The first Libyans are finished: 48 spearmen (first batch of four) .
These are equipped hoplite fashion. I have not given them Carthaginian spears, which were apparently shorter, but full on long thrusting types. I have done this for two reasons: firstly, they look better; secondly, they will, at a pinch, double for Syracusan hoplites.
All figures are Renegade. Shield transfers by LBM. Standards are home made out of old shields, bits of Roman standards, and wire spears. All figures are painted with enamels.
Anyway, here is how they came out.
This months quota will be 30 Libyan skirmishers, 20 Balearic slingers, 12 Spanish caetrati and some Numidian cavalry. Next month I'll complete the cavalry (mainly Spanish) and command stands I'll need to do a mini-Trebia. Then I'll have to base them all up - all 600 of them. At that point I'll be over quarter of the way towards completing the collection. What's more, I'll be able to fight my first battle with them.
5 comments:
"These are equipped hoplite fashion. I have not given them Carthaginian spears, which were apparently shorter, but full on long thrusting types."
Interesting comment - do you have a research source for the shorter spears? In my reading on the Punic Wars I've found next to nothing on how the African troops were equipped during Hannibal's campaigns. Any tips would be appreciated.
Hi CTF,
There are several sources that refer to this and it is largely down to vase paintings which show Libyan spearmen with spears to head height with a broad leafed spear head. WRG's "Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars" has an Illustration which closely matches the shots of Lybian spearmen on the Renegade web site. One thing we can be sure of is that they were NOT pike armed.
Personally, although I believe my sources entirely, I think they look a bit silly. These are my toys and, given that Renegade do not provide spears, I'll arm them as I choose.
Great painting on these figures.
My opponent has African spears and they're a beast to fight!
They were definitely NOT pikes - I think they were armed similarly to triarii - longer than a hoplite spear, shorter than a pike.
Hi Phil B,
Have you seen the triarii spears in the Osprey book on Republican Romans. These are not above head height either - and considering that the average Roman was only 5 foot 6 inches tall!....
.....I've gone with 8 foot spears for my Triarii. I don't care if they historically inaccurate - they look better!!!!
Hi , Fantastic paint job , brilliant terrain, amazing pictures, can't wait for next feature.Billy Hope you enjoy mine.
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