"World's First Terrorists": In 11th Century Persia, the country we know as Iran, Hasan i Sabbah, the leader of the Ismailis (Shia), creates the Assassins to fight in the age old conflict between Shiite and Sunni Muslims.

The elite units of the Byzantine Army, the Varangian Guard, served as personal bodyguards to the Byzantine Emperors, and originated primarily from Scandinavia and England. Along with the prowess in combat they wielded highly effective weapons.