As the initial wars between the Diadochi following Alexander the Great’s death began to die down, a large degree of stability was established in the successor states, with kings seeking to consolidate their power. However, the fight for control over the Hellenistic world was far from over: battles came to be fought on an ever-increasing scale, with phenomena like giant siege towers and enormous war ships becoming the new normal in the arms race of antiquity.        

Theme: Hellenistic armies of the 3rd and 2nd century BC

• Bob Bennett and Mike Roberts, 'Introduction to the theme'
• Michael J. Taylor, 'The Amphipolis regulations'
• Ruben Post, 'Hellenistic Military Costume'
• Christopher Webber, 'The Thracian mercenary'
• Michael Park, 'The Raphia Campaign'
• Paul McDonnell-Staff, 'The Antigonid Macedonian Army '
• Mateusz Lobacz, 'Military forces in Hellenistic Bactria'

Features

• Ross Cowan, 'Sticks and stones: simple and improvised arms and armour'
• Duncan Campbell, 'The debate: Women in Roman forts'