Ancient Warfare Podcast

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  

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  

Augusto from Argentina asks: "How reliable is Polyaenus' account of the Persians using cats—or images of cats—against the Egyptians at Pelusium? Is there any truth to the story, or is it just legend?" Murray Dahm explores the evidence behind this curious tale.   Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

A listener on YouTube asks: "How much do we really know about the Bacaudae, and how important were they in the collapse of the Western Roman Empire?" Murray takes a closer look at these enigmatic rebels of Late Antiquity.   Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

In this episode, Murray Dahm revisits Alexander's encounter with scythed chariots and unpacks some of the practical and tactical issues surrounding their historical use. From wargaming figure ratios to the use of caltrops, shield-banging, and even Roman caligae, we explore how ancient armies may have neutralised these fearsome weapons. Were chariots best used against cavalry or lighter infantry? D...

In this episode of Ancient Warfare Answers, Murray Dahm explores the link between the Korybantic and Kouretic dances and the ancient warrior tradition. Unlike the more familiar Pyrrhic dance—used as military training—these ritual performances were deeply spiritual, involving ecstatic movement, clashing weapons, and the warding of evil. But could such rituals have shaped not just warrior identity,...

In this episode, we explore the ultimate "time travel" question: if you could witness any battle in history, which one would you choose? We focus on a handful of iconic clashes, including Pharsalus, where Pompey surrendered unexpectedly, and Actium, exploring the real plan behind Antinous' manoeuvres. We also dive into the Teutoburg Forest, one of Rome's most devastating defeats, and consider what...

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 Germanic shield wall? While separated by centuries and culture, both formations relied on close-order infantry and cohesion. Murray explores their tactical similarities and differences, the contexts in which they developed, and what each reveals...

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 full-strength numbers for legions and cohorts, but were ancient armies ever truly at full capacity? Drawing on evidence such as the Vindolanda tablets, Murray discusses how understrength units may have been the norm, and whether modern hist...

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 with dice games or gambling, much like those in more recent conflicts? Drawing on historical sources and archaeological finds, Murray explores what kinds of games ancient soldiers played, how widespread gambling may have been, and what these pa...

'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.' In this episode, the team discusses issue 103, Battles of the Bronze Age: Unravelling the Origins of Warfare .   Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast, Murray answers a question from @tadejtomic1943: Why and when did the distinctions between Hastati, Principes, and Triarii disappear from the Roman Republican army? He explores the evolution of Roman military organisation, the reasons behind the shift away from this tripartite structure, and what replaced it as Rome's army adapted to new challenges.  ...

In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast, Murray answers a question inspired by Finis Britanniae: Were Roman military commands permanent structures, or more ad hoc arrangements that changed with the situation? Drawing comparisons to modern military organisation, Murray examines what the ancient sources tell us about how Roman armies were structured and led in times of shifting security deman...

In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast, Murray tackles a listener question from @tadejtomic1943: When did the classical Greek hoplite cease to exist? Drawing on historical sources and archaeological evidence, Murray explores how and when the iconic heavily armed infantryman faded from use—and what replaced him in the evolving landscape of ancient warfare.   Join us on  Patreon patreon.com/...

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 warfare.   Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

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...

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  

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...

"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  

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—fo...

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  

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  

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  

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  

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 thi...