Did ancient Germanic tribes wear face paint?

[Digits]

Trying to determine whether they did or not as I need a way to represent fanatics amongst my tribe?

Cheers

[Michi]

I bet they did.
However I forgot my camera when I went there with the Doctor…
Sorry, no proof.

[frank xerox]

Doesn’t seem too much of a stretch - there were the Harii who were supposed to paint themselves black and I’m sure there’s mention of germans dyeing their hair red.

[Digits]

I found Tacitus does refer to paint but details are lacking.   I might simply try a few black faces / black eye stripes like those used in “Barbarians”.  Probably totally made up, but as we are only talking half a dozen minis, it will hardly detract. 

[Atheling]

It's on of those ahistorical/possibly historical choices.

Maybe paint them on units you intend to use as "Fanatics"?

[Dr. Kevin Moon III esq.]

"As for the Harii, not only are they superior in strength to the other peoples I have just mentioned, but they minister to their savage instincts by trickery and clever timing. They black their shields and dye their bodies, and choose pitch dark nights for their battles. The shadowy, awe-inspiring appearance of such a ghoulish army inspires mortal panic; for no enemy can endure a sight so strange and hellish. Defeat in battle starts always with the eyes. Beyond the Lugii are the Gothones, who are governed by kings. Their rule is somewhat more autocratic than in the other German states, but not to such a degree that freedom is destroyed. Then, immediately bordering on the sea, are I the Rugii and Lemovii. All these peoples are distinguished by the use of round shields and short swords, and by submission to regal authority."

TACITUS, Germania

[Mick_in_Switzerland]

@Dr. Kevin Moon III esq.

I want to make a Harii army now 

[YPU]

It's on of those ahistorical/possibly historical choices.

Considering how common a practice it is/was globally it feels unlikely that there were none that did it. I'm tempted to go look for some dissertation on the primal instinct to paint ones face before battle and it's cause.

[dadlamassu]

I did two warbands for my Celtic/Germanic generic forces
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=132566.msg1683492#msg1683492

I decided that Tacitus is a bit vague about the body paint and went for the style in the old Schwarzengger Conan film

[img width=1000 height=562]https://i.imgur.com/JxHL06w.jpg[/img

[Atheling]

Considering how common a practice it is/was globally it feels unlikely that there were none that did it. I'm tempted to go look for some dissertation on the primal instinct to paint ones face before battle and it's cause.

My point wasn't that there were none that do it; it was we only have a small sample of sources added to that, ancient historians were not the most objective of guys, it's not possible to say for sure.

That said, I, like Mick, would be very happy to paint up an army just so

[Easy E]

The joy of historical armies is that we do not know. 

Therefore, do what looks best to you!

[Atheling]

The joy of historical armies is that we do not know. 

Therefore, do what looks best to you!

Yep. I'm pretty sure the Nikephorian Byzantine army didn't paint geometric designs on their horse's bards but it didn't stop me:

[Golgotha]

Tacitus seems to be the only source and only for one tribe or area of tribes - The Harii - Western Germania - "nigra scuta, tincta corpora" meaning black shields, dyed bodies.

Given other descriptions and them being ghostly and attacking at night may further support the black look - they would likely have used ash - so black, grey in appearance... perhaps.

All conjecture really...

[Digits]

Thanks guys.  I’m inclined to agree it may well have happened with a few, but as to what it looked like…..?

Just in a few fanatics me thinks.  Ta

[rumacara]

I believe Kevin Dalimore painted some wargames Foundry germans that way. There was somewhere a painting guide from him.
There is also this bunch from Tom Weiss that may help you.

http://www.twfigurines.de/vikings/viking6.htm