The Fall of the Roman Empire

Tactics and Maxims

In this final installment in our study of Vegetius, we delve into standard tactics and formations for the era. In addition, Vegetius provides a list of Maxims which serve as easy reminders of his lessons. Join us as we share the conclusive nuggets of wisdom that Vegetius has to offer.

TAOW podcastTyler RuizJanuary 31, 2021wargaming, foam fighting, warhammer 40k, the art of war, the art of wargaming, Vegetius, The Fall of the Roman Empire, RomeComment

Gaining Initiative

When trying to get the upper hand over your opponent, there are many factors to consider. In this episode, Malark and Thumbs look at the various ways to give yourself the initiative, whether in solo combat or on a larger battlefield.

TAOW podcastTyler RuizJanuary 17, 2021wargaming, foam fighting, warhammer 40k, the art of war, the art of wargaming, Vegetius, The Fall of the Roman Empire, RomeComment

Macedonian Interlude

Thumbs and Malark take a brief interlude to examine the reign of Phillip the Barbarian of Macedonia, the prestigious father of Alexander the Great. As we talk about Alexander a great deal in the show, we thought it relevant to discuss the world that made him.

TAOW podcastTyler RuizJanuary 3, 2021wargaming, foam fighting, warhammer 40k, the art of war, the art of wargaming, Vegetius, The Fall of the Roman Empire, Rome, Phillip the BarbarianComment

Calm Before The Storm

A battle itself is over rather quickly, but the consequences are lasting. Having the proper motives and plan are essential to a smooth operation. Join Malark and Thumbs as they analyze the calm before the storm.

TAOW podcastTyler RuizDecember 20, 2020wargaming, foam fighting, warhammer 40k, the art of war, the art of wargaming, Vegetius, The Fall of the Roman Empire, RomeComment

Taking to the Field

While a large army may seem preferable in many ways, there are many complications that come with fielding a large force. Logistics, health, and tactics are all strained by an army of unwieldy size. In this episode, we take a look at ideal numbers in a fight and methods to maintain the morale and health of yourself and your troops.

TAOW podcastTyler RuizDecember 6, 2020wargaming, foam fighting, warhammer 40k, the art of war, the art of wargaming, Vegetius, The Fall of the Roman Empire, RomeComment

Clockwork Precision

In this episode, Thumbs and Malark explore the necessary preparation needed for a military force to be field worthy. When a commander and their army are fully prepared, it is then time for a flawless execution. The Romans had a template for both preparation and execution that worked well for centuries, and this is our subject.

TAOW podcastTyler RuizNovember 22, 2020wargaming, foam fighting, warhammer 40k, the art of war, the art of wargaming, Vegetius, The Fall of the Roman Empire, RomeComment

Pulling Rank

Thumbs is back to join Malark in talking about the organizational factors of the Roman Legion. This level of management was one of the keystones of Roman success and cannot be overstated. Though modern wargaming typically deals with numbers far inferior to what Vegetius intended, the reasoning is still sound.

TAOW podcastTyler RuizNovember 8, 2020wargaming, foam fighting, warhammer 40k, the art of war, the art of wargaming, Vegetius, The Fall of the Roman Empire, RomeComment

The Next Level

In this episode, Malark flies solo as he discusses the next section of Vegetius. Between gear, drills, and mindset; there are many factors needed to reach the next level.

TAOW podcastTyler RuizOctober 25, 2020wargaming, foam fighting, warhammer 40k, the art of war, the art of wargaming, Vegetius, The Fall of the Roman Empire, RomeComment

Talking About Newbs

The first section of Vegetius' book deals with the recruitment and training of new warriors. Much of the advice he wrote about then still applies now when dealing with our training approach to physical wargaming.

TAOW podcastTyler RuizOctober 11, 2020wargaming, foam fighting, warhammer 40k, the art of war, the art of wargaming, Vegetius, The Fall of the Roman Empire, RomeComment

World of Vegetius

This week, Malark and Thumbs give an overview of an exceedingly important and influential time in Western history. The Fall of the Roman Empire would set the stage for international politics that would shape our world into the current era. Join us to explore some of these fascinating events.

TAOW podcastTyler RuizSeptember 27, 2020wargaming, foam fighting, warhammer 40k, the art of war, the art of wargaming, Vegetius, The Fall of the Roman Empire, RomeComment