Any sources that look at gauging the validity of ancient warfare based on historical economics?

I’m listening to a podcast which is discussing some ancient wars and calls into question their five sizes. I’m curious if there are any historical economic analysis that looks at the economies of ancient civilizations and validates their warfare claims? for example was Alexander the Great really able to deploy armies of 15K men just as advanced forces never mind main bodies? This seems a bit of stretch given population sizes, production costs and logistics. We can barely estimate full casualties in wars from 19th century and onwards.