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Miniatures Adventure => Age of Myths, Gods and Empires => Topic started by: Easy E on October 18, 2022, 07:46:24 PM

Title: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: Easy E on October 18, 2022, 07:46:24 PM
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUa29f4xZsjiobN8N-t6nD3xN_tZBHTAtqr9gifPaXPNwBIdjYMyhvZ8QUc-ZM54-o96Jfo2DvAfCj_rtrLT5KyMGhvnvI4EJoDH29-jE9mCUMO-fG4G-HBiYpLSG0hQIzvzLqzBMFHdLp5yk2usD_Q0qwa1q0LFdKm9-whD6B5EULhgoXLIvn_NY/s320/On%20The%20Painting%20Desk.jpg)

One of my long running goals for 2022 was to release a supplement for the Ionian Revolt for Men of Bronze onto the Wargame Vault.  I have a similar supplement called Hercules Abroad that greatly expands the Greek world across the Mediterranean and adds more armies and supplements.  I also have a similar supplement for Wars of the Republic called Revolt! that focuses on the 3rd Servile War. 

Before Men of Bronze was released, I wrote up an article and campaign to play the Ionian Revolt for Wargames, Soldiers, and Sailors.  However, due to a lack of a Persian army for photographing, the article was not published.  Instead, I did a piece on the Battle of Delium instead.  However, I still had my notes and what I wrote for the Ionian Revolt. 

It was these notes and this article that would form the basis of the Ionian Revolt supplement.  In addition, the Ionian Revolt seemed like an ideal venue to take a closer look at the Persian Empire lines-of-battle, and revisit some of their non-Greek foes as well. 

However, in order for any of that to happen I needed to get over one big hurdle.  I needed a Persian Army! This had thwarted my initial article and at the time, there were not any great plastic models available.  However, time moves on and now we have not 1 but 2 ranges of plastic Persians to choose from! 

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYy0sUC4mX1U2aXjjPu6mcJVEWAGmIS_JJ8unaZh9SZ3nEjg8VvveWZHAtl5zqX0bedAyNMFAQxbdAplomMXvmxi9bmTMuD1cIwdQDinfQd6SXk8NGKPc5bQ7t4aRv_I16ywvbmwGQ_mB_sPfqVURDbhG_8t4HLdrDK4Wz9KQwqJfBQyzuaWEGMRJ/w640-h572/IMG_2356.HEIC)

and onto batch painting!

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LbEsvY9dUlXRLBjtoF9u_v__TKPnsz63zkuTOnXuRdr-O3zsLHmPEhXmYHBhyhCa7X59LBPmvzZVPtUaBd_CaNjWfa46qwhj2mayiOGyID4R14ZabKb8FI54g0N11wVuZz1gaexY_S6esEBLieUHH92mwQfF87kcM9PB_qN-omyZ0MN_pxrN-rdp/s3021/IMG_2598.HEIC)


You can follow the progress on the blog with my first entry on the topic here:

http://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2022/10/on-painting-desk-persians-for-ionian.html

Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: Golgotha on October 18, 2022, 08:05:54 PM
Great start - looking forward to seeing these done.
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: commissarmoody on October 18, 2022, 08:37:41 PM
Pretty cool. Looking forward to seeing more.
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: Grumpy Gnome on October 19, 2022, 07:27:36 AM
Loving it! Looking forward to seeing this progress and help inspire me to eventually get to my Persians.
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: Tim Haslam on October 19, 2022, 05:13:50 PM
More Persians, great!
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: Easy E on October 19, 2022, 06:50:41 PM
Mine are not going to be as fancy as yours Tim!
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: Easy E on October 26, 2022, 06:17:43 PM
For some reason, I painted up the elite's first.  I almost never do that.  I usually save them for the mid-point hump or the end as a "reward".  I guess the fact that these guys were so different than the others, they ended up pulled out of the batch and finished first.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtV7tHH151A7HKfWLFcM7sYceFt3SewbZC07W6krYEOXAJn5yBuVc48qFnkb3gTU5gO3PO5Hg3cJM0bO7Ej_FvWzHkN2JKmGGuPxrznDGmr913L88IFpCmRt_mJwie87JYzLE05GR7L-HBvDHDRF6gbWFMXm6UinNVui0Gkfv5z5-jCq67a6ei4CN/w640-h342/IMG_2653.HEIC)

In an unrelated note, I have lots of cavalry to paint for this force, but their are couple units I would like to get that I am not sure where to source in 28mm. 

1. Persian War Elephant for late Persians
2. Scythed Chariots or Persian chariots in general
3. Persian Camel Cavalry

Any help pointing me towards 28mm versions in metal or plastic would be great!
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: SJWi on October 26, 2022, 07:54:26 PM
Hi, 1st Corps and Gripping Beast produce scythed chariots. Re-crewed they should be useable as Late Achaemenid.
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: commissarmoody on October 26, 2022, 10:36:03 PM
They look great
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: SJWi on October 27, 2022, 05:32:03 AM
By the way I don't know of anyone who produces a 28mm Achaemenid war elephant. If you really want one I would buy an Aventine elephant with howdah, an Indian mahout and crew it with some Persian archers.   
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: vodkafan on October 28, 2022, 12:14:47 AM
Tin Soldier Miniatures for the Chariots, plenty of infantry and cavalry too (including allies) but sadly no elephants or camels.
Don't be put off by the photos on the website, the miniatures are actually much better than they look on there!
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: Easy E on November 01, 2022, 07:53:02 PM
Thanks for all the help so far guys.  I figured those last few items would be tough to find.
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: Easy E on November 08, 2022, 02:52:23 PM
The long painting war continues as I prepare my Persians troops for the Ionian Revolt campaign. 

Here is a WIP of some unarmored infantry from Victrix Unlimited...
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctULcvCOTZ1t1Ejm9o22c6YX0y_m9OwJsD3qhNU9OdlC6ct3Bqw13Lf0U_tIQMJaovc-uj3irUDGjW4BT1E-OELwh1saZP7CEmvOtB0-lTbJsxAumFQ01vIS6T-w1D2ZZbq6Ro6dI0vC1AWk-_PYmc3iRZBPFsmleccz_Gl7b5wBQxygUh56FeNLo/s3024/IMG_2663.HEIC)

And then some light infantry/skirmisher types.....
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSG7D55tZmSBhZ15LV18jb1LZCAJw0KMB33iOpto3mMkQ0lPv3RIxMHn2Tgoz9kdGkKHEdEJSt5Wv68CMRdlCtxD73PpDGkaCucSr1L9gmDt-U_wOQgulI9aWu7-3R4hsFJFts8vNY7NH8V2s2ks_LCFPk64ypPmgdnZGhjU68tQNmT18-6xk4wTY/s2962/IMG_2717.HEIC)

My first 40 get completed and have some glamour shots, as I walk through the process of batch painting them all.  You can read all about it on the Blood and Spectacles blog:
http://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2022/11/on-painting-desk-calling-up-persian.html
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: Khusru2 on November 11, 2022, 11:31:29 PM
You could buy modified Indian elephants with mahout but will likely have to kit-bash the crew. Due to the Indian elephant crew riding astride instead of inside a tower on its back during this time I think they should do the same.
Similarly, use Foundry camels with kit-bashed riders. Luckily, I have the Garrison camera. Heavy & light
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: Easy E on November 14, 2022, 03:51:37 PM
Good suggestions all.  I was afraid I would need to do some kit-bashing.
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: bluewillow on November 15, 2022, 08:04:43 AM
Good looking project
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: sgzleada71 on November 17, 2022, 03:25:49 AM
Great project.  Can I ask, where do you get those metal discs you base on ?   Looks like they're not washers,  ie  no hole in middle , right ? 
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: Diablo Jon on November 17, 2022, 07:53:33 AM
On the subject of Elephants I'm pretty sure the few Elephants that appeared in the Persian army at the battle of Gaugamela were Indian subjects of Darius and should look just like classic Indians elephants of the period.
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: Easy E on November 17, 2022, 03:37:24 PM
Great project.  Can I ask, where do you get those metal discs you base on ?   Looks like they're not washers,  ie  no hole in middle , right ?

Greetings.  They actually are just washers.  However, the puddle bases on Victrix/Wargames Atlantic cover the hole in the center pretty well.   
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: sgzleada71 on November 19, 2022, 10:12:48 PM
Greetings.  They actually are just washers.  However, the puddle bases on Victrix/Wargames Atlantic cover the hole in the center pretty well.

Oh. Right.  That's what I do too.  :)
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: Easy E on November 21, 2022, 04:24:08 PM
It also gives these plastic guys a bit of heft, and I can creatively magnetize them for transport if needed!
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: Easy E on December 06, 2022, 05:15:55 PM
Progress continues on the Persians for the Ionian Revolt.

Before Men of Bronze was released, I wrote up an article and campaign to play the Ionian Revolt for Wargames, Soldiers, and Sailors.  However, due to a lack of a Persian army for photographing, the article was not published.  Instead, I did a piece on the Battle of Delium instead.  However, I still had my notes and what I wrote for the Ionian Revolt. 

It was these notes and this article that would form the basis of the Ionian Revolt supplement.  In addition, the Ionian Revolt seemed like an ideal venue to take a closer look at the Persian Empire lines-of-battle, and revisit some of their non-Greek foes as well. 

However, in order for any of that to happen I needed to get over one big hurdle.  I needed a Persian Army! This had thwarted my initial article and at the time, there were not any great plastic models available.  However, time moves on and now we have not 1 but 2 ranges of plastic Persians to choose from!   

All the infantry is completed, with finishing the archers. 

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_EBWKj_aDuihL7zAyY0G4x3bs3KGnaXAVh5iGLqkY9aYNJ3-yfxH1MbXElJ1ytL4WjZJ8FUZY20xZaJbgGlGfaFUmZKFCD34dRz13q2O7bFzOhi82MMcNWSxe1lToS4y04r_RFd2KIc_5ZdWBGc0wM8ImnBlXqDBIwdYJ5avt53okd90aHROekai/w640-h278/IMG_2831.HEIC)

You can see all the details on the Blood and Spectacles blog:
http://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2022/12/on-painting-desk-our-arrows-will-blot.html
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: commissarmoody on December 07, 2022, 01:04:12 AM
Your force is coming along nicely.
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: Easy E on December 08, 2022, 10:19:13 PM
I am working on the last Heavy Cavalry folks now, and I think I will get them all done by the end of the year and then this army will be done! I finished two units of 10 light cavalry, and will have photos soon I hope. Then, army shots all around!   



Regarding adding War Elephants, I think I have enough leftover Victrix heads, that I could easily swap them in on different models to make the crews look "Persian".   

However, I am less confident that I could do something to make Scythed Chariots.  I would really love a few of those for this army.
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: AdamPHayes on December 10, 2022, 08:55:17 AM
On the subject of Elephants I'm pretty sure the few Elephants that appeared in the Persian army at the battle of Gaugamela were Indian subjects of Darius and should look just like classic Indians elephants of the period.

That was my understanding. To make them more specific to the army it might be simpler to provide Indian vassals with some Persian elephant escorts. (Pragmatic rules allow some if the bases of elephants in a unit  to be substituted by infantry escorts...)
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: Golgotha on December 10, 2022, 05:51:59 PM
See this project is progressing nicely look forward to reading your inevitable coming game reports with these. Do keep 'em coming...
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: Easy E on December 13, 2022, 03:37:26 PM
I had a lot of rules writing goals for 2022.  I had several projects that were close to completion and in post-production as 2022 dawned.  These were all intended to eventually find a home on the Blood and Spectacles Wargames Vault page.  One of the projects I was especially excited for was a supplement for Men of Bronze set during the Ionian Revolt.  When the book initially came out, I wrote an article on the Ionian Revolt for Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy.  However, it never made publication as they lacked a Persian army for photos.  I had run into the same problem myself!  Thankfully, now a few manufacturers make them in plastic, so creating a Persian army is much easier now and I was able to revive my work on this topic for a supplement of my own!   

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RW83B2jQsJoDEo4cMNxcmfIeCM39HEERlNATpXS0DPeRZ23XSn9IAwPXH2N8B7ZsC4g8zBZQo30Ipzj-fSaaZbYl54N19fADYhMgwWeCKNx5avbQx1d2m27IgLBNN3qTjmXpO-3OhddYqU46xmDFRCQ4DuHYbSAectqoSCnGx917ZPzW81LeigqM/s320/The%20Ionian%20Revolt%20Cover.jpg)

So, what makes this supplement different from the last one?  The previous one, Hercules Abroad focused on new Lines of Battle and scenarios with these forces to round out the Mediterranean Basin with the foes of the Greeks.  This supplement has a very different focus and goals.

The first goal was create a multi-game simple campaign focusing on the activity in the Ionian Revolt.  Therefore, there are 5 campaign historical scenarios, and there are also three additional scenarios that focus on some of the interesting aspects of the campaign beyond the field battles; naval warfare and sieges!  In addition, I created rules for Solo-play that can be used in the Ionian Revolt or anywhere else you wish. 

You can read all the designer's notes on the blog here:
http://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2022/12/wargame-design-ionian-revolt.html

Then, you can also find the supplement on the Wargame Vault here:
https://www.wargamevault.com/product/411101/The-Ionian-Revolt--Men-of-Bronze-Supplement

So, in addition to putting together a new Persian army this year, I also put together a supplement and campaign to go with them! 
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: Tim Haslam on December 13, 2022, 06:17:09 PM
Your welcome to borrow my Persian army for photos?
Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: Easy E on December 19, 2022, 04:01:57 PM
Sadly, it is too late now!  I have my own army, and only 3-4 years too late!  lol lol lol

Thank you for the offer though.


With that said, I finished off the last of the Persian army that I have available, the cavalry. 

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5bTXdh9waQxtEjg_x5JbORLJgMH8CP7zfdIgFw7Ep2gAToXwRKJ3hHtPckKzfH5aRiYiHMlicfok22vm6us5Ub9QZD1CIpee_d8SZgZNv2sEgsBveY0rLJAurWSOT8m2e9CrKdek-wlDN5bqYl6GUBYKGEEiWDUKEYVRXi12NrFNb4jm7mvh-rcj/w640-h286/IMG_2920.HEIC)

I actually have two units of light cavalry and 1 unit of heavy cavalry.  You can see it all on the blog, and some "in action" shots.

http://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2022/12/on-painting-desk-send-in-cavalry.html

Thanks for following along.  I got it done jus tin time for 2023, so hopefully next year we can see a few battle reports using the army!  I will also keep my eyes open for a decent Persian chariot or three. 

Title: Re: Persians for the Ionian Revolt
Post by: Easy E on December 27, 2022, 03:16:12 PM
The big US Blizzard and travel have made it hard to get a full army picture, so you will have to make do with an old one from the blog while I try to sort out a end of year Persian army picture.....

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldmp8VOPuQA_sphtfcTg757dFpkUEKRPmyGCgMWmUSCwOyYGT2pIkii2IGIfdROtQ2_F7mbkjSqYyy6QKwmnr84lq0HO3zWrUSh8zXgolJZemZwoJ2CnYoyxabwliJfhUlyxVdir-c4Z-d7_vEeDGGpSpyrk25SwUcYEXXZeYk1kFqkBo_MiTBchi/w640-h624/IMG_2787.HEIC)