Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Age of Myths, Gods and Empires => Topic started by: Mad Doc Morris on October 08, 2020, 05:31:10 PM
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At long last I've given in to the lure of classical – no, not boring – Early Imperial Romans in 28mm. And I even painted some.
An incentive was the advent of TFL's "Infamy, Infamy". Or even more so the multi-based armies John Savage used for play-testing (find some pics on his Twitter account (https://twitter.com/johnsav06196556)). So my own take will cover a basic Roman force for said rules. However, disregarding the correct amount of minis, one bases constitutes a unit. At a (much!) later stage I might double these up or some such. Yet 'gameability' is not my main concern.
Let's start with some bread and butter; good old legionaries in (not so) shiny segmented armour. Well, mostly. Anyway, the first contubernium from different angles.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/48/1034-081020153048.jpeg)
No surprise there, Perry sculpts for Wargames Foundry (and LBM decals, of course). Since I discovered them on the colour pages of "Warhammer Ancient Battles", these were my favourites. No plastics for me, sir. And yes, I've yet to decide if to paint those base edges.
Next one as they drop in. Stay tuned.
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Nice to see you back at it Tilman, they're very nice indeed 8)
My first romans were the Foundry ones as well. I got them after watching the Timewatch documentary about the roman invasion of Dacia. The terrain was stunning and they had a bridge done as well :)
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Thanks a lot, James! It's still a struggle, but I keep at it.
I take a lot of inspiration from TV, movies, books as well. In this instance even from real life encounters. More will be revealed soon. o_o
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A very nice painting Tilman. :-* :-*
And the bases are great too.
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Here is part of the Timewatch documentary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y479bKPEzLQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y479bKPEzLQ)
The bridge is at around 8:45 :)
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Pretty surprising theme wise, but excellent work, Tilman!!!
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They are very handsome devils.
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Wonderful to see you back on the Romans :-)
These look bloody good too!
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The old ones are the best! Great figures. Lovely painting :-*
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Cheers, guys! Your comments are much appreciated. :)
Pretty surprising theme wise, but excellent work, Tilman!!!
Marc, I have fond memories playing DBA with your Romans – if losing badly each and every game. Been circling these minis ever since, so you definitely informed my choices here. Might even have nicked some ideas…
Here is part of the Timewatch documentary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y479bKPEzLQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y479bKPEzLQ)
The bridge is at around 8:45 :)
James, thanks for sharing this. A great old-fashioned take on the subject featuring Perry minis, the Ermine Street Guard and even Peter Connolly! Would have loved to watch this back in the day. Speaking of which, to this day I treasure some books bought about 30 years ago. (Some even kept their price tags in Deutsche Mark, blimey, they were cheap!) They had and still have a huge impact on my fascination with ancient Rome. Here's a selection of 'em obviously fallen from my shelves during research. ::)
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/48/1034-091020125815.jpeg)
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Next one steps right up.
Legionaries again, but this time some rear rankers. They are accompanied by a tesserarius, the "watchword bearer".
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/48/1034-101020093854.jpeg)
As so often, we don't know if the tesserarius would have looked any different than the common soldier. But there's some evidence that he supported the optio in closing ranks. Thus he's placed here on the left of the group, opposite to the optio's most likely position on the right, behind the centurion leading from the front. Pure conjecture, but fun. ;)
I tend to vary the number of minis per base slightly. Here I aimed for a 'thin red line' look. Once arrayed for battle it will (hopefully) all come together.
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Lovely :)
Here's a selection of 'em obviously fallen from my shelves during research. ::)
I get that all the time lol
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Cheers, guys! Your comments are much appreciated. :)
Marc, I have fond memories playing DBA with your Romans – if losing badly each and every game. Been circling these minis ever since, so you definitely informed my choices here. Might even have nicked some ideas…
James, thanks for sharing this. A great old-fashioned take on the subject featuring Perry minis, the Ermine Street Guard and even Peter Connolly! Would have loved to watch this back in the day. Speaking of which, to this day I treasure some books bought about 30 years ago. (Some even kept their price tags in Deutsche Mark, blimey, they were cheap!) They had and still have a huge impact on my fascination with ancient Rome. Here's a selection of 'em obviously fallen from my shelves during research. ::)
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/48/1034-091020125815.jpeg)
You should get a copy of 'Panis Militaris' by Marcus Junkelmann!!
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You should get a copy of 'Panis Militaris' by Marcus Junkelmann!!
Fear not, got the whole lot of his books on Roman stuff. The one pictured just triggered that particular obsession. :D Even own the odd signed copy from when I had the pleasure to meet him (and some of his original crew) in person. Great guy(s)!
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Brilliant work,and gotta’ love a man with plenty of books(mines all Justinian era :))
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Marc, I have fond memories playing DBA with your Romans – if losing badly each and every game. Been circling these minis ever since, so you definitely informed my choices here. Might even have nicked some ideas…
Fond Memories....whaaaaat?! :o .... and I’ve always felt so bad about it o_o :)
You‘ve always agitated for the earlier periods and now see were we‘re now. You have started an EIR Army and I‘ve painted a Republican Army for the Punic Wars. The tables have turned ;)
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You‘ve always agitated for the earlier periods and now see were we‘re now. You have started an EIR Army and I‘ve painted a Republican Army for the Punic Wars.
I'm easily enthralled by all things Roman, it's rather been a matter of time. Really enjoyed your take on the Republican army. Saved as inspiration for "Infamy vol. 2". ;)
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No TFL ruleset without some "big men". Well, biggish in this instance. Detachments are usually commanded by a centurion (upcoming here), who's in turn supported and, if necessary, replaced by an optio. Also close by may be a musician, here a cornicen blowing, surprisingly, a curved cornu.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/48/1034-121020101838.jpeg)
FYI, the optio is a Warlord Games figure, the musician by Foundry. Again, no evidence for any extravagant uniform, coloured crest and feathers only to make the 'NCO' figure stand out on the tabletop.
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Lovely painting, Tilman. Glad to see you back on the brushes :)
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Splendid 8)
I like the little touches like that. Even if there was/is no evidence, something subtle like that helps with the character of the army and the individuals 8)
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Lovely. :-* :-* :-*
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Superb, the basing complements the painting and is exquisite :-*
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Many thanks all, glad you enjoy the trip. :)
Today a group of archers is joining the fray. Finally, then, some auxiliaries, my favourite troop type.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/48/1034-141020082639.jpeg)
Instead of the famous 'Syrian' archers in long robes I opted for 'Western'/romanised auxiliaries. Given the small scope of "Infamy", to portray ad-hoc formations rather than a mixture of tiny specialist detachments seems more likely to me. Your mileage may vary, of course.
All Foundry minis again. Had some issues with miscasts (distortions, even fractures). These are not the worst offenders, but for the price tag I would expect better QC. :?
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Today a small but no less important addition to the mix. "Infamy" has its Roman forces commanded by centurions, so here's mine.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/48/1034-161020070957.jpeg)
He's yet to earn his name. I'd like to follow the Lardies' suit and take a pun, though that rarely works in German. Wonder why… Instead I'll pick a historical namesake, from local context perhaps. Quite a few sources mention centurions 'acting as' (curam agente) commanders or simply called 'boss' (praepositus), and these are likely candidates.
Inspired by the good Captain, I also started preparing some markers.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/48/1034-161020071014.jpeg)
Sloppy job, just churning them out by the numbers. Some multi-purpose, some more specific. Most shall be used to record 'shock' or any other incremental factor. The cowering legionary shall denote a unit with their 'shields up'. However, since I'm not set on that particular ruleset other uses are possible.
Oh, miniatures again are predominantly by Foundry, covered shields by Warlord, though. Hope you like 'em. :)
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Again, a great painting. :-* :-* :-*
And the markers are very nice too.
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Awesome work on the centurion! :-*
He looks darn right scary! ;)
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Cheers, guys, glad you like him.
He looks darn right scary!
And that's the idea exactly. :D I've always been fascinatedy by those buggers. There's something about their uniform and their aura, be they grizzled veterans risen from the ranks or young upstarts who bought their office.
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Lovely work on those, particularly fond of late first century Foundry Imoerial Romans myself!
The warlord figures seem to fit ok too, and must pick up some covered shields!
Cheers
Matt
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Excellent Tilman. What a great character :-*
Love the Roman numeral markers too :)
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Great progress 8)
Is that centurion Macro by any chance?
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Thanks for the comments, chaps! :)
Richard, special credit to you for informing my choice of markers. There will be casualty figures as well, though I've yet to decide how to track numbers with them (dice, numerals, wheels…).
The warlord figures seem to fit ok too, and must pick up some covered shields!
AFAIK Warlord had their Early Imperial Romans scaled to Foundry's Perry range. I don't care for their plastic sets but the sculpts by Paul Hicks are rather nice – if sometimes overladen with exaggerated detail and a bit static in pose. They add good variety, though.
Please note that the photo of the markers is slightly misleading; it's a collage of two separate shots (the legionary and the markers) and thus not in scale. There's actually little difference in size of the shields.
Is that centurion Macro by any chance?
I don't know if the Eagle series had been published before this range was released. 2001 or at about that time? Anyway, I've never made it beyond 'Under the Eagle'. If I had to choose, it's Sutcliff rather than Scarrow. Non-English fiction notwithstanding. ;)
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The Last Legion…ary group in my basic force for "Infamy, Infamy". Photos are a bit off, for unknown reasons. But there was much rejoicing.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/48/1034-181020082146.jpeg)
To complete the range of 'NCOs' within a centuria, this group is joined by the unit's standard-bearer, literally a signifer. I'm a little surprised that this iconic figure is somehow ignored in the Lardies' ruleset despite their focus on "command and control". Or at least they don't offer a modelling option. Hence the man's included here, leading the charge from the front.
The original miniature (by Foundry) has an open-faced helmet, yet I wanted to represent the silvered mask found at Kalkriese (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/Maske_Museum_Kalkriese_1.jpg). Such items are often associated with 'parade armour'. However, I follow the opinion (e.g. expressed by Junkelmann) that they could've been used in battle as well. Come on, too cool to be left in the barracks!
Also, yes, one shield boss is pierced. After some miniatures had lost their shields several times I started to pin them. Almost lost the will to live. Won't do that again. :-I
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The whole lot is so good, I‘m a big fan of this project. Love the red on the tunics, with the various shades. The skin tones are awesome and on top of it the whole presentation of the Legionares on the bases is ace as the bases are themselves!
If I haven‘t had done them already, I would start right now. lol
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That's high praise, Marc, thanks a lot! You may notice that I adopted the 'enlarged DBA' style of bases as propagated by yourself, Frank M., and other weirdos. :D
To meet the minimal requirements for "Infamy, Infamy" (if cheating on numbers), I add a group of Romanised auxiliaries:
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/48/1034-201020120618.jpeg)
Figures by Foundry, decals by LBM. Painted spears are conjectural, I simply fancy the look.
Like said earlier, these are by far my favourite troopers within the Roman army. There's a story to this, best told in another picture:
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/48/1034-201020110453.jpeg)
Well, that's me on the left, a long time ago (and a friendly yet loathsome Late Roman on the right; ugh, decline and fall in progress…). Explains my choice of colours for the miniatures – if shield design is a bit off. You see, this has been long in coming, but ever since the road's been unbroken. ;)
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Indeed, the first thing that came to my mind was - this looks really like Frank M.‘s DBA basing convention, which I like a lot. But I wasn‘t sure about it and after getting over the surprise of seeing EIRs from your hand and all the rest I totally forgot to ask about it lol
And yes, the Aux’s are very nice, too. The models and the paint job.
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The auxiliaries look fantastic and I love the painted spears! :-*
@Tellus.. get your butt in gear and paint up some minis for us to gawk at! ;)
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Absolutely love this thread Sir! :-*
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Beautiful job on those auxiliaries 8)
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Lovely additions :)
I don't know if the Eagle series had been published before this range was released. 2001 or at about that time? Anyway, I've never made it beyond 'Under the Eagle'. If I had to choose, it's Sutcliff rather than Scarrow. Non-English fiction notwithstanding. ;)
I enjoy them as a good ‘switch off’ read :)
I’ll give Sutcliff a go once I’ve finished the latest batch I’ve got going.
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Thanks all for your kind comments. :)
I enjoy them as a good ‘switch off’ read
Oh, they're a good romp for sure. Just personal preference as the appeal of a lot of modern 'military fiction' is simply lost on me. For instance, I didn't buy into Scarrow's equation of Roman and modern army life. Sutcliff's way more of a traditional take 'for young readers', of course. A fair bit of nostalgia there for me. ;)
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So the troops for "Infamy, Infamy" are assembled. But there's one more thing.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/48/1034-221020092012-48859567.jpeg)
This tribune will serve as an additional 'big man'. As a true Roman nobleman he's sporting an old-fashioned equestrian shield (parma) and a Hellenistic helmet, but has also adapted to border life in wearing a 'barbarian' cloak. The mini's inspired by a fancy illustration taken from "Das Heer des Varus" by Strassmeir/Gagelmann.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/48/1034-221020093344.jpeg)
Finally, here's a shot of the whole lot. As you can see the full assembly takes up merely the size of a pocketbook's cover.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/48/1034-221020092012-488612376.jpeg)
Of course, once started it's never fully finished. Reinforcements are already on their way.
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So the troops for "Infamy, Infamy" are assembled. But there's one more thing.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/48/1034-221020092012-48859567.jpeg)
This tribune will serve as an additional 'big man'. As a true Roman nobleman he's sporting an old-fashioned equestrian shield (parma) and a Hellenistic helmet, but has also adapted to border life in wearing a 'barbarian' cloak. The mini's inspired by a fancy illustration taken from "Das Heer des Varus" by Strassmeir/Gagelmann.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/48/1034-221020093344.jpeg)
Finally, here's a shot of the whole lot. As you can see the full assembly takes up merely the size of a pocketbook's cover.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/48/1034-221020092012-488612376.jpeg)
Of course, once started it's never fully finished. Reinforcements are already on their way.
Pardon me as I pick my jaw up from the floor :o
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The tribune rocks! :-*
Great addition to an already lovely collection!
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:-* wow ! Loving the brushwork all the way through but that character has sure got some character :-*
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The auxiliaries look fantastic and I love the painted spears! :-*
@Tellus.. get your butt in gear and paint up some minis for us to gawk at! ;)
Always at your service Ray lol , so, watch out.
@ topic
Great addition this characterful character :D
And the whole troupe looks splendid.
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Splendid. :-* :-* :-*
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I concur superb stuff. Really well done.
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Thank you all for taking the time to comment. It kept me going an extra Roman mile. :)
With the basic force 'finished' (as if) I've still got a number of units/groups to add for variety. First off, I chose some slingers.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/49/1034-031120160826.jpeg)
Not necessarily 'Balearic' since slings were ubiquitous and perhaps also standard equipment of ordinary legionaries. These ones wear red(dish) military cloaks and rather civilian-looking tunics with coloured stripes (hardly visible but they're there).
Like expected they are all Foundry again with one head swap. Hope you like 'em. :)
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:-* very nice figures, great grouping and wonderful brushwork
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Thanks, mate! :)
I’m no master of this art but minis interacting with each other is one of the things I really like about multibasing.
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Outstanding job, congratulations sir !
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They're lovely :)
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Gorgeous work!
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Thank you, guys. :)
Classic Roman infantry is all fine and dandy. But I also want a bit of asymmetric warfare. A bolt-shooting scorpio is as high-tech as it gets.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/49/1034-051120094159.jpeg)
These machines were often deployed mounted on carts. However – speaking from notoriously unreliable first-hand experience – they can also easily be carried by just two men. As always a third one is required to watch the others working. ::)
The idea of using one of the few non-combatants in Foundry's EIR range here was nicked from Tellus. Other bits were scratch-built. The colouring is inspired by a piece reconstructed by Swiss reenactment group Legio XI (https://legioxi.ch/project/rekonstruktion-eines-scorpio-1-jh-n-chr/).
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Beautiful, Tilman :-*
I’ve just finished reading Adrian Goldsworthy’s novel ‘Vindolanda’.
I think he’s a better military historian than he is a novelist, although it’s not bad at all. (I have a funny feeling his plot is a blow for blow retread of a 7th cavalry novel I read years ago, the name of which escapes me, but which kept coming back to me as I was reading Vindolanda. Still, I suppose most novels of soldiers guarding wild frontiers include many of the same themes and sorts of episodes. Perhaps it was a North West Frontier novel I’m thinking of... I used to read a lot of those in my youth ::) ;))
Anyway, I mention this because the learned Dr G managed to weave both auxiliary slingers and scorpions into his battle scenes. So it’s nice to see them both modelled so beautifully here, just a few hours after reading about them :)
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Both entries are excellent, again. :-* :-*
The idea of using one of the few non-combatants in Foundry's EIR range here was nicked from Tellus.
Until you mentioned it, I just thought, the supervising Optio was part of the unit pack lol... he fits in perfectly!
Now, as it seems that your reaching the finish line, with the romans - who will be at the pointy end? :)
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Beautiful, Tilman :-*
I’ve just finished reading Adrian Goldsworthy’s novel ‘Vindolanda’.
I think he’s a better military historian than he is a novelist, although it’s not bad at all. (I have a funny feeling his plot is a blow for blow retread of a 7th cavalry novel I read years ago, the name of which escapes me, but which kept coming back to me as I was reading Vindolanda. Still, I suppose most novels of soldiers guarding wild frontiers include many of the same themes and sorts of episodes. Perhaps it was a North West Frontier novel I’m thinking of... I used to read a lot of those in my youth ::) ;))
Anyway, I mention this because the learned Dr G managed to weave both auxiliary slingers and scorpions into his battle scenes. So it’s nice to see them both modelled so beautifully here, just a few hours after reading about them :)
I have similar feelings about Goldsworthy's novels. His battle descriptions are nice, but the plot and dialog are a bit contrived... Almost like he just had to cook up some way to write about "the good stuff" :D
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Fabulous Tillman, you have inspired me to go back and complete my Legions for the Dacian wars, I under coated 300 28mm Foundry figs today, and will crack on in about four days after I have completed another 28 Gaulois.
Cheers
Matt
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Thanks to one and all! :)
I’ve just finished reading Adrian Goldsworthy’s novel ‘Vindolanda’. I think he’s a better military historian than he is a novelist, although it’s not bad at all.
IMHO people with an academic interest very rarely make for good novelists. That's why I also gave up on Harry Sidebottom despite my soft spot for 3rd century Roman history. It often feels dry and too 'deliberate', lacking any kind of engaging narrative. On the other hand, like mentioned earlier, I don't care either for the 'grittiness' and bold historical analogies found in a lot of modern military fiction. Most likely, though, I'm just spoilt and couldn't do better myself. :D
Now, as it seems that your reaching the finish line, with the romans - who will be at the pointy end?
Dangerous question. ;)
First choice would be Germanic tribes, just haven't yet found a range I like. Close second are Dacians as I've got an interest in them since early youth (see Connolly's books above) and there's another Perry range at hand. Finally, the wars in Judaea are on the cards as well, if arguably not very interesting from a 'battle perspective'.
But I've still to paint a couple of Roman groups anyway…
Fabulous Tillman, you have inspired me to go back and complete my Legions for the Dacian wars, I under coated 300 28mm Foundry figs today, and will crack on in about four days after I have completed another 28 Gaulois.
Good Lord, that kind of output is well beyond my league! But I'm glad you found some incitement here. :)
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I passed the 500 mark for painted 28mm last week for the year, I should complete 90 20mm British this week to make 200 20mm, then back to a commission then onto the Romans mixed in with medievals for some change
All the best
Cheers
Matt
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Painted up another 'Big Man', indicative of things to come.
(https://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/49/1034-101120160113.jpeg)
Not to spoil the surprise but this decurio will command the cavalry wing of my Roman force. Arrian mentions cavalrymen wearing "golden crests" (χαῖται ξανθαί) on the occasion of public training displays. If these were used in combat as well, we don't know. To me it looks distinctively cool, though.
Couldn't get the contrast right in the photos, probably have to fix my lighting. Well, next time.
Officer model by Foundry, horse by A&A (I think), decal by LBM.
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:o
Awesome painting!
Both the horse and rider are superb! :-*
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Lovely :)
The colour of that crest is superb 8)
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Excellent combination - horse, rider and brushwork 👍
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Lovely brushwork on a great looking figure
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Thanks all! :)
The colour of that crest is superb
That's the bit I really like, too. Actually, the crest was painted using light ochre/beige and off-white colours, then simply washed with GW's "Casandora Yellow". Works a treat.
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This one looks great, good job on swapping the horses.
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A fantastic army, beautifully painted!