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..."

So, I'd like to start the discussion about themes for next year. I'll lay out some ground rules, you can post your suggestions in the comments from which I'll select three or four for each issue, on which you can then vote.

Of course the publisher reserves the right to change theme.

So, on to the ground rules:

• First: any military history topic is acceptable, provided it fits in the chronological and geographical constraints of AW. In other words, it has to fit Mediterranean/Near Eastern/European history between ca.3000 BC - 600 AD.
• Second: a good spread of subjects is important. Each year needs to have one-two Roman topics, one-two Greek/Hellenistic ones, one-two general topics and one Late Roman/Archaic Greek/Bronze Age topic.
• Third: there will very likely be another Special issue. The topic for such a Special needs to be narrowly focused and preferably linked to a commemoration or special exhibition.

I look forward to suggestions in the comment, and I'll start the list with the three runners-up of the vote last year:

• The army of Diocletian and his successors
• Elite troops of the Hellenistic Era
• Marius at War