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 overwhelm Macedonian forces despite showers of arrows, slings, and javelins? Join us on Patron patr...
Jul 04, 2025•11 min•Ep. 364
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...
Jun 27, 2025•11 min•Ep. 363
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 phalanx, and how agile the phalanx would need to be to let them through harmlessly..." Join us on P...
Jun 20, 2025•15 min•Ep. 362
"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...
Jun 13, 2025•52 min•Ep. 361
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—for padded under-armour garments across various ancient armies outside of the Roman world. Join us on ...
Jun 06, 2025•12 min•Ep. 360
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
May 30, 2025•9 min•Ep. 359
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
May 23, 2025•14 min•Ep. 358
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
May 16, 2025•9 min•Ep. 357
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...
May 09, 2025•38 min•Ep. 356
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 this intriguing question on Ancient Warfare Answers! Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcas...
May 02, 2025•9 min•Ep. 355
Long-time listener Uygar sent this in. "why did ancient armies, especially Greek phalanx-heavy ones, have relatively few ranged units like archers and slingers compared to line infantry? How did an ancient army determine the right number of ranged units for their army? And did the ranged units fight in a scattered manner in between the formations of the heavier line infantry rather than in rigid formations?' Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast...
Apr 25, 2025•13 min•Ep. 354
'I was curious as to how exactly the scouting process worked in ancient armies, although I'm sure it varied widely throughout different cultures and time periods. Additionally, was there every a commonly accepted type of soldier selected for scouting, or did ancient commanders simply send whoever was available? Thanks to Demetri for this question. Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast...
Apr 18, 2025•11 min•Ep. 353
In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast , Marc De Santis talks to historian and author Lindsay Powell about his latest book, Tiberius: From Masterly Commander to Masterful Emperor of Rome , published by Pen and Sword. Often overshadowed by his predecessor Augustus and his notorious successor Caligula, Tiberius is one of Rome’s most enigmatic emperors. Lindsay delves into the life and reign of this complex figure—his military career, political challenges, and strained relationships within ...
Apr 11, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 352
What would be your ideal ancient military? Would it be a semi-nomadic people with skilled cavalry and infantry, and how would you structure this military? Murray gives us his ideas and explains what his historical inspirations for this thought experiment are. Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast
Apr 04, 2025•11 min•Ep. 351
Dylan Thomas, watching on YouTube, asked, 'I'm curious about the early life of Marcus Furius Camillus. He seems to pop up during the siege of Veii in Livy's work, with few mentions beforehand, and is then an important figure going forward. Are there any primary sources that recount his early life and career? The man's a legend, easily one of the top ten Romans of all time, but there seem to be scant records of him.' Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast...
Mar 21, 2025•12 min•Ep. 349
"The Peloponnesian War had ripped up the existing alliances in Greece — over the next decades, the main city-states looked for ways to regain money, power, and win battles." The team discuss the latest issue of the magazine City-States in an Arms Race: Greek innovation in the fourth century BC , issue 101. Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast...
Mar 14, 2025•34 min•Ep. 348
In the last episode, Murray expanded upon an article in the magazine in response to Chris's question. After recording that episode, Murray realised he had not answered the whole question. Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast
Mar 07, 2025•10 min•Ep. 347
Chris sent this question for Murray, asking him to expand on one of his articles in the magazine. 'I recently read your article on the siege of Masada in Ancient Warfare magazine. I had a couple of questions regarding the assumptions made about the shortened timeline of the siege. Specifically, you mentioned two assumptions supporting the idea of a shorter siege. Could you provide more information or sources to support this hypothesis? Additionally, I have a colleague who views Josephus's work w...
Feb 28, 2025•11 min•Ep. 346
Don Antonius sent this question: 'Was there an inspiring role of Elite Units in ancient armies? Do we have accounts of battles where elite units (not necessarily “veterans”) like the Roman cataphracts, Carthage’s sacred band etc. supposedly lifted the spirits to fight on or evidently change the odds?' Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast
Feb 28, 2025•12 min•Ep. 350
Christopher asks, 'why didn't adversaries to Rome (especially on the Italian peninsula) see the methods by which Rome consistently recovered from defeat and tried to emulate them?' Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast
Feb 21, 2025•10 min•Ep. 345
In the latest episode of the Ancient Warfare Magazine podcast, Marc De Santis speaks with Murray Dahm about his new book, Roman Soldier vs Dacian Warrior: Dacian Wars AD 85–106 . The wars between Rome and Dacia were some of the most intense and strategically important conflicts of the early 2nd century AD. Fought during the reign of Emperor Domitian and later under Trajan, these battles saw the disciplined Roman legions face off against the determined warriors of Dacia. The struggle ended with R...
Feb 14, 2025•46 min•Ep. 344
This question came via a comment on an earlier podcast. 'Which type of armour did the legions under Caesar and Augustus use? I understand the lorica segmentata was adopted later, but was it used during Octavian's era? Additionally, I've found references to three types of scuta (shields): the curved oval used by late Republican soldiers, a slightly curved rectangular version, and the iconic rectangular scutum seen in reliefs of Trajan and Aurelius. Could you clarify which types of shields were us...
Feb 07, 2025•11 min•Ep. 343
Shabbi poses this intriguing question,'how vulnerable were armies during the Bronze and Iron Ages to lightning strikes, whether on the battlefield or while marching, given their use of metal weapons, armour, and formations in open areas? Could such vulnerability have influenced ancient religions, particularly the widespread belief in storm and lightning gods in various unconnected cultures (like Zeus, Thor, and Indra)? For example, could events like lightning strikes swaying the tide of battle (...
Jan 31, 2025•12 min•Ep. 342
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 Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast...
Jan 24, 2025•15 min•Ep. 341
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 patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast...
Jan 17, 2025•17 min•Ep. 340
'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...
Jan 10, 2025•47 min•Ep. 339
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
Jan 03, 2025•13 min•Ep. 338
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 the seventh-century wars (largely “barbarians”?), including Heraclius’s reconquest of Jerusalem in ...
Dec 27, 2024•11 min•Ep. 337
'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.com/ancientwarfarepodcast...
Dec 20, 2024•10 min•Ep. 336
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
Dec 13, 2024•47 min•Ep. 335
