The Road to Power

[Corso]

I was going to buy Victrix’s marching romans to use as bits for my republicans. In the end I ended up starting an Imperial Roman force.

The three determining factors were:
1)   SP’s work on his Romans – highly inspiring.
2)   Harry Sidebottom’s novel in the series ‘Throne of the Caesars’ – although set in the early 3rd century, the treacherous, back-stabbing nature of the romans is vividly described, as is the way they deal with allies and enemies.
3)   Victrix’s romans are some of the best plastic miniatures available on the market, highly detailed with an excellent command sprue.

So against this background I started the Imperial Romans. It’s the year 136AD, the Bar Kokhba revolt is over. A good proportion of the military might of Rome is in the east. So for Gargilius Antiquus, governor of the newly named province of Syria-Palestina, the time is right to set in motion a plan to sit on the throne of the Caesars.

Emperor Hadrian had sent a cohort of Praetorians with the legionnaires, to act as his eyes and ears. Antiquus started by seducing them, with coin, to change their allegiance. As so they did, albeit secretly.

A fictional story but I don't know what Gargillius Antiquus had in mind......he's an enigmatic individual.

So the first unit to do is the praetorians. Victrix’s advancing legionnaires have options for praetorians. I’ve assembled them on single 20x20mm bases. First I did this model, a sort of example for the rest to model. For shield transfers I used the blue ones from the LBMS range. I even painted the tunic blue – anachronistic for preatorians but a change from the usual white, and ties with the shields. Photos a bit  , my photographic skills are a bit drab!

4 more assembled

[Mad Doc Morris]

Photos are fine, maybe a bit small. Best aim for 800px on the long side and upload them directly to the LAF gallery (link in the top bar).
So far, a nice paintjob.

[Corso]

Thanks MDM.

Took your advice and didn't use flash as well.

[Phil Robinson]

Nice job, very befitting for a Praetorian.

[Corso]

Thanks Phil!

Never thought I'd do imperial Romans, always liked BC conflicts. Now I changed my mind

[Hu Rhu]

Very nice painting.

[Jeff965]

Nice brushwork

[OSHIROmodels]

Very smart 

cheers

James

[Suetonius Paullinus]

That's the shield design I'd have chosen as well! Great start to the project and I'm looking forward to seeing them all ranked up 

Cheers

SP

[Ragnar]

Awesome painting.  I am loving the flesh tones.

[Corso]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Today there's a medieval festival here but afterwards should be able to finish a batch of 4 praetorians.

[Corso]

Batch of 4 ready, including optio. 4 more assembled........

[Corso]

Signifer ready.

[Prof.Witchheimer]

Lovely paintwork, Corso, the blue works pretty nice.

[Suetonius Paullinus]

The Signifer looks the part! Love the white lion fur 

Cheers

SP