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 PodcastAWA252 - Why Javelins?
Robert asks, 'Why javelins? It seems that a bow would be a much better weapon for a skirmish in the ancient world, but it seems that javeLin armed light troops…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA251 - Large-Scale Experimental Archaeology
'Is there today or has there been anyone trying to conduct larger-scale experimental archaeology to try and answer some of the common questions about certain…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA250 - The Last Documented Roman Legion
Alex asks, 'When is the last documented evidence of one of the original Roman Legions being in existence? I remember reading about Legio V Macedonica being…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW249 - The 19th-century foundations of Classical Greek warfare, with Roel Konijnendijk
Murray talks with Roel Konijnendijk about his recent work on 19th-century German language scholars and how they laid the foundations of much of the 20th…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA248 - What if Alexander had turned west?
Curt wonders why did Alexander the Great not look westwards, starting with Rome during his conquests? There are a lot of 'what if's' here for Murray to deal…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA247 - What do we know about the Skiritai?
Samuel points out that Xenophon makes reference to the Sciritai as part of the Spartan army foray into Boeotia during the mid-370s). And the sources are a bit…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA246 - Can AI help translate ancient manuscripts?
Mark, one of our patrons, wonders if Murray sees a place for AI in helping to translate ancient manuscripts. Could AI step up to help with this and help sort…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA245 - Why did the sarissa fall out of use until the late medieval period?
Listener Andy Shaw wonders why the sarissa 'seems to fall out of use between the two periods even though protecting infantry from cavalry remains a consistent…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA244 - Did the quality of Hellenistic cavalry decline?
Murray gives this thought on this question sent in, 'is the supposed decline in the quality of Hellenistic cavalry true or is that exaggeration with…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW243 - The Coming of the Hoplite
When did the phalanx become the fully-developed formation we imagine? In this issue of Ancient Warfare, we explore the various changes and developments in the…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA242 - How were enemy casualty figures calculated?
Murray ponders why Macedonian casualty figures were low and how enemy casualty figures might have been calculated. Did someone go around counting all the dead…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA241 - Why did the sarissa fall out of use until the late medieval period?
Following his last question from Murray a few weeks ago, Andy asks, 'the question I've always wondered is why it seems to fall out of use between the two…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA240 - Why did the Successor kingdom companion cavalry fair so poorly against the Romans?
"Alexander's Companion cavalry seemed to be the premier cavalry of its age, and was instrumental in the battles against the Persian empire. Why is it then…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW239 - Imperium Romanum
Imperium Romanum is a YouTube channel dedicated to bringing history to life, with documentaries looking at everything Ancient Rome; from the army and military…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA238 - What if the Roman Empire had not fallen?
An interesting 'what if' quest from Jeff, who asks Murray for his thoughts on 'what if the Roman Empire had never fallen and was still around today, what would…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA237 - Why was the Macedonian casualty rate so low?
Brendon asks why the Macedonian phalanx at the Battles of Issues and Gaugamela suffered such a low casualty rate from arrows fired by archers? Murray gives us…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA236 - Medieval pike vs ancient sariassa
Tony sent this in for Murray to think about, 'can you tell us anything about the difference in style of combat when comparing late medieval pike vs ancient…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW235 - Piracy and Raids
One man's pirate is another's daring raider, and the boundary between warrior and pirate can be equally nebulous. Piracy is an age-old problem without a simple…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA234 - Envelopment of the Legion
Mason sent in a question a few weeks ago, and here he is again with another for Murray.'If Romans were fighting and happened to get surrounded, did they have a…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA233 - Military Admin
'How did the Romans keep track of who actually completed their years of service? What's to stop you from deserting and showing up to claim your pension…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA286 - Low Casualty figures
Murray answers a question from a 12-year-old fan from Italy, Greg - How many casualties were there really at Magnesia? The Roman sources say 53,000 for the…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA232 - The Language of the Roman Army
Mason sent this question in for Murray to muse over, 'how did the language differences of auxiliary units affect armies on campaign or during battle? Were…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA230 - How did ancient siege mines work?
In response to an email from David in New York, Murray explains siege mining in the ancient world. Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA231 - Did physical impairment disbar you from service?
Murray answers this question from Pascal, 'could you serve as a soldier, officer or even a consul despite some form of physical handicap during the roman…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW229 - Ancient Warfare Consumes Media
With the holiday season almost upon us, the Ancient Warfare Magazine team discuss new books released in 2022, old and new documentaries that are now available…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA228 - Bridging Rivers
Murray got this question from Jonathan via email 'I read about Caesar bridging of the Rhine, is that how armies bridged rivers after him, following his…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA227 - How long was the Macedonian Sarissa?
Bill sent Murray this question, 'how long was the Macedonian Sarissa? I've read a lot about 20' and sometimes longer'. Join us on Patron…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA226 - What was the standard depth of a hoplite line?
Jonathan sent this question directly to Murray 'What was the standard depth of a hoplite line? I see eight mentioned all the time – were there any others?'…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW225 - Invicta
Jasper and Murray are joined by Julien Blurel, the brains behind the Invicta YouTube channel. In the latest episode, Invicta demonstrates the true size of a…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA224 - Battlefield Trophies
Patron of the podcast Seanbob sent in this question for Murray to mull over, 'what is up with foreskin collection? I know Ramses wrote on walls about the…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA223 - What was salvaged from a battlefield?
What happened to all the gear and supplies after a big battle? What did people tend to salvage? Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW222 - The volatile life of King Phillip II
'Philip II of Macedonia inherited a fragile kingdom under pressure. He absorbed the lessons from his childhood and turned it into a military powerhouse.' The…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA221 - How did armies get potable water on campaign?
How did armies get or store potable water while on campaign? Murray has the answer... Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA220 - What is a useful analogy for talking about ancient warfare?
Murray, once more on his own, discusses what, in his opinion, is a useful analogy for talking about ancient warfare. Join us on Patron…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA219 - Respect for the enemy
Bryan sent us in this question,'what are some documented cases where the victorious/conquering forces held a deep respect for their defeated foe or for the…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA218 - What do the columns tell us about the wars depicted?
Bruce emailed us this question, what do the columns (Trajan, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius) tell us about the wars depicted? Are they reliable narratives?…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA217 - Why did generals write back to the senate about what they had done?
Andrew emailed us this question for Murray to answer, why did generals write back to the senate about what they had done? Was that account trustworthy – and…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW216 - Who is your favourite military author/ancient source?
We are between issues of the magazine, but Murray suggested the team discuss who is our favourite military author or ancient source. Join us on Patron…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA215 - During the imperial period, did consuls lead armies in war as they had in the Republic?
Patron of the podcast Micius Porcius sent us this question for Murray to answer. During the imperial period, did consuls continue leading armies in war as they…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA214 - What can you tell us about the Battle of Crimisus in 340BC?
In the last episode, Murray answered the first of two questions Doug posed, the second question being a request to explain the battle of Crimisus in 340BC…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA213 - What kind of armies, weapons, and tactics were used by Carthage and Syracuse in the fifth and fourth centuries BC?
Murray tackles this question that Doug emailed in, 'what kind of armies, weapons, and tactics were used by Carthage and Syracuse in the fifth and fourth…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW212 - The Saxon Shore
The Saxon Shore forts get their name from the Notitia Dignitatum and are among the most impressive Roman remains in Britain, but why they were built remains…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA211 - Who is your favourite ancient military author?
It is a big thanks to Gerrard for emailing Murray this question. Murray tells us about who is his favourite military author, and why. Join us on Patron…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA210 - The Roman version of Marathon
A few months ago, in response to episode AW137, where the team discussed the Greco-Persian war, Maxnet got in touch via Facebook to ask which source was Murray…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW207 - Hadrian's Wall
It is the 1,900th anniversary of the building of Hadrian's Wall, that is if it was begun in AD 122 and not AD 119. Not only is there doubt over the year…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA206 - What do we know of Philippian/Alexandrian weapons production?
Rich posed this question for Murray, 'we have a relatively good picture of what the Roman Legionary weapons and materiel manufacturing process looked like (at…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA205 - How would a Roman campaign against king Maroboduus of the Marcomanni have gone?
Patron of the podcast Chris writes, 'we are told right before the great Illyrian revolt of AD 6-9, the Romans were preparing a campaign against king Maroboduus…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA204 - National Weapons - were nations named after weapons or vice versa?
Scot emailed us this question for Murray to answer; 'Certain tribal confederations, like the Franks & Saxons, typically bear "namesake" weapons (e.g. the…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW203 - Wargaming Ancient Battles
In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Magazine podcast Jasper, Murray and Myke talk to games designer Mark Backhouse about his new game Strength & Honour. The…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA202 - Oliganthropia - the decline in Spartan Manpower
Patron of the podcast James poses this question for Murray, 'The number of Spartan soldiers declined from its high of 10,000 to less than 2,000 around its…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA201 - How widespread was the use of Hamippoi in 5th BC Greece?
Murray is on his own this week. He answers this question sent in from patron of the podcast, Greg; 'How widespread was the use of Hamippoi in 5th BC Greece?'…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA200 - Do the sources tell us anything about the Spartan warrior Arimnestus?
Murray answers this question sent in from Christoper, 'do the sources tell us anything about the Spartan warrior Arimnestus who threw the rock that killed…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW199 - The Rise of the Legion (part II)
The legion that wrested control of the Mediterranean region from Carthage and the Successor states is very familiar. But some notions have recently been…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA198 - Why was the Greek phalanx so ineffective against the Romans?
Patron of the podcast Lubos asks, 'Why was the greek phalanx so ineffective against the Romans? Were they just obsolete or just that the Greek generals didn't…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA197 - How did ancient commanders secure their logistics?
Sparked by current events in the work patron of the podcast Carlos asks 'what steps did ancient commanders do to ensure that their army's logistics were in…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA196 - Can we trust Homer?
Murray is still in New Zealand but has found the time to answer this question from patron of the podcast Chris. 'How much do we trust Homer? Are there good…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAWA195 - What did Epaminondas look like?
Murray is on holiday in New Zealand, but while on his travels he has found the time to answer this question from Christopher. 'Do we have any indication as to…
Ancient Warfare PodcastAW194 - Fighting Generals
We were due to look at the latest issue of the magazine Rise of the Legion pt.II. As the issue has only just been released, we thought we would save the…