Shows / Ancient Warfare Podcast
Ancient Warfare Podcast
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.
Episodes
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA373 - Greek phalanx vs. Germanic shield wall: how different were they?
In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast, Murray tackles a question from Jörn: How different are an ancient Greek city-state's hoplite phalanx and a…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA372 - Were ancient armies ever at full strength?
In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast, Murray answers a question from Marc about the actual size of ancient military units. Modern sources often quote…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA371 - Do we know anything about ancient soldiers dice games?
In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast, Murray answers a listener's question about games of chance in the ancient world. Did soldiers pass the time…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW369 - Battles of the Bronze Age
'With the emergence of the first city-states came the first cases of organised warfare and campaigns of conquest, as well as developments in arms and armour.'…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA368 - What happened to the Hastati, Principes, and Triarii?
In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast, Murray answers a question from @tadejtomic1943: Why and when did the distinctions between Hastati, Principes…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA367 - How permanent were institutions like dux or comes?
In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast, Murray answers a question inspired by Finis Britanniae: Were Roman military commands permanent structures, or…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA366 - When did the classical Greek hoplite cease to exist?
In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast, Murray tackles a listener question from @tadejtomic1943: When did the classical Greek hoplite cease to exist?…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW365 - Controversies of Roman Warfare
We're between issues of Ancient Warfare magazine, so in this episode the team takes the opportunity to discuss some of the major controversies in Roman…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA364 - Victories by missile-based armies
In this episode, Murray tackles a thoughtful listener question: were heavy, armoured troops consistently more effective than missile-armed light troops? Our…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA363 - Why do slingers go away?
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…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA362 - What can you tell me about the Scythed Chariots at Gaugamela?
In this episode, Murray addresses a fascinating and complex listener question concerning the famous scythed chariots used at the Battle of Gaugamela: "Dear…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW361 - Helmets in the Ancient World
"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…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA360 - Did the ancient Greeks have a padded garment under their armour?
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…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA359 - Who are your go-to translators for your favourite texts?
In this episode, Murray Dahm tackles a listener question about the best translators for classical texts like Herodotus's Histories. Are modern versions better?…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA358 - What was an oblique phalanx?
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…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA357 - What was the least influential weapon on the ancient battlefield?
Ralph Kirby challenges Murray with an intriguing question: could the Polybolas be considered the least influential weapon on the ancient battlefield? Used by…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW356 - New discoveries in Ancient Warfare 2025
In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Magazine Podcast, the team explores groundbreaking archaeological discoveries from 2025 that are reshaping our…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA355 - Did small built-up areas play a role in ancient battlefields?
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…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA354 - Why did ancient armies have few ranged units compared to line infantry?
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…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA353 - Who were ancient scouts?
'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…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW352 - Tiberius
In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast, Marc De Santis talks to historian and author Lindsay Powell about his latest book, Tiberius: From Masterly…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA351 - What would be your ideal military?
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?…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA349 - Were there any inspiring elites in ancient warfare?
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…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW348 - Greece in the fourth century BC
"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…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA347 - Questions about Masada and Josephus (part II)
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…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA346 - Questions about Masada and Josephus
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 PodcastAWA350 - What do we know about the early life of Marcus Furius Camillus?
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…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA345 - Why didn't Rome's adversaries emulate her?
Christopher asks, 'why didn't adversaries to Rome (especially on the Italian peninsula) see the methods by which Rome consistently recovered from defeat and…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW344 - Roman Soldier vs Dacian Warrior
In the latest episode of the Ancient Warfare Magazine podcast, Marc De Santis speaks with Murray Dahm about his new book, Roman Soldier vs Dacian Warrior…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA343 - Which type of armor did the legions under Caesar and Augustus use?
This question came via a comment on an earlier podcast. 'Which type of armour did the legions under Caesar and Augustus use? I understand the lorica segmentata…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA342 - How vulnerable were armies during the Bronze and Iron Ages to lightning strikes?
Shabbi poses this intriguing question,'how vulnerable were armies during the Bronze and Iron Ages to lightning strikes, whether on the battlefield or while…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA341 - What really happened at the battle of Lugdunum, 197 AD?
These questions came via postcard from Michael in Boston. 'What really happened at the battle of Lugdunum (197 CE)? I've read that this battle might have been…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA340 - Usurpers legions and provinces
Two great questions here for Murray on the topic of usurpers. 'It seems Legio VII Gemina raised by Galba in AD 68 in Hispania is quite unique. In terms of…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW339 - Single Combat in Antiquity
'For those trying to win wars in the ancient world, large armies were a necessity. However, the personal prestige earned from a victory in single combat was…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA338 - Lambdas and ancient Greek shield devices
For the first episode of 2025, we have this from @mrookeward, who asks Murray to explore some of the tropes (or not tropes) for 'uniforms'. E.g. the Spartan…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA337 - Legions and Foederati
Murray answers four questions in just one episode sent in by David: 1. Were the legions largely (or even completely) replaced by the foederati by the seventh…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA336 - Did ancient armies catapult corpses into enemy cities?
'We've all heard of ancient armies catapulting corpses and manure over walls in sieges, but is the modern intuition that this was to promote illness in those…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW335 - Gladiator II
With the release of Ridley Scott's Gladiator II, the Ancient Warfare team have headed off to their local cinemas (well, almost all of the team) for a…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA334 - Were the reasons for war in ancient times any different to the modern era?
Murray gives his thoughts on this question sent in by Paul, 'were the reasons for war in ancient times any different to the modern era?' Join us on Patron…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA333 - Was there ever king versus king single combat?
Jason sent this in for Murry to muse over, 'a lot of old action war movies set in ancient times have two champions or the two kings from both sides meeting in…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA332 - Why were there no invasions of Macedonia or Greece while Alexander was in Asia?
Thanks to Valentine for sending this in. 'I have finished rereading your excellent article, "Men you can Trust," in Volume 16, Issue 6 of Ancient Warfare. A…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA331 - What effect did the Hunnic invasions into Western Europe have on Britain?
JackSarge poses this question for Murray. What effect did the Hunnic invasions into Western Europe have on Britain? Did Attila send emissaries to Britain or…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW330 - Legio X Fretensis
Founded in the war against Sextus Pompeius, the 'Legion of the Strait' spent most of its long history in the provinces of the Roman East with Parthians…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA329 - What defines heavy infantry in the ancient world?
Another question from Miles, what defines heavy infantry in the ancient world? Were Phalangites considered heavy infantry at the time? Join us on Patron…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA328 - What armour did Macedonian and late Hellenistic Phalangites wear?
Miles asks, what armour did Macedonian and late Hellenistic Phalangites wear? If they were initially equipped with lighter armour (e.g., linothorax), did they…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA327 - When did Rome's conquest of Italy become inevitable?
At what point was Roman success inevitable during Rome's wars to conquer the rest of Italy through the 5th, 4th, and 3rd centuries BC? Murray gives us his…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW326 - The Most Influential Weapon in the Ancient World
In the latest episode, the Ancient Warfare Podcast team discuss what they think was the most influential weapon in the Ancient World. From the iconic Roman…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA325 - What ideas did the Hellenistic kingdoms adopt from the lands they ruled?
Carlos sent this question in for Murray to consider: "Besides elephants, what other units or ideas did the Hellenistic kingdoms adopt from the peoples of the…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA324 - The last recorded legion
"In the Western empire, what was the last recorded Legion to take the field as a formed/cohesive unit? And the same question for the Eastern Empire." Join us…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA323 - How were new legions raised?
"Let's continue that theme [of lost legions]. How new imperial Legions were raised? Did other other legions provide cadres to train?" Murray continues the…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW322 - The Persian Wars
'Once the Persians had been defeated at Salamis and Plataea, they withdrew from the Greek mainland. But the war was far from over, and the Greeks went on the…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA321 - When was the first wargame?
Thanks to Jamie for sending this in: "What was the first wargame? Did it really start at WATU, or are there examples of ancient generals playing games to…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA320 - How accurate is the 'Last Kingdom'?
John Asks: "Hi Murray and all, quick question for AWA (and sorry its not a post card) - Murray mentioned "The Last Kingdom" in the Finis Britanniae episode. My…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA319 - Visually Distinct Ancient Armies
CliosPaintingBench asks "Would like to ask a question if possible: what do you think are the most visually distinct and impressive ancient warfare armies…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA318 - The Hunnic siege of Naissus
Robert asks "I really enjoyed the article about the Hunnic Siege of Naissus. However, I had a question about the Hunnic siege engines described and illustrated…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW317 - Gladiator II
In this episode, the team turn their attention to the silver screen with a look at the newly released trailer for "Gladiator II." Join them as they explore…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA316 - The Fate of the Ninth Legion
John asks one of the big questions of Roman Imperial military history - what happened to the ninth legion (Legio IX Hispana). Murray presents his theory (and…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA315 - What happened when a legion was transferred
'When a Legion is transferred, is it sent en masse? and generally, were replacement troops put in place to assume the fortifications et al that the departing…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA314 - What really happened at the battle of Panium, 200 BC
Greg wonders what really happened at the Battle of Panium in 200 BC, and how good a tactician was Antiochus III? Are there some books that you could recommend…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW313 - Rome's Many Enemies
"Over the course of its long history and expansion, Rome fought a range of peoples. Some were conquered, while others never were. A few would even return for…