'First Look' Republican Roman pics!

[Squirrel]

I agree with Nik's comments about the posing, but excellent sculpting

I could be tempted by these ..........

Cheers,

Kev

[Bertie]

Well what can I say, Dave and Leon said they would look at the Republic and they are true to their word.                            These figures have huge potential.
Can I ask , will you be looking at the Mid Rebublic? as I can't wait to confront my local Hannibal with a new range of Romans.

Excellent work

[Techno]

Thanks Bertie.

I'll be checking with Leon very soon, as to what his requirements are...so I'm sure he'll let you know.

A question for you first though.
By Mid Republic, do you mean one of the variations of armour that would have had upright feathers on top of the helms, rather than the flowing 'crest'?
I can make those.....But I'd worry about how fragile they'd be once they were cast in metal at this scale

VBWs - Phil.

[Bertie]

Hi Techno,

The Mid Rebublic would be the period of the Hastatus, Principes, Triarii and Velite. From what I understand the Hastatus had a pectoral (a plate of armour on the chest) Princpes and Triarii a mail shirt. But no doubt there would have been variations in the army.

What I have read seems to indicate that a three feather plume was used. All I can say is that Magister Militum and Minifigs (USA) have produced figures depicting the plume But I am certainly no artist to make a valid judgement. Anyway if push came to shove I would settle for the crest you have done to date, as long as they were distinctive in the other areas. Besides I have seen pictures with all manner and variations of the crest. Does anyone really know 100%?

Whilst you are about it how about a range of non Latin equiped Italian allies that can be used by several armies.

Anyway can't wait no really I can't wait to see what you can do. As the Republic is an army that I have bought and painted in several scales including 10mm, but they have never been my "THIS IS THE ONE" and I have been looking off and on for 30 years. Must have OCD I guess

[Techno]

Thanks Bertie.

I know the ones you mean !
(Well...when i say know....I do have reference 'piccies' for the chest plate....)

Allies ?.....We'll have to ask that nice Mr Leon.

VBWs - Phil.

[Bertie]

Hello Techno,

Just spent the last 20 mins trying to attach an image no joy. Not the sites fault its me. Anyway if you do a search on google/MSN images there are loads of pictures.

Sorry
Bertie

[Techno]

Hi Bertie.

I believe Leon is going to send me a reference book...(or some pics...)...very soon now....So no worries.
Many thanks for trying anyway ! 

VBWs - Phil

[Bertie]

Hello Techno,

What has Leon given you the go ahead to do?

[Leon]

Hello Techno,

What has Leon given you the go ahead to do?

Nothing yet!  I've been too busy getting the stock done for Salute to get anything sorted.

[Luddite]

The sculpting is excellent but the poseing is off - as stated, they are too static.  I think a simple 'forward lean' into the shield would solve that and make them look a little more dynamic.  I really like the close in shield and the compact use of the galdius, which is as i understand it the current thinking on how these chaps fought (some scholars suggesting that only the gladius blade protruted beyond the tightly held shield).

The Republican Roman army after the Marian reforms adopted the triplex acies 'manipular formation', with the Principes and Hastati behind a shield of skirmishing velites and backed up by the veteran triarii (armed originally in 'Greek fashion' of long spear phalanx, but later increasingly with short spear or even gladius), so i'm not sure which grade of troop you're sculpting here?  Hastati?

The issue of the headdress is also moot.  Again, we don't really know what they wore, but it was likely either tall feathers or a 'horse tail'.  I've alsways felt these 'brushes' look more Greek that Roman.

Here's a good image source (Left = Hastati/Principes; Centre = Triarii; Right = velites).

[Leon]

Thanks for the info Luddite, I might have a wander around Salute for that Osprey.  We've got the Punic Wars one already.

[Techno]

Well, I'll be........
As Leon now knows....That's the particular ref book, I've got already !
Those it is then.....I'll send WIP pictures to Leon as I progress.
Cheers - Phil.
(Hope everyone going to Salute has a really GREAT time !)

[Bertie]

Brilliant just the look I have always considered to be Punic war Romans. One thing though, only a few Velites would have worn the animal headress, those who wanted to stand out on the battlefeild, the rest would have tried to blend into the back ground with a simple helmet. Some good illustrations of Roman cavalry in the book as well

[Leon]

One thing though, only a few Velites would have worn the animal headress, those who wanted to stand out on the battlefeild, the rest would have tried to blend into the back ground with a simple helmet.

Yeah, I don't think we'll be going for the dead cat headwear!

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Yeah, I don't think we'll be going for the dead cat headwear!

Ah - why not....plenty of vounteer mogies around 'ere, or wuz dat foxes....

IanS