Blog Posts

October 11, 2023
Pray for Peace, but in time of War, Pray for Victory

People trying to wrap their heads around the horrific violence in Israel on October 7 and for days afterwards, followed by an Israeli assault on Gaza – people who want to understand all this need to fathom one simple fact: this is war. And war is not like peace, not at all. Most people in […]

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August 2, 2023
Cleopatra’s Final Exit

When we leave a job, many of us just head for the exit – fast. Others think about their legacy. They want to leave under circumstances that cement that legacy and leave a good impression behind. CEO’s, founders, presidents, and kings and queens fall under the latter category. Cleopatra offers a classic example of what […]

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July 19, 2023
Cleopatra’s Grandest Entrance

Politics is often performance. There is a certain kind of politician, often a commander or king or tyrant or just a kingpin, who uses an entrance as a way of magnifying power. For such a leader an entrance is a come-on. It is a way of persuading or even tricking people into thinking that you […]

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July 5, 2023
Cleopatra and Caesar

Thanks, everyone, for your continued enthusiasm about my podcast, Antiquitas. I hope you enjoyed the third and final episode of my three-part series on “How to Win A War,” this one on Clausewitz, the most important military thinker of modern times. Now, let’s turn back to antiquity. Last time, in the first of four posts, […]

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June 21, 2023
Cleopatra and the Art of Survival

Thanks, everyone, for your continued enthusiasm about my podcast, Antiquitas. I hope you enjoyed the second episode of my three-part series on “How to Win A War,” this one on Sun Tzu, the great ancient Chinese military philosopher. Now, let’s turn back westward, this time, to the northeast corner of Africa. When we think of […]

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June 7, 2023
Women of Valor

I’m delighted to announce, first, the return of my podcast, ANTIQUITAS: Leaders and Legends of the Ancient World. The first episode of the new season, “How to Win a War,” was uploaded on Thursday, June 1. Thanks, everyone for making the launch such a success: the listener response has been great. If you haven’t heard […]

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ANTIQUITAS Podcast

How to Win a War? Ask Clausewitz

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When we talk about war today, we are speaking the language of Clausewitz, whether we know it or not. He is the most influential and perhaps the most profound of military thinkers, but he is often misunderstood. Let’s get to know him better.

How to Win a War? Ask Sun Tzu

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The great ancient Chinese military theorist, Sun Tzu, is the master of the indirect way of war.  His work, The Art of War, still speaks to us today.

How to Win a War? Ask Thucydides

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The great ancient Greek historian and theorist still has a lot to teach us about war, strategy, and democracy. “The future is likely to resemble the past,” Thucydides wrote, claiming that “my work is a possession for all time.” Was he right? Join me, and you can decide.
Barry Strauss © 2024