Ancient Warfare Podcast

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 the largest in Roman history - do you agree? I've also read that this battle lasted multiple days. How does that work? Did both sides retire at night and resume fighting in the morning, or was skirmishing constant throughout?'   Join us on P...

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 being a creation by a usurper. Are there any other similar units raised usurpers and retained by victors? Also, what province Ancient Warfare crew consider the best in terms of starting usurpation/rise of the new Emperor?'   Join us on Patron pa...

'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 still unmatched.' In this episode, the AW team discuss issue XVII.6 Duels to the Death: Single Combat in Antiquity . Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

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 lambda shield, or ancient Egyptian headwear.   Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

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 century CE? 2. What do we know about the ethnic makeup of the armies that fought for pagan Rome in the wars of the first centuries BCE and CE (largely legionaries from southern Europe?) compared to the armies that fought for Byzantine Rome in...

'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 cities correct? Are there any primary sources that describe flinging corpses in order to make the defenders sick, or was it more likely just out of convivence for the attackers?' Thanks Thomas for sending that in. Join us on Patron patreon.co...

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 screening. Will this be as influential on future historians as the original Gladiator movie?   Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

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 patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

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 combat as their armies watch on before the battle starts. Has there ever been any historical battles where two men have fought like this, or is it purely fiction? If it is fiction, are there any good stories of two champions or kings meeting...

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 question arose in my mind that you may be able to answer. With the bulk of Alexander's army in Asia, and especially India, why did no foreign invader seek to take advantage of the situation by invading parts of Macedonia?'   Join us on Patron...

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 make any demands of it? Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

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, Sasanians, and zealots. For this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast, the team discuss issue XVII.5 of the magazine, The Legion of the Strait: A History of Legio Fretensis .   Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

Another question from Miles, what defines heavy infantry in the ancient world? Were Phalangites considered heavy infantry at the time? Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

Miles asks, what armour did Macedonian and late Hellenistic Phalangites wear? If they were initially equipped with lighter armour (e.g., linothorax), did they wear heavier metal armour at later points in history? If not, do we know why? Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

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 thoughts. Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

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 gladius to the powerful composite bow, ancient weapons shaped the course of history in countless ways.  But which one stands out as the most influential?   Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

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 lands they ruled? For example, did they have horse-archer units, etc.?" Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

"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 on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

"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 discussion. Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

'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 offensive.' For this episode, the team discuss issue XVII.4 of the magazine Finally Finishing The Fight: The Greco-Persian Wars, part II .   Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

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 practice for war, an ancient equivalent of a modern wargame?" Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

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 question is: How accurate do you feel Last Kingdom is in its overall theme and description of the period? (I guess that the simple colour schemes everyone wears are not the best example of accuracy). Murray shares his (somewhat rambling) th...

CliosPaintingBench asks "Would like to ask a question if possible: what do you think are the most visually distinct and impressive ancient warfare armies outside of the ones most audiences would know?" Oh, and Murray also adds a bit to the discussion on the fate of the ninth legion.  Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

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 in the article. They look like proto-trebuchets with mantlets to protect the crew, and instead of a counterweight or pulleys, the archer platform looks like primitive cherry picker trucks. My question is why did the Huns construct these uni...

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 this long-awaited sequel's historical inspirations, artistic choices, and potential accuracies and liberties.