There are some strongholds built to protect the sacred; there are others used for more sinister purposes; uncovering the remarkable stories behind some of the world's most imposing structures.

From the strict, brutal codes of Hammurabi and the Samurai to the secretly malevolent evil eye and Voodoo dolls, history is full of stories of acts of violence.

Legendary beasts are believed to roam the earth and the seas, terrorizing, killing, and even possessing humans.

For centuries, secret codes have been embedded in sacred texts, ancient paintings, and even etched into the earth itself. Were they left as clues, warnings or something far more profound?

From the legendary blades of ancient kings to a divine arsenal said to annihilate monsters, history is filled with tales of iconic sacred weapons.