The Roman Army Is Not Mysterious – Here Are Some of the Ways Modern Historians Gain Their Knowledge
Given the circumstances, we know an amazing amount about the ancient Roman army. Over 1500 years after the fall of the Roman Empire fell, we…
The Ancient Roman Army’s Siege Technique Was Methodical And Terrifyingly Efficient
When the Roman army laid siege to a city, there were no half measures. Great effort went into preparing such an operation, the construction skills…
Circumvallation: How the Romans Mastered Surrounding Towns To Conquer Populations
Of all the armies of the ancient world, the Romans did the most spectacular job of combining military might with engineering skill. This was repeatedly…
The Rise and Fall of the Chariot – It Changed History, But Eventually Was A Victim Of Its Own Success
The ability to move at speed around the battlefield can create huge advantages. Before the internal combustion engine, this was usually undertaken by horses. At…
How The Spear Transformed Warfare – From Ancient Times To The Age Of Gunpowder
Spears have featured in warfare throughout history. Even after the arrival of firearms, spears continued to play a dominant role, from the pike blocks of…
Roman Emperors Who Died in Battle, From The End Of The Roman Empire To Byzantium
Though Roman Emperors occasionally did fight while out on campaigns, it was often a major shock if they were wounded or killed. If an emperor…
War on the Terraces: The Nika Riots
First the stewards and then the riot squad had been unable to deal with the supporters when trouble flared on the stands, and eventually, after…
A Different Look At History – The Teutoburg Disaster
“What if” history questions can be a divisive. Some view them as an exercise in futility, a place where no serious historians should go. Others…
Legion Vs Phalanx: Two Powerhouse Formations of Ancient Warfare
The organization from Homeric style hero warfare to tightly packed hoplite warfare was world changing. This powerful Hellenic formation allowed the ancient Greeks to hold…
The Spartans Had Never Surrendered Until The Brutal Battle Which Changed The Course Of The War
It is often said that the Spartan warriors never retreated and never surrendered. They would fight to the death no matter the odds, and were…
Awesome Power Of Ancient Rome – The Total Destruction Of Rome’s Greatest Rival
The conflict between Rome and Carthage was one of the greatest in the ancient world. Throughout the Punic Wars, they grappled for control of the…
The Reasons Why Rome Fell – And How It Has Lived On
The Fall of Rome is a heavily debated topic with an extraordinary range of theories as to how such a great power ultimately fell, and…