Summary of "A Military Historian’s Omnibus" Episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show
Release Date: June 19, 2025
Hosts: Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler
1. Modern Equivalents to Historical Military Leaders
Listener Question: A member of the Victor Davis Hanson Fan Club, Paul Puccinow, inquired about modern-day equivalents to renowned military leaders such as William Tecumseh Sherman, George S. Patton, and the ancient general Epaminondas. Paul asked, “Does Victor believe that there are any modern-day, the last 30 years, 'armies of liberation' and any equivalence of Sherman or Patton?”
Discussion: Victor and co-host Marcus delved into the characteristics that defined these historical figures: moral clarity, the ability to marshal large, motivated armies, and the capacity to execute decisive campaigns. They explored the challenges in finding contemporary parallels, emphasizing the transformative impact of modern technology on warfare.
Notable Quote:
"In the age of drones, sophisticated satellite imagery, nuclear weapons, hypersonic missiles... a huge column of 100,000 men are going to just, boom, take off unless they have very good air support, satellite blocking image."
— Marcus [07:15]
2. The Impact of Drone Warfare on Infantry
Topic Overview: The conversation shifted to the role of drones in modern conflicts, particularly their devastating effect on infantry units. Marcus cited a statistic indicating that "65% of infantry losses in the Ukraine war on both sides are from drones," highlighting the vulnerability of traditional ground forces in the current technological landscape.
Discussion: They debated whether the integration of drones and other advanced technologies could allow for the resurgence of large-scale, mobile armies reminiscent of historical models. The hosts questioned the feasibility of maintaining such forces without significant advancements in air superiority and defensive countermeasures.
Notable Quote:
"You have to have air superiority 100% or it would just be destroyed as it walked, as it went forward."
— Marcus [07:45]
3. Analysis of William Tecumseh Sherman and the Black 54th Regiment
Listener Questions: Bill from New Jersey and Marcus Burkett from South Carolina posed two interconnected questions:
- Insights on the Civil War’s Black 54th Regiment from Massachusetts and its commanding officer, Roberts.
- An analysis of General William Tecumseh Sherman’s complex views on race and his military prowess.
Discussion: Marcus provided an in-depth examination of General Sherman’s strategies and personal beliefs. He contrasted Sherman’s tactical genius, particularly his infamous "March to the Sea," with his contradictory views on racial supremacy. Despite harboring racist beliefs, Sherman’s actions during and after the Civil War, such as emancipating slaves and supporting African American pioneers, showcased a nuanced character striving for a more humane approach amidst the brutality of war.
Notable Quotes:
“He [Sherman] probably did more for African American slaves than any American general, even more than General Howard, the founder of Howard University.”
— Marcus [10:15]
“They treated him with respect. He gave them land, so they liked him.”
— Marcus [14:30]
4. Reflections on the Iraq War: From Support to Critique
Listener Question: John from Milford, Connecticut, queried Victor on when he concluded that the Iraq War was a mistake.
Discussion: Victor recounted his initial support for the war post-9/11, influenced by the prevalent belief in the presence of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) under Saddam Hussein’s regime. He detailed his firsthand experiences being embedded with U.S. forces, witnessing the harsh realities of war, and interacting with both American soldiers and Iraqi civilians. These experiences led to his growing disillusionment, particularly regarding the inefficacy of nation-building efforts and the high human costs involved.
Notable Quote:
“I went with a group on Blackhawks. I was embedded and I flew around and you know, you see these kids right next to you... Why are we over here? Do we want to win? Are we not? Are we going to march through.'”
— Victor [31:22]
“If you're supporting this war, you have to go over there at least and see what it's like and what these kids are doing.”
— Victor [30:00]
5. Evolution of Mounted Warfare: Horses in Ancient Greece
Listener Question: Charla Gibson requested a brief lecture on how horses transformed warfare in ancient Greece, specifically focusing on Philip and Alexander’s military campaigns.
Discussion: Marcus explored the strategic advancements introduced by Philip II of Macedon and his son, Alexander the Great. He emphasized the development of the Companion Cavalry and the use of the sarissa—a long pike that extended the reach of infantry formations. These innovations allowed for more dynamic and effective battlefield maneuvers, enabling Alexander’s forces to achieve decisive victories against classical Greek phalanxes.
Notable Quote:
“They were the first to do a couple of things. They started to arm the rider and the horse with pads and sometimes with bronze protection... They had horses with sarissas that are about 12ft pikes, and they had armored horses and they had big horses.”
— Marcus [38:28]
6. The Byzantine Empire: Its Overlooked Legacy
Listener Question: Brian Bagley asked why the Byzantine Empire is largely ignored in historical narratives and whether its fall significantly altered European history.
Discussion: Marcus argued that the Byzantine Empire played a crucial role as the bastion of Western civilization from the 5th to the 15th centuries. He attributed its historical neglect to Eurocentric biases and the lasting impact of Edward Gibbon’s portrayal of Byzantium as decadent in "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire." Furthermore, the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottomans shifted the focus of Western Europe towards maritime exploration, inadvertently sidelining the profound contributions of the Byzantine era.
Notable Quotes:
“They did what the west couldn't do. ... As you survive and its heyday was the 5th century, 6th century, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, we got this wonderful reputation of it.”
— Marcus [44:06]
“The word Byzantine is really not an ancient world. ... They were romaioi, Romans. And the other thing very quickly is given if you read Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire...”
— Marcus [51:37]
Conclusion
In this episode, Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler, alongside contributor Marcus, delved deep into various military history topics, drawing connections between past and present. They offered insightful analyses on the evolution of warfare, the complexities of historical military figures, and the often-overlooked significance of the Byzantine Empire. Through listener interactions, the show provided a platform for thoughtful discussions on how history shapes and informs contemporary military and political landscapes.
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