In response to an email from David in New York, Murray explains siege mining in the ancient world.

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Murray answers this question from Pascal, 'could you serve as a soldier, officer or even a consul despite some form of physical handicap during the roman republic?'

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With the holiday season almost upon us, the Ancient Warfare Magazine team discuss new books released in 2022, old and new documentaries that are now available on streaming services and throw in a couple of audiobook suggestions for good measure! Links (not quite a comprehensive list of all the media mentioned in the show) Books Adrienne Mayor, Greek Fire, Poison Arrows, and Scorpion Bombs: Unconventional Warfare in the Ancient World (2022) Conor Whately, A Sensory History of Ancient Warfare: Reconstructing the Physical Experience of War in the Classical World (2022) Murray Dahm, Hunnic Warrior vs Late Roman Cavalryman: Attila's Wars AD 440–53 (2022) Josiah Osgood, Uncommon Wrath: How Caesar and Cato's Deadly Rivalry Destroyed the Roman Republic (2022) MC Bishop, Roman Plate Armour (2022) Peter Stothard, Crassus: The First Tycoon (2022) Raffaele D'Amato, Post-Roman Kingdoms: 'Dark Ages' Gaul & Britain, AD 450–800 (2023) Raffaele D'Amato, Roman Army Units in the Eastern Provinces (2): 3rd Century AD (2022) William Horsted, British Celtic Warrior vs Roman Soldier: Britannia AD 43–105 (2022) Audiobooks Stephen Fry, Troy: The Siege of Troy Retold Tony Robinson, Odysseus: The Greatest Hero of them All Film & TV Barbarians (2020 - ) In search of the Trojan War (1985) In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great (1998) On Hannibal's Trail (2010) Secrets of the Dead (2000 - ) Spartacus (1960) Scipione l'africano (1937)

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Murray got this question from Jonathan via email 'I read about Caesar bridging of the Rhine, is that how armies bridged rivers after him, following his example, what about before him?'

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Bill sent Murray this question, 'how long was the Macedonian Sarissa? I've read a lot about 20' and sometimes longer'.

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Jonathan sent this question directly to Murray 'What was the standard depth of a hoplite line? I see eight mentioned all the time – were there any others?'

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Jasper and Murray are joined by Julien Blurel, the brains behind the Invicta YouTube channel.

In the latest episode, Invicta demonstrates the true size of a Roman legion. This is the first of their new 'true size' series, which aims to bring history to life in 3D using the Unreal Engine.

True Size of the Roman Legion really puts into context the Roman army camp, the Legion on the march and the Roman army order of battle.

You can find it here.

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Patron of the podcast Seanbob sent in this question for Murray to mull over, 'what is up with foreskin collection? I know Ramses wrote on walls about the stacks of foreskins he collected from the sea peoples, and David bought his wife with foreskins (1 Samuel 18:27). So what is the deal?

Was circumcisions popular in some cultures and not others? Why not the whole penis? What did they do with them after they stacked them? Some sort of trophy? Like a deer rack on your Grandpa's wall? It is one thing to like dicks, it is strange to collect foreskins. What is the deal?'

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What happened to all the gear and supplies after a big battle? What did people tend to salvage?

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'Philip II of Macedonia inherited a fragile kingdom under pressure. He absorbed the lessons from his childhood and turned it into a military powerhouse.'

The team discuss the latest issue of the magazine XV.6 Macedonia Rising: The volatile life of King Phillip II.

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