Warfare in ancient times: International conference in Münster attracts experts!

Warfare in ancient times: International conference in Münster attracts experts!

In recent years there has been increasing interest in the role of mercenary armies in antiquity. These troops became popular in the Greek world because they provided an effective way to mobilize large armies. An outstanding example of this can be found in the painting “Épisode de la retraite des Dix Mille” by Adrien Guignet, which depicts the dramatic Battle of Kunaxa in 401 BC. between Greek mercenaries and Persian troops. This historical event is an impressive reminder of the importance of mercenaries in ancient warfare.

In the context of this topic, the Department of Ancient History at the University of Münster will be organizing the international conference “War in the Ancient World International Conference Münster – WAWIC 2025” from May 29th to 31st, 2025. This event will feature over 90 papers in more than a dozen sections dealing with various aspects of war in the ancient Mediterranean between the 4th and 2nd centuries BC. BC. The focus will be on topics such as mercenaries, auxiliary troops, desertion, rebellion, martial law and military medicine.

Lectures and discussions

A special highlight of the conference is the lecture by Hendrik Remmel, a captain and historian at the “German Institute for Defense and Strategic Studies”. This will take place on May 30th at 6:30 p.m. and deals with the topic “Private and state warfare from ancient times to the present”. The lecture will be given by Prof. Dr. Klaus Zimmermann comments, followed by a panel discussion intended to stimulate exchange between participants.

A public reception for guests will round off the event. In addition, the conference aims to link historical insights with current issues, particularly with regard to the Ukrainian War, which makes the importance of military strategies and historiography relevant.

International exchange

Parallel to the conference in Münster, a similar event will take place in Minnesota, USA. This initiative will promote international exchange through live broadcasts and thus broaden global perspectives on ancient war topics.

Participation in the conference and the evening event is free of charge and prior registration is not required. This format allows a broad audience access to deep insights into military history and its relevance to today's conflict-related issues. The event has the potential to expand understanding of the historical role of mercenaries and the dynamics of war.

For more information about the conference and its topics, please visit the website University of Münster.

Additional perspectives on the topics of mercenaries and military history can also be found in the articles H-Net and Mirror.