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Ancient Warfare Podcast

The History Network
Roman Empire
Ancient Warfare
Roman Army
Alexander the Great
Macedonian Phalanx
Roman Legions
Battle Of Marathon
Ancient Warfare Magazine
Polybius
Peloponnesian War
Marcus Aurelius
Gladiator II
Bronze Age
Battle Of Issus
Greek Warfare
Plutarch
Thermopylae
Legio X Fretensis
Roman History
Roman Military

Discussions from Ancient Warfare Magazine. Why did early civilisations fight? Who were their Generals? What was life like for the earliest soldiers? Ancient Warfare Magazine will try and answer these questions. Warfare minus two thousand years.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes422Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

'After capturing the Mediterranean ports, and having been welcomed as a god in Egypt, Alexander turned east again, aiming to defeat Darius once and for all.'

In this episode of the podcast, the Ancient Warfare Magazine team discuss issue 108, 'Alex... more

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The second part of Carlos' question from a few episodes ago: "Second, somewhere in an old issue of AWM I have read (but I cannot find it again) that, to become a legionary, recruits needed to buy their way, and that the required payment (bribe?) was ... more

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Russ asks, "I don't know what it is called, but at a certain point ( or a certain number of points) in time, Rome decided to build walls to defend their empire. Most famous, of course, is Hadrian's Wall. But of course they are many more, such as the ... more

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Jay asks "Murray, I really enjoyed your podcast about Demosthenes being one of the first generals to have a dedicated flank attack. I have always thought Demosthenes was criminally underrated among historians, because Thucydides writes about quite a ... more

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Recent Guests

Lindsay Powell
Celebrated ancient historian and author
Author of books published by Pen and Sword
Episode: AW352 - Tiberius
Murray Dahm
Assistant Editor of Ancient Warfare Magazine, author of Finis Britanniae
Ancient Warfare Magazine
Episode: AW309 - Finis Britanniae: A Military History of Late Roman Britain and the Saxon Conquest
Stephen DeCasien
Expert on naval rams and author of dissertation on the subject
Episode: AW301 - Rams
Myke Cole
Military history author and expert
Episode: AW290 - A Biography of Thermopylae
Michael Livingston
Historian and author specializing in ancient warfare
Episode: AW290 - A Biography of Thermopylae

Host

Murray
Long-running host focusing on Ancient Warfare Magazine and podcast coverage; frequently leads Q&As and panel discussions on ancient military history.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Great

    I really enjoy the info, the questions shows are interesting and fun!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    1774-republic
    United Statesa year ago
  • Disorganized nonsense

    Has all the cohesiveness and substance of the ramblings of an unmedicated schizophrenic scrawled on the wall in feces. The hosts somehow manage to speak for, sometimes, 30 minutes or more and actually say absolutely nothing.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Word salad 2525
    United Statesa year ago
  • History

    High this is Sam, who wrote in recently as Exploringtheplanetsn on YouTube. Love the show, thanks for the depth of knowledge you bring to these episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stuka Afabant
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great Pods But . . .

    Great magazine and great pods. Murray I love your insights but for goodness sakes stick to the topic, you’ve been all over the place. And you’re taking up all the oxygen in the room. Let the other guys talk, too! Love you! Mean it! 😁

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Friends with Pods
    United States2 years ago
  • Great Pods Great Magazine

    Keep up the great work guys!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Friends with Pods
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some critics note meandering conversations when hosts crowd the dialogue.
Listeners praise the depth and engaging questions that drive informative discussions.
Many enjoy the magazine linkage and the strong sourcing behind arguments.
Fans appreciate the rigorous coverage of ancient warfare topics and practical takeaways.

Top History Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

AWA419 - Who is the better general: Thrasybulus or Demosthenes (or Brasidas)?
Q: Which of the three underappreciated generals deserves more praise and recognition among historians?
Brasidas is argued to be the standout due to his bold, rapid, and strategically inventive actions across multiple campaigns, though Demosthenes' creativity and Thrasybulus' democratic leadership are also acknowledged as significant. The host ultimately favors Brasidas for his remarkable, meteoric career and notable battlefield achievements.
AWA415 - Why did the Romans completely abandon the spear in favour of the pilum?
Q: Why did the Romans completely abandon the spear in favor of the Pelum?
The host explains that the Pelum was not a simple replacement for the spear; the Romans used a combination of javelins and spears, and the pilum served a disrupt-and-destroy role in battles. Weapons were selected per campaign for tactical advantage, and there was a broader, practical variety rather than a strict uniformity.
AWA414 - Did legionaries need to be 1.80 metres tall?
Q: What were the actual height requirements for legionaries, and did they apply to all cohorts the same way?
The height requirement of 5 feet 10 inches in Roman feet was not a universal standard for all legionaries; it applied primarily to the first cohort. Shorter recruits (around 164-168 cm) could still join other cohorts, suggesting a tiered system where the elite first cohort had stricter standards, and later cohorts were more permissive.
AWA412 - Were Cretan archers better than other archers?
Q: in response to the podcast on the Athenian archers that I did a few episodes ago, it would be interesting to hear of the effectiveness of the archers.
The host argues that while Cretan archers are repeatedly highlighted in historical sources and later warfare, the evidence suggests they were valued for specific tasks and had unique equipment and deployment, which may have contributed to a perception of superior effectiveness, but this is balanced by questions of how much of that reputation was due to selective recording, mercenary contracts, and tactical use rather than intrinsic superiority.
AWA411 - How did the Huns dress for war?
Q: Hi Murray, do we have enough information to actually describe how the Huns were dressed for war?
Murray explains that sources from Ammianus, Procopius, and Sedonius Apollinarus describe Hunnic dress using linen or skins, with evidence from burials and the Romans noting a practical, durable wardrobe. He also points out that while some depictions are austere, there are hints of color and decoration via garnets and metalwork, and acknowledges gaps in the evidence that prevent a definitive, uniform image.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ancient Warfare Podcast

What is Ancient Warfare Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show delivers in-depth discussions on ancient warfare, military history, and how ancient armies operated, organized around questions from listeners and readings from a history magazine. Episodes frequently explore recruitment, weapon use, logistics, frontline tactics, and the social and political context of ancient campaigns, with a mix of Q&As, panel discussions, and analyst-led deep dives. A standout aspect is the willingness to challenge myths (like uniform armaments or recruitment myths) and to connect artifacts, inscriptions, and archaeological finds to larger strategic questions, making it useful for listeners who want both detail and clear takeaways for understanding ancient military power.

The program tends to attract serious h... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Ancient Warfare Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Ancient Warfare Podcast:

1. The Hellenistic Age Podcast
2. The Ancient World
3. Tides of History
4. The Ancients
5. Gone Medieval

How many episodes of Ancient Warfare Podcast are there?

Ancient Warfare Podcast launched 19 years ago and published 422 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Ancient Warfare Podcast?

Recent guests on Ancient Warfare Podcast include:

1. Lindsay Powell
2. Murray Dahm
3. Stephen DeCasien
4. Myke Cole
5. Michael Livingston

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