Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Sassanid Impetus Opportunity Markers

Sassanid Surenas Command

Finally some Sassanids off the table, still not as much brushwork time as I would of liked but still satisfied with the result, the figures are from the very fine Sassanid A & A range, with a horse that is with the Surenas (Nobles) on the website, Steve sent me a few with my last order, thanks mate!

Cheers
Matt

Hunnoi light cavalry

These units are the real start to my multi-allied or enemy units for my Sassanids and Late Romans.

Most of us are aware of the Hun invasions of the west, but I, like possibly you, was unaware of the troubles the Sassanids faced against the Nomadic tribes in the East.

 The Sassanids were constantly invaded by the Chionite, Ephthalite (Hephtalite)  and Hunnoi tribes in the 4th, 5th and 6th centurys'. The Sassanids like the Romans decided to settle the invading Nomadic tribes on their borders. Mostly along the great Golestan wall, this wall starts on the Caspian coast, circles North to the city Gonbade Kavous, continues towards the Northwest and finises in the Pishkamar Mountains of Afghanistan ( around 155klms long) and on the opposite bank of the on Caspian from the Derband pass (Caspian Gates) to the mountains (50klm) . The Sassanids' like the Romans had trouble controlling these Foederatus allies, even a Sassanid King, Kavad was put on the throne in 488 by the Ephthalites,  and he married a Ephthalite princess and had a Ephthalite bodygaurd whilst he was on the throne, and the Sassanid empire paid a heavy tribute  for 43 years.

These figures are from the Essex Mongol range, I have cut off the stirrups and pointed their feet downwards, I found them a nice change from painting regular Roman troops.

cheers
Mat


Sunday, February 24, 2013

Hunnoi General

Off the desk this week is a Hun General,  the beginning of another allied army for my late Romans and Sassanids'. He is actually from the Essex Mongol range,I shaved off his stirrups and mounted him on a Essex horse.

 I still have the one heavy, two medium and 3 light cavalry unit units to complete this little force, enjoying the change!
I may need to take a better photo I think as it was hammering rain outside, so this one was done inside.......

cheers
Matt

Friday, February 15, 2013

Tertiaci Herculea

The Legio III Herculia ("the 3rd Legion dedicated to Hercules") raised by Diocletian (284-305). The nickname of the Legion is from his co-emperor Maximian who called himself Herculius, 'the man like Hercules'.

The legion had originally been a limitanei unit and was responsible for the defense of the province Raetia. During the 4th Century, it was raised to comitatenses status. Tertia Herculea came under the command of Master Peditum and was part of the army of the Comes Illyrici, stationed with the Legio III Italica . It is mentioned in Julians' army for the Sassanid campaign. the Legions symbol is quite possibly Hercules.


The figures are again Crusader Miniatures, the shields are again hand painted and were a pain in the A! Only four more units to go and I am finished my Romans!



Cheers 
Matt

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Legio III Pia Parthica Serveriana



Another unit for my eastern Roman army. A pseudocomitatensis Legio, raised by the Emperor Lucius Spetimius Severus for his campaign against the Sassanids in 197. After the campaign they were assigned to Mesopotamia with the main barracks at Rhesaena, where they had the duty of securing the main roads and to protect the province. In the 4th century the notitia Dignitatum the legion was stationed at Apatna.

Figures are crusader and the sheilds are hand painted. 



Cheers
Matt