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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

12:17

AWA398 - Turning to Face an Outflank

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2026/02/27

John asks whether there are historical examples of a formation being outflanked where the troops on the threatened flank turn to engage the attacker, while the main line remains engaged to the front, effectively fighting on two faces at once while maintaining cohesion. Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

11:32

AWA397 - Athenian Archers

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2026/02/20

Samuel asks about Athenian archers at the start of the Peloponnesian War. Thucydides lists significant numbers of them in 431 and it raises a series of questions. How were these archers equipped Were they citizens, metics or the famous Scythian archers Did they serve aboard triremes or mainly in garrisons Were they poorer citizens unable to afford hoplite equipment, or were they specialists and mercenaries. Murray looks at what we know from the sources and archaeology about Athenian archers. Join

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45:23

AW396 - Revolutions in Warfare

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2026/02/13

What counts as a true revolution in warfare? In this episode, the panel tackles the idea of sudden and radical change on the ancient battlefield. Rather than slow evolution, they ask which developments transformed how wars were fought almost overnight. From the emergence of the phalanx and the impact of the trireme at sea, to the spread of cavalry, chariots, and new ways of organising troops, the discussion ranges across the ancient world. The panel also considers technological shifts, including the

en

09:29

AWA395 - Gladiators and the Roman Army

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2026/02/06

Alexis asks about the connection between the Roman military and gladiators. Why did the army build and use its own amphitheatres, like the one at Carnuntum, with others recently identified at Megiddo and possibly Carthage and Puteoli Another puzzle is why the army engaged with gladiators at all when civilian amphitheatres already existed. Murray looks at what military amphitheatres were for in day to day army life. Were they training grounds, places of discipline, entertainment or demonstrations of

en

12:14

AWA394 - War Pigs

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2026/01/30

Ancient sources claim that pigs were sometimes used as weapons against war elephants. Murray examines the origins of this idea, whether it ever occurred, and the famous story associated with Antigonus II Gonatas at the siege of Megara. Did armies really set pigs on fire to panic war elephants? What evidence do we have for this practice? Was it a routine tactic, or does the story survive primarily because of a single account by Antigonus II Gonatas of the siege of Megara? Murray examines the sources

en

09:24

AWA393 - How long were bronze helmets used?

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2026/01/23

Listener question from TheSgruby: He asks, "How long were bronze helmets in use? Even after better materials appeared, they seem to have lasted a surprisingly long time as part of military equipment." Murray takes a look. Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

42:59

AW392 - Crossing the Rubicon

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2026/01/16

On 10 January 49 BC, Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon River, a decision that would trigger civil war and reshape the Roman world. But what did this moment really mean, and how inevitable was the conflict that followed? In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast, the team explore the political and military background to Caesar's fateful decision. We look at the breakdown of relations between Caesar and Pompey, the pressures within the Roman Republic, and why compromise ultimately failed. Was

en

11:26

AWA391 - Bridging the Hellespont

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2026/01/09

Listener question from Andrew: While watching a video on the Second Persian Invasion, Andrew wondered why the Greeks didn't attack the Persian engineers as they built the massive pontoon bridge across the Hellespont. How was the bridge constructed and defended, and did the Greeks miss a real chance to destroy it? Murray explains. Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

12:46

AWA390 - Roman Military Signalling

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2026/01/02

Listener question from @klappspatenkamikaze: After commenting on an earlier episode about cloaks in combat, they added, "Now I want to know more about signalling 😃." Murray is happy to oblige. Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

12:24

AWA389 - Rome's Elite Veterans: Influence, Origins,...

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/12/26

Listener question from TheSgruby: How important were the Evocati in Roman political and military life? And when do they first – and last – appear in the historical record? Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

11:25

AWA388 - The triple acies revisited

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/12/19

In this episode of Ancient Warfare Answers, Murray Dahm tackles a question about Roman tactics. If the Romans deployed in three lines of infantry, each eight men deep, how did they avoid leaving their flanks exposed to an enemy who could form a single, wider line? Murray unpacks how the Roman system worked and why it proved so effective. Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

01:01:29

AW387 - The Roman legion in the second century AD

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/12/12

"The second century begins with a great war of conquest, and ends with another civil war between pretenders to the throne. Between those two extremes, there were changes in equipment, the rise of career officers, and the introduction of campaigns fought with detachments, instead of uprooting the entire legion." The team discuss the latest edition of the magazine issue 105, A Century of Warfare: The Roman army in the 2nd century AD. Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

11:09

AWA386 - Let the die be cast

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/12/05

In this episode of Ancient Warfare Answers, Murray Dahm returns to the topic of dice in the ancient world. After a question about Greek and Roman dice and the game of Hazard, Murray explores other games played with dice and uncovers intriguing details about the Roman game of Alea — perhaps the one Julius Caesar referenced with his famous phrase "Alea iacta est." As always, the reality is more complex than it first seems.

en

11:12

AWA385 - Did the ancients fight with their cloaks on?

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/11/28

In this episode of Ancient Warfare Answers, Murray Dahm tackles a listener question from Richard Azzalin. Did Greek and Roman soldiers ever fight while wearing their cloaks or chlamys? And did warriors sometimes go into battle barefoot? Murray looks at what the evidence tells us about these details of ancient warfare. Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

10:40

AWA384 - Did Hannibal and Scipio Africanus Really Meet?

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/11/21

Dominik asks: is the famous story of Hannibal and Scipio Africanus meeting to discuss history's greatest generals plausible? Murray Dahm examines the ancient accounts, the realities of elite travel in the ancient world, and whether such encounters between great commanders could have happened. Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

43:56

AW383 - The Ancient Warfare Christmas Reading List

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/11/14

With Christmas just around the corner, the Ancient Warfare team take a break from battles to share their top reading recommendations for the holidays. From newly released studies to timeless classics, Jasper, Murray, Mark, Lindsay, and Marc each choose books that any ancient warfare enthusiast would love to find under the tree. Whether you're looking for inspiration for your own list or shopping for a fellow history buff, this episode is full of great ideas to keep you reading well into the new

en

08:27

AWA382 - How Did Caesar's Legionnaires Stay...

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/11/07

A listener asks: without modern nutritionists or recovery plans, how did Caesar's legionnaires maintain the stamina to fight repeated battles, such as Bibracte and the Arar in 58 BC? Murray Dahm looks at training, diet, and discipline in Rome's legions, and how ancient soldiers sustained their fighting edge. Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

07:43

AWA381 - Did Ancient Soldiers Protect Their Feet?

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/10/31

A listener asks: with Greek and Roman soldiers well-armoured elsewhere, how did they protect the tops of their feet from injury? Murray Dahm explores what ancient sources and archaeology reveal about footwear, armour, and the realities of combat. Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

14:20

AWA380 - How Did the Greek Phalanx Keep Its Line?

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/10/24

A listener from Brisbane asks: how did the Greek hoplite phalanx maintain a cohesive front while advancing into battle over uneven terrain dotted with trees, bushes, and obstacles? Murray Dahm explains how ancient soldiers kept formation, reformed when disrupted, and adapted their tactics to the landscape. Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

28:31

AW379 - Commanding and Army in Antiquity

Ancient Warfare Podcast ·

2025/10/18

How do you get the right man to command your armies? Does he learn on the job, or from books, and what happens when something goes wrong? In this episode, the team discusses issue 104, Who Put You in Charge? Commanding an Army in Antiquity. Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

en

339 results

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