Pontic Progress

Back in the dizzy days of Mithridates initial challenge to Rome it looked as though he would revive the fortunes of the Hellenistic World.  As the champion of Hellas, he naturally enough relied upon the daunting power of the Macedonian phalanx.  Obviously, I needed to provide him, or at least his talented general Archelaus with one.  I had a load of old Frei Korps 15 figures suitable for refurbishment.  I set about the task and these are they representing the liberated slaves so vital to the Pontic Army.

Not bad at all, I think. Once again, the old stuff stands the test of time.  They certainly inspire a sense of what a phalanx might look like. I’m pleased enough with them and now the rest of the array will be easy enough to complete.

The brush bristles played there part once again.  The savings are not to be sniffed at and have already been put to good use.

The mercenary Brazen shields are finished too.  In total I have six sturdy taxis of phalangites containing 96 phalangites and that is enough for a miniature Mithridates.

Should you be wondering if I have the scythed chariots too? I do indeed although they may need some attention.

An Army for Mithridates The Great

There’s something fantastic about the career of Mithridates of Pontus.  He was a Hellenistic Monarch (As shown above from QRF) a Revolutionary Democrat and Persian Great King all in one lifetime.  He died as he lived absolutely on his own terms.  Should you want to know more there are two English language biographies of him an old one by Alfred Duggan and a new one by Peter Matyszak.

There is also something very satisfying about refurbishing an old collection to produce something new.  I have enough of the eclectic bits that make up a Mithridatic army and this is the first post in a series about putting them together.  Later we’ll see them in action. For the moment let's just note as we go how good these old casts are.  You can click on the pics for more detail.

Mithridates began with a typical Hellenistic pike phalanx and subsequently shifted to the Roman Legionary model of heavy infantry.  That said he always had an abundance of excellent cavalry.

The phalangites were hired mercenaries or liberated slaves.  Most of the latter had been recently enslaved by the expanding Roman republic.  They burned with rage and resentment and proved very effective in the field.  

Strangely many List writers seem to think that they were inferior troops. That would have surprised Sulla's veteran Roman Legionaries at Chaeronea who were unable to budge them until their accompanying experienced Brazen Shields mercenary phalanx gave way and exposed their flank.  Later, when Mithridates transitioned to the Legionary model they provided much of the manpower and remained with him to the last.


For this project I'll be using Pulse of Battle the Ancient version of Piquet’s excellent Field of Battle rules and the troops are based accordingly.

Here are some Pontic cavalry from Old Glory.

Another view here.

Ditto these Sarmatians, which if you can be bothered to drill out hands for spears are truly excellent sculpts.

A unit of Brazen Shields phalangites from Donnington Miniatures now available from Ancient & Modern.  I'll need two units of these.

They are very nice figures and in my opinion have stood the test of time well.  Look at the detail and variety of figures.

 

Were I to be starting from scratch on a phalanx based army they would be my first choice.  By the way, if you like the look of the pikes they carry you will be pleased to know that they are plastic brush bristles with the end flattened and clipped.  One brush will last a life time, in fact you could bequeath it to a friend.

More Pontic progress shortly, and Romans too.