Late Republican Romans - Advice Needed

[Paul Richardson]

Please may I ask your advice? I fancy coming up with two very small units of 28mm late Republican Romans - one of Caesarean legionaries (ex-Gallic War) and one of Pompeian legionaries, both from the time of Pharsalus. Which ranges would you recommend please? I don't mind whether they're metal, plastic or resin, but I would like them in combat poses.

Also, is there a good book in English which sets out how they would have been uniformed?

Thanks in advance.

[Pattus Magnus]

For Caesar’s Gallic War veterans, my first choice would be figures from Wargames Foundry. They make several packs where the legionnaires are equipped with some Gallic style helmets. For example, this pack: https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/collections/armoured-legionaries-and-veteran-gallic-legionaries/products/cr024-gallic-legionaries-advancing-with-gladius

Other packs they sell would represent Pompey’s forces, or you could use a different manufacturer for those.

I can’t really recommend any uniform reference books, it has been a long time since I worked on armies for that war.

[SJWi]

Paul, whilst the Foundry figures are excellent and indeed I have an army of them, I would also suggest you check out the new Aventine Miniatures Caesarian range. Maybe not as well animated as Foundry but you can buy them in packs of 4, are cheaper than Foundry and have some excellent command packs. I would look at the Osprey Elite 241 "Armies of Julius Caesar 58-44BC" as a source.

[guitarheroandy]

Foundry and Aventine would be my choice for this period if doing it again (I lost my Caesarian Roman army in flooding a couple of years ago...that was all Foundry )  I suspect they'd match up well together too. Aventine do some legionaries with Greek style helmets which might be pretty good for the Pompeian unit

Regarding uniforms, there's very little concrete 'evidence' that I'm aware of. The Osprey mentioned is absolutely as good a place as any to start (and there are a few others in their range that would be potentially useful, if memory serves) but that'll all be pretty conjectural. Most people paint their Romans in red or off-white tunics. Both look good although I'd go for a madder red rather than a scarlet if choosing that option. Helmet crests usually black, but there's no reason they couldn't be white or red. In this era, the Roman army was equipped by the state (as opposed to the earlier Republic where each man provided his own kit) so arguably a more uniform look is completely justified (although even early Roman wargame armies get painted uniformly most of the time so...) The late Republican legionary wears pretty 'unfussy' kit so they are easy to paint well IMHO.

[Paul Richardson]

Many thanks for the responses. Foundry, Aventine and Osprey it is.

[Pattus Magnus]

SJWi, guitarheroandy, I haven’t checked Aventine’s website in a while and missed seeing the release of the legionnaires - they look excellent! The fellows in Greek helmets are very tempting. Now I’m seriously considering diving back into my late republic Roman project. Thanks for bringing those to everyone’s attention.

[Tim Haslam]

If you are working at a budget,
Then Warlord makes a plastic kit.
It’s excellent, just not quite as good as the ones mentioned above.

Plus,
Warlord have some great articles on that period.

[SJWi]

Chaps,  as I understand it the Aventine website only re-opened a few weeks ago under the new owner. Luckily the sculptor Adam is carrying on after Keith's retirement so hopefully we will see them continue to supply some of the best ancient figures in the business.  I'm tempted by an Etruscan army but need a new 28mm army like a hole in the head.