Ancient Warfare Podcast

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/ancientwarfarepodcast

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 attributed to the new religious practices. Murray mulls this one over. Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

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 mistrusted male eros—to the historical record. James Romm is an author, reviewer, and the James H. Ottaway Jr. Professor of Classics at Bard College in Annandale, NY. Find us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

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. Become at patron at: https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

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 but if there's any information on the light infantry or cavalry troops I'd love to learn! Like the podcast? Why not become a patron? https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

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

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 Bayeux Tapestry, Shakespeare's history plays, Tolstoy's War and Peace, Picasso's Guernica, Shostakovich's Stalingrad Symphony and Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now – to name just a few. At first glance these representations of battle are all strikingly different. Whether we are conscious of it or not, however, they have long been interacting with each other – in different ways, and to different extents – in artists', authors', viewers' and listeners' minds, adjusting the ways in which war is visualised and canonising broader ideas about (e.g.) gender, leadership, 'success' and sacrifice'. The aim of the project is to foreground these interactions and explore their impacts. In a nutshell, we ask: how do battles narratives from different media, communities and historical periods both shape and differentiate themselves from each other? How do their interactions reflect and shape broader attitudes to war? And how do the attitudes and ideologies which they generate influence the ways in which people think, feel and behave in their day-to-day lives?"

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 can find out more at patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast.

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 [email protected] 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 Jasper at [email protected] Enjoy the podcast? Why not become a patron? https://www.patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

J.Soth listening via youtube asks, 'didn't the Roman's employ phalanx tactics premaniple era?' If you have any questions email Jasper at [email protected] 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 [email protected] Enjoy the podcast? Why not become a patron?

Murray answers the question from patron Cosma 'What was the process of hiring mercenaries in ancient armies?' If you have any questions email Jasper at [email protected] Enjoy the podcast? Why not become a patron?

Treb Courie asks, was the iron shank of the pilum designed to be soft and bend easily? If you have any questions email Jasper at [email protected] Enjoy the podcast? Why not become a patron?

Rams and ramming, is the topic of this Ancient Warfare magazine podcast. The chaps focus on the Actian Victory monument and the Egadi and others found around Sicily. Jasper, Murray, Marc, Lindsay and Mark are joined by Stephen DeCasien.

J.Soth listening via youtube asks, how was all the intense cavalry action possible in ancient history? Thessalian diamond formation charge, companion cavalry charge/melee engagements, Numidian light cavalry etc. without use of the stirrup or more modern saddle technology? If it's all with a rope or cord and thigh gripping, then they must have had some seriously chiseled legs. If you have any questions email Jasper at [email protected] Enjoy the podcast? Why not become a patron?

Murray ponders the question, Why did Sparta adopt the Macedonian Phalanx? If you have any questions email Jasper at [email protected] Enjoy the podcast? Why not become a patron?

Gabriel Ruge emailed this question, did Boudicca have a chance of beating the Romans, were mean her odds were better than 50-50? What if she had signed some sort of alliance with the Caledonians? What if the British used every force multiplier in the book. Attacking from high ground, rough terrain, numbers, movement (chariots) etc. If you have any questions email Jasper at [email protected] Enjoy the podcast? Why not become a patron?

The team are back looking at issue XIV.1 Crucible of Empires: Warfare in Hellenistic Asia Minor. Thanks to all those who sent in questions, watched and commented as we recorded live. After the fall of Alexander the Great, the Successors set to work carving out kingdoms of their own. Asia Minor became an important proving ground for these would-be rulers.

In Ancient Warfare Answers, Jasper (editor of Ancient Warfare Magazine) and Murray (deputy editor) tackle your questions on ancient military topics. In this episode Murray answers a question from patron Disco Shootout, if the Roman Legion was superior to the phalanx and tribal warfare like the Gauls, how could Hannibal use such inferior methods and defeat the Romans for years? If you have any questions email Jasper at [email protected]