I've been absolutely swamped with well over 60 suggestions (Themes of 2011) for just six issues of Ancient Warfare in 2011. I've decided to pick one (V.1: Gaius Marius at War), as I have to start solliciting proposals for that issue. The theme for the Special has been set as well, though not with complete certainty. Next year is the 2500th anniversary (yes, next year, there's no year 0) of the Battle of Marathon, so that's almost a given. That leaves the themes of five regular issues for you to vote on:

On behalf of Dr.Mike Bishop, we're polling interest in a (re-)launch of the academic Journal of Roman Military Equipment Studies (JRMES).

It's that time of year again where I ask the readership for suggestions for themes of next year. This method seems to work well even though, as I said last year, some make me "go bald with worry about appropriate photography..."

Summer Of The Greeks -- Theatre Edition

"Then the shield-bearers wheeled round and enclosed the light-armed troops within their ranks, dropped down to one knee, and held their shields out as a defensive barrier. The men behind them held their shields over the heads of the first rank, while the third rank did the same for the second rank. The resulting shape, which is a remarkable sight, looks very like a roof, and is the surest protection against arrows, which just glance off it."

If you're a regular listener to 'a certain general gaming podcast' The D6 Generation, you'll have noticed that though they discuss mostly non-historical games, they are not averse to history. Craig Gallant especially has expressed his love for Romans on more than one occasion.

Siege Warfare Part I.

Ross Cowan added some of his own thoughts on Murray Dahm's article in issue IV.2. Read Ross's blog here.

By David L.Reinke

"A victory? What have we won? We've won a rock in the middle of a wasteland, on the shores of a poisoned sea."

– Flavius Silva in the 1981 mini-series Masada

I vaguely remember watching at least part of Masada when it was first broadcast in 1981.  A direct result of the record-breaking success enjoyed by Roots, Masada was part of that Golden Age of the Television Mini-Series when the viewing public had an insatiable appetite for long form epic dramas of historic events.  So long as it was “Based Upon A True Story” the audience would seemingly buy anything, and lots of it.