Ancient Warfare Podcast

Latest Episodes:

AWA380 - How Did the Greek Phalanx Keep Its Line? Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

A listener from Brisbane asks: how did the Greek hoplite phalanx maintain a cohesive front while advancing into battle over uneven terrain dotted with trees, bushes, and obstacles? Murray Dahm explains how ancient soldiers kept formation, reformed when disrupted, and adapted their tactics to the landscape.

Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

AW379 - Commanding an Army in Antiquity Oct 18, 2025

Show notes

How do you get the right man to command your armies? Does he learn on the job, or from books, and what happens when something goes wrong?

In this episode, the team discusses issue 104, Who Put You in Charge? Commanding an Army in Antiquity.

Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

AWA378 - Did the Persians Really Use Cats at the Battle of Pelusium? Oct 10, 2025

Show notes

Augusto from Argentina asks: "How reliable is Polyaenus' account of the Persians using cats—or images of cats—against the Egyptians at Pelusium? Is there any truth to the story, or is it just legend?" Murray Dahm explores the evidence behind this curious tale.

Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

AWA377 - How Much Do We Really Know About the Bacaudae? Oct 03, 2025

Show notes

A listener on YouTube asks: "How much do we really know about the Bacaudae, and how important were they in the collapse of the Western Roman Empire?" Murray takes a closer look at these enigmatic rebels of Late Antiquity.

Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

AWA376 - Are there any sources for the chariot driver actually exiting the chariot before contact? Sep 26, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Murray Dahm revisits Alexander's encounter with scythed chariots and unpacks some of the practical and tactical issues surrounding their historical use. From wargaming figure ratios to the use of caltrops, shield-banging, and even Roman caligae, we explore how ancient armies may have neutralised these fearsome weapons.

Were chariots best used against cavalry or lighter infantry? Did ancient troops rely on noise and tight formations—or did they use more direct countermeasures? And finally, a listener asks: is there any evidence that chariot drivers dismounted before impact—or is that a modern myth?

Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

AWA375 - What was the relationship between Korybantic/Kouretic dances and ancient warfare? Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Ancient Warfare Answers, Murray Dahm explores the link between the Korybantic and Kouretic dances and the ancient warrior tradition. Unlike the more familiar Pyrrhic dance—used as military training—these ritual performances were deeply spiritual, involving ecstatic movement, clashing weapons, and the warding of evil.

But could such rituals have shaped not just warrior identity, but also the tools of war themselves? Murray considers how spiritual beliefs may have influenced the way ancient cultures approached weapons, armour, and even materials like bronze and iron.

Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

AW374 - Which Battle Would You Witness? Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we explore the ultimate "time travel" question: if you could witness any battle in history, which one would you choose?

We focus on a handful of iconic clashes, including Pharsalus, where Pompey surrendered unexpectedly, and Actium, exploring the real plan behind Antinous' manoeuvres. We also dive into the Teutoburg Forest, one of Rome's most devastating defeats, and consider what makes a battle truly unforgettable.

Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

AWA373 - Greek phalanx vs. Germanic shield wall: how different were they? Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast, Murray tackles a question from Jörn: How different are an ancient Greek city-state's hoplite phalanx and a Germanic shield wall? While separated by centuries and culture, both formations relied on close-order infantry and cohesion.

Murray explores their tactical similarities and differences, the contexts in which they developed, and what each reveals about the societies that used them.

Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

AWA372 - Were ancient armies ever at full strength? Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast, Murray answers a question from Marc about the actual size of ancient military units. Modern sources often quote full-strength numbers for legions and cohorts, but were ancient armies ever truly at full capacity?

Drawing on evidence such as the Vindolanda tablets, Murray discusses how understrength units may have been the norm, and whether modern historians should reconsider the numbers they often cite.

Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

AWA371 - Do we know anything about ancient soldiers dice games? Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast, Murray answers a listener's question about games of chance in the ancient world. Did soldiers pass the time with dice games or gambling, much like those in more recent conflicts? Drawing on historical sources and archaeological finds, Murray explores what kinds of games ancient soldiers played, how widespread gambling may have been, and what these pastimes reveal about life in the ranks during times of war and peace.

Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected