The Gauls for Civitates Bellantes

 

Above, QRF Gallic archers and Essex Gallic Cavalry. 

The Gauls turned up in the Classical World sacking Delphi (recently disputed) and walloping various Successor Armies. That particular branch (3 Tribes) originated in what's now France and had migrated in a series of pulses before planting itself in present day Turkey. A lot of them hired out as mercenaries. 

They were in high demand. St. Paul in his time said they kept the language and even the accent of their Gallic home. 

Gaesatae above from Forged in Battle. The shields emulate those shown in the Montvert Ptolemaic Army book. I don't own a copy but would like one. Not enough to pay $100+ though. 

I did recently secure Johnsono's Ptolomaic Army for a very reasonable sum. That will have to do as I collect the Montvert images from online sources. I'm finding it a very interesting read.

Old favourites here. Essex cavalry and Minifigs slingers.

A mixture of Corvus Belli (Metal) and QRF Gauls above. Oh, there's an Essex in the back row.

The same fellows from a side view. Checks and stripes Gentlemen. It is all work.

Another mixed bunch from various suppliers. These are mailed warriors. Mail seems to have been a Gallic invention like the 4 horn saddle. Some add the Spatha. Certainly the thureos shield seems Celtic inspired. Not all Celtic shields were that  shape. Some were long and fairly narrow. Experimentation I suppose.

More Corvus Belli, Essex, QRF here. Proof positive that you can happily mix and match.

The Donnington Gaesatae. What's not to like? Multi pose, spikey hair, shield variants.

All fine I think. But here's the thing. I have loads more horse and foot to paint. Checks and stripes. I'm going to tackle it in bite sized chunks.

Next on this one we will look at the more Successor troops. Maybe Elephants too. I have some, painted decades ago. I have also made good use of VVV 15mm Shield Transfers. 

A Hellenistic Miscellany

 

Regular Readers might remember that I reviewed Simon McDowall's Civitates Bellantes rules for the Classical Period here.  Those of a certain age might also recall an influential magazine article on matters Macedonian. 

It said that if you owned 48 phalangite figures you could do any Macedonian or Successor Army. The trick was to add smaller units as required. Some of the smaller units (Cretans) would do for any army. Others (Indians) might give unique flavour. Dizzy days of Diadochi diversion indeed. 

Very sound as a concept. It works too. Except I never managed to get past sporadic bouts of purchasing and painting. Until now. I have the figures, I have the rules. Time to begin.

I decided to take the Civitates Bellantes basing suggestions to heart. Therefore, my pikemen would be 8 to a base in two ranks. I like the look of this. 

By way of comparison Roman legions are 6 to a base. Thureophoroi or formed archers 5 to a base. True skirmishers 2 to a base. Roman Velites 3 to a base.

This project will cover a fair spread of geography and history. Persia to Cisalpine Gaul and Spain too. Eventually it will include the Punic Wars and Mithridates.

 Here are some pic’s of a range of manufacturers phalanx offerings. All 15mm as usual.

Old Glory

These are their Macedonian Phalangites. I find the shields a bit big. If I was buying from them now I’d go for the Argyraspides pike men. All the same these are OK. You do need to drill the hands but the figures can take it. No breakages. Added Steel pike.

Frei Korp 15

Currently in the Wars in terms of availability. That said I think Geoff will sort it out and we can hope for a triumphant return. These are the original Macedonian Pike men. A mixture of helmets and slight pose variation. Open hands permit gluing a plastic brush bristle pike in place. I like these figures, lots of detail. True 15mm.There is a Seleucid pike pack too with trousers. You will also see newer figures with cast on pike. I don't have any.

Ancient and Modern

Ever Donnington to me. These are very good. Open hands permit gluing a steel pike in place. Bare metal to bare metal will prevent losing pikes. Detail is good as is figure variation. I think 5 variants are available. The same for the trousered Seleucids.

Is that it? No, lots more to come in terms of units and then on to specific Armies.