PlaymoFriends
Creative => Customs Gallery => Topic started by: Timotheos on August 04, 2008, 09:38:52
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After six months of indecision, my Roman tabletop scene finally came together.
The time frame is sometime around 120 AD.
I'm going to call the location the Romanian Frontier (Dacia).
The emperor is Hadrian (he has to be Hadrian due to the beard, otherwise I'd call him Trajan marching off for the battle of Tapae against Decebalus).
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3056/2730800731_fcfa94dc30_o.jpg)
Close up of Hadrian riding beside the legate (general). Behind the pair are four tribunes. Behind them rides the praetorian cavalry (imperial or legate's bodyguard). These praetorian are a modest custom from the original "Roman warrior" figure--the flexible blue new-style cloak plus standard legionaire helmets. The decurion still wears the bronze helm with blue plume).
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3232/2731632968_f7937edca4_o.jpg)
The front of the century and the tail of an archer auxiliary (Ethiopian and Hamian archers). The Romans did field mixed ethnic group auxiliary companies, but whether they mixed them together like this or kept them in separate centuries, I don't know. I only had seven archers and had to fill out the unit.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/2730800923_5461e26e16_o.jpg)
The century's optio is encouraging a soldier who fell out of line (off screen) to get off his butt.
Note also the two soldiers carrying the scorpion ballista. I suspect the scorpion was packed off on a wagon, but it was light enough for a two-man team to carry.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/2730801071_4f72a96e30_o.jpg)
Here is a close-up of the baggage train. Some sources speculate that the Roman army may have used a civilian corps of muleteers--specialized baggage handlers who could load up fast and make it all fit.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3179/2731633314_4eb5667cee_o.jpg)
Here is the Numidian auxiliary cavalry scouting the woods on the legion's flank.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2153/2731633432_3a5d317b2a_o.jpg)
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Wonderful layout Tim, I'm looking at work so don't have time for much comment, but I'll be perusing again and again.
Makes me want to dig out my own Romans again.
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Very nice and detailed layout, Tim, and thank you for the detailed commentary; it helps enormously to know exactly what's depicted and allows a still greater appreciation of what you've created.
I've a photo for you which I'll add to the thread on your custom soldier with the backpack etc in the next day or so.
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Beautiful lay out . Those two soldiers carying the scorpion, i bet sure wish they had a few wolves to pull that thing ;D There seems to be more to the photo than we can see . The castle near the sheep hearder ?
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Thanks for all the comments.
Gordon, I look forward to your picture. I'm still struggling to execute the "Marius's Mules" baggage (which the parts you sent will help a lot). Each legionairre would be carrying a long fork or cross-pole that he hangs his clothes bag from plus cooking kit, two stakes for the nightly camp, and three days worth of grain. From his belt he would also be carrying a pickaxe in addition to the sword.
Beautiful lay out . Those two soldiers carying the scorpion, i bet sure wish they had a few wolves to pull that thing ;D There seems to be more to the photo than we can see . The castle near the sheep hearder ?
Hi Rasputin
The unpictured castle is the front gate to my milecastle and auxiliary barracks. I thought I had a picture on the forum but can't find it.
-Tim
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Nice diorama, Tim! I really like all your natural details. (I don't have much in the way of scenery, so my tabletop looks like a desert!) Also, the minor customizations of the klickies really make them unique. You've got quite the gathering of ethnicities there too. The combination of the Ethiopian and Hamian archers is an interesting one that I wouldn't have thought of.
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The only little thing that I don't like to see, Tim, is German Xth century houses in the landscape with your Roman troops passing by.
Everything else is perfect, & very beautifully done!
Gus
:blackhair:
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The only little thing that I don't like to see, Tim, is German Xth century houses in the landscape with your Roman troops passing by.
Everything else is perfect, & very beautifully done!
Gus
:blackhair:
Hi Gus you're correct about that. My book on Hadrian's Wall shows illustrations with wood-framework British houses but the book is probably anachronistic. The barrels might also be anachronistic but I can't re-find my source that purported barrels to be a medieval innovation.
-Tim
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Hi Gus you're correct about that. My book on Hadrian's Wall shows illustrations with wood-framework British houses but the book is probably anachronistic. The barrels might also be anachronistic but I can't re-find my source that purported barrels to be a medieval innovation.
-Tim
Well ... "Asterix" may not be the better source but Urdezzo & Goscinny (never remember who's the artist) use barrels ...
I think Romans had barrels, Tim, they did, all right! it's an old invention ... But I have to admit that so do I have to go after finding this out :hmm:
G.
:blackhair: