From JP : Marian Romans and some early Saxon warriors. (70 points)

Before Aventine shut down for a sad but well deserved retirement, I bought a batch of their Marians and Late Republicans (those suitable for Marians). These are marvellous sculpts. They are based on the practical reality that troops weren't all equipped uniformly but raher regionally, through to the 1st civil war. The unit I painted up is recruited in Cisalpine Gaul and has a number of Gallic features.

Next up are half a dozen early Saxon Warriors for Pillage. Victrix does lovely work and though I don't need more than 50 figures, it is sorely tempting!

The tally is 14 28mm figures for 70 points.

Now I'm eyeing some of my Border Reivers...

Cheers!

Don't stop spoiling us with your excellent Ancient paint schemes JP, go on indulge yourself in more Saxons! No seriously; these Marians and Saxons are very very well painted yet again, I do not know how you keep the levell of painting so consistently high throughout the project. Avantine did make some really beautiful and useful troops and this rough and ready look really does it's job! The Saxons are really well done as well.  Can't wait to see what you will do with those Reivers you've mentioned! 

 Cheers Sander 

From JP: Early Saxon raiders (60 points)

  

I have always been fascinated by the Dark Ages, be it Tolkien's works and Farmer Giles of Ham or  Franz Bengstonn's The Long Ships (the book, not the movie) or later inspirations driven by Sub-Roman Britain. Along the way I have read some fascinating books like Marc Moris' The Anglo-Saxons and Thomas Williams' Lost Realms. 

Of course Bran Mak Morn and Worms of the Earth have also fed into my mind emporium... 

Anyways, that's my excuse for this distraction from Marians and Cimbrians... Victrix put out a set of rules called Pillage (not sure about their playability yet) but I am hooked on Midgard Heroic Battles. The Victrix Early Saxon and Sub-Roman Britons Pillage forces have been irresistable purchases in spite of my love for metal. As I assembled them in December, the need to apply brush to figures was overwhelming and I have interwoven them into my other projects. I will doubtlessly buy Picts and Scots as they come out (yawn, bloody typical gamer I hear you all say).

I started with the easiest chaps, skirmishers:

Then some basic Fyrd - using the small shield as they are still 'warband' in orientation rather than 'shieldwall'.

Points:

12 28mm foot x 5 points  = 60 points

Thanks for looking folks!

JP

A great Dark Age entry JP, I do like the gritty rough and ready look of these early Saxons. Your choice of natural colours is inspiring as it gives these miniatures real historical credibility. Another 60 points for the tally for you.

Cheers Sander