historians and our fans as well so today we're gonna answer that question by putting these two generals against one another. Some fans are gonna go on the Mongol band wagon and automatically give the win to Kublai but here's the kicker, he's hitting retirement age compared to the slightly younger Caesar who is still very physically capable.'' Medical expert Zivon96 commented.
''Yeah, assuming the outcome of matches is something we generally do not like as it can come off as arrogant, so we're gonna do everything we can to make this as good a match as possible considering the time difference between these two.'' Weapons geek MKDemigodZ-Warrior added.
''As always, we've got swords, cavalry and many pointed weapons. Will the last great Khan be able to nab another win for the sake of the Mongol empire? Or will Julius Caesar put him down? Let's get this damned show on the road!'' Modern weapons and tactics specialist PFC Rice Man concluded.
To further his legacy, the Roman dictator used the best standard arms of the mighty Roman army to do just that.
Short Range: Gladius
Mid-Range: Hasta
Long Range: Pilum
Special: Pugio
In turn, the last great Khan used the standard arsenal of the Mongol army to dominate his enemies.
Short Range: Turko-Mongol Saber
Mid-Range: Jida
Long Range: Mongol Recurve Bow
Special: Mongol Dagger
For short range weapons, both generals wielded blades of very differing designs, for Julius Caesar it was the gladius and for Kublai Khan he brought with him the deadly Turko-Mongol saber.
The team reviews the testing of the sword in their various previous appearances and it doesn't take a genius to know what their decision is.
''Do I really have to explain my pick for this? I guess so. The gladius is designed for infantry combat whereas the saber is optimized for cavalry as well as infantry.'' DAM explained.
''The saber will have no problem getting the exposed areas of Caesar's armor for an instant kill and take it to horseback it's a kill every time.'' Zivon seconded.
''It has the longer reach too so there's that.'' Demigod added.
''Looks like we're unanimous then, edge to Kublai Khan.'' Rice Man concluded.
In short range weapons, the edge goes to Kublai Khan for the Turko-Mongol saber.
For mid-ranged combat, both generals used to deadly impaling weapons to skewer their way through opponents. Julius Caesar used the standard hasta and Kublai Khan brought in the staple of Mongolian cavalry the jida lance.
The team reviews the testing of both weapons in their various previous appearances before coming to their decision.
''I gotta go with the hasta on this one, it's well made for its intended use and will hit a lot harder.'' DAM explained.
''Gonna have to agree with that one, plus combined with their scutum the Romans might be able to hold off a Mongol assault...for a few minutes before being overrun.'' Zivon said.
''The hasta as a much larger head and you're definitely going to feel that when it hits you.'' Demigod added.
''I would've given the edge to the jida for its length alone but since the hasta is easier to use on foot which this battle will eventually become it takes the edge when you combine it with the scutum.'' Rice Man concluded.
For mid-range weapons, the edge goes to Julius Caesar for the hasta.
For long range weapons, these generals used two differing methods of putting their enemies down. Julius Caesar brought with him the pilum and Kublai Khan used the Mongol recurve bow.
The team reviews the tapes of the weapons in their debut episodes and it takes them a few seconds to come to their decision.
''Do I really have to explain this crap? Nope, not gonna do it because it's obvious.'' DAM said shaking his head in disapproval.
''By the time the Romans hurl their pilum they're most likely going to miss a charging group of Mongols and when they go and take the next one out they're already dead full of arrows, edge to the Khan.'' Zivon said.
''Yeah...you can already guess what I'm gonna say.'' Demigod groaned in annoyance.
All Rice Man did was sigh in disappointment and pitied Julius Caesar greatly.
''Pass.''
In long range weapons, the edge goes to Kublai Khan in a vote of 4 to 0.
For special weapons, these generals brought in two similar and very reliable sidearms. For Kublai Khan he brought with him the Mongol dagger and for Julius Caesar he brings in the pugio.
''The dagger the Mongol army used was 12 inches in length and weighed just under a pound. This was a fine piece of warfare that was decorated with iron and silver in the handle and the blade itself was single-edged.'' explained Kublai expert Munkthur.
''We've set up a gel torso that will be wearing the armor Caesar would've worn which would be the lorica hamata chainmail. We will give you 15 seconds to deal as much damage as you can understood?'' DAM explained.
''You got it.''
''On 3...2...1...attack!"
Munkthur places a hand on the torso's shoulder and jams the dagger straight into the chest, the armor doing nothing to protect it's wearer. The expert struggles for a second to yank the blade out and when he does that he proceeds to slit the torso's throat before shoving the dagger into the temple leaving the weapon in there as DAM calls time.
''Okay let's see what we've got.'' Zivon said as he walked over, ''I'm feeling that you managed to get the blade all the way through and from what my fingers are touching you managed to get the heart for an instant kill. The second move saw you slit all his major veins and arteries which will definitely kill him in a matter of seconds with that quick bleed out. Last move saw you jam that dagger through the temple and get him in the brain for another instant kill.''
The team looks over the pugio's debut and the panelists appear divided on which weapon to give the edge to.
''I am giving this one to the Mongol dagger, simply put it has the easier armor to penetrate.'' DAM started off.
''I don't know man, the pugio has reach over it and while it will obviously struggle with the lamellar, the reach is something that can't be overlooked.'' Zivon countered.
''For me, I call this one a draw, there's really no advantage one has over the other to make it a definite edge.'' Demigod said.
''I find myself agreeing with Demigod here, one has reach but has the harder armor to get through, the other is shorter but has the easier armor to get through. Neither weapon carries a significant advantage over the other to make this edge clear.'' Rice Man concluded.
In special weapons, both generals are even.
Now, for armor these generals brought with them the best protection there was available at the time. Caesar wore the standard lorica hamata while Kublai dawned the steel lamellar.
''Steel lamellar gets the edge, harder material and the only real way Caesar can get through that is if he has a mace.'' DAM started off.
''The scutum no doubt beats the Mongol shield but other than that, that's it for Caesar, he's screwed.'' Zivon said.
''Yeah...what can Caesar even do to penetrate that fortess? The gladius and hasta will fail 100% of the time and the only way he can take Kublai down is if he manages to cut one of the laces and cause individual pieces to fall off but nonetheless I give it to Kublai.'' Demigod added.
''What Demigod said, 3 out of Kublai's 4 weapons can pierce the lorica hamata like butter while Caesar has absolutely zero. Kublai takes it what a shocker.'' Rice Man concluded.
In the armor category, Kublai Khan takes an indefinite edge.
Coming up! Metal Harbinger reviews the x-factors and then after our battle between two titans of their respective parts of the world clash to decide who is the deadliest general!
XXXXXX
Welcome back to the fight club, here we tested the weapons of two famed leaders of their respective empires.
For short range weapons, the Turko-Mongol saber outperformed the glafius.
''It's longer and when used on horseback will outstrike the gladius every time.'' DAM explained.
Edge: Kublai Khan
For mid-range weapons, the hasta proved more practical than the jida lance.
''Despite the shorter reach, we had to give the edge to the hasta due to it's more comfortable use on foot and how hard it hits.'' Zivon explained.
Edge: Julius Caesar
For long range weapons, it was a no-brainer edge on why the Mongol recurve bow defeated the pilum.
''Gee, I wonder? The ancient world's most deadly and powerful bow against a throwing javelin?'' Demigod said, almost acting clueless over the edge.
Edge: Kublai Khan
For special weapons, both the Mongol dagger and pugio were determined as equals.
''Both weapons have their pros and cons, the pugio is longer but will not penetrate the lamellar whereas the Mongol dagger is shorter but can penetrate the lorica hamata.'' Rice Man explained.
Edge: Even
For armor, Kublai Khan's steel lamellar was determined to be more protective over Caesar's lorica hamata.
''It's made of a harder material and is more technologically advanced and Caesar has no weapon that can penetrate it compared to Kublai who has three.'' DAM explained.
Edge: Kublai Khan
Now, our resident metalhead Metal Harbinger will review the x-factors.
''Let's get this done.'' he said.
''Troop training went to both men since they had the best trained and equipped army under them during their respective time periods. 98 for each.''
''Generalship went to Caesar with an 89 to Kublai's 82 since Kublai had those two disasters in Japan and Vietnam.''
''Logistics was tweaked from their previous battles and this went to Kublai due to his empire covering larger amounts of territory. 93 to a 90.''
''Physicality was a close one and Kublai had the lead with an 84 to Caesar's 81 due to the Khan being on the move.''
''For endurance however goes to Caesar since he is a bit younger compared to near retirement age Kublai. 88 to 79 respectively.''
''Last we have metallurgy and this of course goes to Kublai since he's way more advanced technologically. He gets an 88 to Caesar's 82.''
The team has now finished reviewing the weapons, armor and x-factors of both generals.
Who will win between season 3's deadliest generals? Metal will run the simulator one-thousand times pitting Julius Caesar, 1 Centurion ad 3 Legionaries against Kublai Khan, 1 Mongol cavalryman and 3 foot soldiers. For Kublai Khan the foot soldiers will wear leather lamellar but carry his shield and his cavalryman will have the same armor.
''In the end, only one man will remain standing, let's see who it is.'' Metal said hitting the button.
XXXXXX
The battle of Alesia was his greatest achievement yet but it was costly, after losing 12,000 men to the Gauls the mighty Roman dictator Julius Caesar was seen making his way back toward Rome with all the men he had left, a Centurion and 3 legionaries.
Word has it that an army of raiders from the East have been making their way toward the Republic and the dictator was determined to get back home to defend his land. All that is left is to get through this open field, cut through the forest and they will be safe within their territory.
Julius Caesar: 5
In the forest unknown to the Romans five men clad in lamellar armor were seen emerging from the forest and it is revealed to be the mighty Kublai Khan. After defeating every major kingdom in eastern Europe he had decided to make his way into the emerging Roman empire. Deciding to scout the area first he had selected 4 of his soldiers to accompany him to see how powerful this Republic was after hearing rumors from some Gauls who had fled the battle against Caesar.
Much like Mahmud and Ghazna, He will kill the leader and this land will be assimilated into his empire.
Kublai Khan: 5
The sound of Kublai's horse's whinnying caught the attention of Caesar and looking toward the forest he spots the Asiatic warriors approaching. The rumors did say the raiders were Asiatic and sensing these men to be the enemy Caesar orders his troops to throw a volley of pilum.
''Dicite sta et praepara impetum!'' (Get ready to attack!)
Kublai saw what the Romans were doing and ordered his men to ready their bows.
''Erchüüd ta numaa ashigladag shüü dee!'' (Men, use your bows!)
The Mongols were quicker to ready their attack and fired their arrows at a high angle and before they can toss their pilum one of the legionaries takes an arrow to the eye knocking him back dead.
Julius Caesar: 4 - Kublai Khan: 5
Despite the loss of a man, Caesar had to focus and ordered his men to let their volley fly. The remaining Roman troops toss their pilums as hard as they could at the Mongols and much like with them, two of the Mongol soldiers raised their shields in time to block the attack but the third one was impaled through the chest right into the aorta.
Julius Caesar: 4 - Kublai Khan: 4
Caesar smirks upon seeing Kublai's reaction at the loss of his own man and the Mongol leader ordered his cavalryman to mount a charge while his foot soldiers unsheath their sabers and charged as well.
The dictator orders his men to do the same and drawing their weapons they too charged toward their adversaries.
The Mongol cavalryman rides up to the Centurion but before the Roman can dodge the lance it finds its way into his throat, the force of the blow knocking him back several feet and he was left to choke on the steel.
Julius Caesar: 3 - Kublai Khan: 4
Caesar challenges the Mongol cavalryman and waits for him to ride up within range of his hasta. The cavalryman takes his saber and swings downward prompting Caesar to raise his scutum and manages to block the attack and when the cavalryman ride back his way he thrusts the hasta and skewers the horse.
The animal crying in pain and stumbles the ground sending the Mongol crashing into the ground and before he can recover the Roman dictator thrusts the hasta into his face killing him.
Julius Caesar: 3 - Kublai Khan: 3
Now with the two sides meeting in the field the two legionaries and two Mongol foot soldiers were clashing blades. The two Romans forming a two man shield wall and their defense was holding true against the attacking Mongols and when one of the raiders goes in for a thrust he is bashed away from the legionaries and with him knocked on the ground they bash the other Mongol away so he could not attack and one of the legionaries kills the downed raider with a thrust to the gut.
The Asiatic warrior crying in pain before going limp.
Julius Caesar: 3 - Kublai Khan: 2
The Romans could not celebrate their victory as Kublai rides by with his saber and taking a swing he decapitates one of the legionaries and laughs evilly as he watches the head roll through the grass.
Julius Caesar: 2 - Kublai Khan: 2
This catches the other Roman off guard and focuses his attention on the charging Kublai who rides back and attempts to swing his saber but the Roman manages to block the blow. This distraction made the Roman forget all about the other foot soldier and he was able to sneak up on the Roman and swing his saber slicing a leg clean off at the knee.
The Roman screams in pure agony and was silenced when the Mongol swung the saber cutting his face in half.
Julius Caesar: 1 - Kublai Khan: 2
Galloping up to his last man the two Mongols spot Caesar and without a word the foot soldier lets out a battle cry as he charged toward Caesar and when he comes within attack range Caesar merely raised his scutum high to block the attack and reaching for his pugio and jams it into the Mongol's exposed throat before kicking the corpse over.
Julius Caesar: 1 - Kublai Khan: 1
The galloping of Kublai's horse caught his attention and manages to jump out of the way to avoid decapitation from the saber. He gets up on his feet and when Kublai went to make another pass he manages to reach out and grab Kublai's saber arm and gives a great pull to force the Asiatic raider off from his high horse.
This causes Kublai to become disarmed and due to his advanced age the blow took a lot out of him and he just barely manages to roll out of the way to avoid a gladius to the face. He rushes over to scoop up his saber and swings as he turns around only for the scutum to intercept the blow and for Caesar to kick him backward.
Again, he drops the saber and was left on the defensive as Caesar went in for a flurry of swings hoping to find an opening in the raider's defense. He feigns a thrust which causes Kublai to go to block the blow but Caeasar took the chance to grab a hold of the raider's shield arm and swing his gladius sideways knocking the raider's helmet off.
With his opponent's head exposed he swings again but Kublai manages to move his head backward slightly and only suffers a gash on the side of his head.
Now royally pissed off Kublai places a hand on Caesar's face and with the energy he could muster goes to shove him away and reaches for his strapped dagger. Annoyed at the gesture Caesar turns to attack again but Kublai charged toward him as well and shoves the dagger into Caesar's neck.
Gasping in surprise the Roman dictator dropped his gladius and was forced onto his knee as Kublai forced the dagger deeper into his neck. Gagging on the steel Caesar, with what life he had left spat a glob of blood into Kublai's face and this caused the Mongol general to yank the dagger out. He watched as Caesar fell to the ground as his neck spurted out blood and after several seconds, the dictator remained still as he took his final breath.
Julius Caesar: 0 - Kublai Khan: 1
Looking down at his dead opponent Kublai walked over to his saber, picks it up, walks back to Caesar's corpse and claims his opponent's head as his newest trophy. He then raises the head and saber into the air as he shouts in victory.
XXXXXX
Winner: Kublai Khan
Kublai Khan: 663
Turko-Mongol Saber: 135
Jida Lance: 23
Mongol Recurve Bow: 428
Mongol Dagger: 77
Julius Caesar: 337
Gladius: 105
Hasta: 142
Pilum: 10
Pugio: 80
X-Factors
Troop Training: 98/Troop Training: 98
Generalship: 82/Generalship: 89
Logistics: 93/Logistics: 90
Physicality: 84/Physicality: 81
Endurance: 79/Endurance: 88
Metallurgy: 88/Metallurgy: 82
Armor Failure Rate
Steel Helmet: 1% - Coolus Helmet: 3%
Steel Lamellar: 0.1% - Lorica Hamata: 12%
Wooden Shield w/Steel Plates: 1% - Scutum: 1%
In an immensely one-sided battle between two famous leaders, Kublai Khan won a large percent of the battles with 66.3% compared to Julius Caesar's 33.7%. It was all due to having more advanced metals in his weapons and armor that gave him complete victory.
''Julius Caesar had no chance in hell against Kublai Khan. He was just sliced, diced, skewered and riddled with arrows.'' DAM explained.
''Even though he transformed Rome into an empire there was no way he was gonna stand his ground against a man from the greatest empire of all time.'' Zivon said.
''I'm not surprised, his armor failed him against a large portion of Kublai's weapons whereas he had nothing to take down the Khan.'' Demigod added.
''It was a glorious victory for the last great Khan and a very devastating defeat for Caesar. Kublai carries on the tradition of the Mongol empire's dominance and this is proof they were the greatest conquerors in history and would've annihilated Rome.'' Rice Man concluded.
(Kublai is seen watching his armies ravage Rome from a hilltop. Strapped to his horse is Caesar's gladius and taking the fallen dictator's head he rides down to join his men to show surrendering Roman legions that their leader has fallen.)
XXXXXX
Next time on back for blood, season 3's most deadly and fierce tribal warriors face off.
Dayak Headhunter: The vicious and deadly tribesman from the Jungles of Borneo infamous for his collection of severed heads.
vs.
Sioux Warrior: The fearless and brave Native American who defeated the U.S. Cavalry at Little Bighorn.
WHO IS DEADLIEST!?