Ancient Warfare Podcast

Latest Episodes:

AW369 - Battles of the Bronze Age Aug 08, 2025

Show notes

'With the emergence of the first city-states came the first cases of organised warfare and campaigns of conquest, as well as developments in arms and armour.'

In this episode, the team discusses issue 103, Battles of the Bronze Age: Unravelling the Origins of Warfare.

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AWA368 - What happened to the Hastati, Principes, and Triarii? Aug 01, 2025

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In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast, Murray answers a question from @tadejtomic1943: Why and when did the distinctions between Hastati, Principes, and Triarii disappear from the Roman Republican army? He explores the evolution of Roman military organisation, the reasons behind the shift away from this tripartite structure, and what replaced it as Rome's army adapted to new challenges.

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AWA367 - How permanent were institutions like dux or comes? Jul 25, 2025

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In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast, Murray answers a question inspired by Finis Britanniae: Were Roman military commands permanent structures, or more ad hoc arrangements that changed with the situation? Drawing comparisons to modern military organisation, Murray examines what the ancient sources tell us about how Roman armies were structured and led in times of shifting security demands.

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AWA366 - When did the classical Greek hoplite cease to exist? Jul 18, 2025

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In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast, Murray tackles a listener question from @tadejtomic1943: When did the classical Greek hoplite cease to exist? Drawing on historical sources and archaeological evidence, Murray explores how and when the iconic heavily armed infantryman faded from use—and what replaced him in the evolving landscape of ancient warfare.

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AW365 - Controversies of Roman Warfare Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

We're between issues of Ancient Warfare magazine, so in this episode the team takes the opportunity to discuss some of the major controversies in Roman warfare.

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AWA364 - Victories by missile-based armies Jul 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Murray tackles a thoughtful listener question: were heavy, armoured troops consistently more effective than missile-armed light troops? Our listener reflects that European armies rarely seem to have been decimated by light forces—Carrhae being a rare exception—and wonders whether this is an accurate memory. Why did Persians, for instance, favour missile troops, and why didn't this overwhelm Macedonian forces despite showers of arrows, slings, and javelins?

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AWA363 - Why do slingers go away? Jun 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Murray takes on a question that's been asked before — but this time, he's invited to share his personal opinion:

"OK... so it's been asked before in a general sense and the official answer is... we don't know! But Murray... in your own opinion, what's your best guess as to why slingers go away? Please speculate!"

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AWA362 - What can you tell me about the Scythed Chariots at Gaugamela? Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Murray addresses a fascinating and complex listener question concerning the famous scythed chariots used at the Battle of Gaugamela:

"Dear Murray, I have a question on the scythed chariots at Gaugamela. I developed and played a wargame scenario on it, and these things have become a true enigma. The problem is the number of chariots, the frontage they could cover in relation to the phalanx, and how agile the phalanx would need to be to let them through harmlessly..."

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AW361 - Helmets in the Ancient World Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

"From the simple cap to the most intricately-wrought and elaborately-decorated royal example, the humble helmet could do much more than just protect its bearer's head."

For this episode of the Ancient Warfare Magazine podcast, the team discusses helmets in the Ancient World, issue 102 of the magazine.

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AWA360 - Did the ancient Greeks have a padded garment under their armour? Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Murray tackles a listener question sent in by postcard from Damien in Tasmania:

"Hi Murray, I love the magazine and the podcasts. My question is: Is there any evidence for a standard padded garment, worn under armour, in non-Roman armies (the equivalent of a subarmalis)? Or may it be assumed to be an individual choice? Cheers, Damien."

Murray explores the evidence—or lack of it—for padded under-armour garments across various ancient armies outside of the Roman world.

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