Hi I just stumbled onto this thread and I'm so happy I did! I've been wanting to get into gladiators for the longest. Your figures are so historically accurate in both equipment and colors I'm really quite impressed. I'd have to say though that you still seem to have some trouble with basing. The base of the Rudis is perfect, but your still using sand that is simply too coarse. I buy my sand at a pet store chain, they have bags of fine sand in the aquatic department. The bags are rather large so they will last a long time.
Rob