AWA336 - Did ancient armies catapult corpses into enemy cities?
Release Date: 12/20/2024
AWA363 - Why do slingers go away?
Ancient Warfare Podcast
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!" Join us on Patron
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AWA362 - What can you tell me about the Scythed Chariots at Gaugamela?
Ancient Warfare Podcast
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..." Join us on Patron
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AW361 - Helmets in the Ancient World
Ancient Warfare Podcast
"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, of the magazine. Join us on Patron
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AWA360 - Did the ancient Greeks have a padded garment under their armour?
Ancient Warfare Podcast
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. Join us on Patron
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AWA359 - Who are your go-to translators for your favourite texts?
Ancient Warfare Podcast
In this episode, Murray Dahm tackles a listener question about the best translators for classical texts like Herodotus’s Histories. Are modern versions better? What’s the deal with Penguin’s Aubrey de Sélincourt vs. Tom Holland’s more recent take? Join us on Patron
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AWA358 - What was an oblique phalanx?
Ancient Warfare Podcast
Matt from North Carolina writes 'Can you explain and describe what an oblique phalanx is and how it was used in war by Alexander the Great?' Join us on Patron
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AWA357 - What was the least influential weapon on the ancient battlefield?
Ancient Warfare Podcast
Ralph Kirby challenges Murray with an intriguing question: could the Polybolas be considered the least influential weapon on the ancient battlefield? Used by both the Successor Macedonian states and Rome, Kirby argues that the Polybolas might have even replaced the Scorpio as a legionary siege weapon. Join us on Patron
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AW356 - New discoveries in Ancient Warfare 2025
Ancient Warfare Podcast
In this episode of the Podcast, the team explores groundbreaking archaeological discoveries from 2025 that are reshaping our understanding of ancient conflicts. From mass graves to reinterpreted royal tombs, these finds illuminate the strategies, societies, and struggles of the past. Join us on Patron
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AWA355 - Did small built-up areas play a role in ancient battlefields?
Ancient Warfare Podcast
In more modern battles, small farm compounds like La Haye Sainte and Hougoumont played pivotal roles in the fighting. But in ancient warfare, we rarely see small villas or farmsteads having a similar impact on battles. Why is that? Were these features less significant in ancient combat, or are there examples where small built-up areas shaped the course of battle? Join Murray Dahm as he tackles this intriguing question on Ancient Warfare Answers! Join us on Patron
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AWA354 - Why did ancient armies have few ranged units compared to line infantry?
Ancient Warfare Podcast
Long-time listener Uygar sent this in. "why did ancient armies, especially Greek phalanx-heavy ones, have relatively few ranged units like archers and slingers compared to line infantry? How did an ancient army determine the right number of ranged units for their army? And did the ranged units fight in a scattered manner in between the formations of the heavier line infantry rather than in rigid formations?' Join us on Patron
info_outline'We’ve all heard of ancient armies catapulting corpses and manure over walls in sieges, but is the modern intuition that this was to promote illness in those cities correct? Are there any primary sources that describe flinging corpses in order to make the defenders sick, or was it more likely just out of convivence for the attackers?' Thanks Thomas for sending that in.
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