Tuesday 31 January 2023

Project 2023

Of the 150 DBA armies in the collection, more than half have not seen any use. I have given thought as to how best to reduce the collection to an enjoyable size; a programme is now underway to do this. By mid-February, I expect a sizeable number will have new homes. 

Those which have been sold there remain extra bits that will serve as cadres for a newly created army. The first, in this reconstruction project, the Kingdom of Nabataea, is nearly done, but lack only the camel mounted troop. Photos and a brief description will be uploaded when the collection is complete.

Next on the list are the Late Judean, ideal opponents for the Nabataean. Both armies were created from extras left behind from the sale of Polybian and Middle Imperial Roman.

To fill the vacancy left by the departing Roman armies, I have decided to add an Early Imperial Roman army to set against the growing number of opponents. Plans for the Imperial Roman will be posted soon, complete with unit names and shield patterns.

With the completion of the Late Judean, the total of enemies awaiting the return of Rome will reach 10, of these 7 are double size. This period offers a wealth of scenarios based on the campaigns in Germania, against Parthia, Dacia and last but not least, the Jewish Wars. Based on recent archaeological findings, the Batavian Revolt for example has a nice mix of open confrontations and riverine warfare. The Jewish War offers some interesting aspects of the siege of Jerusalem.


 Map: Wiki Common

Thursday 5 January 2023

The Early German armies Book II/47

This past week I gathered a number DBA3 armies to be sold and among them were the Early Germans. I seem to recall offering them earlier and with no interest they remained in the collection. Looking at preliminary photos, these showed an out-dated technique/  As a challenge, I decided to keep them and bring them to the next level. 

The process became more than my original plan. Clothing and exposed body parts were darkened, allowing a better definition when highlighted. Weapons were redone and designs were added to the shields; stars and crescents for the Marcomanni and swirl and line patterns for the allied contingent. Skull standards were added for the warriors trained in the Roman fashion (4Bd).

The project took less than two weeks to complete, inspiring a review of other armies in need of refurbishment. Needless to say, the Early Germans will remain in the collection. 


Marcomanni 1


 

Marcomanni 2



Allies