This is a podcast from the archives of the BBC Ruth Lectures.

This lecture in the series War in Our World, given by John Keegan, was originally broadcast in 1998.

Welcome from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

For almost two centuries, generations of young British officer cadets have come here for the training,

which in its modern form provides the foundation for today's professional army officers.

From 1860, officers in the Indian Army were trained at Sandhurst,

and tonight you join our invited audience of serving officers, historians, academic specialists and public figures who

are gathered here in the Indian Army Memorial Room. Surrounding us in this splendid room,

formerly the Academy's Chapel, our historical displays of uniforms, medals, dashing portraits,

and other military memorabilia, which commemorate the lives and achievements of British officers in the Indian Army.

The sense of military history is obviously very strong here. Indeed, the remains of a large

Iron Age Hillfort can still be seen on the edge of the training grounds, and Sandhurst continues

to build on its long tradition of military excellence. In recent years, it's extended its role.

Since 1984, when female cadets joined Sandhurst,

all young British officers are now trained at the academy.

And every year, they're joined by overseas cadets

from between 35 and 40 countries,

reflecting Britain's past and contemporary links with other nations.

For many years, the 1998 Reith Lecturer John Keegan was here also, a senior lecturer

in military history and war studies. In his inaugural lecture last week, he explored the great

impact that warfare has had in modern times. Tonight, he turns his

attention to the search for the origins of war. Would you please then give a warm welcome to the

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