Spartan Helots

My DBA Campaign project has been split into two. One a Big Battle DBA game of Platea (for some wargaming virgin friends/family) and then a second more club wargaming orientated "Greeks in Peril" Campaign (which will probably be done using the "Full" Impetus Rules). For the former I need a Spartan Hoard, so courtesy of Xyston my one stand of Hoard (aka Helots) for the DBA Spartan Army (see below): 

Please excuse the fuzzy pictures as they were quickly taken on my BB as I did a circular tour of my ancients collection (see below):

A fair bit of time and effort went into painting them and naturally (those perhaps of very dubious historical authenticity) I let them wear Spartan scarlet red to help spot them easily on the battlefield (see below): 

In the meantime (as a separate birthday treat) I have just received a bundle of Early Achaemenid Persian Immortals for the scheduled Big DBA Battle in October, nothing like a bit of painting pressure/motivation ;)

Naval Gazing: Thoughts on Salamis

Along with the 15mm land aspect of the DBA "Greeks in Peril 480 BC" campaign there is the inescapable fact that there was also a very important naval aspect to it, some could argue the most important aspect. Athens in particular was strong at sea, they either fielded hoplites on land or marines at sea, but not both. Thoughts turn to toys: 'currently' I am thinking either the Navwar 1/1200 triremes or their smaller Outpost Wargame Sevice1/3600 alternatives (see below):

The Navwar models were borrowed from a friend who had acquired a few unpainted from an eBay.sake. The Navwar model is basic but then again so was the shape of the trireme (shown below with sail stowed away in battle mode, though the model looks so much better with it up). Hmm, even with a bit of filler applied to the mast hole it's just a basic "brown" model (I don't think the trireme was really ever inspiring painted as any paint would soon come off - please correct me if I am wrong) apart from the bronze ram and the Greek "eyes" which my eyes couldn't do in 1/1200.

One model looked lonely so I started an experiment with two of these models but then it just looked too cramped for my taste on the 30mm square sea bases I was hoping to use (see below):

This left the initial outsiders Outpost Wargames Service in the miniature 1/3600 (no real detail just paintbrush highlights which has a certain appeal to it) a chance to show their worth (see below). Another plus was that these chaps originally sent me a free sample or their wares when I originally asked what their range was like. (Note: "Other" albeit larger scale manufacturers scoffed at the thought of a 'sample', I even returned their email explaining I would have paid for a sample but I was also seeking a sense of the viability of the project as couldn't just buy a Salamis fleet on a mere whim). The results are quite pleasing (see below), two unmasted ships with a third masted to denote an Admiral's stand:

I am torn, the Outpost offering seems the best (certainly not cheap based on the need for "80-120 (depending on scaling)" bases, 240-360 models doing by the David Manley "Greek Fire and Roman Fury" ruleset I intend to use ) but part of me thinks I could do equally well with printed ships on card stock. Can you hear the model lover inside me "scream" out loud at the thought? ;)

Greeks in Peril : Good Guys?

Men in Skirts:

Following on from my reading I mustered my long standing 15mm Greek collection into a semblance of City States for inspection. As per the original intention they are in DBA army format (twelve elements and their alternates). Note: Apologies from the relatively distanced long camera shots.

Athens: Mostly Xyston Miniatures, bar the Cavalry which is Chariot Miniatures. I do have the requisite mounted figures in Xyston, but it takes me a long time to paint their 'sculptures' as a good thing deserves not to be rushed.

Again Athens, this time a close up of Athenian hoplites (see below). These shields are awaiting application of the "Little Big Man" 15mm shield decals (some things don't change no matter what period I do, decals always have and will be my bugbear).

Sparta: The hoplites are from Chariot Miniatures, while the "hoard" are a mixture of Xyston Miniatures. The hoplite line has far too many officers (with their traverse crests), I will at some point have to break them out mixing them with the normal rank and file. Painting the horse hair plumes a mixture of white, red and black will help the appearance too. They also need the application of the "Veni Vidi Vici" lambda decals (no surprises there then).

Thebes: "Ooooh" gasps the crowd in pantomime horror. Greeks in alliance at the start of the invasion but they were (historically) the first to turn and go over to the Persians. Understandable when you consider that the line of Greek defense in Attica meant that their Boetian lands were left for the Persians without a fight. Even more ominous is the fact that I have managed to apply the "Veni Vidi Vici" decals (the white club of Thebes) to them. These figures are from Irregular Miniatures and despite their relative cheapness in comparison to other manufacturers they paint up extremely well. In fact I may safely say these are my favourite hoplite figures to paint. 

Sicilian Greek: These boys historically never made it to the show being distracted from the main party by a different 'invasion' from the neighboring Carthaginians (paid by the Persians to cause mischief). Gelon the Tyrant of Syracuse (tyrant  being more a term describing an ancient 'undisputed' king rather than out and out pure baddie, Gelon in fact was recognized as a very capable and enlightened ruler). Again the foot are from Irregular Miniatures and the mounted from Chariot Miniatures. 

Other "non-core" Greek City States: The front army is Thessalian (the only 'horse heavy' Greek army), a collection of figures from various manufacturers (hoplites from Chariot Miniatures, psiloi I think are from Tin Soldier, the horses from Chariot Miniatures and Essex Miniatures). Behind them are the Phokians (no that's their historical name honest), mostly light troops and a few hoplites (all from Essex miniatures - I have to sadly say Essex  hoplites are my least favourite figures of all time, it's the spear pose in particular I don't like, but the hoarder I am I won't throw them away, hence their demotion to possibly the worst Greek DBS army!).   

All the above armies are usually found fighting each other. Only the threat of the massive Persian invasion of Greece in 480BC (or BCE now as some modern historians have it) brought any form of uniformity of cause. The combination of the above armies should also allow me to field a Basic Impetus Greek Army (well certainly one and possibly a Greek (Athens/Sparta) versus Greek (as in Thebes) match up as well).

Back to reading Herodotus, The Histories, Chapter VII now, the Great King has made his preparations and has crossed the Hellespont on his big bridge of boats ;)

Next: Men in Trousers