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PODCAST

Ancient Warfare Podcast

The History Network

Discussions from Ancient Warfare Magazine. Why did early civilisations fight? Who were their Generals? What was life like for the earliest soldiers? Ancient Warfare Magazine will try and answer these questions. Warfare minus two thousand years.

history

All Episodes

10:37

AWA364 - Victories by missile-based armies

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/07/04

In this episode, Murray tackles a thoughtful listener question: were heavy, armoured troops consistently more effective than missile-armed light troops? Our listener reflects that European armies rarely seem to have been decimated by light forces—Carrhae being a rare exception—and wonders whether this is an accurate memory. Why did Persians, for instance, favour missile troops, and why didn’t this overwhelm Macedonian forces despite showers of arrows, slings, and javelins? Join us on Patron

en

10:59

AWA363 - Why do slingers go away?

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/06/27

In this episode, Murray takes on a question that's been asked before — but this time, he's invited to share his personal opinion: "OK... so it's been asked before in a general sense and the official answer is... we don't know! But Murray... in your own opinion, what's your best guess as to why slingers go away? Please speculate!" Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

14:55

AWA362 - What can you tell me about the Scythed...

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/06/20

In this episode, Murray addresses a fascinating and complex listener question concerning the famous scythed chariots used at the Battle of Gaugamela: "Dear Murray, I have a question on the scythed chariots at Gaugamela. I developed and played a wargame scenario on it, and these things have become a true enigma. The problem is the number of chariots, the frontage they could cover in relation to the phalanx, and how agile the phalanx would need to be to let them through harmlessly..." Join us on

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51:46

AW361 - Helmets in the Ancient World

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/06/13

"From the simple cap to the most intricately-wrought and elaborately-decorated royal example, the humble helmet could do much more than just protect its bearer’s head." For this episode of the Ancient Warfare Magazine podcast, the team discusses helmets in the Ancient World, issue 102 of the magazine. Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

11:32

AWA360 - Did the ancient Greeks have a padded garment...

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/06/06

In this episode, Murray tackles a listener question sent in by postcard from Damien in Tasmania: "Hi Murray, I love the magazine and the podcasts. My question is: Is there any evidence for a standard padded garment, worn under armour, in non-Roman armies (the equivalent of a subarmalis)? Or may it be assumed to be an individual choice? Cheers, Damien." Murray explores the evidence—or lack of it—for padded under-armour garments across various ancient armies outside of the Roman world. Join us on

en

08:53

AWA359 - Who are your go-to translators for your...

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/05/30

In this episode, Murray Dahm tackles a listener question about the best translators for classical texts like Herodotus’s Histories. Are modern versions better? What’s the deal with Penguin’s Aubrey de Sélincourt vs. Tom Holland’s more recent take? Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

14:04

AWA358 - What was an oblique phalanx?

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/05/23

Matt from North Carolina writes 'Can you explain and describe what an oblique phalanx is and how it was used in war by Alexander the Great?' Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

08:53

AWA357 - What was the least influential weapon on the...

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/05/16

Ralph Kirby challenges Murray with an intriguing question: could the Polybolas be considered the least influential weapon on the ancient battlefield? Used by both the Successor Macedonian states and Rome, Kirby argues that the Polybolas might have even replaced the Scorpio as a legionary siege weapon. Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

37:36

AW356 - New discoveries in Ancient Warfare 2025

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/05/09

In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Magazine Podcast, the team explores groundbreaking archaeological discoveries from 2025 that are reshaping our understanding of ancient conflicts. From mass graves to reinterpreted royal tombs, these finds illuminate the strategies, societies, and struggles of the past. Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

08:43

AWA355 - Did small built-up areas play a role in...

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/05/02

In more modern battles, small farm compounds like La Haye Sainte and Hougoumont played pivotal roles in the fighting. But in ancient warfare, we rarely see small villas or farmsteads having a similar impact on battles. Why is that? Were these features less significant in ancient combat, or are there examples where small built-up areas shaped the course of battle? Join Murray Dahm as he tackles this intriguing question on Ancient Warfare Answers! Join us on Patron

en

13:07

AWA354 - Why did ancient armies have few ranged units...

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/04/25

Long-time listener Uygar sent this in. "why did ancient armies, especially Greek phalanx-heavy ones, have relatively few ranged units like archers and slingers compared to line infantry? How did an ancient army determine the right number of ranged units for their army? And did the ranged units fight in a scattered manner in between the formations of the heavier line infantry rather than in rigid formations?' Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

11:05

AWA353 - Who were ancient scouts?

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/04/18

'I was curious as to how exactly the scouting process worked in ancient armies, although I'm sure it varied widely throughout different cultures and time periods. Additionally, was there every a commonly accepted type of soldier selected for scouting, or did ancient commanders simply send whoever was available? Thanks to Demetri for this question. Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

01:22:45

AW352 - Tiberius

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/04/11

In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast, Marc De Santis talks to historian and author Lindsay Powell about his latest book, Tiberius: The Reluctant Emperor, published by Pen and Sword. Often overshadowed by his predecessor Augustus and his notorious successor Caligula, Tiberius is one of Rome’s most enigmatic emperors. Lindsay delves into the life and reign of this complex figure—his military career, political challenges, and strained relationships within the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Was

en

11:03

AWA351 - What would be your ideal military?

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/04/04

What would be your ideal ancient military? Would it be a semi-nomadic people with skilled cavalry and infantry, and how would you structure this military? Murray gives us his ideas and explains what his historical inspirations for this thought experiment are. Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

11:37

AWA349 - Were there any inspiring elites in ancient...

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/03/21

Dylan Thomas, watching on YouTube, asked, 'I'm curious about the early life of Marcus Furius Camillus. He seems to pop up during the siege of Veii in Livy's work, with few mentions beforehand, and is then an important figure going forward. Are there any primary sources that recount his early life and career? The man's a legend, easily one of the top ten Romans of all time, but there seem to be scant records of him.' Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

33:47

AW348 - Greece in the fourth century BC

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/03/14

"The Peloponnesian War had ripped up the existing alliances in Greece — over the next decades, the main city-states looked for ways to regain money, power, and win battles." The team discuss the latest issue of the magazine City-States in an Arms Race: Greek innovation in the fourth century BC, issue 101. Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

09:42

AWA347 - Questions about Masada and Josephus (part II)

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/03/07

In the last episode, Murray expanded upon an article in the magazine in response to Chris's question. After recording that episode, Murray realised he had not answered the whole question. Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

10:35

AWA346 - Questions about Masada and Josephus

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/02/28

Chris sent this question for Murray, asking him to expand on one of his articles in the magazine. 'I recently read your article on the siege of Masada in Ancient Warfare magazine. I had a couple of questions regarding the assumptions made about the shortened timeline of the siege. Specifically, you mentioned two assumptions supporting the idea of a shorter siege. Could you provide more information or sources to support this hypothesis? Additionally, I have a colleague who views Josephus's work with

en

11:37

AWA350 - What do we know about the early life of...

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/02/28

Don Antonius sent this question: 'Was there an inspiring role of Elite Units in ancient armies? Do we have accounts of battles where elite units (not necessarily “veterans”) like the Roman cataphracts, Carthage’s sacred band etc. supposedly lifted the spirits to fight on or evidently change the odds?' Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

10:27

AWA345 - Why didn't Rome's adversaries emulate her?

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/02/21

Christopher asks, 'why didn't adversaries to Rome (especially on the Italian peninsula) see the methods by which Rome consistently recovered from defeat and tried to emulate them?' Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

326 results

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