In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Magazine podcast, Murray and Jasper are joined by Stephen DeCasien to discuss rams on ships. Stephen is a PhD candidate at Texas A&M University studying Nautical Archaeology. His academic interests are Gr

What really happened at the battle of Marathon?

13 days ago 18m 30s

To celebrate the 300th episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast and Ancient Warfare Answers, Murray answers a curly one, what really happened at the battle of Marathon - Murray has forgotten who asked him this but is a 'big' question nonetheless!

Who or what made the decisions about where Roman army units were based or moved around the Empire?

20 days ago 13m 9s

'A question for Murray, who or what made the decisions about where Roman army units were based or moved around the Empire? I am presuming if it were a vexillation from Hadrian's Wall to York, it would be a local commander's decision, but what i

How were ancient negotiations organised?

27 days ago 12m 33s

Sara wonders how negotiations between different armies were practically arranged. For example, with Caesar in Gaul, several times he had some type of meetings with different groups. Such as the Helvetii before he had even established himself in

Was Mons Graupius a great victory?

Mar 22nd, 2024 12m 23s

Murray answers this question set in by Tim. 'I'm wondering why historians generally accept that Mons Graupius was indeed a great victory for Agricola. My understanding is that Tacitus' account is the only written evidence we have, and archaeol

The Praetorian Guard

Mar 15th, 2024 17m 51s

Nathan wonders how the Praetorian Guard was structured. Was it used in traditional combat or taken on campaigns? While not directly related to ancient warfare, why did the emperors continually use the Praetorian Guard despite their history of t

AW295 - The Challenges of Campaigning

Mar 8th, 2024 51m 46s

'The time has come to take the fight to the enemy. How do you prepare? Can you rely on your guides, your allies, and your subordinates? Have you secured enough supplies?' The Ancient Warfare Magazine team get together to discuss issue XVII.1 I

What really happened at the battle of Pydna?

Mar 1st, 2024 17m 36s

Gregorio Gariglio asks, "could you please tell me what really happened at the Battle of Pydna and are the casualty rates that the sources give to us correct?" Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

Who were Rome's most remembered enemies?

Feb 23rd, 2024 11m 20s

Blake asks "Love your podcast, my question is about Ancient Roman Enemies and the most well remembered. My question is why do we talk about say Spartacus, Boudica or Hannibal over say Genseric or Shapur I? Especially since the latter were more

Who were the Hypaspists?

Feb 16th, 2024 11m 26s

Matthew Tilley asks "who/what were hypastpists? I always hear very vague descriptions, or none at all." Murray gives his thoughts. Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

AWA291 - Who is Muray’s favourite general?

Feb 9th, 2024 11m 23s

Murray answers three separate but closely related questions this week – from Floody77 – “Hi Murray, I was wondering who you're favourite ancient general was and why ?”; from Euchale : “Who do you think is one of the most underrepresented Genera

AW290 - A Biography of Thermopylae

Feb 2nd, 2024 50m 18s

'Since the dawn of the Classical Era up to World War II, thousands have lost their lives fighting over the pass at Thermopylae.' Jasper and Murray are joined by Michael Livingston and AW regular Myke Cole to discuss their new book, The Killing

Losing well

Jan 26th, 2024 9m 29s

Patron Simon's second question asks 'Were there notions of "losing well" or instances of exemplary defeat in ancient warfare?' Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

Taking Position on the Right

Jan 19th, 2024 10m 29s

Patron Simon (via postcard) asks 'It's often said that Greek armies put their best soldiers on the right. Given that predictability is exploitable, how and why did such a convention arise?' Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

AW287 - The Marcomannic Wars

Jan 12th, 2024 44m 14s

'Shortly after Marcus Aurelius came to power in AD 161, the Roman Empire was racked by a series of military crises. While unrest in Britain and a new war with Parthia were swiftly dealt with, the invasion of Roman territory by the Chatti and Ch

Low Casualty figures

Jan 5th, 2024 12m 15s

Murray answers a question from a 12-year-old fan from Italy, Greg - How many casualties were there really at Magnesia? The Roman sources say 53,000 for the Seleucids and only 350 Romans died. Is This true? Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientw

Where are the Light Armed Troops?

Dec 29th, 2023 12m 29s

Responding to several comments on recent podcasts which have looked at heavy infantry, especially the Macedonian phalanx, Murray looks at the issue of light armed troops in ancient battle accounts. Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepo

Comparing the Byzantine conquest of Vandal North Africa with the Punic Wars

Dec 22nd, 2023 13m 27s

Mark wants to hear Murray's thoughts on comparing the Roman wars against the Vandals vs the Punic Wars. Mark writes, 'both the Roman-Vandal and Roman-Carthage wars occurred roughly in the same geographic area and included naval and land-based f

Why did the Macedonian phalanx struggle against the Greek mercenary hoplites at Issus?

Dec 15th, 2023 13m 31s

Murray answers this question from Jsoth, 'during the battle of Issus, it's my understanding that the Macedonian phalanx struggled and even lost ground against Darius' mercenary Greeks. I was under the impression that if facing off directly, the

Alexander Attacks Persia

Dec 8th, 2023 46m 32s

'King at just 20, Alexander of Macedon spent two years securing his northern borders and Greece. In 334 he crossed the Hellespont to begin the campaign his father had prepared: the invasion of Achaemenid Persia.' The Ancient Warfare team discus

What are you hoping to see when the scrolls from Herculaneum are scanned?

Dec 1st, 2023 12m 18s

John asks 'What are your thoughts on the news that we are starting to be able to read some of the carbonised scrolls from Herculaneum. What do you think will be found when we can read them? What would you love to be located, rediscovered?' Join

AWA280 - When guides betray

Nov 24th, 2023 11m 51s

Murray is asked, 'I am reading about Spanish Conquistadors. Since they were unfamiliar with the land, they would capture local tribe members and force them to act as guides. On many occasions, the guides would deliberately lead them astray to b

AWA279 - Roman interactions with Dacia

Nov 17th, 2023 10m 53s

Negrisan George writes, 'I Read about how the Dacians imposed high tribute on the Romans in the first century AD. I'm not an expert, but I think the Dacians were the only ones who received tribute from Roman Empire. And then I read how the Dac

Publius Quinctilius Varus and the Teutoburg Disaster

Nov 10th, 2023 55m 47s

Murray talks with regular AW contributor Jo Ball about her new book from Pen & Sword on the career of Publius Quinctilius Varus and the Teutoburg Disaster of AD 9. Join us on Patron patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

AWA Got a Postcard!

Nov 3rd, 2023 12m

We got a Postcard! From Euchale in Heidelberg. Euchale asks two questions: "1. Have you ever played Age of Mythology. If so, how doyou like the depiction and speech of the various armies of the game? 2. How much of your research happens onlin