Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Age of Myths, Gods and Empires => Topic started by: Mad Doc Morris on February 25, 2013, 06:57:55 PM
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A couple of weeks ago the Prof came up with this silly idea to mutually paint up a bunch of models, stage them here and call it an "Ancients week". But who am I to disagree with our valued leader? :D
Honestly, though, this's an exciting challenge for both of us. Starting today the Prof and myself will post pictures of seven Ancients-themed models that we randomly chose and painted up for this joint venture. So the Seven Days of Antiquity shall commence!
Less flamboyantly put, here's the first entry on my part. It is a so-called thureophoros or "shield-bearer", originally acquired to bolster my Successor army but stowed away since then.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/1034_25_02_13_7_54_19_0.jpg)
The thureophoroi were up-armoured skirmishers: javelinmen protected by helmets and oval (i.e. Celtic) shields and sometimes geared up with a long spear for close combat as well. During the 3rd century BC they became predominant as mercenaries and a mainstay of many Successor armies.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/1034_25_02_13_7_54_21_1.jpg)
The model itself is by Crusader Miniatures. Regarding the colours I tried to roughly follow the information provided by Ian Head's "Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars" with a bit of artistic license on the blue helmet (a phalangite's feature) and the striped javelins (just a fancy look). Since many Successor states were based in the Near East or, at least, recruited there, I chose a more oriental skin tone for a change.
And that's it for Monday, folks! Now it's the Prof's turn. ;)
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I was glad when Doc said, well, he could imagine give the idea of a Ancients week a try, it was a great fun and I hope it's not our last common project.
Surely it's not easy to start after that smashing painting job on that thureophoroi, Doc has an ability to paint Ancient miniatures with so much impression and character..top notch!
I've chosen that Assyrian miniature for the first day. It's a Foundry miniature, sculpted by one of the Perry brothers and it's a part of my large Assyrian army (unfortunately unpainted army). I've bought the army about 12-13 years ago and this is the second painted miniature from the lot.. Yes, it's a shame :)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_25_02_13_8_40_34_0.jpg) (http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_25_02_13_8_40_34_1.jpg)
The miniature depicts an officer of Assyrian light unarmoured auxiliary infantry, late 9th, early 8th century BC. He is identified as commander above all by the mace (instead of a spear).
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_25_02_13_8_40_34_2.jpg) (http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_25_02_13_8_40_34_3.jpg)
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This looks like the start of something amazing! Great work so far :)
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I have to say, well done, those are very very good. Look forward to some more...
Cheers
Keith
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This is such a cool idea! They both look grea.
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Perhaps we should make the LPL themes this time around should be Assyrians.
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Bloody beautiful :-* :-* :-*
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Cheers, guys! :)
The second day sees me returning to an old love: the Romans, and Roman centurions in particular. My collection would probably allow me to portray each and every centurion in the Roman army at the empire's peak (have fun calculating). Still, there's no proportionate array of ordinary footsloggers to be pushed around by them. :D
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/1034_26_02_13_2_47_39_0.jpg)
This fellow is from Foundry's Late Republican range, thus meant to represent a centurion in the armies of such personalities like Pompey, Caesar or Octavian. In this period of civil strife it might have been useful to scribble the name of your legion onto your shield – in this case I chose the Legio VIII (Augusta), which was heavily involved in all major conflicts of the time. The model itself has been converted to appear like blowing a whistle (as seen in the opening scenes of the TV series "Rome"). Nobody knows if the Romans actually used such devices in combat, but it's plausible to me at least. That said, the conversion went slightly wrong, and now he looks more like Columbo. Nevermind. ::)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/1034_26_02_13_2_47_40_1.jpg)
Since I'm often accused of having a soft spot for quirky colours and equipment when it comes down to Ancient figures, I had to live up to that reputation. Hence the blue crest and tunic as well as the white shield were inspired by Graham Sumner's picture of Pullo & Vorenus (http://cdn.karwansaraypublishers.com/shop/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/p/r/print__pullo_and_4b7d2fad9aa28.jpg). In turn, the blue/red pteruges of the model's arming vest (subarmalis) originate from this reconstruction (http://www.aaltjemollema.nl/images/romeinse-mannenkleding-subarmalis_04.jpg) for the Ala Batavorum (http://www.ala-batavorum.nl/). And yes, I'm that sad to do such asserted 'research'. ;)
That's it for today. Handing over to the Prof.
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Just to keep the track led by Doc, I've decided to put my new Roman tribune to the thread. Titus Tiberius Narbon, born in the Roman province Gallia Narbonensis and following Caesar on his conquest of Gaul all the long years from 58 BC to 50 BC (don't try to ggogle for him, he's a fictive person).
I have to admit, I didn't do any research on the colours, just went for a suitable colour scheme. The miniature is from Foundry, their Roman Caesarian range, my all-time favorite Roman range, sculpted by Mark Copplestone.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_26_02_13_6_59_17_0.jpg)(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_26_02_13_6_59_17_1.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_26_02_13_6_59_17_2.jpg)(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_26_02_13_6_59_17_3.jpg)
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Stunning work guys.... really...
and to appease our Prof: even in the science of history it's not completely clarified how the roman armory was colored especially considering the troops with a non-italic origin.
but independent from this, i have to say again, just great work :o
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I'm really enjoying this thread. I love Columbo the Centurion.
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Lovely work :) I have not really been a fan of ancient Rome, but these miniatures really pique my interest. Well, at the very least I can just appreciate the great work you guys are doing :)
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Parents beware, we're getting a bit grittier. And in case you didn't notice, today it's New Year's Eve! (At least, if you're still adhering to the old Roman calendar.) Hence, probably time for a "memento moriendum". And what better opportunity then to join the gladiatorial crowd here on LAF?
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/1034_27_02_13_7_55_53_0.jpg)
This is Hilarus, former gladiator, scarred and victorious in countless combats, and despite his name absolutely humourless. So he's the right man to finish off any poor soul who's unable to leave the arena on his own feet. And he does this with a nasty looking hammer…
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/1034_28_02_13_5_01_11.jpg)
Hilarus' appearance resembles Charun, an Etruscan netherworld demon (likely a merging with the more famous boatman Charon). It's a reminder of the games' origin in funeral ceremonies, where blood was spilt in honour of the gods and to pacify the spirits of the death.
The model's from Crusader and, admittedly, it's rather plain. Not much detail to pick out. But I love its theatre mask, and I've tried to underline the exaggerated style, resembling a grey-haired, grumpy old man.
Hope you like him, anyway. :)
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Today on the old Roman New Year's Eve (thanks for reminder, Doc!) we have a gladiatorial theme. You know, one of the favorit Ancient gaming topics.I always was wondering how a gladiator would look with black clothes. This was the opportunity to make an attempt and I think the black works quite good.
This is a venator, one of the unusual gladiator types, though actually they weren't real gladiators. Venators (lat. hunters) were specialized in hunting/slaying or fighting (bestiarii) of wild animals.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_27_02_13_8_29_56_0.jpg)
The miniature is made by Foundry, from their "Arena Champions" pack, though I'm not sure about who sculpted it.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_27_02_13_8_29_56_1.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_27_02_13_8_29_56_2.jpg)
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Great works.I look forward to the remaining days.
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Lovely work both :-*
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Excellent PJs!
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Superb, both of you :-*
And a shining example of collaborative Teutonic efficiency ;)
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:-* Great stuff. a real inspiration.
Note to self: Must get my greeks put together...
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And a shining example of collaborative Teutonic efficiency ;)
Nah, that Russian guy's way more efficient than me lazy Teuton, I tell you. :D
Anyway, here we go with Day IIII (or IV, if you prefer).
As you might already have noticed, I am nuts about all things Roman. But even I have to acknowledge that, besides the good stuff "the Romans actually did for us", there are quite a few darker facets to it as well. The Romans were perfectly capable of behaviour otherwise deemed as barbaric and basically foreign to "western culture". There's an illustration in Osprey's latest volume on the Roman centurion, depicting a soldier who presents a severed head to his emperor (obviously derived from a scene from Trajan's Column (http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2764/4257299127_c2d813ba0b_b.jpg)). This image, in turn, might have inspired Aventine Miniatures' Adam to sculpt today's model:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/1034_28_02_13_4_59_38_0.jpg)
The figure appears in their Marcomannic Wars range, which I adore. Coincidentally, there's an inscription (http://www.ubi-erat-lupa.org/img/monuments/6150.jpg) dedicated by a centurion of Legio XV Apollinaris, who could have seen action in this particular conflict, and he's suitably named Caius Sacidius Barbarus. So I chose him as a namesake for the miniature.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/1034_28_02_13_4_59_39_1.jpg)
I tried to contrast the fair-haired centurion in his Gallic cape (famously called caracalla) with his fancy coloured gear and the German's black hair, in order to blur the distinction between "civilised" and "barbarian" a bit further. (And I don't want to mention how many times I repainted this bloody cape!)
For now, only one more Roman to expect from my side, I promise. ;)
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I'm not that crazy about all things Roman like Doc, so I'm going with a Thracian. And you see he's a headhunter, too. Chopping off heads was an usual business for every respectable Thracian so they didn't make a big deal out of this like Romans showing off. Though I have to point out that my miniature has three severed heads. Not only one :D
Anyway. This is a lovely Foundry miniature. I have bought the entire Thracian range, building a Greek army years ago and this was one of the several unpainted miniatures there. Glad I did it finally.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_28_02_13_5_37_20_0.jpg)(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_28_02_13_5_37_20_1.jpg)
As far as I know the figure could cover a wide period of time. In that dress he could be a mercenary in the greek armies of 4th BC or also fight together with his tribesmen against late republican Romans.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_28_02_13_5_37_20_2.jpg)
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I love this thread Doc & Prof! Keep it up, and please continue to spoil us :-*
And I have to admit, I'm a bit bitten with the ancient bug after watching these fine examples ;)
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:o :o You are doing a fantastic job here!! Love the Centurions and the Thracian!!
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Just wanted to add my appreciation to the thread. I am greatly enjoying the terrific painting. Truly inspiring!
--jeff
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If either of you wanted to break up the monotony ( :o) and paint a Trojan/Greek, I might know someone who could hook you up w/ an unpainted one. Just to help out, of course... ::)
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Loving this thread. Great PJs on nice varied miniatures. Must say whenever I see patterned cloaks etc I am filled with envy, even with a million repaints I can never seem to get it right and those last two with the palid cloak and the paterned hood look especially lovely. :)
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Lovely miniatures!
Why not add another seven days after this one is finished. I find the eye candy definitely inspiring :)
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Best thread in ages (and that's saying something)! Great stuff guys.
Do you reckon you could keep this up for a month for us? :D
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First off, for all those who want to see a sequel to this series: It's not immediately ahead but there's talk about that already. At the moment we're unable to include requests, unfortunately, but maybe next time. Meanwhile I'd like to encourage anyone with an interest in this to start their own theme week – it's fun and a welcome diversion from other "hobby duties".
Anyway, as my Day V entry I've chosen – surprisingly enough! – no Roman. It's a Sassanid Persian infantryman, one of those disdained footsloggers in the King of King's great army. To give him a certain glamour, nonetheless, I named him Arya ("noble").
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/1034_01_03_13_5_04_15_0.jpg)
This is a fairly old model from Gripping Beast. But this range was among my first encounters with historical wargames at all, and it was love from first sight. Only recently, though, with my venture into the Roman 3rd century I found an excuse to actually buy some of those miniatures as opponents. Now the first one's been painted, and here's hope for a SAGA-sized force to come…
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/1034_01_03_13_5_04_15_1.jpg)
Given Arya's low rank (and the lack of detail on the model, admittedly), there's no need for flashy colours. The paintjob's loosely based on various illustrations found on the web, the 'bamboo pole' being a – more or less – educated guess. Also, I've thrown in blue and yellow for the shield since, possibly, this piece has been provided by Arya's landlord. And, please, don't mock his globe hat, he can get quite angry about that… >:(
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How Doc said, it's probably not our last joint venture project and we already have some ideas to talk about, but when this week ends, this thread unfortunately will end too.
No Foundry today, as you see. An Aventine miniature, their standard bearer from the Northern Italian Hill Tribes command set. That set is a great bunch of lovely looking miniatures and I would like to highly recommend it to anyone - http://www.aventineminiatures.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=53_25&products_id=100
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_01_03_13_5_40_17_0.jpg)(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_01_03_13_5_40_17_1.jpg)
How Aventine mentions there: "This set has been designed to represent the Hill Tribes from the North of Italy where they had more contact with the Celts". I loved this celtish touch and had to buy this set. The same order also contained their entire Volscian range so one day I really hope to get me into that Early Republican Roman gaming.
btw, I've used one of the LBM shield decals for this one.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_01_03_13_5_40_17_2.jpg)
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At the sixth day I come to the last of the Romans – given that it's my last Roman model in this series as well as its background in our future Dux Britanniarum campaign. Born into a family of Roman senators and consuls – at least that's what they told him – Flavius Victorinus stands firm against the barbarian tide. He won't let them flooding the frontiers of Gaul to blow out the candle of civilisation…
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/Poliorketes/Tabletop/Late%20Romans/LateRoman01_zps0ccdfbe6.jpg)
Of course, that's just 19th century xenophobic blabber projected into the Ancient period. But never let history get in the way of a good story! Actually, I like drama, and I like the way that's captured by this particular figure from Foundry. After all, the model isn't very "late Roman" in style but rather the classical image of a Republican officer warped into Late Antiquity.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/Poliorketes/Tabletop/Late%20Romans/LateRoman_zps2f403f76.jpg)
Despite being somewhat aged – it's dwarfed by any other model in this series – it's one of those nicely detailed and expressive Perry sculpt that will stand the test of time. I just added a shield to its back, trying to give Victorinus a more warlike look. The (slightly rascist) motif has been adapted, again, from a shield found at Dura Europos. I assumed that 4th/5th century Christian soldiers weren't that picky about depicting pagan goddesses on their shields if they served their purpose as lucky charms.
Okay, folks, for me it's up to the final round then. Stay tuned.
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No we go with some prominence. Alexander the Great himself, one of the top favorite ancient heroes/stars. It's a Foundry model and I also own their mounted version of him. After some struggling I've decided to take this one to foot. Just because there are alredy hundreds painted mounted Alexanders on the internet and not that much of him without a horse. At least so my impression.
I've bought him planning the playing of the Battle of Gaugamela (331 BC), one of the most famous battles of the Ancient History. But you know, making of games of this scale is just too much for most of us. Also to me and the good thing is that in the meantime I have undertstand and accepted this fact.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_02_03_13_4_02_00_0.jpg)(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_02_03_13_4_02_00_1.jpg)
Recently I've read Osprey's "Army of Alexander the Great" and according to the illustrations and various interpretations, the purple was one of the very dominant colours in this army, combined with yellow stripes and similar. So I did use that combination for his clothes with some white, pale-blue and what else..that perpetual red :)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_02_03_13_4_02_00_2.jpg)(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_02_03_13_4_02_00_3.jpg)
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Those deely-boppers are so Eighties, man. :)
This thread is too gorgeous.
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This has been a great thread, the skill shown for a single day's painting is awesome.
A pitty it must end all too soon. :'(
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Victorinus is a triumph :-*
(And Alexander isn't too bad ;))
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Both excellent again!! Love this thread. And Flavius' shield is :o
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Your work is so freaking opte! Ancients are the most colourfull period, and your paintjobs suit this well selected modells perfectlty. Some Greeks would be nice though...
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Sorry to disappoint once again, but the following entry's as Greekish as I get this round.
Given the appearance of Alexander in this thread, I'd like to start my final entry with a quoting the Great one's own uncle who, after campaigning in Italy and being defeated there, remarked that he had encountered men whereas his nephew in the East only had to face women. Admittedly, that's bequeathed by Roman authors, but… :D
My very first historical army was themed on the Italian campaigns of king Pyrrhos of Epeiros. Back in the day there were no dedicated models to portray all the different troop types that Pyrrhos had assembled, let alone a miniature for the Eagle King himself. Imagine my joy when Aventine came up with this one!
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/1034_03_03_13_11_54_26_0.jpg)
Pyrrhos was a dashing commander, spearheading his troops like his alleged ancestor Achilleus, always in danger of being killed in the thick of battle – though, eventually and quite ingloriously he was brought down by a roof tile. I just love the way that boldness is conveyed by the model. (Just in case: the Roman helmet's not included. ;) )
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/1034_03_03_13_11_54_26_1.jpg)
Painting was pretty straight forward. There are some, mainly Roman, sources describing Pyrrhos' appearance, for example his purple cloak, white plume and a golden wreath on his helmet. The "horns of a goat" were actually rather those of a ram as sported by the great Alexander in reference to his divine father, Zeus Ammon. Royal cloaks were often richly decorated with mythological scenes or astrological symbols, but I limited this to the sign of Epeiros (its name in Greek letters) as seen on contemporary coins. Lastly, the leopard's gilt head has been inspired by Phil Hendry's take on the very same model.
Now, this figure could well be the revival of an old love, since the range by Aventine has opened up a lot of possibilities. However, that's a matter for another thread. This one's finished, and I'd like to conclude with thanks to the Prof for coming up with this refreshing idea. And, of course, I'm looking forward to the next one!
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Wow. What really impresses me with this one is the leopard skin. It really catches the eye. Can't wait to try that on a figure of my own. Great job!
--jeff.
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On our very last day of this thread I'm coming up with a Scythian horse archer. It's from Foundry's small but a very fine Scythians range made by Perry brothers. I've got them all and some of them are already painted but this is the first one that I would show. Others need some repaint first :)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_03_03_13_3_26_11_0.jpg)(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_03_03_13_3_26_11_1.jpg)
This guy could depict a Scythian rider from about 5-4 century BC, somewhere from north of the Black Sea or modern South Russia. The original model has a bow in the left hand. I've replaced it with a spear/javelin, just to enhance the visual effect.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_03_03_13_3_26_11_2.jpg)(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/12/3_03_03_13_3_26_11_3.jpg)
Now time to close our Ancient week, thanks to Doc for his readiness to participate on that silly idea and I'm already looking forward to the next common project in the future. Hope you liked it and hope it has inpired you for some hours of painting or whatever.
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Just stumbled on this thread....wow!!!! Loving the progress guys.
Awesome paint jobs, and loads of inspiration as always.
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:o
Some really special work on this thread. :-*
Been following it from the start.
Please don't stop... :)
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Really great stuff, guys! And lovely miniatures! Have to take a closer look at Aventine, last time I visited their range was much smaller.
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Splendid job the both of you!
It's a pity that so few have discovered this great thread though :(
Not that you'd do it again, but I'd love to see some sea people next time ;)
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Lovely :-* the Parthian,Alex is magnificent!
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Anybody else up to the challenge? I'd do a similar project, not as well, but I'll give it a shot! ::)
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Great looking figures.
Love the painting of them all.
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Anybody else up to the challenge? I'd do a similar project, not as well, but I'll give it a shot! ::)
I'm in. Just give me a bit of notice so I can work it into my slow painting schedule. Give me an excuse to paint a lot of single figures lying around.