Roman Info

[Old Guy]

I plan a Roman army the late 2nd Century AD, I have an idea of the figures I am going to use but I do not have any books or information on what these troops should look like or the colours etc.

Can anyone recommend some nice picture books or sites where I can see what I should be doing?

[Mad Doc Morris]

Osprey's your friend here: Roman Legionary 58 BC-AD 69 (Warrior 71), Roman Legionary AD 69-161 (Warrior 166) and Imperial Roman Legionary AD 161-284 (Warrior 72) are a good primer with lots of pretty pictures. More in-depth and genuine research is provided by Graham Sumner's Roman Military Clothing (1): 100 BC-AD 200 (Men-at-Arms 374). There's all you ever need to come up with colour schemes.

For fancy, if somewhat questionable reconstructions you might take a look at Roman Centurions 31 BC-AD 500: The Classical and Late Empire (Men-at-Arms 479). Only to be taken with more than a grain of salt, and you better forget about d'Amato's so-called analysis.

[damianlz]

Hey mate, when in doubt come over and say hi at RomanArmyTalk.com for 2nd/3rd century I'd highly suggest checking this blog http://romanrecruit.weebly.com/ for colours, there wasnt much of a change in the reds, blues, greens yellows available in other periods. The best and most accurate (to me) miniatures of this time are the aventineminiatures.com EIR period as its 150 - 190 AD and have the right helmets, lorica etc.

if you have specific questions please let me know

[Old Guy]

Thanks for that, nice blog as well.

I will definitely be going with Aventine for the bulk of the troops. I am not sure yet whether to do a Western or Eastern legion, the choice impacting on the bases of course and the eventual second 'enemy' army I will have to get. I am very tempted by those beautiful Sassanid figures but from a general's point of view their infantry is just rubbish.

[AdamPHayes]

Thanks for that, nice blog as well.

I will definitely be going with Aventine for the bulk of the troops. I am not sure yet whether to do a Western or Eastern legion, the choice impacting on the bases of course and the eventual second 'enemy' army I will have to get. I am very tempted by those beautiful Sassanid figures but from a general's point of view their infantry is just rubbish.

I think that is partly "wargames accepted wisdom" rather than the latest historical interpretation. There is some evidence that the Sassanids had at least some decent armoured infantry. Not my period so I cannot point you at the sources but Ancmed headlong threads discussing this in the past. https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ancmed/info

[rumacara]

If i´m not mistaken Crusader Miniatures also have some 2nd century roman packs.
Word checking.