Ancient Warfare Answers episode (174): Did Ancient Armies wargame in any fashion we would recognize?

Jasper tackles this question from one of our patrons. ‘Did Ancient Armies wargame in any fashion we would recognize? Either in the armchair sense, or practically in the fields or on the seas? Did the Romans have wargames exercises to counter barbarian armies or Persian fleets? On the armchair side watching ‘I Claudius’ episode 1 there Augustus is playing a board game he calls ‘Empire’ with Agrippa’s two young sons. I expect this is just a story telling invention of the author or TV adaptation, but is there any basis for such a wargame simulator having existed in Rome or other nation?’ Enjoy the podcast? Support us via Patreon, now with optional magazine subscription!