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. 

Two More Punic War Roman Legions

 

My aim was to put together a viable Roman Army for the Macedonian and Punic Wars.  With these two formations it is job done.  For those expecting Punic Wars Spanish, my apologies, they will be appearing here next.  Back to the Romans. 

The lead pile could probably produce another two but that can wait.  Here are the new legions in detail the figures are from Chariot and Essex.

I do need some more Roman cavalry as I aim to have two units.  The rest of the mounted arm will be allies and mercenaries.

 The figures are mainly Chariot Miniatures with some from Essex and Forged in Battle.

 This legion has been doing quite well and is colorfully turned out in looted tunics.

This Legion is a little more uniform in clothing colours.  Perhaps they are newly raised or have been in garrison.

Once again these are old Chariot or Essex castings.

They began life as a DBA Army.

They were bought over a series of visits to War Games Shops rather than all at once.  It's not how we do it today.

Click on the pics for a bigger image.

Nearly job done on the Romans then.  There is something pleasing about repurposing the old figures too.  Soon, I'll begin on the Gauls, a test of anyone's painting skills.

 

Numidians

 

The Numidians were a Berber people

In our period there were, seemingly, two big Numidian political units containing lots of little ones.  The sort of thing that often gets called tribal -but that term misses a lot.

During the Punic Wars the Numidian factions changed sides to secure their best possible advantage.  In the end they had to fight the Romans. As Roman opponents went, they did better than many. They ended up as a Roman province subsequently giving the Vandals a rough time.

Their great days were yet to come.  With the Empire and the Vandals gone they headed out west to no small effect. 

They were excellent light cavalry.  It is mainly in that capacity that we find them in the Punic Wars. 

These little fellows are my Numidians for Hannibal and the lads or Scipio and the boys.

It has always struck me that Scipio and Lucullus (an opponent of Mithridates) were essentially honest men as well as exceptionally talented generals.  They were not good at politics.   As you might expect neither of them prospered. 

We may come back to Lucullus and Mithridates.

Hannibal was a military colossus. Ponder that we only know about him from hostile accounts. Imagine what his fans wrote about him.  He made great use of his army's Numidian contingent.

Here are my Numidians. Click for a bigger pic.  Yes, it's working  again.

Essex 15mm Numidians.

Essex and Forged in Battle 15mm Numidian cavalry.

Forged in Battle Numidian cavalry.

Essex Numidian foot.

 

Next up the Spaniards.