Ancient Warfare Podcast

Jasper and the team are joined by Josho Brouwers to discus warfare in archaic Greece. After Michael's summary of the period we go on to look at the phalanx, how it might function, the equipment the men carried, the suitability of the geography for this type of fighting and what that meant for the numbers of men deployed in the field. Also touched upon is why the cities fought one another, was it just drunken Greeks tooled up and spoiling for a fight to assert their manliness? Dur:48min

Jasper and the team discuss Ancient Warfare I.4, The Roman Conquest of Spain. It took over 200 years for Rome to pacify Spain, why did it take them so long? Did local fragmentation politically make it difficult for an all out victory that was so often achieved in the East? We look at issues of leadership in the Roman army, and recruitment. Was Spain Rome's Vietnam? Dur: 41min

Jasper, Murray and Lindsay are joined by Michael Park to look at Elite units of the Hellenistic Era, the discussion revolves round what is elite and how do you define elite, which proved more troublesome that one may expect. Dont forget if you want more information on the magazine you can find their website at www.ancient-warfare.com Dur: 51min File: MP3

In the usual wide ranging discussion Jasper, Michael, Lindsay and special guest Jesse Obert look at the Roman Navy. Questioning the received view of the fleets being used in anti piracy duties, and were the fleets even standing forces or more of an adhoc thing brought together when needs must? And the fleets what kind of shipping did they comprise of, and how did they make war?

In this episode we look at the Assyrians, 930BC to 630BC, their empire stretched from Egypt to Babylon, it was the first great iron age empire with resources to fund a standing army equipped with iron weapons. They excelled at siege warfare, something very difficult to successfully achieve in the ancient world. We delve into all these aspects plus look at the putting down of internal descent, propaganda, chariots and the use of specialised infantry. Jasper, Lindsay and Michael are joined by Mark Schwartz. Dur: 43min

The Sassanid Empire would prove to be the last of the Persian middle-eastern empires, and would also be the last great 'civilised' rival of Rome. The Great Achaemenid Persian Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great, had displaced the Babylonians in the Middle-East. Ultimately, it sprawled from the Mediterranean to northern India. This empire, the largest in the world, had been overthrown by the meteoric career of a western 'barbarian' named Alexander of Macedon, but he did not survive to consolidate his conquest and it quickly split up with various parts being ruled by Alexander's successors, who warred among one another with none succeeding in re-uniting the former Achaemenid Empire. With Ian Hughes joining the regulars, they discuss the problem of gaps in the historical evidence that have to be negotiated when looking at the period, and the long lasting conflict with Rome. Dur: 48min

Jasper, Murray, Mike and Lindsay take a trip down memory lane and revisit Ancient Warfare magazine I.III "Protect thyself. Shields, helmets and armor." Starting with why we need armour we take a trip through the ancient world covering arms and armour from the Greeks to the late Roman Empire. Dur: 51min

Jasper, Lindsay, Murray and Mike discuss the use of bodyguards from Alexanders men having to prevent him from getting into harm through to being a symbol of power in Rome, and of course a long look at the Pretorian guard.

The team discuss the daily routine of troops in the ancient world when garrisoned. Through examples found at Vindolanda we investigate sickness rates of soldiers, the freedom they had whilst not on duty and what would happen to them if they could no longer serve. Dur: 40min File: .mp3

Gaius Marius is credited with introducing wide ranging reforms which would transform the Roman Army into the professional machine of the Empire. Elected consul and unprecedented seven times, he authorised landless citizens to do military service (something that may have lead to the eventually down fall of the Roman Empire as troops became bound to their Generals to ensure their care), he gave them fixed duration of service and as such established a standing army. But were all of Marius's reforms his own? What was there impact? And was he the great a leader as we are allowed to believe? In a lively discussion Jasper, Lindsay, Murray and Michael discuss Ancient Warfare magazine V-1, The 'new man' who saved Rome. Gaius Marius at War.

Jasper and team go back to the first Ancient Warfare magazine and discuss the career of Gnaeus Julius Agricola, the issues of the sources such a Tacitus and his use of axillery troops among over things. Gnaeus Julius Agricola was govenor of Britain from 77AD, he was responsible for much of the expansion of Roman terrioty in Britain and sent his army North into Caledonia, modern day scotland. After an unusually length period as governor he returned to Rome in 85AD. Dur: 42min

Jasper, Murray, Michael and Lindsay discuss a the post Alexander Hellenistic world looking at uniforms (or lack of) and the colours they might be, Ross Cowans article sticks and stones and the use of low tech improvised weapons. Michael elaborates on his piece covering the Amphipolis regulation, disciplinary measures of the Macedonian army. And other issues such as Gigantism that the last issue of the magazine touched upon.

Warfare and Religion Jasper, Lindsay, Murray and Mike tip toe through warfare and religion, a fitting topic for this time of the year! Merry Christmas!

Jasper and the gang with special guest Mark Schwartz discuss the end of the bronze age and the coming of the Sea people raiding in the Mediterranean.

Belisarius & The Byzantine Empires Jasper and the team are joined by Ian Huges, author of "Belisarius: The Last Roman General", to discuss Ancient Warfare issue IV-3, and further explore subjects brought up in the magazine. Belisarius was one of the greatest Generals of the Eastern Roman Empire, under the Emperor Justinian. He was key to a revival of Roman fortunes. Dur: 38min

Jasper and the team discuss issues brought up in the Ancient Warfare special for 2010, The Core of the Legions: The Roman Imperial Centuria. Dur: 1hr 04min

Jasper and the team discuss issues brought up in Ancient Warfare magazine issue IV-2 around the topic of sieges in the ancient world.

Before Rome Ruled Italy A look at the Italian peninsular and the existing peoples before Rome took control. Jasper discusses with Murray Dahm, Lindsay Powell and Michael Taylor issues that the magazine brought up. Dur: 45min File: MP3

Before Radios existed, co ordinating the tactical movements of thousands of men on the battlefield would have required a well organised system of transmitting commands. In the ancient world these commands would be transmitted by trumpets and horns and accompanied by visual standards. Jasper discusses with Murray Dahm, Lindsay Powell and Michael Taylor issues that the magazine brought up. Dur:40min

Jasper discusses Rome vs and Parthia with Phillip Lindsay Powell, Murray Dahm and Michael Taylor. Dur:40min File: .mp3

Jasper discusses with Murray Dahm, Lindsay Powell and Michael Taylor issues that the magazine brought up. For more information on the magazine go to www.ancient-warfare.com and comments, questions or suggestions email them to [email protected]

Classical heroes: The warrior in history and legend Jasper discusses with Murray Dahm, Lindsay Powell and Sidney Dean issues that the magazine brought up. For more information on the magazine go to www.ancient-warfare.com and comments, questions or suggestions email them to [email protected] Dur:47min

To commemorate the 2000th anniversary of the loss of legions XVII, XVIII (aka XIIX) and XIX somewhere in northern Germany, Ancient Warfare magazine published a special issue. In this episode of the podcast Jasper discusses with Murray Dahm and Lindsay Powell issues that the magazine brought up. File: .mp3 Dur: 1hr

Alexander & The Wars of the Successors Jasper is joined by Michael Taylor, Michael Park, Murray Dahm and Philip Lindsay Powell to discuss Alexander and the wars of his successors. Dur: 42min File: .mp3 For more information on the magazine go to www.ancient-warfare.com and comments, questions or suggestions email them to [email protected]

War as a livelihood - Mercenaries in the Ancient world Jasper is joined by Michael Taylor, Paul Bardunias and Albert Perez Rubio to discuss Mercenaries in the acient world. Dur: 37min File: .mp3 For more information on the magazine go to www.ancient-warfare.com and comments, questions or suggestions email them to [email protected]

Jasper is joined by Christian Koepfer, Glenn Barnett and regular Murray Dahm to discuss the Rome In Crisis, the third age AD. Dur: 30min File: .mp3 For more information on the magazine go to www.ancient-warfare.com and comments, questions or suggestions email them to [email protected]

Jasper is joined by Mark Schwartz and regular Murray Dahm to discuss the Campaigns of Caesar. Dur: 35min File: .mp3

Jasper is joined by Vicky Kalambakal and regular Murray Dahm to discuss the Campaigns of Caesar. Dur: 36min File: .mp3

Jasper is joined by Murray Dahm and Paul McDonnell-Staff to discuss the Age of the Trireme. Dur: 40min File: mp3

Jasper is joined by Murray Dahm, Joe Pietrykowski and Paul McDonnell-Staff to dicuss victory and defeat in the ancient world. For more information on the magazine go to www.ancient-warfare.com and comments, questions or suggestions email them to [email protected] Dur:35min File: .mp3

Jasper Oorthuys and the contributers of this issue of Ancient Warfare Magazine discuss the theme of this issue of the Magazine, light infantry and auxiliaries. For more information on the magazine go to www.ancient-warfare.com Dur: 19min File: .mp3