Gabiniani Legion of Egypt.

[sgzleada71]

Gabiniani Legion of Egypt
55 BC the Roman porconsul of Syria Aulus Gabinius is ordered to Invade Ptolemaic Egypt to support the Roman puppet leader Ptolemy XII.  A brief campaign ensued and Rome's objective was quickly completed but Egypt remained divided and unstable. In order to keep their chose leader on the throne,  Gabinius left about  2500 garrison troops behind.    Largely cut off and forgotten by the Roman Republic these troops quickly adapted to local customs and integrated into Ptolemaic Egyptian society.   The majority of these men were native Latins but around 500 were auxiliary Celts and Germans.   Only a few years later Ptolemy XII died leaving his children Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII to squabble over the throne.  The Gabiniani sided with Ptolemy XIII  and became a major factor in the dynastic dispute.   In Rome,   Caesar and Pompey were also locked in civil war.  Pompey sought refuge in Alexandria after his defeat at Pharsalus only to be killed on arrival by Gabiniani  troops loyal to Ptolemy XIII.   The young leader hoped this act would ingratiate him with Caesar but to his detriment, it had the opposite effect.   Caesar sided w his  young attractive sister in Cleopatra and as such his legions came into direct conflict with the Gabiniani legions of Ptolemy XIII.   Caesar contended in his "Commentarii de Bello Civili" , that fugitives, criminals and exiles from the neighbouring Roman provinces had been recruited into the Gabiniani. After some brutal warfare in Alexandria Ptolemy XII and his Roman Mercenary Gabiniani Legion were defeated.  The specific attire of this  Hellenized Egyptianized Roman force is unknown but I chose to depict them as having a mix of  scutums  and hoplons w Ptolemaic motifs.  Most helmets are Montefortino Roman but again I've added a few Successor Era Hellenic style helmets for officer figures.    Most models are from Warlord Games   Caesars' Legions plastic box set.   

[sgzleada71]

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[sgzleada71]

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[sgzleada71]

Next up is to finish basing them and then perhaps turn my attention to the 500 odd  Celtic and Germanic Auxilliary Cavalry unit attached to the Gabiniani.   Could be fun....

[DintheDin]

Interesting information and very nice paintjob!
Thanks for sharing!

[Emir of Askaristan]

Great explanation and some nicely painted figures too. Shields are the the best way to show different Roman factions and the Hellenistic decals look good.

[MGH]

Fascinating topic and great looking troops too!

[Codsticker]

Fascinating choice for a war gaming project- I look forward to following this.

[Fremitus Borealis]

Awesome project here! Can't wait to see your rendition of the attached auxiliaries!

What a way to really make your army "yours"!

[3Fingers2]

Never knew of romans in Egypt , so had to have a nose , but that blue is really eye catching .

[Easy E]

Very cool!

[sgzleada71]

Thanks for the enthusiasm folks.   I'll post some more pics soon once base finished and will start on some of the auxilliary cav. 

[sgzleada71]

okay.  Got them based now. 

[sgzleada71]

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[sgzleada71]

on sunset......