Ancient Warfare Podcast

'If ancient soldiers were trained at all, it was generally for fighting in a formation in the battle line. But on rare occasions, generals would train and use troops for special operations.' The Ancient Warfare team consider Ancient Warfare Magazine XV.1 which focuses on Special Operations in antiquity. Find us a patreon: patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

Patron of the podcast Joshua asks 'I often read about certain battles, sieges, or encounters being influenced through psychological warfare. How effective was psychological warfare in the ancient world? What were the most effective methods?' Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

Patron of the podcast Ian asks 'which was the fastest army in the ancient world traveling over land? Herodotus mentions the Spartan relief force that raced to Marathon, travelling around 150kms in 3 days- is this a record?'. Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

With the summer holiday season in full swing for all the team (except Murray in Australia), we thought we'd discuss everyone's favourite fiction books, which feature ancient warfare.   Subscribe to the magazine: https://www.karwansaraypublishers.com/ancient-warfare-magazine   Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast   Books Mentioned: Banner, James M. The Ever-Changing Past B...

Andrew sent us this question, 'I was wondering how the intertwining of heroic figures into people's lineage, was viewed by the common people.' Murray gives us his opinion. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast Ancient Warfare Magazine: https://www.karwansaraypublishers.com/ancient-warfare-magazine

Could Hannibal have won the second punic war? Jasper is busy putting the magazine together so Murray gives us his opinion. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast Ancient Warfare Magazine: https://www.karwansaraypublishers.com/ancient-warfare-magazine

Alex, part of our patreon community asks 'how much do you feel that luck played a role in ancient combat? Theoretically luck would be more of a factor in the gunpowder age, but I can't imagine worse luck than being a Roman at Cannae. Low chance of survival, no matter your martial skill. Thoughts?' Jasper is busy this week so Murray is flying solo. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepod...

Zoe on patreon asks, 'we know about the four horned saddles the Roman cavalry used but do we have any idea of what sorts of saddles might've been used elsewhere in the ancient world?' Murray answers this one. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast Ancient Warfare Magazine: https://www.karwansaraypublishers.com/ancient-warfare-magazine

It's thanks to Alex who emailed in this question, what was the difference between Auxilia & Foederat? Is not why the different name? Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

Famously warlike and imperialistic, the Neo-Assyrians cut a swathe across the ancient Near East. Surviving artwork and written sources give us clues as to how they accomplished this. The team discuss Ancient Warfare XIV.6 , the Neo-Assyrian Empire at war. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

Listener Rick wonders if there are there any other examples of gaining entry to a city using something like a Trojan horse? Or are there any other examples of using ingenious methods to get into a city? Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

Jasper tackles this question from patron of the podcast Ken. How "useful" are the accounts of warfare as described in the Old Testament? I'm interested in a discussion about sources as much as anything (i.e. why were they written, to whom and which biases might have been present). Are any of the Old Testament accounts helpful in triangulating sources? Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/an...

Patron of the podcast Louis asks, what were the impacts of the introduction and subsequent spread of Christianity on the Roman military's practices and that of its opponents? Were there any improvements in the treatment of the defeated, taking into account that most barbarians were also christians although of a different denomination? Or maybe changes in the way discipline was handled could be att...

Murray and Mark talk to James Romm about his new book The Sacred Band: Three hundred Greek lovers fighting to save Greek freedom . The Sacred Band highlights a monumental era in history, one marked by war, ideological divide, the rise of eros in Greek public life, and the end of freedom. Romm reintroduces the tale of the Sacred Band—previously suppressed by the Greek historian Xenophon, who deeply...

Patron of the podcast, David wonders how long it took armies to set up for a battle? Did the opposition interfere or were there rules for that?  Murray ponders the question. Become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

The Macedonian armies of Phillip and Alexander were almost invincible, but afterwards "Macedonian" style armies seem to be more hit and miss (vs. Romans, Indians, Parthians, Celts etc.). Was this because Philip and Alexander's troops were uniquely competent, or was it that the commanders after Alexander just couldn't measure up? Murray answers this question sent in from patron of the podcast Juan....

With Jasper away Murray tackles this question sent to us from patron of the podcast Kristoffer, how did ancient leaders address their troops? Why not support the podcast? Starting at the $5 level, patrons of the podcast receive a copy of Ancient Warfare Magazine: https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

In this episode Murray, Jasper and Mark talk to Bret Devereaux. In 2020 Bret presented his paper 'Mail Armour in the Middle Republic: Adoption, Prevalence and Impact' to the Society for Classical Studies/Archaeological Institute of America Joint Annual meeting. Why not become at patron and get the magazine: https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

Murray answers this question from one of our patrons, Mythic Lore; 'What is known / reasonably theorised about the formations and tactics used during the late bronze age (Mycenaeans, Hittites, Luwians - Trojan War, etc)?' Like the podcast? Why not become a patron? https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

Joshua, one of our patrons asks, what was day-to-day life like for the legions when they were not on campaign or actively involved in a war? Jasper tells us all about it. Like the podcast? Why not become a patron? https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

Natasha asks, is there any pre-biblical examples of religious wars (if only justified by religions)? Or is "holy war" solely endorsed by a strong monotheistic religion? Like the podcast? Why not become a patron? https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

'The second half of the third century AD saw Rome's military leadership embroiled in a deadly power struggle. Meanwhile, on the empire's frontiers, trouble was brewing...' The Ancient Warfare team discuss issue XIV.5 of Ancient Warfare magazine . If you're not already a patron of the podcast you can find us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

Murray tackles this question from Juan; It seems that Phillip/Alexander's army was almost invincible but afterwards "Macedonian" style armies seem to be a lot more hit and miss (vs. Romans, Indians, Parthians, Celts etc.). Was this because Philip/Alexander's troops were uniquely competent/trained or were the commanders after Alexander just not as good? I'm mostly thinking about the pike phalanx bu...

Jasper answers this question from Dag, what's the latest vote on Caesar? A ruthless man who butchered and enslaved women and children for his personal benefit or a saviour in terms of combating and changing a corrupt oligarchy? Like the podcast? Why not become a patron? https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

Murray on his own this week, he takes a question from patron 'Celtic Ace' who asks how did the phalanx come about? To become a patron goto: https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast