A really stupid idea? (With HaT Andalusians…)

[AdamPHayes]

I not sure if this is a good idea or not? Haven't seen anyone else trying it so that probably gives me my answer right there. I got a bee in my bonnet about the possibilities of using GW Riders of Rohan figures as a historical army and I haven't been able to shake it.

This stemmed from first seeing the Rohan in the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings films and thinking "that's what Byzantine Thematic cavalry should look like..." I didn't get around to doing any research for this project for two decades (another red flag surely!) but once I had, it wasn't entirely negative. So I put together a unit of foot to see how they look:



I'll do some cavalry next before I make up my mind as to whether this is worth investing some time into but what do you lot think?

A few more pics here

[Will Bailie]

I like it!

[Hitman]

Fantastic!! Well done. Can't wait to see your progress.

[has.been]

Good start, now keep it up.

[Dolnikan]

I think it works. I'm sure that it's not a 100% historical match, but that can be said for the vast majority of figures.

[Tactalvanic]

fair turn around, there are interesting suggestions Rohan is based on Mercia, something that is not that surprising given Tolkien's influences.

a google search will provide all  you need and more on that.

The movie and game stuff though is more Nordic in inspiration so, not surprising considering Jackson's influences.

so there are at least two "realworld" historical influences you can draw on.

Talk to someone else and they will suggest Germany and the list will keep going depending on what their historical influences/knowledge is.

Go for it, see where it leads you and have fun with it.

Its never going to be specific to one peoples history but the influences and theme should be strong enough to "count as" on your table.

Also - post pictures so we can see and steal your ideas 

[Dice Roller]

I have a friend who uses his Rohan figures as vikings.
Which does irk me, just a little, if I'm honest, but I don't say anything.
After all, I have used my Vikings as Rohan and he never said anything, so fair's fair.

[Ninefingers]

It's a really expensive idea, considering the cost of GW figures compared to others

[Atheling]

Fab work Adam.   

The look of Thamata Kavallaroi very much depended on the period of time we are talking about- which would have varied wildly over that time stretch. For example- I'm using Perry Miniatures Armenians as Thamata Kavallaroi and Skutatoi for the army of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos for The Battle of Dyrrhachium in 1081.

For Justinian/Heraclean era, I would probably use Goths but paint them up as more "Romanised". (The Montvert, Justinian's Wars, Belisarius, Narses and the Reconquest of the West is excellent for early Byzantine armies).

There's also a ton iof Early Byzantine info on my blog that I could PM you if you were interested?

[AdamPHayes]

I think it works. I'm sure that it's not a 100% historical match, but that can be said for the vast majority of figures.

You're not wrong. I have the advantage for 9th - 10th Century Byzantium in that even academics cannot agree on how the soldiery were equipped, so that gives me a bit of leeway in how my units can look. Some of the Rohan helmets are a bit "Vikingy" but not beyond the bounds of possible equipment, once the more obvious fantasy flourishes are cut back.

It's a really expensive idea, considering the cost of GW figures compared to others

Yes, quite a stumbling block to the project, that. It beggars belief the prices that GW fans have been conditioned into accepting for, now quite elderly, plastic miniatures! I have not even considered buying at those price (yes I'm an old skinflint) and all my figures have been acquired at bargain / second hand prices...

There's also a ton of Early Byzantine info on my blog that I could PM you if you were interested?

Thanks Darrell. Your blog is already used by me for inspiration / checking my sanity!

[Khusru2]

Maybe the Sarmatians with a Viking touch

[bluewillow]

Tolkiens Rohan and Rohirrum are based on Goths

[Basementboy]

Looks cool to me! Most miniatures you'll see are rather exaggerated and fantasised versions of history anyway, so I personally wouldn't have a problem with it. There'll be a few inaccuracies, but if you're having fun that's the important thing- this iis a hobby afterall.

[Thaddeu]

Maybe the Sarmatians with a Viking touch

Funny you mention Sarmatians, I used a random Rohan mini to make a Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth officer, since they sometimes wore scale armor to evolve the Sarmatians the believed themselves descended from. Nice to so someone else using this for historicals!

https://spoonybardiche.blogspot.com/2013/12/pancerni-officer.html

[Atheling]

Forgot to say in my earlier post, they look grand Adam