Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Age of Myths, Gods and Empires => Topic started by: sgzleada71 on March 07, 2021, 08:14:10 AM
-
Gabiniani Legion of Egypt
55 BC the Roman porconsul of Syria Aulus Gabinius is ordered to Invade Ptolemaic Egypt to support the Roman puppet leader Ptolemy XII. A brief campaign ensued and Rome's objective was quickly completed but Egypt remained divided and unstable. In order to keep their chose leader on the throne, Gabinius left about 2500 garrison troops behind. Largely cut off and forgotten by the Roman Republic these troops quickly adapted to local customs and integrated into Ptolemaic Egyptian society. The majority of these men were native Latins but around 500 were auxiliary Celts and Germans. Only a few years later Ptolemy XII died leaving his children Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII to squabble over the throne. The Gabiniani sided with Ptolemy XIII and became a major factor in the dynastic dispute. In Rome, Caesar and Pompey were also locked in civil war. Pompey sought refuge in Alexandria after his defeat at Pharsalus only to be killed on arrival by Gabiniani troops loyal to Ptolemy XIII. The young leader hoped this act would ingratiate him with Caesar but to his detriment, it had the opposite effect. Caesar sided w his young attractive sister in Cleopatra and as such his legions came into direct conflict with the Gabiniani legions of Ptolemy XIII. Caesar contended in his "Commentarii de Bello Civili" , that fugitives, criminals and exiles from the neighbouring Roman provinces had been recruited into the Gabiniani. After some brutal warfare in Alexandria Ptolemy XII and his Roman Mercenary Gabiniani Legion were defeated. The specific attire of this Hellenized Egyptianized Roman force is unknown but I chose to depict them as having a mix of scutums and hoplons w Ptolemaic motifs. Most helmets are Montefortino Roman but again I've added a few Successor Era Hellenic style helmets for officer figures. Most models are from Warlord Games Caesars' Legions plastic box set.
-
2
-
3
-
Next up is to finish basing them and then perhaps turn my attention to the 500 odd Celtic and Germanic Auxilliary Cavalry unit attached to the Gabiniani. Could be fun....
-
Interesting information and very nice paintjob!
Thanks for sharing!
-
Great explanation and some nicely painted figures too. Shields are the the best way to show different Roman factions and the Hellenistic decals look good.
-
Fascinating topic and great looking troops too!
-
Fascinating choice for a war gaming project- I look forward to following this.
-
Awesome project here! Can't wait to see your rendition of the attached auxiliaries!
What a way to really make your army "yours"!
-
Never knew of romans in Egypt , so had to have a nose , but that blue is really eye catching .
-
Very cool!
-
Thanks for the enthusiasm folks. I'll post some more pics soon once base finished and will start on some of the auxilliary cav.
-
okay. Got them based now.
-
2
-
on sunset......
-
back view
-
Coming soon the Germanic and Gallic Auxiliary Cavalry of the Gabiniani Legion.
-
I’m watching this with great interest.
It’s my favourite part of Roman history.
Will you be building some actual Egyptian troops?
I wonder what these would look like?
I’m currently thinking later successor peltasts perhaps?
-
Yeah Tim. I'm planning to do a small Ptolemaic Army w Hellenistic and some native Egyptian troops. These Gabiniani are just the beginning ........... :)
-
Wow these look great! :-*
I'm also in the process of building roman and ptolemaic forces for the siege of Alexandria and campaig in the delta. Fascinating period!
Will follow this with interest!
-
Germanic and Gallic Auxiliary Cav
-
Lugetus the Gaul rides in support. Born in Averni lands in 70BC Lugetus joined the Roman army as an auxiliary rather than continue the life of shoveling pig manure for baking into dry fuel for the winter. His family had been in the industry for many generations but with Roman occupation came tales of far flung land and great opportunities. Despite the pay being offered being much less than that of native Latins, Lugentus could still hope to bring more more coin than he'd ever earn at home. So having taken a loan from family and friends he purchased a study horse from the next village and rode off to seek his glory. Before long he found himself in far off Syria, baking under the hot southern sun and dreaming of greener pastures and the familiar aroma of porcine manure bricks. Guard duty in the province was not overly stimulating but it did, at least, leave time to explore and visit some lively taverns and wine bars. He lived this tolerable existence for 2 years before being hastily called up as part of Gabinius's Legion to march into Egypt in support of the ailing Ptolemy dynasty.
-
Gundhram the Germanic Cav trots along ... taking his sweet time ...
He likes nothing more than sausages, heavily spiced and fermented for months in vinegar and brine. Washed down, ideally, with a few tankards of ale. Failing that some Egyptian wine will suffice. He's proud to say his new Egyptian wife has started to become as skilled at sausage making and curing as she was in the bedroom. His move away from the damp forest of the Suevi was the best choice of his life thus far. He never felt much loyalty to the Roman conqueror, not after what they did to his uncle Boda, god's rest his soul. This Ptolemy chap seems much more to his liking. Generous with wine and women he engendered loyalty. He also commands an impressive army of Hellenistic Phalangites and well as native Egyptians and a good range of foreign mercenaries such as himself. This time those pompous Romans will get what they deserve ! His axe is ready to send them off to a quick afterlife. But no rush. It's hard to fight a battle before the spicy sausages have had proper time to digest.
-
Gundhram the Germanic Cav.. For some reason his fellow cavalry never want to ride directly behind him.
-
Legion w Cavalry support.
-
Some native Egyptian troops WIP. Warlord Games , Hail Caesar range, metals. Nice figures, a bit smaller than most plastic 28mms. I've mounted on an extra plastic disc to raise their height a few mm.
-
Fantastic!
-
Some native Egyptian Troops ( Warlord games)
-
2nd row - in focus
-
That's a really cool idea for a project. Really like the colors you decided on.
-
Thanks Veteran Sergeant. Yeah the yellow and royal blue work very well together.