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AW290 - A Biography of Thermopylae
Episode 290
'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 ar…
2 years, 1 month ago
Losing well
Episode 289
Patron Simon's second question asks 'Were there notions of "losing well" or instances of exemplary defeat in ancient warfare?'
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2 years, 1 month ago
Taking Position on the Right
Episode 288
Patron Simon (via postcard) asks 'It's often said that Greek armies put their best soldiers on the right. Given that predictability is exploitable, h…
2 years, 2 months ago
AW287 - The Marcomannic Wars
Episode 287
'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…
2 years, 2 months ago
Low Casualty figures
Episode 286
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 f…
2 years, 2 months ago
Where are the Light Armed Troops?
Episode 285
Responding to several comments on recent podcasts which have looked at heavy infantry, especially the Macedonian phalanx, Murray looks at the issue o…
2 years, 2 months ago
Comparing the Byzantine conquest of Vandal North Africa with the Punic Wars
Episode 284
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…
2 years, 3 months ago
Why did the Macedonian phalanx struggle against the Greek mercenary hoplites at Issus?
Episode 283
Murray answers this question from Jsoth, 'during the battle of Issus, it's my understanding that the Macedonian phalanx struggled and even lost groun…
2 years, 3 months ago
Alexander Attacks Persia
Episode 282
'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 campai…
2 years, 3 months ago
What are you hoping to see when the scrolls from Herculaneum are scanned?
Episode 281
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 th…
2 years, 3 months ago