Ancient Warfare Podcast

The battle of Cannae was a catastrophic defeat for the Romans, but where did these legionaries come from? Jasper tells us where. Like the podcast? Why not become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

In this episode, Jasper and Murray are joined by Dr Nicolas Wiater and Dr Alice König who lead the Visualising War project at St Andrews University. "War is a topic of perennial importance to people from all sectors of all societies, and battle narratives play a major role – in many different forms – in shaping and mediating responses to war. Think of Homer's Iliad, the histories of Livy, the Baye...

If cavalry attacked a Macedonian phalanx how did it react? Did the phalanx have a tactic to hold them off? Murray explains.. Like the podcast? Why not become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

If a roman legionary camp was attacked, how fast could it react? Jasper gives us his opinion. Like the podcast? Why not become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

Murray tells us about the development of the Macedonian phalanx. Why not become at patron of the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

In the late sixth-century BC, it became clear that the expanding Persian Empire and the Greek city states in Asia and the Aegean would soon come into conflict... The Ancient Warfare Magazine team discuss the latest issue of the magazine XIV.4, The Greco-Persian Wars . For those who are not already patrons of the podcast, we've updated the tiers. We've also added subscription to the magazine. You c...

Was there etiquette to starting a battle, or did they just happen? Murray investigates.

What were borders like in the ancient world? Were there hard borders which stopped imperial expansion? Jasper gives us his opinion.

Were the Theban Sacred Band trained to target officers? Murray gives us the answer.

In this episode the Ancient Warfare team are between issues of the magazine, so Mark suggested they discuss coups in the ancient world. For those who are not already patrons of the podcast, we've updated the tiers. We've added subscription to the magazine. You can find out more at patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast .

Jasper explains how the Praetorian Guard became such a powerful force.

Hugo watching on youtube writes, "it's said that Hannibal took armour and weapons from the dead Romans so he must have used tactics without the phalanx. Do you agree?" Murray gives his opinion. Don't forget by signing up as a patron, you can choose to subscribe to the magazine at the same time!

What do you want to know about Roman Wedges? Murray has the answers. Don't forget by signing up as a patron, you can choose to subscribe to the magazine at the same time!

How did armies store their money? Jasper has the answers... Don't forget by signing up as a patron, you can choose to subscribe to the magazine at the same time!

A sturdy set of walls is a powerful deterrent: that's why ancient empires devoted so much time to understanding how to best build (and break down) these defensive structures. The team discuss the vol. XIV-3 of the magazine ,  Breaking Down the Walls: Fortifications and Siege Warfare.  

Jasper tells us about last stands in the ancient world. Don't forget by signing up as a patron, you can choose to subscribe to the magazine at the same time!

Jasper tells us about the aftermath of a battle, what was it like for wounded or vanquished soldiers? What happened to the dead? Enjoy the podcast? Why not become a patron?

Murray ponders this query from Michael watching on youtube, 'maybe a side note to this is to draw parallels with the Celtic invasions of Greece and how they fought the phalanx? Or what Hannibal learnt from his Spanish war, and how he applied that against the legions.' Enjoy the podcast? Why not become a patron?

'Torn between the mighty empire that raised him and his own tribal people, a Roman officer's conflicted allegiances lead to an epic historical clash' The Ancient Warfare magazine team are joined by Joanne Ball from Liverpool University to discuss the new Netflix hit series Barbarians. The action takes place in Magna Germania in 9 AD, with events culminating in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest.

J.Soth listening via youtube asks, 'How were cataphracts, Thessalian cavalry and companion cavalry etc able to use shock tactics without spurs and other knightly equipment?' Enjoy the podcast? Why not become a patron?

Murray gets to grips with Austin's question when he asks 'Achaemenid Persian Immortals, what do we know about them, how did they fight, how where they used etc'. If you have any questions email Jasper at editor@ancient-warfare.com Enjoy the podcast? Why not become a patron?

Robert asks, 'Was the Roman Army of the later Roman Empire really that bad as everyone believes? Were they really a shadow of the republican and early empire legions? Although they were defeated at Adrianople, other than that battle, they seemed to have done rather well against foreign enemies but were just stretched too thin and always involved in civil strife.' If you have any questions email Ja...

J.Soth listening via youtube asks, 'didn't the Roman's employ phalanx tactics premaniple era?' If you have any questions email Jasper at editor@ancient-warfare.com Enjoy the podcast? Why not become a patron?

'Before emerging as the greatest power in the Mediterranean world, Rome spent many centuries in relative obscurity, developing and refining new military tactics and structures that would set it up for unprecedented success.' The ancient warfare team discuss the latest issue of the magazine Ancient Warfare XIV.2, Rise of the Legion: The Development of the Roman Army.

Jasper answers the question from patron Carlos, 'how did the Romans adapt to the mainly cavalry armies of the Parthians and later Sassanids?' If you have any questions email Jasper at editor@ancient-warfare.com Enjoy the podcast? Why not become a patron?